Our Father Who Is in Heaven

Worshipping, Asking Forgiveness, and Making Supplication

The Lord’s Prayer

On this Father’s Day weekend as we honor our earthly fathers it is only fitting that we recognize our Heavenly Father and thank Him for all the blessings we have received. He sent His Son to rescue us from our hopeless condition and He watches over us and answers our prayers. The Lord Jesus taught the following regarding praying to our Heavenly Father:

“.. When you pray, use not vain repetition as the heathen do…… For your Father knows what things you have need of before you ask Him. After this manner, therefore, pray you….” (Matthew 6:8,9a).

The Lord’s Disciples asked him to teach them to pray. He responded with our introductory verse and in the following verses will give His disciples, and us, the foundation for all prayer. In the verses that follow, the Lord gives an example of what the basic structure of all prayer should be – a model or pattern. Also, we should pray with the belief that God will hear our prayers and answer according to His will. The Lord continues in verses 9b-13:

“Our Father….”

We should pray always to the Father, not to Jesus or the Holy Spirit. Our help comes from Heaven through our Father. We have a relationship with Him through our faith in Jesus and the work He accomplished at the Cross.

“…Who is in Heaven. Hallowed be Your Name.”

As has been mentioned, our help comes from Heaven and not from anything here on earth. The word “Hallowed” means greatly revered and honored. We show reverence and honor towards our Father, for He is our great and loving God.

“Your kingdom come…”

We are to pray that the kingdom of God will come. We are told by Christ that, when seeking God’s blessings for our life, we are to: ” Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things (all that we need) will be added unto you.” God’s Kingdom is within us now, but will definitely come to the whole world at the Second Coming of Christ.

“Your will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven.”

The Lord’s will and not ours. The Lord’s will for this world is not being accomplished at this time but will be when the Kingdom comes at Christ’s return. Then, all the wrongs will be made right and all the suffering will end.

“Give us this day our daily bread.”

Our spiritual and material needs are met by the Lord. He watches over and cares for us in all matters. As Jesus said in the introductory verse, “Your Father knows what things you have need of before you ask.” All the Lord provides for us comes by way of, and because of, the great Sacrifice by the Lord on the Cross.

“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”

The Father is a just God and cannot forgive sin without the sin penalty being paid. A sinless substitute needed to be found to pay the price. The only One qualified to do this was the Incarnate God/Man Jesus Christ. He paid the price for our sin that we might be forgiven. John the Baptist said this of Him, “Behold the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world.” The Lord has forgiven us much. Because we have been forgiven much; the Lord requires that we extend forgiveness to others.

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

We are to ask the Lord to help us to not be led into temptation. In our own strength, we will surely fail. Temptation is the Devil’s bait to lead us into evil. The Lord, through the Holy Spirit, as we place our faith in Christ and Him crucified, will keep us from evil. “For the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the Law of Sin and Death” (Romans 8:2).

“For Yours is the Kingdom.”

This last section of the prayer is called the doxology meaning; praise to God. We praise God for Who He is and from whom all blessings flow. Praising God is one of the highest forms of worship. We want God’s Kingdom to prevail on earth.

“And the power,”

The Spirit and the power of God are how everything is accomplished. Nothing can be done for the Lord without God’s Spirit and power. Jesus said this after His Resurrection, “All power is given unto Me (by the Father) in Heaven and in earth.” This power includes the power to enable us to walk out this life by faith in the Cross. 1 Corinthians says, “Christ the Power of God and Wisdom of God.” Our faith in Christ and Him Crucified enables the Holy Spirit to work powerfully in our lives.

“And the glory,”

Psalm 72:9 says, “Blessed be His glorious Name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His glory! Amen and Amen.” The glory of the Father can be clearly seen through the Son. Hebrews says this regarding Jesus: “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word.” Unto Him be the glory for He has done great and mighty things for us.

“Forever.”

The above will come to fruition and will never change. Psalm 119:89 says, “Forever, O Lord, Your Word is settled in Heaven.” In the coming time, the will of the Father will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Of this, we can be sure.

“Amen.”

The word amen is a statement of affirmation and means “so be it.”

Although the words “in Jesus’ Name” are not part of this prayer, we can see that faith in the Lord and His great work are. A personal relationship with God was foreign to those in the Old Testament. Calling the Most High God “Our Father” was not part of the Old Testament believer’s understanding. Jesus opened this understanding up to His followers and the Lord’s Prayer can only be prayed aright by those who have placed their faith in Christ. The Word says, “But as many as received Him (Jesus), to them gave He power to become sons (and daughters) of God.” Also, as we have said, God’s provision, protection, and forgiveness are all due to what the Lord accomplished at Calvary. You might say, the Lord’s Prayer looked forward to the atoning work of Calvary. All that we pray; we pray in light of the Lord’s great work on the cross.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

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Prayer Changes Things

The Lord wants us to come to Him with all our needs. Prayer requests can be left on the comments page of this website.

“For the eyes of the Lord are on the Righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers…” (1 Peter 3:12).

The Lord hears our prayers and is faithful to answer.

Always Remember,

God Loves You!

Find podcasts of this article, and all the articles on this website on the “Here I Am Lord” podcast on Spotify for Podcasters, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, and RadioPublic. Also, Here I Am, Lord is on Telegram.

