Here I Am, Lord – – tqministries.com

A Way That Seems Right

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12).

There are those today who live a good moral life. They are good to their families and try to live a good ethical life. If they see someone in need, they are there for them. They have been successful in all they have done and consider themselves on the right path. Everything has worked out for them in business and in their personal lives. There have been difficulties that have come into their lives but they have come through them still standing and still trusting in their own ability to weather the storms of life. They are proud regarding all they have accomplished in life and believe that they have it all figured out. They believe that they can handle anything that might come against them in the life that they have built. If you ask them if they believe in God, they may answer in the affirmative, but the Lord is far from their thoughts and their faith is in themselves.

Those that approach life in this manner are on very dangerous ground. The drug addict knows that they are not on the right path. The alcoholic knows that they are not living the life that they should. But the moral and ethical individual does not see that although a good moral life is something that is commendable, it is not enough. They see no warning signs in their life like the drug addict or alcoholic might see. Seemingly, everything is going along fine. In their mind there is no need to fix anything – there life seems blessed. But, is it in light of eternity? Jesus gave us the answer for those traveling this path in the following verse:

“Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water (natural birth) and the Spirit (spiritual birth brought about by God), he cannot enter the Kingdom of God (speaks of Salvation)” (John 3:5).

Once we place eternity in sight, the answer comes into clear view. Again, these individuals, whoever they might be, are on dangerous ground. We are only one heartbeat away from eternity. We do not know when our soul will be required of us. We will all stand before the Lord and give account for ourselves. For those of us that know the Lord, we will be welcomed into the very Presence of the Lord for eternity. But what happens to those that have lived their lives without the Lord relying on their own ability. Well, they will be judged by how they lived their lives.

We do not want to be judged by our works, by what we have accomplished in our own strength in our lives. The Bible says that “There is none good, no not one” and “For all have sinned, and come short of the Glory of God.” Good works and living a good life, although admirable, will not gain us Heaven. Well, what is the standard that the Lord requires? It’s perfection, and that is something that is impossible for anyone to attain. So, what is the answer?

The Lord, in His Mercy and Grace, made a way for all those who realize that, in ourselves, we can not measure up to what the Lord requires. In fact, the Bible tells us that we are “dead in our treaspases and sins” prior to coming to Him in repentance and faith. We must place our faith in the only perfect Man, the God Man, and His sacrificial death at Calvary.

We cannot live a life pleasing to the Lord without the Lord. It’s that simple, Jesus paid the price for our sins at Calvary and living a life without Him is sin no matter how moral. By placing our faith in Christ and Him crucified we are born again and walk in “Newness of Life.”

Is it enough to live a good moral life? I think we’ve shown that it is not. There is great danger for those traveling this path. The Gospel is the answer for those who realize this. I pray that any that might be going this way of living a life in their own strength without God would turn to Him. His love extends to all those who will come His way. He stands ready to forgive and offer them a Salvation that will result in an eternity in His Presence.

“That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved”  (Romans 10:9).

If you have been traveling along life’s road without the Lord, the links below will explain the Gospel and provide you with The Sinner’s Prayer that has been prayed by millions. Today is the Day of Salvation! Won’t you come home to the Lord today?

The ABC’s of Salvation

https://tqministries.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=5448&action=edit

The Sinner’s Prayer

https://tqministries.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1752&action=edit

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 Creators, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, and RadioPublic.

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Here I Am, Lord – Tom Quinn Ministries – tqministries.com 2025

 

Our Future Is Determined by the Lives We Live Today

“And he said unto me (John), Seal not the sayings of the Prophecy of this Book: for the time is at hand” (Revelation 22:10).

The “Prophecy of this book” in our introductory verse is talking about the fulfillment of all the Apostle John was shown regarding the future. We are currently at the end of the church age with the Rapture of the church the next prophetic event to take place. In this verse the Apostle, in his vision, is seemingly talking to one of the prophets of the Old Testament. “The time is at hand” is a reference to all the events identified in the Book of Revelation which will be fulfilled exactly as they have been revealed and prophesized by the Lord.

He who is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he who is Righteous, let him be Righteous still: an he who is holy, let him be holy still” (Revelation 22:11).

