The Hardest Test You Will Ever Take by Gene McGuire October, 2013

 “You shall love your neighbor as you love yourself.” (Matthew 22:39b)

 COMMENT: Because of the selfish, grabby nature we all were born with (natural birth), the above commandment is impossible for unbelievers to accomplish. Born again Christians may have a problem fulfilling this mandate for a different reason. . . .a loathing of themselves. Some Believers are trapped in the quagmire because they are carrying around a feeling of guilt. They say: “I’m a Christian and I am acting in this sinful way. What is wrong with me?” Jesus told Peter to forgive his brother 7 times 70. (Matt. 18:21,22) If He tell us, we who are mere dust, to have that much compassion, how much more love and compassion do you suppose our Heavenly Father has for His Children?  When we sin, we should repent, ask for forgiveness and FORGET IT, God has. “. . . For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” (Jer. 31:34) However, let’s not use God’s wonderful grace as a “license to sin”. Let us grow daily into the image of Jesus and work out our salvation with fear and trembling. (Phil. 2:12)SCRIPTURE STUDY: Leviticus 19:18, Proverbs 10:12 and 1 Cor. 3:16

 WISE SAYING: IF YOU ARE HEADED IN THE WRONG DIRECTION, GOD ALLOWS U-TURNS

 

Sincerely Yours, Gene McGuire   

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Who’s That In The Mirror? by Gene McGuire November 30, 2010

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7)

COMMENT: Our Lead Scripture is in operation in the natural as well as the spiritual. I know I must have told you about how I started my Life Insurance career as a complete failure, mainly due to shyness and a lack of confidence. My sister Frances asked me why would I leave teaching to become a salesman since I wasn’t “outgoing and sociable” as most of them are.  This situation was miraculously turned around when I became involved with Personal Achievement Institute, an organization that helped me change that self-image by “self talk” that was directly opposite to how I previously felt about myself. I still remember one of the “confessions” written on a 3 by 5 card which I was instructed to read aloud 100 times a day.

“I’m a fantastic, intelligent , cool, calm self-confidence man. I speak in a clear, concise and exciting manner. I’m at ease in the presence of all people because I realize that they are just that, people.  Everyone finds it a real pleasure to be in my company.”

It really worked! My sales soared and I was promoted into District management in Detroit and a few years later Agency Management in Washington D.C. Now let’s look at ourselves as Christians. Some people will say it is okay for us to call ourselves “sinners” because we all sin. I understand where they are coming from, but I refuse to label myself a sinner; I choose to call myself “righteous”. (2Cor. 5:21) I firmly believe that our “who” will determine our “do” If I firmly established in my heart that Jesus’ righteousness has been imputed to me (Romans 4:24), there is a much greater chance for me to reject choices that are ungodly. I won’t be foolish enough to say that we would be sinless when we have the correct image of who we are in Christ, but I am sure that we would sin less.

SCRIPTURE STUDY: Romans 4:13-24

WISE SAYING: YOU CAN’T PRODUCE IN YOUR BEHAVIOR WHAT YOU DON’T BELIEVE ABOUT YOURSELF.

What If You Had To Pay A Fine For Your Sins? by Gene McGuire Monday, September 8, 2008

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? Certainly not. How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (Romans 6:1&2)

COMMENT: In Virginia where I reside, there is a huge traffic problem The State Legislators came up with a rather unique way of raising bucks to construct roads in an effort to alleviate the horrid situation. Virginia citizens will be charged huge sums of money for different infractions while driving in this state. Speeding, driving without a license, diving under the influence, etc. may now cost offenders hundreds of dollars, a huge increase over the previous fines. This new law took effect the first of July and I have seen the affect it has had on local drivers. The last time I was on the road, I was amazed to see that just about everyone was going no more that 5 to10 miles over the speed limit. In a similar vein, I read an article by David Wilkerson*** in which he puts forth the concept that Christians would strive to get rid of some sinful practice that is clinging to them if they truly understood the “penalties” that would be assessed: (1)The longer you continue in sin, the more you’re in danger of hardening your heart. (Hebrews 3:12-13) (2) If you continue in sin, you’ll face the rod of God. (Heb. 12:6) (3) If you continue in sin, you’ll experience a constant drain of peace and strength. (Psalm 31:10) (4) If you continue in sin, you’ll lose your usefulness to God’s kingdom. (1 Samuel 13:13-14)

**** “Times Square Church Pulpit Series” dated 3/20/2000

SCRIPTURE STUDY: Please read the 4 Scripture references above.

WISE SAYING: WISDOM CONSIDERS HOW MY ACTIONS OF TODAY WILL IMPACT MY TOMORROW.

Sincerely Yours, Gene McGuire

Are You A Pharisee? by Gene McGuire Sunday, August 17, 2008

“Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” (Luke 7:47)

COMMENT:

In our Lead Scripture, Jesus is talking about the woman, portrayed as a sinner, who washed His feet with her tears. The Pharisees were upset that the Lord would allow this evil person to even touch Him. Looking at this scripture at face value, one could come to the conclusion that people who receive Jesus at a later age will love Him more than those who come to the Lord early in life. That would mean that I, having become a Christian at the late age of 46, would automatically love God more than someone who was converted as a teenager. I don’t agree with that conclusion.

I believe that Jesus was talking about the self-righteous Pharisees who thought that they were “all that” because they “kept the law”. They felt that they had no need for a savior because of their excellent morality. The majority of them rejected the baptism of repentance advocated by John the Baptist. The woman realized that she had led a sinful life and was in dire need of redemption. In addition, she was constantly reminded of her transgressions by her community.

That reminds me of the years I ministered in the prisons. We had no problem convincing the inmates that they had sin in their lives because of where they were residing. Unfortunately, there are many people walking the streets who are similar to the Pharisees, erroneously believing that good, moral persons of high-standing like them will get to Heaven because of their “good works”.

Their PRIDE keeps them from the saving grace of our Heavenly Father. Sometime ago I mentioned an encounter I had with a gentleman at Gold’s Gym. He is a perfect example of what we have been discussing. After observing him over a period of time, I concluded that Jim exhibited admirable traits; so I asked him if he were a Christian. He told me: “No I am not a Christian, but I live a very moral life.” He became very irritated when I gave him a Christian tract to read.

SCRIPTURE STUDY: Luke 19:10, John 3:16 and Ephesians 2:4,5

WISE SAYING: ALL ROADS MAY LEAD TO ROME, BUT JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET TO HEAVEN. (gene mcguire)