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Here I Am, Lord – Tom Quinn Ministries – tqministries.com 2024

Joey Receives Power From on High

The Baptism With the Holy Spirit

Fictional Narrative

Third in the Series on “The Life of Joey.”

“You shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the Earth” (Acts 1:8).

In the two previous articles on “The Life of Joey,” we visited Joey’s past when he gave his heart to the Lord and was saved. We also were with Joey when he found his way to a victorious walk in his Christian life. We saw how dedicated Joey is in sharing the Gospel. He shares the faith as led by the Holy Spirit with all those he comes across in his daily life. Joey loves the Lord and feels he is a debtor to the Lord for all the Lord has done for him, and a debtor to all those who do not know the Lord or are discouraged in their Christian walk.

In this article, we find Joey searching the scriptures every day and asking the Lord to give him power for service. In his search, Joey sees how the Book of Acts recorded the establishment of the church. He sees how Peter, who had denied the Lord some days previously, stood up before thousands and preached Christ to them. What had changed in Peter that had allowed him to boldly proclaim Christ and boldly state that the nation of Israel had delivered their Messiah to be crucified?

He realizes that the answer is in what the Lord told His Disciples just before His Ascension to Heaven. The Lord gave His Disciples the following command:

“And (Jesus), being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the Promise of the Father, which, said He, you have heard of Me” (Acts 1:4).

Joey realizes that the “Promise of the Father” was the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost which was the beginning of the church. The Lord had promised the coming of the Holy Spirit in His instructions to his disciples just before his crucifixion.

Joey now sees why Peter, who had denied the Lord, could stand up and preach a bold message to thousands resulting in many being saved. This was the anointing of the Holy Spirit given for service. He read the Book of Acts with fresh insight and saw how the power of the Holy Spirit preceeded the Gospel resulting in powerful preaching, healings, and deliverance for many from the powers of darkness. Joey is excited to see that that same power is available for us today. 

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men will see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit, and they shall prophesy” (Acts 2:17,18)

Joey now understands that the last days started with the Day of Pentecost and continues through our day and the coming Great Tribulation. Joey prayed to the Lord asking Him to Baptize him with the Holy Spirit and the Lord answered his prayer. He received the evidence of the Baptism with the speaking in other tongues.

Joey now sees that the coming of the Holy Spirit was for power to walk out this life in victory and for power for service. It is the duel work of the Holy Spirit. Joey now knows that along with the victory the Holy Spirit gives us over the world, the flesh, and the Devil as we place our faith daily in the finished work of Christ, we can walk in the power of the Holy Spirit for service as we go forth sharing the Gospel.

Joey is still out there each day sharing the Gospel as the Spirit leads. He is so grateful for all the Lord has done for him. He is saved, Baptized with the Holy Spirit, and has victory in his daily life, all due to what Christ accomplished on the Cross. You may run across Joey as you go about your daily business. He gives the Lord all the glory for what the Lord has done in his life. Again, Joey considers himself a debtor to the Lord and to all those who are so in need of the Salvation that the Lord freely gives. Joey remembers his lost state before the Lord reached down in His Mercy and Grace and lifted him up to higher ground. Joey presses forward each day with the call of God on his life and the love of His Savior in his heart. The following, you might say, is Joey’s heart’s cry:

“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3: 4).

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Prayer Changes Things

The Lord wants us to come to Him with all our needs. Prayer requests can be left on the comments page of this website.

“For the eyes of the Lord are on the Righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers…” (1 Peter 3:12).

The Lord hears our prayers and is faithful to answer.

Always Remember,

God Loves You!

Find podcasts of this article, and all the articles on this website on the “Here I Am Lord” podcast on Spotify for Podcasters, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, and RadioPublic. Also, Here I Am, Lord is on Telegram.

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Always Remember,

God Loves You!

Find podcasts of this article, and all the articles on this website on the “Here I Am Lord” podcast on Spotify for Podcasters, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, and RadioPublic. Also, Here I Am, Lord is on Telegram.

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Always Remember,

God Loves You!

Find podcasts of this article, and all the articles on this website on the “Here I Am Lord” podcast on Spotify for Podcasters, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, and RadioPublic. Also, Here I Am, Lord is on Telegram.

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Here I Am, Lord – Tom Quinn Ministries – tqministries.com 2023

The Emperor’s New Clothes

Naked Before the Lord

”Because you say, I am rich, and increased in goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17).

Our introductory verse is from the Book of Revelation and was addressed to the church at Laodicea. The Lord had John write this strong rebuke to a church of the Apostle John’s day. The Lord had John write seven letters to seven churches that existed at that time. These churches represent seven different periods in the church age. The letter to the church at Laodicea was the last of the seven and represents the church of our day – the last days before Christ’s return.

This church was lifted up due to its wealth and did not realize its true condition. The church in America as a whole is in the same condition. Because we are the church of the last days, this letter the Lord gave to Laodicea two thousand years ago is extremely relevant today.

I want to qualify what I am about to present. As we have seen, the seven churches represent periods in the church age, but all of these seven churches can be found today. As is obvious, true believers who love the Lord and serve Him with all their hearts can be found throughout church history and are present today. Hopefully, those reading this article, or listening to the podcast, are in this group of true believers.