This verse identifies two different paths of life. The former, represents those who choose not to come the Lord’s way and will result in living a sinful “unjust” life. The Bible defines a “filthy” life as one of spiritual defilement, depravity, and corruption related to sin. This will be the lifestyle with those who reject God’s way and chart their own course.  The later path of life described in this verse is the result of one’s repentance and faith in the Lord’s gracious provision, that is, Jesus Christ and his sacrificial death at Calvary. The former will result in an eternity of suffering away from the presence of God. The later will bring us into the presence of God for eternity as the sons and daughters of God. The way we live are lives today is determining our destiny in the future. The Lord has given us freedom to chose our path in this life. There is a fork in this path of life and we must choose today which of the two paths we will chose.

“And behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with Me, to give to every man according as his work shall be” (Revelation 22:12).

When the Lord comes, we will be judged by the path we have chosen. This will seal our fate as to where we will be for eternity. The verse is expressing the suddenness of his Coming and not the time of his Coming. It’s been nearly two thousand years since His first advent and the writing of this Book of Revelation. The Lord’s Second Coming for His church is the next prophetic event on the horizon. The Lord makes it clear in His Word that those that come His way will be blessed. The Lord calls out to all those on the earth today with an invitation to the blessedness of knowing the One true God. The Holy Spirit calls out today to whosoever is thirsty and whosoever realizes their lost state that they might come to the One that loves us and died on a cruel Cross that we might be with Him for eternity.

“And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And let who is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of Life freely” (Revelation 22:17a)

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 Creators, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, and RadioPublic.

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Here I Am, Lord – Tom Quinn Ministries – tqministries.com 2025

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

“Then shall the Kingdom of Heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the Bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish” (Matthew 25:1,2).

Jesus gave this parable right after the Parable of the Faithful and Unfaithful Servant. He had also just given the prophecies regarding the destruction of the Temple, and the signs of the end times. Just as the Romans destroyed the Temple in AD 70, the signs of the end times He gave us will come about just as He said they would. In this Parable of the Ten Virgins, the Lord is teaching on the Rapture of the church.

The ten virgins represent those in the church. The lamps represent the light of the Gospel which is Christ and Him crucified. The Bridegroom going forth to meet the virgins represents Christ’s coming in the Rapture for His church. All ten had lamps, but five were wise and five were foolish.

“They who were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them” (V3).

These foolish virgins were religious but not born again. The oil represents the Holy Spirit Who brings us Salvation and “Newness of Life” by way of our repentance and faith in Christ and Him crucified. We cannot be saved by what we do. All our efforts are in vain if we have not been born spiritually.

“But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps” (V4).

As has been said, we need a continual flow of the Holy Spirit within our hearts. We must place our faith in Christ and His sacrificial death on Calvary daily to have the ongoing help of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:2). The Holy Spirit works in no other way. Our Christian life is one of faith in the proper object – Christ and Him crucified.

“While the Bridegroom tarried they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him” (V5,6).

There is no negative conotation here. We are to go about our daily lives as we should with the expectation that the Lord could return at any moment. Though he tarries, we are to live our lives by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit with that anticipation. This verse speaks of our “Blessed Hope” – the Rapture of the church.

“Then all the virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out” (V7,8).

The foolish virgins had approached the Lord by a false way. The correct  way (represented here by the lamp), is by faith in Christ and His sacrificial death at Calvary. The Holy Spirit (oil) will work in our lives to keep us on the right path. The foolish virgins in this parable represent those who are trusting in religion, what they do, to gain acceptance from the Lord. We cannot depend on our church, denomination, pastor, or anything else. We must go the way prescribed by the Lord. What is the work God requires? We are to believe in the One He sent Who payed the price for our sins and opened the way to Heaven through the born again experience.

“But the wise answered, saying, not so, lest there be not enough for us and you: but go yourself rather to them who sell, and buy for yourselves” (V9).

We must go to the Lord ourselves to receive of Him. The Lord is gracious and will freely give to all those who seek to walk with Him, but we must seek Him, and once we come to Him, remain in His way. We cannot seek from others what only the Lord can provide.

“And while they went to buy, the Bridegroom came; and they who were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and door was shut” (V10).

We are not promised tomorrow. The Scriptures tell us that today is the Day of Salvation. The coming of the Bridegroom took the five foolish virgins by surprise. They were not ready and they suffered great loss. This is a stern warning to the church of our day. The signs are all around us of the Lord’s soon return.

“Afterward, came also the other virgins, saying Lord, Lord, open to us. But He answered and said, Verily, I say unto you, I know you not” (V11,12).

