1Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."
We tend to allow the cares of this world to weigh us down. We worry about things that haven't happened as though they have already happened. But God tells us to take no thought for tomorrow. He tells us to cast all of our cares upon Him.
Jesus is our burden bearer. He is the strength which allows us to stand up against the trial of this world. He gave us a job to do, and instructions on how to get it done. He wants us to cast all our cares on Him, that we can just focus on telling a lost and dying world that Jesus saves. Carrying the weight, is what Jesus did for the people in His day who carried the heavey weight of all the additional laws the religious leaders had added. They also carried the guilt of not being able to obey everything .Jesus came to relieve the people of these ridiculous rules. Jesus spoke about having a close intimate relationship with the Father,with no secrets between them.Jesus wants us to know that He has a yoke that is easy and His burden is light. He tenderly gives an invitation that offers relief, rest, and joy for the weary. Jesus invites the weary to come to Him so they can experience rest for their souls. We all have responsibilities that drain us, and difficulties that wear us down.
Let us give it all to Jesus, after all He has overcome the world and the evil it represents. Let us cast our cares and concerns upon He who is able to keep us from falling, that we might stand and with a loud voice tell all we see that Jesus Christ is the way...
Friday, January 29, 2016
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Are You Sure?
Luke 2:44 " But they supposing Him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought Him among their kinfolk and acquaintance".
Are you in the company of Jesus? Are you sure? Many believe they are but in fact He was left at the temple. We sometime have a tendency to think we can take Jesus everywhere we go, but the truth of the matter is you can't just take Jesus anywhere, He won't be a part of your mess or the work of the evil one. Jesus is holy and can't dwell in ungodliness.
Here we see that the parents of Jesus was at the temple for worship, upon leaving they assume that Jesus was with them. They went a whole days journey before realizing that He wasn't. First it is a dangerous thing to go a whole day without communing with Jesus. Without praying to Him, leaning on Him and calling out to Him. We must be careful not to be so wrapped up in personal affairs and worldly matter that we go all day without fellowshipping with the Lord. When did you last speak with the Lord? Are you in His company or are you supposing that He is in your company. Have you left Jesus in the temple or are you in His company about His Fathers business sharing the good news of salvation with a dying world.
We who profess to be children of the Lord must know without a shadow of a doubt that we are in the company of the savior. We do this by being about the Fathers business and not being wrapped up in worldly matters and personal agendas. Let us not assume that Jesus is with us let us make sure we are with Him...................
Are you in the company of Jesus? Are you sure? Many believe they are but in fact He was left at the temple. We sometime have a tendency to think we can take Jesus everywhere we go, but the truth of the matter is you can't just take Jesus anywhere, He won't be a part of your mess or the work of the evil one. Jesus is holy and can't dwell in ungodliness.
Here we see that the parents of Jesus was at the temple for worship, upon leaving they assume that Jesus was with them. They went a whole days journey before realizing that He wasn't. First it is a dangerous thing to go a whole day without communing with Jesus. Without praying to Him, leaning on Him and calling out to Him. We must be careful not to be so wrapped up in personal affairs and worldly matter that we go all day without fellowshipping with the Lord. When did you last speak with the Lord? Are you in His company or are you supposing that He is in your company. Have you left Jesus in the temple or are you in His company about His Fathers business sharing the good news of salvation with a dying world.
We who profess to be children of the Lord must know without a shadow of a doubt that we are in the company of the savior. We do this by being about the Fathers business and not being wrapped up in worldly matters and personal agendas. Let us not assume that Jesus is with us let us make sure we are with Him...................
Friday, January 22, 2016
Who Is He To You
Hebrews 1:3 "Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high."