However, there is a great falling away from the Lord that can be seen in the major denominations, the seeker-sensitive church, the Word of Faith churches, and many independent churches throughout our nation. If the Gospel has not changed our lives then our Salvation is in question. The Lord said the following strong words to the Church of Laodicea:

“So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:16).

As a nation, we have been blessed materially by the Lord beyond all the nations of the world. He has blessed our country and, as a whole,  the church has responded to these blessings by taking our eyes off the Lord. We have enjoyed the blessings he has provided without seeking the Blesser. This is the church of our day.

The Emperor, in the Hans Christian Anderson folktale, thought he was clothed, but he was not. The swindlers had convinced him that the clothes were magnificent when they were not. There were no clothes to cover the Emperor, but no one, including the Emperor, would admit it. The world system headed by Satan offers the same covering, which is no covering at all. Those that buy into it, and ignore the covering the Lord graciously offers are standing “naked” before the Lord and are in great danger of eternal judgment. 

As we know, unbelievers, who have rejected the Lord, live under the covering of this fallen world system and will be judged by the Lord if they do not repent and come the Lord’s Way. But the church has the Bible, knows the way to the Lord, and all the spiritual blessings He has promised. We know the great Sacrifice he made at Calvary, in that, we can be forgiven and be with Him for eternity. We have no excuse. The time is short and the church, as a whole, must realize its true condition and come back to the Lord.

He calls out to His church today as he did to the church of Laodicea at the time. They were “lukewarm” to the things of God which in God’s eyes is equal to a rejection of His Way. We are to follow after the Lord with all our hearts. He loved those at Laodicea and He loves those today who have a half-hearted approach to serving the Lord. He calls out to whosoever will hear and come back to Him with all their heart. The Lord calls out to us today with the following invitation through His message to the church at Laodicea:

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).

For anyone who has left their first love which is Christ and Him crucified and has lost their way; He calls out to them to come back to Him. We can know we have our faith right if we make Christ and Him crucified the object of our faith daily. We will be protected from the false doctrine that is so prevalent today. We are to clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ without which the Lord has said we are “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” before Him. He is calling His church back to faith in His finished work at Calvary. Time is short. This was the seventh and last letter written to the church. We must harken to the warning and His call to repentance that the Lord has graciously provided to His last day’s church. He calls out with the following declaration of His love:

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent” (Revelation 3:19).

Always Remember,

God Loves You!

Find podcasts of this article, and all the articles on this website on the “Here I Am Lord” podcast on Spotify for Podcasters, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, and RadioPublic. Also, Here I Am, Lord is on Telegram.

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Here I Am, Lord – Tom Quinn Ministries – tqministries.com 2024

Coming Home!

Lord, I’m Coming Home!

Lord, I’m  Coming Home

I’ve wandered far away from God, now I’m coming home. The paths of sin too long I’ve trod, Lord, I’m coming home.

There once was a man who lived many years of his life without the Lord. He did seek the Lord as a young boy but did not find the Lord in the church he attended. In going through some difficult teenage years the man gave up his search for the Lord and settled into a life devoid of God. He married and lived his life doing whatever seemed right to him and whatever gave him pleasure. The man knew that he was living a life that was not pleasing to the Lord, but continued in his way of rebellion against the inner witness that there indeed was a God – the God he felt drawn to as a young boy. He did not know the way to God and if he was to be honest wasn’t even seeking that way.

A difficult time in his life made him stop and reflect on his life and the choices he had made. He came across the Gospel for the first time in his life and he was excited and saddened by it. Excited to finally know the way to God, but saddened that he did not find that way earlier, even as a young boy. The Lord spoke to him regarding this telling him that He saw him seeking Him as a young boy.

The man realized that the Lord had to bring him to a place where he would be open to the Gospel. Open to the love the Lord has for us all that brought Him to die on a cruel cross for his sin. Sometimes we must reach a place of great difficulty in our lives before we can be open to the drawing of the Holy Spirit. He had lived a life of sin, but that inner witness of the reality of the existence of God had been with him all those years. The Lord, in His mercy and Grace, had reached down and answered the young boy’s prayer and brought the man home.

“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you” (Augustine in his Confessions).

The Lord has placed a witness of His existence in all of us. Romans Chapter 1 says “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them for God has shown it unto them.” Humanity is without excuse. The young boy of our story knew that there was a God due to this inner witness. The Lord has also given evidence of his existence in creation. Again, Romans chapter 1 says “For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhood; so that they are without excuse.”

Augustine made it clear; We are restless until we find rest in our creator and our great God who loves us and has created us for Himself. We will find that rest when we come in repentance and faith in the love that was displayed at Calvary. The Lord paid the price for our sins and we were “bought with a price” by the Lord Who rescued us from this fallen rebellious world. We find our true life in Him. Coming home to the Lord is the place of untold blessings. We come into the shelter of the Most High and “shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” He is our place of rest. in coming to Him, we are coming home.

Coming home, coming home, nevermore to roam. Open wide thy arms of love, Lord, I’m coming home.

[Lord, I’m Coming Home – Composed by William J Kirkpatrick pub. 1892]

Always Remember,

God Loves You!