We must be ready at all times for the Lord’s return. As has been stated; there are many in churches today that are religious but have never been born again. There are also those who have been born again who have either lost their way or become lax in their walk with the Lord. Whoever these might be, they do not realize the lateness of the hour. If we have been born again we will go in the Rapture, but we do not want to be ashamed at the Lord’s Coming and have to stand before Him knowing that we had not served Him with all our heart in the life He has blessed us with. He died a horrible sacrificial death that we might have Eternal Life with Him.

We owe the Lord are very lives and His great love for us should spur us on to serve Him with all our heart.  Again, the way, the only way, is faith in Christ and Him crucified on a daily basis with the Holy Spirit then providing the “oil” to keep us and give us victory in our lives. The Lord closes this parable with the following warning:

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh” (V13).

We are born again into a spiritual relationship with the Lord. And just like a natural relationship is must be maintained. The Lord has chosen to make faith the coin of the Kingdom. We are to walk by faith not sight. This is the requirement for a continued relationship with the Lord as we walk out this life. Some would argue that the “foolish virgins” were all unsaved, but we have many warnings in the Word of God regarding the possibility that if we turn away from having our  faith in Christ and Him crucified we could be cutoff, or lost. Admittedly, this would not come about quickly, or easily for the Lord is patient and longsuffering with us. But whatever the condition of the five foolish virgins was, the fact is that the Lord said to them “I know you not.” I’ll close with a warning from the Lord Himself just prior to His crucifixion, He gave this warning to the Apostles who had been with Him throughout the entirety of His ministry.

“I Am the True Vine, and My Father is the Husbandman. Every branch (Believer) in Me (having Salvation) that beareth not fruit (by the oil of the Holy Spirit) He (the Father) takes away (loses his Salvation). (John 15:1,2 commentary 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 Creators, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, and RadioPublic.

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Here I Am, Lord – Tom Quinn Ministries – tqministries.com 2025

“I am the True Vine

Justification By Faith

“…But you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 6:11).

When we came to faith in Christ, God’s Word tells us that we were washed or made clean by the Blood of Jesus which means that by the shedding of his Blood for us, we were cleansed from all our sin. We were also sanctified, or set apart, which speaks of our position in Christ. We were also justified which means we were declared not guilty by the Lord. Our Righteousness is an imputed Righteousness all made possible by Christ and His sacrificial death on the Cross. By that one act, and our faith in it, we were forgiven and have been set apart unto God as His sons and daughters.

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1).

We have peace with God when we come to him in repentance and faith in Christ and Him crucified. Jesus opened the door to all the blessing of God by what He accomplished at Calvary. All that we receive from God comes through His atoning death on the Cross. It can’t be emphasized enough that faith is the key to the Kingdom. Christ is the source, the Cross is the means, and we receive from Him by our faith in his sacrificial death. When we anchor our faith in Christ and Him crucified it allows the Holy Spirit to work mightily in our lives. In other words. we get in by faith, and we stay in by faith.

By Whom we have access by faith into this Grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the Glory of God“ (Romans 5:2).

We have access into the Grace of God by our faith placed properly in His Son and Him crucified. This gives God glory and brings us the victory we seek in our lives to live an overcoming life – a life pleasing to the Lord. We fight the good fight of faith by standing on God’s Word and promises. Our hope of a future resurection and our promised glorified bodies is a sure hope, and in believing all God has promised, we bring Him glory.

In summary, we were washed, or made clean, by what Christ accomplished at Calvary. We were set apart, or sanctified, in Christ, and we were justified, or declared not guilty, by the Blood of Christ shed for us on the Cross. We were lost sinners and unable to save ourselves prior to coming to the Lord, and we now stand in the Grace He provides as we walk out this life having our faith anchored in Christ and Him crucified.

The wrath of God is always directed toward sin. Our gracious God has provided the way to escape the prison of our fallen nature and to live for Him. Without the Lord sin will dominate our everyday lives. His Word makes it clear that, the Lord, in His Mercy and Grace, has provided a way to a life of blessing and a future saved from the wrath that will come on all those who do not come to Him in repentance and faith. The Salvation the Lord offers comes at a great price. It cost Him the death of His Beloved Son on a cruel cross. As the following verse tells, “We shall be saved from wrath through Him.”

“But God commended His Love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him” (Romans 5:8,9)

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 Creators, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, and RadioPublic.

