Carrot and Stick Religion

Carrot and Stick Religion

Romans 5:1,2 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God”.

Good News!  We stand by grace!  We are justified by faith, and not by our behavior or our attitudes! We have peace with God! God's grace has reconciled us to Himself through the death and resurrection of Jesus our substitute!

The legalist believes that the only way people will respond properly to God, is through the application of a 'carrot and stick' approach, meaning: The threats and rewards [curses and blessings] of the law and the Ten Commandments are necessary, in order to manipulate and coerce the weak and ungrateful Christian into doing the right thing.

The legalist will concede that we are 'saved by grace', but he believes that we must maintain our relationship with God by how well we perform our perceived duties to God and Man.

By contrast; those who trust in God's grace, understand that the 'carrot' of righteousness, reconciliation to God, and justification, has already been given to all of us freely, as a result of the death of Jesus at the cross, and His resurrection.

Rom. 5:8-10 “But God demonstrated His love for us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then,having been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, we shall be saved by his life".

The carrot of God's approval is not being dangled in front of us, just out of our reach: God has offered us the 'carrot' with his own hand! Accept his love and thank him! You don't have to grovel and whine, and show remorse before he will let you enjoy his approval and eat from the Tree of Life

When you don't truly trust your Heavenly Father's love for you, you are like the cart-horse running after the carrot on a string, tied to a stick, and dangled before you just out of your reach.

You know that love, forgiveness, and approval are promised to you, and you think that, if you run fast enough and hard enough, you will finally receive your eternal reward, (after you have collapsed from exhaustion in front of your 'Little Cabin in the Corner of Glory Land').

Don't be fooled! God has given us eternal life, NOT eternal probation! 

Trust Him! Your citizenship is in Heaven, you are “accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6,7). You have been qualified by His grace (Colossians 1:12).

Don't refuse the GIFT of eternal Life! Don't beg your heavenly Father for the inheritance that He has already given you! Don't doubt His love for you; it is not given conditionally!

Your ticket to ride the grace train has been paid for, and you are already 'seated in heavenly places'! Quit trying to earn that which God has freely given you! Being “Good Enough” has nothing to do with it!

Believe that God is here now; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and that you will never be rejected when you trust Him! Whatever you may believe about God, our Father, (or IF you believe in Him), you can't change REALITY!

“God is love.” 1John 4:8,16

God Bless you, as you trust in his grace!

© 2016 Rev. Charles J. Loubert

Looking For Peace?

Looking For Peace?

How would you like to have access to peace that defies definition, exceeds expectations, overwhelms opposition, and evades explanation?

True peace, is the unshakeable knowledge that you are a child of God, and that He has included and qualified you to partake in his life.

Nothing that you do; no discipline or practice, can produce true, lasting peace, but there is good news!

Jesus is our peace!

You can experience the inner knowledge that everything is OK; your mind is at rest, nothing is missing, nothing is lacking, no regrets, and no condemnation.

You have been reconciled to God through the finished work of the cross, set apart to his kingdom, and washed from all sin by the blood of Jesus.

Learn to lean on the everlasting arms of your Good Shepherd. Don't be too proud, or embarrassed to rely on Jesus every moment. We are all spiritual cripples, in need of His eternal life. Learn to trust on the grace of God.

Where sin abounds, grace much more abounds! His strength is made perfect in weakness!

Lasting peace will always be just beyond your farthest reach and your best effort, until you hide yourself in Jesus and partake of His life! Jesus is our peace. He is God himself! He is all the grace, mercy, strength, and peace that we need.

As a citizen of the kingdom of God, you have been qualified by grace to experience righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

He is the Prince of Life, and the Prince of Peace; He is your Shepherd. Let Him lead you to the still waters. Drink deep of the river of the Water of Life. Stay planted in Him, like a tree of righteousness, bearing fruit in every season , and offer shade to all who need it!

God bless you as you walk in His peace!

Chuck Loubert

You CanTrust God's Grace

You Can Trust God's Grace

Our awareness of sin and failure, is our call to grace!

Trust God to cover you with his robe of righteousness, and thank him for forgiveness and justification through the Blood of Jesus. His grace is even greater than your need for mercy! His love covers all sin and restores us to complete fellowship with Him!. All the charges have been dropped, and you can walk in freedom. The prison of sin can no longer hold you, if you will accept your pardon!

“Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, Grace did much more abound.” Rom.5:20

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed!” John 8:36

I Thank God for the ‘gospel of the grace of God’ - the good news of God’s undeserved, unmerited favor toward us!

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Rom1:16

God himself has reconciled us to Himself. He has provided the means, and the faith that allows us to have a covenant relationship with him! We have true fellowship with our maker; Jehovah Jireh ; ’The Lord our Provider‘! Jesus himself is our way, our truth, and our life! The very life and power of God has been poured out for us.