Find podcasts of this article, and all the articles on this website on the “Here I Am Lord” podcast on Spotify for Podcasters, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, and RadioPublic. Also, Here I Am, Lord is on Telegram.

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The Apostle John on the Isle of Patmos

Revelation Chapter 1:1-8

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent it by His Angel unto His servant John” (Revelation 1:1).

The Apostle John was imprisoned on the Isle of Patmos due to his preaching of the Gospel. The Lord Jesus gave John this “Revelation” showing John the beginning of happenings starting with John’s time, through, and past, the Church Age. The Book of Revelation was given by the Lord to his servants so that believers, at that time, and down through the Church Age, would know what would happen in the years to come.

“Blessed is he who reads, and they who hear the words of this Prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand” (verse 2).

All who read and keep the words of this prophecy are promised a blessing. “The time is at hand” is speaking of the beginning of events that will ultimately result in the Second Coming of the Lord, the Millennial Kingdom, and the Perfect Age. Chapters 2 and 3 are the messages, or letters, addressed to seven churches of that time in Asia and also represent the successive periods down through the Church Age. The following verse is a reference to these letters that the Lord will give to the churches in chapters 2 and 3:

“John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and Peace from Him which is, and which was, and which is to come….”(verse 4a).

Again, these letters were given to John for these churches by the Lord Jesus Christ. All of these churches, except the church of Philadelphia, had issues the Lord would address in their letters. This reference to Grace and Peace was pointing these churches, and us, to the only answer for all we face. Grace comes solely through what Christ accomplished on the Cross and comes by faith alone. When our faith is in His finished work our walk will be pleasing to the Lord and we will have Peace with God (Salvation) and the Peace of God (sanctifying  peace.) Notice the reference to “Him which is, and which was, and which is to come.” This speaks of His certain coming at the end of the age for His church and to save Israel at the end of the Great Tribulation.

“And from Jesus Christ, Who is the Faithful Witness, and the first begotten from the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the Earth. Unto Him Who loved us, and washed us from our sins with His Own Blood, and made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be Glory and Dominion forever and ever. Amen” (verse 5,6).

The Lord was a “faithful Witness” in His obedience to the  Will of the Father during his earthly life. He was the first to be resurrected from the dead. We as believers will be resurrected from the dead, or, if alive at the time, will be Raptured by the Lord when He comes for his church. This event could happen at any time. No prophecy must be fulfilled before the Rapture can take place. The reference to “Prince of the kings of the Earth” is proclaiming He is the head, or ruler, over the world which will happen in its fullest expression in the Millennial Kingdom. We, as believers, are kings and priests under Christ which is all due to Calvary.

Behold, He comes with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also who pierced Him: and all kindred of the Earth shall wail because of Him. Even so. Amen. (Verse 7).

The Lord will come in the Second Coming accompanied by all the saints that have ever lived as referenced by the mention of “clouds.” This will be quite a sight and something we as believers have to look forward to as we will be part of that number. Everyone on Earth will see this spectacular event including Isreal who will finally come to the Lord in repentance and faith. Those on the Earth at the time will “wail” because the Lord, who came as Savior the first time, now comes as Judge. All unbelievers will be judged for their sins.

I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty” (verse 8).

The Lord is the one true, and only, God. He is Almighty guaranteeing all that He says will happen, will happen.

In summary, the Apostle John was on the Isle of Patmos as a prisoner for preaching the Gospel. He was “in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day” and the Lord Jesus gave him a “Revelation” to be delivered to the seven churches in Asia all receiving messages, or letters, from the Lord. These letters were not only for those living at the time but represented periods in the Church Age down to the time we now currently live in.

There is a blessing for those who read and keep all that Christ gave us in the Book of Revelation. The Lord was the first to be resurrected assuring the promise from Him that we will be resurrected, or Raptured, before His Second coming to judge this rebellious world. He is the “Alpha and Omega” the one and only God and he is Almighty guaranteeing that all He has revealed in the Book of Revelation will happen.

We serve a wonderful God who loves us and wants us to know the future. We need not be uninformed, or confused, about what is coming on this world or what we currently see happening as we look around at our world today. The Book of Revelation, the last book in the canon of Scripture, closes with the following words:

“He which testifies these things says, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” (Revelation 22:20,21).

Always Remember,

God Loves You!

Find podcasts of this article, and all the articles on this website on the “Here I Am Lord” podcast on Spotify for Podcasters, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, and RadioPublic. Also, Here I Am, Lord is on Telegram.

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Here I Am, Lord – Tom Quinn Ministries – tqministries.com 2024

Joey’s Journey Begins

The Early

A Fictional Narrative

The Second in a Series on the “Life of Joey”

“For the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the Law of Sin and Death”  (Romans 8:2).

This is our second article on “The Life of Joey.” In our first article, we saw Joey sharing the Gospel with all those he came across as led by the Holy Spirit. In this article, we will go back some years and see how Joey found his way to the Lord and how he found his way to a victorious Christian life.

Joey was first saved as a young adult. He had been a somewhat rebellious teenager as many of us can relate to. He never did anything that would cause him trouble with the law, but as a teenager, he rebelled against authority and it caused him problems in school and at home with his parents. But Joey grew out of that rebellious stage and entered his twenties as a stable small business owner. He was very successful at what he did and lived a life free of worry. However, Joey knew something was missing in his life and that bothered him.