Many song have been written celebrating the name of Jesus, from old hymns such as "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name" to more recent songs such as "There Just Something About that Name." The bible tells us that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved"(Acts2:21NIV),and "There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
However, shockingly, the name of Jesus is often uttered today to express anger, disappointment, or astonishment .People say His name in these ways not only publicly but also without shame. Just as swearing no longer seems to be much of a social offense, using Jesus' name in vain has become commonplace for nonbelievers and believers alike. Now, you personally may never (or rarely) have used His name in vain, but have you ever been guilty of taking Him lightly? Taking Him for granted. That is, have you ever, in a sense," forgotten " that He is the Son of God, whom God has exalted to the highest place in His Kingdom? Every time you set out to do wrong, knowing that what you are doing goes against his word, will, and way, you are taking Him lightly. Remember you are not just going to church, you are taking important time out to praise, thank, and learn more about the person to whom you owe everything you have in life to. Did you prepare to worship, or was it a last minute left over guilt felt from the parting and dancing the night before. Did it include Sunday school? Where you there early enough for morning devotion, did you bring someone with you? Do you take Christ lightly? Do you truly understand who he is and what it is he has done for us. Do you realize that one day we will all have to stand before him.
We should feel genuine hurt when we go against his word ,will or way. We should be willing to lay down our life to live for him, for he so loved us that he endured the shame of the cross, that we might enjoy the glory of the crown. Jesus Christ, who is he and what is he to you?
Many song have been written celebrating the name of Jesus, from old hymns such as "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name" to more recent songs such as "There Just Something About that Name." The bible tells us that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved"(Acts2:21NIV),and "There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
However, shockingly, the name of Jesus is often uttered today to express anger, disappointment, or astonishment .People say His name in these ways not only publicly but also without shame. Just as swearing no longer seems to be much of a social offense, using Jesus' name in vain has become commonplace for nonbelievers and believers alike. Now, you personally may never (or rarely) have used His name in vain, but have you ever been guilty of taking Him lightly? Taking Him for granted. That is, have you ever, in a sense," forgotten " that He is the Son of God, whom God has exalted to the highest place in His Kingdom? Every time you set out to do wrong, knowing that what you are doing goes against his word, will, and way, you are taking Him lightly. Remember you are not just going to church, you are taking important time out to praise, thank, and learn more about the person to whom you owe everything you have in life to. Did you prepare to worship, or was it a last minute left over guilt felt from the parting and dancing the night before. Did it include Sunday school? Where you there early enough for morning devotion, did you bring someone with you? Do you take Christ lightly? Do you truly understand who he is and what it is he has done for us. Do you realize that one day we will all have to stand before him.
We should feel genuine hurt when we go against his word ,will or way. We should be willing to lay down our life to live for him, for he so loved us that he endured the shame of the cross, that we might enjoy the glory of the crown. Jesus Christ, who is he and what is he to you?
Thursday, January 21, 2016
First Things First
Luke 10:41-42 "And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things; But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her".
We have been called into the service of the Lord. We are Ambassadors for Christ, chosen to bear fruit and fruit that will last. But often we get to busy doing other things that we don't take the time to commune with the Lord. Sometimes we get so busy and so troubled with doing, that we don't take the time to hear and study the word of the Lord.
In our text today Jesus is at the house of Mary and Martha. Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to Him in obedient worship, while Martha on the other hand is busy serving and busing herself in the worldly affairs. She then complains to Jesus and ask that He ash Mary to help her, but Jesus lets her know that there is only one thing that man needs in life and that Mary has chosen that good part. See there is nothing man needs more important than a relationship with Christ. In fact the word of God says to seek ye first the kingdom of God and the other stuff will be added to you. What Martha was doing was important, but what Mary was doing was more important.
We can't go out into a dying world and bear witness to something that we ourselves have not witnessed. Until we come to know God for ourselves we can't even begin to tell someone else about Him. Let us not get so busy in worldly cares that we neglect our time with the Lord. Let us be sure to choose that thing which is needed and which can never be taken from us. Let Him who is first be first in our lives...
We have been called into the service of the Lord. We are Ambassadors for Christ, chosen to bear fruit and fruit that will last. But often we get to busy doing other things that we don't take the time to commune with the Lord. Sometimes we get so busy and so troubled with doing, that we don't take the time to hear and study the word of the Lord.
In our text today Jesus is at the house of Mary and Martha. Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to Him in obedient worship, while Martha on the other hand is busy serving and busing herself in the worldly affairs. She then complains to Jesus and ask that He ash Mary to help her, but Jesus lets her know that there is only one thing that man needs in life and that Mary has chosen that good part. See there is nothing man needs more important than a relationship with Christ. In fact the word of God says to seek ye first the kingdom of God and the other stuff will be added to you. What Martha was doing was important, but what Mary was doing was more important.