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Here I Am, Lord – Tom Quinn Ministries – tqministries.com 2025

We Are Called to Glory and Virtue

“He who overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son” (Revelation 21:7).

We are promised, as overcomers, to inherit all things as sons and daughters of God. What a promise! But how do we become overcomers? What is it that we must do to inherit all things and be adopted into the family of God. We must live a life pleasing to the Lord in obedience to His Word. But, how do we accomplish this? We know that we don’t measure up to all that we might believe that this entails. Our answer is found in how we came to the Lord in the first place.

“For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).

We came to the Lord in repentance and faith and were born again spiritually. We become overcomers, and have victory over the world, the flesh, and the Devil, by keeping our faith in Christ and Him crucified. In other words, we are saved by faith in Christ and we are sanctified by faith in Christ. It’s the only way. We are overcomers if our faith remains, daily, in Christ and His sacrificial death at Calvary. He is the “Vine,” we are the branches. We can do nothing without Him, we must remain in the “Vine.”

“Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God” (1 John 5:5).

It is the one who believes that becomes an overcomer. We are called to do good works and the Christian disciplines are important, but we are not called to “do” to become overcomers; we are called to believe. If we believe, the good works and the Christian disciples will be the result. The Holy Spirit will work in us greatly to bring us victory in our life, and a life pleasing to the Lord as our faith is anchored in Christ crucified.

“….In all things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us” (Romans 8:37).

We are “more than conquerors” because Jesus offered His Life on the Cross that we might have ” Newness of Life” and become overcomers. His great sacrifice alone affords us this great privilege of becoming “joint heirs with Christ.” We owe it all to Jesus! Understanding this, how can we not walk in all that He has provided for us? We are overcomers by faith, and faith alone. Walking in this today will bring victory. We as overcomers will “inherit all things” and are sons and daughters of God. How good is our God!!!

“According to His Divine Power has given unto us all things that pertain to life and Godliness, through the knowledge of Him Who has called us to Glory and Virtue” (2 Peter 1:3).

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 Creators, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, and RadioPublic.

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Here I Am, Lord – Tom Quinn Ministries – tqministries.com 2025

Revelation Chapter 20

“And I saw an Angel come down from Heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. and he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:1).

Currently, our adversary, the Devil, does not dwell in Hell, as some believe, but inhabits the earth, the heavenly realm, and is actually in Heaven itself at times. He will be bound for the first time in the bottomless pit for a thousand years. He is described here, in our introductory verse, by the ways in which he deceives mankind; he is likened to a “dragon” (powerful), “serpent” (cunning), “Devil” (the accuser), and “Satan” (our adversary).

“And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season” (verse 2).

At long last, Satan, our adversary, will be cast into the bottomless pit for a thousand years. The thousand years is speaking of the Millennium when Christ will rule this world. During this time frame Satan will not be able to tempt and deceive mankind. What the righteous have prayed for all these years will have finally come about. As we will see, Satan will be released for a short period of time at the end of the thousand years, but his determined end will come.

“And when the thousand years are expired (finished), Satan will be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the Earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea” (verses 7,8)

During the Millennium, there will be saved and unsaved people on earth. It always gives me pause to try and understand why that even with Christ here and ruling in perfect justice, some will still not turn to him in repentance and faith. Amazing! Such is the sinful nature and man’s unwillingness to go God’s way. This verse tells us that the number of those joining Satan is not a small number. Amazing, again! Satan will be freed from the prison of the bottomless pit and go out to “deceive” the nations for the last time.

“And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the Saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of Heaven, and devoured them” (verse 9).

Satan gathers his forces which are made up of all those who have rejected the rule of God, and they come against Jerusalem, the “camp of the saints.” Although, we don’t know how long Satan will be allowed to spread his lies, we do know that the Lord will make short work of defeating Satan and all those that made the decision to join him in his rebellion. The Lord sends fire down out of heaven and devours them.

“And the Devil who deceived them was cast into the Lake of Fire and brimstone, where the Beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever (verse 10).

The Devil will be cast into the Lake of Fire and brimstone where he will remain for eternity. This is the Satan’s end. He initially rebelled against the Lord  sometime in eternity past, and sought, in his pride, to be like God, and to defeat the Lord and His plan for mankind. Satan initially came on the scene in the third chapter of Genesis, the first book in the Bible. And now, we see his utter defeat in the twentieth Chapter of Revelation, the third chapter from the end of the inspired Word of God.