Joey had not grown up in church, and had, in fact, never even seen a Bible or been inside a church. He had a friend who owned the business next to his. Mickey was a Christian and had grown up in church. Joey noticed that there was something different about Mickey. He never cursed and was always kind to all those he came across. The two became friends.

Joey knew that Mickey attended church and asked him about it one day. Mickey invited him to church and Joey accepted the invitation. During the church service, the Gospel was presented and Joey couldn’t believe what he was hearing. The pastor told all those present that God loved them and wanted to forgive them for all the wrongs they had done in their lives. He said that by repenting of their sins and placing their faith in Christ and His sacrificial death on the Cross they are not only forgiven but given Eternal Life with the Lord as sons of God. Joey went forward and prayed the Sinner’s Prayer that very day.

Joey was full of joy and thanksgiving for all the Lord had done for him and wanted to live a life pleasing to the Lord. However, it wasn’t too far down the road that Joey failed the Lord. He was devastated! Joey determined that this could not happen again. In speaking with the other members of his church about this, Joey was told to read the Bible more, keep attending church each week, pray more, and do other things that would give him victory. Joey was left discouraged because he was already doing those things. How would he find victory? He did not want to fail the Lord Who had reached down in mercy and grace and saved him!

Joey was determined to find His way and to live a life pleasing to the Lord. He knew the answer was in the Bible and was determined to find it. He knew the Lord would not require us to walk before him in righteousness if it were not possible for us to do it. Joey had ordered an Expositor’s Study Bible. As a new Christian, this Bible which includes a commentary on each verse helped him in his understanding of the Word. He began reading in Romans. By the time he had come to Chapter 8 – he saw it! We have victory in our Christian walk the same way we came in. It’s by faith! When we place our faith in Christ and Him Crucified daily, it allows the Holy Spirit to work mightily in our lives. The Holy Spirit works within the parameters of the finished work of Christ and will not work outside of this. This is not sinless perfection, but a victorious daily walk before the Lord where sin will not have dominion over us.

“For the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the Law of Sin and Death” (Romans 8:2).

Joey saw in this verse that “The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus” gives us victory over “the Law of Sin and Death” by what Christ accomplished on the Cross. Joey had found victory and he was overwhelmed by the provision of the Lord. Joey began sharing his faith and the way to victory with all those he came across as the Holy Spirit led. He sees himself as a debtor to the Lord for all He has done for him, and he sees himself as a debtor to all those who are so in need of the Salvation the Lord graciously provides. He had found Salvation and had found his way to victory. Joey felt so blessed.

Joey is still serving the Lord today. You may run across Joey as you go about your daily business. He’ll be the one sharing the Gospel with all those he comes across and sharing the way to victory with those who have become discouraged in their walk with the Lord. Yes, Joey feels blessed, and all those who know Joey have seen what the Lord has done for, and in, Joey. He is so thankful that the Lord reached down in His Mercy and Grace and saved him in his lost condition. Joey is so thankful that he has found victory in his walk with the Lord and is now led by the Holy Spirit. The following verse sums up where the Lord has brought us all from and what the Lord has done in each of our lives:

“And such were some of you (all of us have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God): But you are washed (cleansed of sin by the Blood of Jesus), but you are sanctified (our position in Christ), but you are justified (declared not guilty) in the Name of Jesus (by way of Calvary), and by the Spirit of God (Who comes to live & work in us at Salvation)” (1 Corinthians 6:11 with commentary from ESB & Mine)

Always Remember,

God Loves You!

Find podcasts of this article, and all the articles on this website on the “Here I Am Lord” podcast on Spotify for Podcasters, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, and RadioPublic. Also, Here I Am, Lord is on Telegram.

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Titus, a Pastoral Epistle

An Overview of the Apostle Paul’s Epistle to Titus

“Paul, a servant of God, and an Apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after Godliness. To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, Mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior”  (Titus 1:1,4).

Titus was a Gentile who was converted to Christianity through Paul’s ministry and was a beloved coworker with Paul in the propagation of the Gospel. The Epistle to Titus was one of Paul’s pastoral epistles.

Paul addresses church doctrine, false teachers in the church, the Christian life, the Rapture of the Church, and justification among other issues facing the church at the time. Again, this was one of Paul’s pastoral epistles similar to the ones he wrote to Timothy. The following is a brief overview of this epistle.

“In Hope of Eternal Life, which God, Who cannot lie, promised before the world began” (Titus 1:2)

The plan of God was formulated before the world began. The Lord was not taken by surprise by man’s fall in the Garden. The hope of Eternal Life is a sure hope promised by God “Who cannot lie.” As believers, we possess Eternal life at the present time. We will come into the fullness of this promise when we pass from this life or are Raptured by the Lord. Jesus described Eternal life in this way, “To Know God and Jesus Christ Whom He has sent.” Eternal life is knowing and having fellowship with God, Forever! Paul next deals with the false teachers that had come into the church to deceive.

“For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the Circumcision: whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre, They profess that they know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate” (Titus 1:10,11,16).