We can't go out into a dying world and bear witness to something that we ourselves have not witnessed. Until we come to know God for ourselves we can't even begin to tell someone else about Him. Let us not get so busy in worldly cares that we neglect our time with the Lord. Let us be sure to choose that thing which is needed and which can never be taken from us. Let Him who is first be first in our lives...
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Good News
Matthew 28:6 "He is not here: for He is risen,as He said come,see the place where the Lord lay".
Well the tomb was empty. That means God kept His word, the perfect plan of salvation was now set in motion. There is good news in the fact that there is life beyond the grave. There is an everlasting life. Good news that Jesus rose with all power, even power over death and the grave. Good news that the debt for sin has been paid in full; the adoption papers have been filled out completely and all we have to do is sign on to become a member of the Holy family of God. Good news that we can now become the righteousness of God, that we can come boldly to the throne of grace through the blood of Jesus and cry "abba father". For He is risen, the atoning sacrifice of Jesus on the cross has been accepted. By way of His death man can be reconciled back to a Holy and righteous God.
Jesus the Christ the Son of the living God, laid down His life so He could pick it up again.There is good news from the grave. Jesus died and rose again on the third day morning with all power in His hands. There is so much good news from this empty tomb.
Well the tomb was empty. That means God kept His word, the perfect plan of salvation was now set in motion. There is good news in the fact that there is life beyond the grave. There is an everlasting life. Good news that Jesus rose with all power, even power over death and the grave. Good news that the debt for sin has been paid in full; the adoption papers have been filled out completely and all we have to do is sign on to become a member of the Holy family of God. Good news that we can now become the righteousness of God, that we can come boldly to the throne of grace through the blood of Jesus and cry "abba father". For He is risen, the atoning sacrifice of Jesus on the cross has been accepted. By way of His death man can be reconciled back to a Holy and righteous God.
There is good news that we will all one day have a resurrected body, but in the mean time we can die with Jesus in faith and rise again with Him in a newness of life by faith, for He has conquered death and him that has power of death.There is good news from the empty tomb, He rose with all power, rejoice in that good news..
Monday, January 18, 2016
The Good Shepherd
John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd:the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep"
Sheep need a shepherd. These animals are curious but dumb, and often fail to find their way home. Biblical shepherds, being aware of this never took their eyes off their flocks. When the sheep stray into a briar patch or fall down a hill side, the shepherd will search for them and carry them to safety. Shepherds performed numerous duties as they tended their flocks. They would find them shelter, food, water, and watch over and protect them from all that would do them harm. The good shepherd would sacrifice his life to save his sheep.
The Lord is our shepherd, the good shepherd who willingly laid down his life for the sheep. Jesus as the keeper of his flock, guards the entrance to the compound, so that only the flock enters it, and that all his sheep can make it in the pen safely. Because of the presence of sin, thieves and robbers try to sneak in and mislead the flock, but through faith in Jesus, the true sheep of God enjoy green pastures of eternal life. Jesus our shepherd protects us from sin, its dangers, and the guilt there of. It was the work Christ did on the cross, which freed us from the power, and dangers of sin, and God can now enter into a relationship with his sheep, the true believer. Unlike a hired hand who would flee at the first sign of danger, Christ was focused on sacrificing himself for the eternal benefit of his people, his sheep. As our shepherd he is our provider, as he supplies our every need, our protector, for no weapon formed against us shall prosper, our delieverer, as He is the way, and his faithful sheep dogs, goodness and mercy which follow us all the days of our life. Jesus Christ the good shepherd, He not only knows each member of his flock by name, but his flock all know him, and they hear his voice and obey him.
Our shepherd loves us, and wants to take us to high places, but he won't drag us there, and we can't get there just because we wish to be there.We must listen to him, and we must obey his directions, For the Lord is our shepherd, and we shall not want...........
Sheep need a shepherd. These animals are curious but dumb, and often fail to find their way home. Biblical shepherds, being aware of this never took their eyes off their flocks. When the sheep stray into a briar patch or fall down a hill side, the shepherd will search for them and carry them to safety. Shepherds performed numerous duties as they tended their flocks. They would find them shelter, food, water, and watch over and protect them from all that would do them harm. The good shepherd would sacrifice his life to save his sheep.