Satan is currently out roaming the Earth seeking whom he may deceive. we have just seen his end, and the end of all those who buy into the lies he uses to draw people away from the one true Lord, who loves us and has only good things in mind for us. He sent His Son to die on the Cross to pay the sin debt owed that we not end up as Satan will and suffer eternal punishment.

If you do not know the Lord today, I beseech you to call on His Name. He has never turned anyone away. Jesus said this about Satan, “He is a liar, and the father of it.” Many are in Hell today having believed his lies. Today is the day of Salvation. Tomorrow is not promised. All who call on the Name of the Lord will be saved. That is God’s promise to all those who harken to His clarion call to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrificial death at Calvary. I’ll close with the following Words of Jesus Who gave His very life for us:

The thief (Satan) comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepard gives His life for the sheep” (John 10:10,11a).

The A,B,C’s of Salvation

https://tqministries.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=5448&action=edit

The Sinner’s Prayer

https://tqministries.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1752&action=edit

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 Creators, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, and RadioPublic.

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Here I Am, Lord – Tom Quinn Ministries – tqministries.com 2025

Regrets Can Last For Eternity

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have Everlasting Life” (John 3:16).

Our introductory verse is probably the best known verse in the Bible. The verse, or its reference John 3:16, has been displayed publicly at many places including sporting events and other venues for entertainment. Most of us have seen this scripture displayed many times as we have gone about our daily lives.

The Lord, in this verse, is showing mankind His way to the gracious Salvation He offers to “whosoever will” hear Him and come His way. His way was to send His Son to die on the Cross to pay the sin debt owed by man. The Lord is promising Eternal Life to all those who realize their need for a Savior and come to Him in repentance and faith – faith in Christ and Him crucified. He does not ask us to preform any great work, only to believe. It’s all by Grace, through faith. That’s it. It’s an incredible display of the Lord’s mercy and Grace.

For those that have heard the Lord’s clarion call and have not heeded its message; hopefully they will have a “shoulda” moment and reverse course and come to the Lord. There are important moments in all of our lives, times when we have an important decision to make. Understanding and accepting what the Lord is graciously offering here will determine where a person spends eternity. There could be no greater moment of choice in our lives than when we hear the Gospel presented.

Regrets in this life are something we must accept and live with. There are levels of regret, some more serious and important than others. Having heard the way to Salvation offered by the Lord and not seeing its importance in one’s life is something that will result in a regret of unmeasurable significance if one continues on that path. Hopefully, for those traveling this path, there will be a realization of what “coulda” been and a reaching out to the Lord for His provision of Salvation for whosoever will simply come to Him and acknowledge that He is God and that loves us and has reached down to us with His Mercy and grace. There is time for a course correction here. We have this life to make things right with the Lord.

The Lord Jesus is coming again in the Rapture of the church. All those that are born again will be caught up to meet Him in the air. The Apostle Paul explains this in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4. If someone has not come to Lord after hearing the Lord’s clear call, he will experience a “woulda” moment after this great event takes place. He would have gone in the Rapture had he obeyed the Lord’s Word. The Rapture of the church is the next prophetic event to take place. It could happen at any moment.  The Great Tribulation will follow the Rapture and will bring destruction on this earth as never seen before. It is the time of God’s judgment on a rebellious world that rejects Him.

If you have heard the Lord call out to you through the Holy Spirit after reading or hearing the Gospel, and have not harkened to His call; I strongly encourage you to come to Him today. This will result in becoming a child of God and in spending eternity with the God that loves you. Hear Him calling out to you today and come to the One Who  died on a cruel Cross to pay the sin debt owed that you might be saved.

Coulda, shoulda, woulda times come in our lives. We deeply regret some of the decisions we have made in our lives. By making a decision for Christ today we will avoid spending eternity with unimaginable regrets. Hell is final and looking back to what we “woulda” had if we had accepted the gracious Salvation offer will not change anything. All our chances for Salvation are for whatever time the Lord has given us in this life. Don’t be of those whose regret results in the knowledge that they should have trusted in the Lord, could have believed and become a child of God, and would have spent eternity safe and secure in the presence of the Lord. 

“….Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the Day of Salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

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 Creators, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, and RadioPublic.