These false teachers were teaching error and were very convincing. The importance of sound doctrine cannot be overstated. We must know and study our Bible and must keep our faith anchored in the great sacrifice the Lord provided at Calvary. This being the case, we will not be deceived by false doctrine. Paul points out those of the Circumcision as a prime example of the deception being promulgated at the time. They taught that you had to be circumcised to be saved which ran contrary to our stand as Christians that we are saved by faith and faith alone.

“For the Grace of God that brings Salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world: looking for that Blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the Great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11,12,13).

Paul mentions the Grace of God that the Lord offers us when we repent and place our faith in Christ and Him Crucified. He goes on to exhort Titus, and us, to live godly lives “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts.” This can only be accomplished when we have our faith in Christ and the Cross which then allows the Holy Spirit to work in our lives bringing us the victorious Christian life that we cannot attain by our efforts. Paul then directs attention to our sure hope. That is, the promised coming of the Lord for His Church in the Rapture. All believers will be taken, or raptured, by the Lord before the Great Tribulation which will come upon all those living at the time ( see 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).

In summary, God the Father, “Who cannot lie,” promises us Eternal Life. That Life is in His Son. We are to continue in sound doctrine which will protect us from false teachings and teachers who come from within the church seeking those who do not know their Bibles. Grace is our way to victory in this life. God provides His Grace freely to those who come to Him by faith. We are to anchor our faith in Jesus Christ and Him Crucified which will give us the victory we seek in our lives, and we are to anxiously await the coming of our Lord and Savior for the church He loves and died for. Paul starts and closes this epistle with the mention of God’s Grace which, as we have seen, is freely given by the Lord upon proper faith. Yes, all we receive from God is due to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and His love for us that brought Him to the cross. The following is Paul’s closing benediction:

“The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit” (Titus 3:25).

Always Remember,

God Loves You!

Find podcasts of this article, and all the articles on this website on the “Here I Am Lord” podcast on Spotify for Podcasters, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, and RadioPublic. Also, Here I Am, Lord is on Telegram.

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Here I Am, Lord – Tom Quinn Ministries – tqministries.com 2024

Please Don’t Kick the Can Down the Road!

We Don’t Know When Our Soul Will Be Required of Us

[Time is short. We are in The last days and the Lord’s return is very near. Please understand that if you do not know the Lord, or have lost your way, you are in great danger. I do not apologize for the directness of this article. The Bible says we are to seek the lost so that some might be saved, snatching others out of the fire. The fire of judgment comes.]

“There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens. A time to be born and a time to die….. (Ecclesiastes 3:1,2a).

We don’t know how much time we have remaining in our lives here on Earth. Many have put off coming to the Lord, kicking the can down the road, so to speak. We are not promised tomorrow. The Bible says “Today is the day of Salvation.”

When we delay coming to the Lord once we hear the Gospel then it gets harder and harder to come to the Lord as time passes. We may have the best intentions regarding our future acceptance of the Gospel, but time has a way of getting away from us and that day may never come. Choose Christ today. He paid an incredibly high price that we might be saved from our sinful fallen nature.

The Holy Spirit convicts and draws us to Christ. He will bring new life to us as we place our faith in Christ and His great sacrificial death on the Cross.

All of us know that we are not perfect. We are in need of a savior to rescue us from the earthly prison of our fallen nature and deliver us from “this present evil world.” We cannot save ourselves. Jesus is the Savior we all need to lift us up into a relationship with the Eternal God.

I have heard many scoff at the idea that a savior is needed. Ironically, I find this idea particularly popular among those whom the Lord has blessed both physically and materially in this world. It is hard for them to come to a saving knowledge of the Lord while living a seemingly blessed life. These, whoever they might be, are in great danger as they do not even see their need.

The Gospel is needed by all. Jesus Christ left his home in Glory, sent by the Father, to die on a cruel Cross to pay the sin debt owed to God. The Father saw our great need, and hopeless state, and devised a plan to save whosoever will come to Him in repentance and faith.

The blessings of this world are temporary. If we do not come to the Lord during our lives, we will face judgment when we die. Salvation is available to us only on this side of the grave. Our lives here cannot compare to the eternity we face when our days here are done. Where will we spend eternity? There are only two options. We will either spend eternity with the Lord or we will be cast out of the Lord’s presence into an eternity of suffering. We must not let whatever blessings the Lord has afforded us in our life distract us from the precarious position we are in if unsaved.

The Bible tells us that the church, all those who know the Lord, will be raptured, i.e. taken out of this world by the Lord, before the end time judgments coming on this world. So if you are not saved and think that you have plenty of time to make a decision, then be aware that this Rapture of the church could happen at any time. We are in the last days now and Christ’s return for His church could happen at any moment. The Bible says the following regarding this:

“Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day or hour wherein the Son of Man (Jesus) cometh” (Matthew 25:13).

The Lord loves us and his blessings fall on the saved and the unsaved. By this, we should realize that it is the Lord who is blessing us and seek out the One that proved that love by paying the price to redeem us at Calvary. If you do not know the Lord; I pray that you will not wait another second but will give your life to Him today. He has blessings untold that await those who come to Him and become “sons of God.” Come today. You will not regret your decision and you will know that, if your life is required of you, you stand as one of the Redeemed.

“So teach us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).