The Lord is our shepherd, the good shepherd who willingly laid down his life for the sheep. Jesus as the keeper of his flock, guards the entrance to the compound, so that only the flock enters it, and that all his sheep can make it in the pen safely. Because of the presence of sin, thieves and robbers try to sneak in and mislead the flock, but through faith in Jesus, the true sheep of God enjoy green pastures of eternal life. Jesus our shepherd protects us from sin, its dangers, and the guilt there of. It was the work Christ did on the cross, which freed us from the power, and dangers of sin, and God can now enter into a relationship with his sheep, the true believer. Unlike a hired hand who would flee at the first sign of danger, Christ was focused on sacrificing himself for the eternal benefit of his people, his sheep. As our shepherd he is our provider, as he supplies our every need, our protector, for no weapon formed against us shall prosper, our delieverer, as He is the way, and his faithful sheep dogs, goodness and mercy which follow us all the days of our life. Jesus Christ the good shepherd, He not only knows each member of his flock by name, but his flock all know him, and they hear his voice and obey him.
Our shepherd loves us, and wants to take us to high places, but he won't drag us there, and we can't get there just because we wish to be there.We must listen to him, and we must obey his directions, For the Lord is our shepherd, and we shall not want...........
Friday, January 15, 2016
The Power Of Faith
Mark 5:34 "And He said unto her, Daughter thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague".
We are saved by faith. But what is faith, I mean true faith? We all know the biblical answer but what is it in the real lives of real people. See many say they are saved which means they have faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It means that they believe He died and rose again on the third day with all power in heaven and earth in His hands. Yet many continue a life of sin, believing that in the flesh they have to sin. Well I ask is this having real faith?
Now I know we can never be glorified in the flesh, but I also know that Jesus rose with all power. He said He has power over all flesh, and He also told the lady in the bible go and sin no more. So I have to believe that true faith is believing that through Christ you can do all things. The key is to realize you can't do it, but the Christ that now lives in you can. It means denying yourself and taking up your cross daily; actually dying to the lust will and desires of the flesh, to let go and let God.We all believe that God can make us rich and give us the material things of this world, but that is not why He died. We believe we can speak things that are not, as though they were, and that's not what He died for. He died to save us from sin, yet we doubt that we can live this life that He died to give us. Now I ask, is that true faith? How do you have faith that He has all power, and yet still live a powerless life.
Here Jesus tells a woman to go, her faith has made her whole, and to be free of her plague. See it is by faith that we are to be made free of the old life of sin we once lived. We must believe that the old man is dead and we now live new in Christ. Surrendering our whole hearts over to Him, and in all our way acknowledge Him and let Him direct our path. So let us now walk in the new life, a life worthy of the name which we bear.
We are saved by faith. But what is faith, I mean true faith? We all know the biblical answer but what is it in the real lives of real people. See many say they are saved which means they have faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It means that they believe He died and rose again on the third day with all power in heaven and earth in His hands. Yet many continue a life of sin, believing that in the flesh they have to sin. Well I ask is this having real faith?
Now I know we can never be glorified in the flesh, but I also know that Jesus rose with all power. He said He has power over all flesh, and He also told the lady in the bible go and sin no more. So I have to believe that true faith is believing that through Christ you can do all things. The key is to realize you can't do it, but the Christ that now lives in you can. It means denying yourself and taking up your cross daily; actually dying to the lust will and desires of the flesh, to let go and let God.We all believe that God can make us rich and give us the material things of this world, but that is not why He died. We believe we can speak things that are not, as though they were, and that's not what He died for. He died to save us from sin, yet we doubt that we can live this life that He died to give us. Now I ask, is that true faith? How do you have faith that He has all power, and yet still live a powerless life.
Here Jesus tells a woman to go, her faith has made her whole, and to be free of her plague. See it is by faith that we are to be made free of the old life of sin we once lived. We must believe that the old man is dead and we now live new in Christ. Surrendering our whole hearts over to Him, and in all our way acknowledge Him and let Him direct our path. So let us now walk in the new life, a life worthy of the name which we bear.
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Stay The Course
Galatians 5:7 "Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth"?