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Here I Am, Lord – Tom Quinn Ministries – tqministries.com 2025

The Lord Seeks Out Those With A Heart Towards Him

Originally published in 2020

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. ” (Luke 19:10)

Cornelius was a Gentile and “a centurion of the band called the Italian band.” He was in charge of about one hundred men. We will see that he was a good man and a person well respected in his city of Caesarea. The Bible has the following to say about him:

“A devout man, and one who feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.” (Acts 10:1)

So, here we have a devout man who feared God, provided for those in need, and prayed to God faithfully. We will see that although all these qualities were admirable, and something we should all strive after, they did not save Cornelius. Cornelius was unsaved. However, this man’s good life was noticed by the Lord. We will see that the Lord, through the Apostle Peter, will show Cornelius the way of salvation. The Lord always responds to those with an earnest heart.

“He (Cornelius) saw in a vision…..an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius…. And he (the angel) said unto him, your prayers and your alms are come up for a memorial before the Lord.” (Acts 10)

Cornelius was instructed by the angel to send for Peter in Joppa so that he might hear the Gospel and be saved. By the way, this would be the first Gentile to be saved as recorded in the Book of Acts. The Lord was opening the door for “whosoever will” to come to the saving knowledge of the Lord. On this occasion, Peter received a vision from the Lord as well.

“And (Peter) saw Heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to earth. (Acts 10)

In the sheet coming which came down from Heaven were “all manner of four feated beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.” These would be seen by Peter as unclean animals.

“And there a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” (Acts 10)

Peter responds to this by telling the Lord, no, that he had “never eaten anything common or unclean.” These were seen by the Jews as defiled and forbidden by the Law of Moses. The unclean animals were representative of the Gentiles in the vision. Through this vision, the Lord would show Peter that what was done on the cross was for the Gentile (all other nations) as well as the Jew. As Peter pondered these things, men sent by Cornelius arrived.

“While Peter thought of the vision, the Spirit said unto him, behold, three men seek you. Arise therefore and get down, and go with them, doubting nothing for I have sent them.” (Acts 10)

Peter, of course, agreed to go with them, and when he arrived in Caesarea he found Cornelius waiting for him with his whole family. Peter shared with them what the Lord had shown him, that he, “should not call any man common or unclean.” And Cornelius explained to Peter that he had been fasting and an angel had appeared to him and instructed him to send for Peter. And now that Peter had arrived, he and his family were anxious to hear all the Lord had commanded Peter to share with them.

“Peter opened his mouth, and said, of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation, he who fears Him, and works righteousness, is accepted Him (Christ). (Acts 10)

Peter goes on to share the Gospel with Cornelius, starting with John the Baptist who introduced Christ. How Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, went throughout Israel doing good and healing all. He shared with them that the Apostles and others were witnesses to all He did and that God was with Him. How He was crucified and rose from the dead, and that all that believe in Him will receive remission of sins. Cornelius and his family believed all that Peter shared with them. The Bible goes on to say that, now saved, the Holy Spirit fell on them all.

“While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them which heard the Word.” (Acts 10)

Cornelius and his family believed and were saved and filled with the Holy Spirit showing that salvation was for all and not limited to the nation of Israel. This record of the salvation of Cornelius shows us that the grace of God is for all those who believe and that salvation is by grace (unmerited favor) alone. Just as the Lord looked favorably upon Cornelius; He seeks out and will come to all those who look to Him with a sincere heart.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whoever believes on Him, shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

See The A,B,C’s of salvation page on this website. Link below.

https://wordpress.com/page/tqministries.com/5448

Always Remember

God Loves You

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Tom Quinn Ministries – tqministries.com 2020

Reserved In Heaven For Us

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant Mercy has Begotten us again unto a lively hope by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).

The Father has rescued us from our fallen condition and brought us into our present living hope due to the Resurrection of Jesus. We were dead in our sins as a result of Adam’s fall in the Garden. We should thank the Lord each day for the Mercy and Grace He has shown us. We have been born again spiritually and have become partakers of the Divine nature.

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sons of God.” (Romans 8:14).

We are Sons of God through adoption into the family of God. The Lord is now our Father and we are the children of God. This gives us victory over the world, the flesh and the Devil. We walk in this victory by placing our faith in Christ and Him crucified which results in the Holy Spirit leading us and giving us victory in our lives.

” … You have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15b).