The true and living God walks with us, and in us!

He is Emmanuel (“God with us“ Matt.1:23).

“For he hath said ’I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Heb.13:5

Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, our Heavenly Father has made a way where there was no way. He made rivers in the desert, and brought us water from the rock! He has provided a scapegoat to bear away our sins. He has provided a Redeemer who has purchased us with his blood, and has freed us from the servitude if sin!

Through the miracle of grace, God himself provides us with the willingness to serve him. We are motivated and energized by gratitude, as we gain a clearer understanding of his freely given grace.

“For it is God which worketh in you, both to will, and to do of his good pleasure.”Phil. 2:13

“knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance” Rom. 2:4

“being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that in Christ Jesus” Rom. 3:24

“In whom [Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his Grace.” Eph. 1:7

“ That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Titus 3:15

You are not alone! Believe in the One who loves you unconditionally, and let Him change you from within. Let Him show you the reality of His grace and mercy! Quit trying to bear the weight of the world on your shoulders, and find rest in Jesus. His yoke is easy and His burden is light!

He's not mad at you, He want's to pour his grace into you and heal your broken life!

God bless YOU as you trust in His grace!

Pastor Chuck Loubert

Believe It Or Not, You Are Forgiven!

2 Cor.5:18,19 NKJV “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”

Believe it or not, you are forgiven!

God has already reconciled you to Himself. Jesus has closed the gap; the sin problem is permanently settled. The sins of all mankind have been erased from the account books. Your trespasses are not counted against you, Jesus took your sin away.

You had no say in the matter! God chose you in Christ, and adopted you into His family. Your creator and Heavenly Father doesn't need your permission to love you! Your acceptance or your refusal can not change the love that God has for you. His love and forgiveness is unconditional; The New Covenant is irrevocable.

It's up to you, if you choose to participate or not; but your choices cannot negate His love and forgiveness. Even if you reject or ignore Him, He has included you in His eternal plan. Do you really think that your sins are greater than His grace?

Does it make you angry when I tell you, that you had no say in God's decision to love you? Get over it! Quit running from the very person who can take away that empty feeling inside you: the sense that you are missing something, and don't know what it is, or how to find it.

 Jesus said, “Come unto me, and I will give you rest.” 

 

Let Him be your Good Shepherd, Your teacher and healer. He came to bind up your broken heart, and take you out of your self-imposed prison. He will take the burden of remorse and self-recrimination from off of your shoulders. He will help you become the wonderful person that you know that you were meant to be.

The good news is, that, God has fixed the sin problem without your help! You can enjoy the benefits of His grace by simply believing Him and accepting the good news of your salvation.

It's a done deal! Receive the gift of eternal life!

Quit listening to the disinformation, and mis-information that impugns and distorts the character of your Heavenly Father. God is love, period.

 

The law has been rendered obsolete: your relationship with God is not based upon your performance. God has changed everything at the cross, and He sealed the deal at the resurrection.

His offer to you, is eternal life, not eternal probation. Your forgiveness has already been given. You will enjoy the indescribable joy, and the peace of a clean conscience, and a new heart, when begin to believe wonderful news of your reconciliation with Him.

God bless you, as you trust in His grace!

- Pastor Chuck Loubert 8-27-14

A New Thing

A New Thing

Isa.43:19 “Behold I shall do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

With God, all things are possible! He is not limited in the resources available to Him. When he wants to bless you and meet your needs, He has the means!

Jesus is our way in the wilderness! He is our road to the mercy seat of The Father! He is our River of Life, filling all the dry places in our parched souls! Don't give up on Him, He has not forgotten you! Your sins are not bigger than his grace. The Lamb Of God has already taken away your sins! The cross worked! You are forgiven! Do you believe it?

You will find strength, where you never expected to find it. You will find the ability to forgive people, when they have broken your heart. You will find unexpected provision when your reserves have been exhausted.

Don't look to the same old solutions that you have relied on in the past, look to your Heavenly Father: through Jesus, he has provided for you.

Don't forget that you are still here, and still in the race! He has brought you through fire and flood, time and time again. In good times and hard times, he has been standing with you, whether you have realized it or not.

In this world, and in the next, God is wanting to be the new thing in your life. He wants to make you into something new. He is working in you; to change you on the inside, and to make you willing and able to do the things that please him, and to be a blessing to those around you.

Rev. 21:5,6 “ and He who sat on the throne said, Behold I make all things new.” And He said unto me, write: for these words are true and faithful.

And He said unto me, It is done, I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him who is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

God bless you, as you continue trusting in His grace!

©2014 Rev. Charles J. Loubert

The Redeemed of the Lord

The Redeemed of the Lord

Isaiah 51:11 KJV “Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain everlasting joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.”