Always Remember,

God Loves You!

Find podcasts of this article, and all the articles on this website on the “Here I Am Lord” podcast on Spotify for Podcasters, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, and RadioPublic. Also, Here I Am, Lord is on Telegram.

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Here I Am, Lord – Tom Quinn Ministries – tqministries.com 2024

Joey Loves Jesus

A Day in the Life

A Fictional Narrative

The First in a Series on the Life of Joey

“We love Him because He first loved us…..” (1 John 4:19)

Joey loves Jesus. This becomes quite obvious to anyone who has been around Joey for any period of time. Joey shares his faith with anyone he comes across. He is so grateful to the Lord for His mercy and grace. He thanks the Lord each day for reaching down and saving him. Joey thinks of himself as a debtor. A debtor to the Lord for the price He paid at Calvary that Joey might be forgiven and given newness of life. He believes himself a debtor also to all those who do not know the Lord. He can’t imagine living his life now without the presence of the Lord.

Joey’s job, or should I say his business, brings him in contact with many people daily. He has walked with the Lord for many years and in that time has shared the Gospel with all those who would have ears to hear what the Holy Spirit led him to say. Many would not listen to Joey tell them of the amazing love the Lord has for us all. But those who did listen were so grateful to hear the Gospel. Many said that they had never heard it before.

Joey is somewhat perplexed at the lack of interest from some of those he attempts to share the Gospel with. Considering all that is going on in our country and the world right now, he would have thought that people would be looking for an answer. He thought they might be open to the Good News which would bring them a sure hope for the future. He thought about what the Lord had said about the times of Noah and how people went about their daily lives totally uninterested in what Noah was building. 

“But as the days of Noah were, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be” (Matthew 24:37-39).

Joey knows that the Lord spoke these words to let us know what it would be like at the time of the Rapture of the church and just before His return. Joey knows the importance of reaching as many people as he can before the “flood” of our times comes. He prays for a last-day revival or harvest from the Lord. The Bible tells us that the end times, the times we are now living in, will be times of great trouble and there will be little interest in the things of God. 

Yes, Joey loves Jesus. He knows all the Lord has done for him – just where the Lord has brought him from. He also knows that the salvation of anyone is the greatest miracle. He prays that the Holy Spirit will continue to lead him to those who would be open to the Gospel. That the Holy Spirit would draw and convict.

We are in the end times and what we are now seeing is a changing world, and not for the better. Joey knows that Noah preached for 100-plus years before the flood came. Noah’s faithfulness to the Lord and his seeking out any that would heed his warning encourages Joey to do the same. He knows the Lord has called us to be faithful. The Great Commission becomes more and more on his mind with each passing day.

Joey knows what the Word says about how the world and people will be in the end times. But Joey loves Jesus and the Lord’s love for everyone is foremost in all Joey does. He seeks to walk in the love the Lord has for all those who are so in need of His Salvation.

So, any time you’re out and about you may run across Joey. He will be the one sharing the Gospel as the Holy Spirit leads him. He’s an example to us all. We must reach out to a lost and dying world while we have time. As the following verse tells us, we are ambassadors for Christ sent to a dying world that they might be reconciled to God:

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Always Remember,

God Loves You!

Find podcasts of this article, and all the articles on this website on the “Here I Am Lord” podcast on Spotify for Podcasters, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, and RadioPublic. Also, Here I Am, Lord is on Telegram.

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Here I Am, Lord – Tom Quinn Ministries – tqministries.com 2024

Proceeding the Second Coming of the Lord…

………The Seal, Trumpet, and Vial (Bowl) Judgments Coming Upon the Earth

[This article is somewhat longer than those I normally publish, but I felt the Lord wanted me to address some of the great judgments that are coming in what’s known as the final seven-year period called The Great Tribulation.]

“And when He (Jesus) had spoken these things (His last words of instruction to His Disciples), while they beheld, He was taken up (His Ascension); and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward Heaven as He went up, behold two men stood by them in white apparel (these were Angels); which also said, you men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into Heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen Him go into Heaven” (Acts 1:9-11).

Incredible! The Lord was taken up into Heaven in the sight of His Disciples. They were eyewitnesses to this. What happened here cannot be denied. The two Angels testified to the fact that Jesus would return in the same manner that they had just witnessed. His coming again is referred to as the Second Coming. He came for the first time as our Savior and paid the sin debt owed by man as a sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary. He will come the second time as Judge. Many will be saved during this period, but judgment will come to a rebellious world that has rejected what He had accomplished on the Cross.

“Behold, He (Jesus) comes with the clouds (the Second Coming); and every eye shall see Him, and they which pierced Him (the nation of Israel): and all nations of the Earth shall wail because of Him, Even so, Amen” (Revelation 1:7)

His Second Coming will occur after the Great Tribulation prophesied in the Book of Revelation which will last seven years. The church will not be here at the time having been Raptured by the Lord before this great judgment. Judgment will come on the Earth and all those alive at the time just before the Lord sets foot on Mount Olivet in the Second Coming. Just as the Angels told His disciples as He ascended into Heaven after His first advent; He will return just as He left and in the same exact location.