This adoption into the family of God was accomplished by the Holy Spirit. He baptizes us into Christ and we are given “Newness of Life.” Just as adoption of a child gives the child all legal rights, our adoption into the family of God is a legal work and God becomes our Heavenly Father.

The Spirit itself (Himself) bear witness with our spirit, that we are the Children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ…” Romans 8:16,17a).

We have the witness of the Spirit within our spirit when we come to the Lord. We know we are saved by this witness of the Holy Spirit within us. We are the children of God, heirs, and joint heirs with Christ.

“Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the sons of God…..Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is” 1 John 3:1a,2).

I love this verse because it points to the incredible love that brought us our Salvation and brought us into the Kingdom of God as His sons and daughters. Incredible, but true. We are now children of God and await our Lord’s return for His church. We know that when He appears we will see Him as He is, and be like Him. This speaks of our glorified bodies that we will be given at the Resurrection (Rapture). We look for that “Blessed Hope.” Our closing verses tell us what happens on that day – THE DAY we look forward to with great anticipation.

“Looking for that Blessed Hope, and the glorious appearing of the Great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).

“For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout…and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, tkomeet the Lord in the air: and we shall ever be with the Lord” ( 1 Thessalonians 4:16a,c, 17,18).

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 Creators, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, and RadioPublic.

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Here I Am, Lord – Tom Quinn Ministries – tqministries.com 2025

The Lord Reached Down His Hand For Me

“Call on Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you know not”  (Jeremiah 33:3).

The following letter is a testimony to the faithfulness of God to all those who seek Him.

Dear God,

Life can be difficult and discouraging at times. I was on the wrong path for many years seeking happiness and fulfillment in all the wrong places. My life was a good life by most standards, but something was missing. There was something deep inside that was not satisfied with the life I was living. I couldn’t put my finger on it at the time, but I knew I was missing the mark and lacking something extremely important in my life.

In quiet desperation; I called out to you. I remembered my youth when I had gone to church and heard the Bible stories. After experiencing some of the trials and difficult times that life presents us with, I wanted to know if you were real – if I could come to you and know the God I had heard about in my youth. You reached down and revealed yourself to me in your love. A love for me that I clearly experienced as I read your Word, and that love drew me to you. It was a love that called out to me through your great sacrifice at the Cross. A love whose chief desire was to call me to you so that I might be with you throughout eternity. You reached down your hand for me and I have never been the same.

I surrendered to that love acknowledging that I needed a Savior. I realized I was unable in myself to measure up to all you required of us as a Holy God. I saw your great Sacrifice on the Cross as your great love for us displayed for all to see, and it was the answer to my own need. I was separated from you by sin and the Cross was the bridge that crossed that gap. You were offering me new life in you. I repented of my sin and the life I had lived without you. In an instant, all the guilt lifted and I was free. I had been born of your Spirit and I now had a personal relationship with you. It was joy unspeakable and full of glory. The very best day of my life!

I then heard about the Baptism with the Holy Spirit. Your Word told me it was a second work of the Holy Spirit and was for power for service with the initial evidence of speaking with other tongues. Your Word said that it was available to all. I sought, and received, this Baptism with the Holy Spirit. I cannot tell you how blessed I have been throughout my life with the Holy Spirit helping me as I have sought to share the joy that I have found in You with others. Tongues, or my prayer language, has encouraged and strengthened me each and every day.

I also came to realize that you have provided for me in another way as I walk out my life. When I place my faith totally in you and your great work at the Cross each day, the Holy Spirit works mightily in my life to bring me the victory over the world, the flesh, and the Devil. I’ve come to realize that I am not called to fight against sin, or to seek victory in what I do, but to place my faith in the Cross for the victory you have already provided. That realization has blessed me with a rest in you and your great work at the Cross that I did not previously have. Some say it is like being born-again, again. To this, I wholeheartedly agree!

I am grateful beyond words for the love you have shown for me, and for your Mercy and Grace. You have provided me with a complete Salvation which is by faith from first to last. You have promised me that when this life has passed; I will be with you for eternity. You are worthy of praise and I lift up your Name. I surrender to your love unreservedly today desiring to do your will in my life, and knowing that I am truly blessed in knowing you. I come to you today with thanksgiving and praise in my heart for all you have done for me – when you reached down your hand for me!

In Christ I Stand,

Signed

The One You Love

“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen” (Romans 11:36).

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 Anchor, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Pocket Casts, and RadioPublic.

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

(2021 – amended 2025)