Heaven is a sure thing to the redeemed, who reach out in faith to their Redeemer. They shall return with singing unto Zion! They shall obtain everlasting joy!

Jesus has bought you back from the power of sin, and paid your debt in full, with his own precious blood. You are free to return to Zion and enjoy God's favor and fellowship, Because Jesus, your High Priest and intercessor, has cleared away all the obstacles between you and your creator!

Col.1:12-14 ESV "..giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

God himself has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints! Your sins are forgiven, your sin-debt debt has been paid in full.

You are not redeemed because you have joined the 'right' church, or have embraced the 'right' theology; you are redeemed because God so loved the world, and all the sinners in it. He loved you when you were still a degenerate sinner, with no interest in the things of God. Guess what, He still loves you; no matter what your spiritual state is today, or how badly you have messed things up.

Redemption is a done deal, but you will not enjoy the benefits of redemption, unless you are willing to accept Jesus as the Son of God, who is the only source, and the conduit for the grace and goodness of God. He is the only Redeemer!

Jesus is God, manifested in the flesh. He died as a man, in your place, and rose again from the dead. He is the Living God! There is no other Redeemer!

No one else can take away the stain of sin, and forgive us for our self centered way of living; only He who loved us enough to take our place on the Cross!

Return to God, and experience the everlasting joy of knowing that you are forgiven, and you are right with your Maker, because of what Jesus has done on your behalf! You are the lost sheep that he is looking for! You are the lost coin, and the treasure that is hidden in the field! He has a place for you in His kingdom!

Isa.44:22 ESV "I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you."

God's goodness leads us to change our mind about Him, and give in to His love. the Holy Spirit shows us our need for a Redeemer who will save us from our self destructive and selfish ways. Hear the voice of Jesus your redeemer calling you to enter into his rest, and receive the forgiveness of your sins.

Your transgressions have been blotted out, there is nothing standing between you and your creator. He has taken upon himself the role of Redeemer, and made the way for you to return to his everlasting arms. There is no more need to hide from Him in shame, He loves you just as you are.

Your sins are not greater than His mercy! You are eligible to receive grace from God, you are qualified, because you have a Redeemer who has blotted out your transgressions! Good news indeed! That is the Gospel of grace that we believe. God loves you unconditionally, and He has created a highway that will take you directly to Him.

Jesus, your Redeemer, is the way to a clean heart and a clear conscience! He is your Savior and your salvation, return to the fold and enjoy the protection of the Great Shepherd. Feed in His green pastures, and drink the cool, refreshing water of life that will satisfy your thirst for true peace and joy.

You are the redeemed of the Lord, return to Him and enjoy the benefits of fellowship with Him.

God bless you as you rest in His grace!

Rev. Chuck Loubert

He Makes All Things New

He Makes All Things New

1Cor. 5:17 “ Therefore, if any be in Christ, He is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Rev. 21:5a “ And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold I make all things new.”

Are you ready for a change? Without change, there can be nothing new in your life. You can never walk in the 'newness of life', unless you are willing to let the old life die.

Jesus is the one who can disrupt the old patterns that have been holding you back from your God-given inheritance of peace and joy in Him. You have been redeemed from the power of sin, but you will never enjoy that freedom, until He has made changes in your outlook, and your way of doing things.

When Christ is actively creating change in your life, you will find yourself doing some of the same things, but with a new joy in their accomplishment. Your work and your relationships will be energized by His grace which flows through you. Old resentments and prejudgments will no longer be a consideration as you conduct your daily life, and as you decide how to approach people and projects.

He Makes all things new! Your life can be an adventure, rather than a drudgery. you can find joy and satisfaction in your life, even though your circumstances may not have changed significantly. Sometimes a new outlook, or a new viewpoint is all that is needed to make something seem new again.

Renew your mind by studying the bible, and begin to look for Jesus and His grace as you read the words there. Quit looking for ways to condemn yourself. Quit trying to find new flaws in yourself and those around you that you can criticize with your self righteous , legalistic point of view.

You are accepted in the beloved! Jesus died for you when you were still a sinner, He loves you no matter what! your relationship with Him is not based on your performance. Your purity was provided for you by Him at Calvary! Trust Him to make the necessary changes in your thinking and your behavior that will bring glory to Him. He will reveal himself to the people around you through your words and your deeds, as you trust Him to make all things new in you!

You were created to be a temple of the Holy Spirit. He will complete the work that He has begun in you, as you trust Him and rest in his grace.

There is a rest for the people of God! all of our failures and shortcomings can be traced to our tendency to try to operate independently of Him. When we lean on His ability and wisdom, we come out winners every time. We bear good fruit, and feed those around us with the goodness of God.

God bless you, as you trust in His grace!

Rev. Chuck Loubert