The judgments mentioned in Revelation become more and more severe. The following is a very abbreviated and not all-inclusive summary of what will happen in this world when God brings His final judgment in the Great Tribulation. It begins with the Seal judgments which include the coming of the Antichrist who will come to power by peaceful means but will soon show his true nature which will result in war. He will be empowered by Satan and will be worshipped by those on the earth who do not know the Lord. The Seal Judgments will result in a scarcity of food, and death for many with those who die in this judgment who have rejected Christ going to Hell. There will also be many saints (believers) martyred by the Antichrist. A great earthquake follows which affects the Moon and the Sun along with stars (probably meteorites) falling to Earth.

The Trumpet Judgments follow with the first Trumpet bringing hail and fire mixed with blood with a third part of trees and grass burned. The second Trumpet brings a great mountain burning that is cast into the sea with a third part of the sea becoming blood. A third part of the creatures die and a third of the ships in the sea are destroyed. The third Trumpet brings a great star from Heaven falling to Earth with bitter properties and a third part of the waters is made bitter and many die. The fourth Trumpet results in a third part of the Sun, Moon, and stars being darkened. An Angel flies through the midst of Heaven crying ” Woe, woe, woe.” This relates to the final three Trumpet Judgments coming.

The fifth Trumpet and the first “woe” (as proclaimed by the Angel) results in Satan being given the key to the bottomless pit which he opens resulting in the smoke of a great furnace and the Sun and air being darkened by this smoke arising from the bottomless pit. Out of the smoke come locusts (most probably demon spirits) and these are given permission to torment those (the unsaved) who do not have the seal of God in their foreheads. Apparently, this torment will be like that of a scorpion which results in great pain for the unsaved. They are not allowed to kill any of these. It will result in men seeking death due to this torment, but not finding it.

The Sixth Trumpet and second “woe” releases four Angels (evil) that were bound at the Euphrates River. These Angels went forth to slay the “third part of men.” Along with these evil angels comes an army of two hundred million demon spirits. They kill men “by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. Incredibly, it says that men, even now with all this judgment. do not repent.

The Lord then sends two witnesses (possibly Elijah and Enoch) as witnesses and they prophesy before the people. They are rejected and in the end, killed. The Lord raises them up from the dead and calls them up (reptures) to Heaven. The same hour they are taken up into Heaven the Lord sends a great earthquake which takes the lives of seven thousand men in Jerusalem. It seems at this point some do repent and come to the Lord.

The seventh Trumpet and final “woe” results in a great earthquake and there is war in Heaven with Michael fighting and prevailing against Satan and his Angels resulting in Satan being cast out of Heaven along with the Angels. It says “Neither was their place found anymore in Heaven.”

The Antichrist who made a peace treaty with Israel at the beginning of the seven years, at the midpoint of the seven-year tribulation, breaks his treaty with Israel and attacks them. Two-thirds of the Jews are killed.

The final last plagues are the Seven Vial Judgments which come just before Christ’s return in the Second Coming. An Angel goes forth and pours out the first vial on the Earth resulting in a “noisesome and grievous sore” coming on men who worshipped the Antichrist. The second vial was poured out on the sea resulting in death for all those on ships at sea and all fish. The third Vial was poured out upon the “rivers and fountains of water” and they became blood. The fourth Vial is poured out upon the sun which results in men being scorched with fire and great heat. It’s incredible to note that men after all this still will not repent but “blasphemed the Name of God.”

The fifth Vial brings darkness to the kingdom of the beast (Antichrist) and men still did not repent. The sixth Vial is then poured out on the River Euphrates and it dries up. The seventh Vial brings a great earthquake, “such as was not seen since men were upon the Earth,” which divides Jerusalem into three parts. Also, one hundred pound hail fall from Heaven upon mankind, and men still did not repent but blaspheme God. Babylon is then destroyed which represents all the false religions down through the centuries.

As I have mentioned, this is an abbreviated and not all-inclusive overview of judgments coming on this world. I know the information covered in this article is somewhat unsettling. The final judgment coming on this world is being brought about by God to a rebellious world that has rejected Him and His offer of forgiveness. The Bible says “It is a fearful thing to fall in the hands of the Living God.” For those who do not know Him and refuse the grace He offers to all, there is judgment coming whether they live through the tribulation or not. The Great Tribulation could happen in the near future. The signs of it’s coming are all around us. As mentioned, the church of the Lord Jesus Christ will not have to go through it. The Lord will come for His church before the events of the Great Tribulation unfold.

We’ll close with some good news out of all this judgment that has come upon this world. The Lord is coming back to Earth in His Second Coming and all of the Jews remaining will come to the Lord and be saved. The Lord will then usher in the Millennial Kingdom (thousand-year period) and rule this world from Jerusalem.

THE SECOND COMING

“And I saw Heaven opened, and behold a white horse, and He who sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in Righteousness He does judge and make war…..and His Name is called the Word of God. And out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations…..And He has on His vesture and on His thigh a Name written, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords” (Revelation 19:11,13b,15a,16).

Always Remember,

God Loves You!

Find podcasts of this article, and all the articles on this website on the “Here I Am Lord” podcast on Spotify for Podcasters, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, and RadioPublic.

Here I Am, Lord is also on Telegram

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Here I Am, Lord – Tom Quinn Ministries – tqministries.com 2024