We should always admit and praise that which is good that you may effectually rebuke the evil.Paul did not hesitate to praise the Galatians and say,"ye did run well". It brings great joy to christians to see others running this race well. To do this, we must run on the right road, straight forward, with our eyes on Christ. It is great grief to see the many who are hindered or lead off the road. The way is the truth, and the running is obedience. We are hindered when we cease to obey the truth. It will do us good to check and see who and what has tried to hinder us in our race.
This Christian race is by no means easy. We are hindered in running the race which is set before us, because of our sinful nature still remains in the holiest of us.The entanglements of the world, like heavy or tight fitting clothes, hindering the runners ability to run. Our weakness and infirmities, wear us out, because the race is long and the road can get rough. Some are to busy to run this race. Some run to fast at the start and are soon out of breath. We have fallen off in the areas of reading God's word, and family prayer. We have lost God's word in the mist of other books about the bible that seems to occupy so much of our time, we find no time to read the truth of the bible. Many have read biographies, and commentaries written by religious leaders and famous preachers, but have never read the biography of Jesus Christ, the bible. Many are hindered by the many worldly friends in our lives, none can help us in this race but those who are themselves running it; every one else is a hinderance. When a Christian forms a intimate relationship with a ungodly person, from that moment all progress is at a standstill. See the ungodly person is going in a different direction, so to walk with them you must turn from the direction of God.
A man's course in religion may often seem to be right and progressive, but the undercurrent of his besetting sins is driving him contrary to where he is striving to get to. Let us run on to the end.
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
The Unfaithful Bride
Hosea 1:2 "And the Lord said to Hosea,Go take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms:for the land hath committed great whordom,departing from the Lord.
The church of the living God. The bride of Christ, purchased with the blood of Christ, and yet she has turned to a woman of whoredom. Choosen to be a spiritual beauty, she has become material girl to be sold to the highest bidder. She has become more interested in making money than she is about saving souls, giving birth to children of whoredom. She profess to love the Lord, but she prostitutes herself for the things of this world.
The Church of the living God, built upon the foundation of Peter confession to Jesus, that Jesus is the Christ the son of the living God, but this message has gotten lost. Jesus gave His life for the Church, He paid for it yet she has wandered into the way of a harlot. The message she preached has changed from one of soul saving to one of fund-raising. The church of God revelation has been replaced with the many ministries of mans imagination. So much of the world has been invited into the temple, the temple has been turned from a house of worship, to a worldly prostitute, following what ever will bring in the most money. The under shepherds have turn from servants of the Lord, to servants of self. Like a dime store pimp they use the church of God to line their pockets, and fill their lives with the toys of this world, preying on the flock instead of praying over the flock.
The Love of God, His church, has turned away from the truth of God's word, to the empty promises of this world. But God is faithful and He stands with His arms stretched wide open awaiting her return. Let us go back to God, let the church get back to the business of saving souls. Let the men of God be servants of God, that they might be better leaders to the people of God
The church of the living God. The bride of Christ, purchased with the blood of Christ, and yet she has turned to a woman of whoredom. Choosen to be a spiritual beauty, she has become material girl to be sold to the highest bidder. She has become more interested in making money than she is about saving souls, giving birth to children of whoredom. She profess to love the Lord, but she prostitutes herself for the things of this world.
The Church of the living God, built upon the foundation of Peter confession to Jesus, that Jesus is the Christ the son of the living God, but this message has gotten lost. Jesus gave His life for the Church, He paid for it yet she has wandered into the way of a harlot. The message she preached has changed from one of soul saving to one of fund-raising. The church of God revelation has been replaced with the many ministries of mans imagination. So much of the world has been invited into the temple, the temple has been turned from a house of worship, to a worldly prostitute, following what ever will bring in the most money. The under shepherds have turn from servants of the Lord, to servants of self. Like a dime store pimp they use the church of God to line their pockets, and fill their lives with the toys of this world, preying on the flock instead of praying over the flock.
The Love of God, His church, has turned away from the truth of God's word, to the empty promises of this world. But God is faithful and He stands with His arms stretched wide open awaiting her return. Let us go back to God, let the church get back to the business of saving souls. Let the men of God be servants of God, that they might be better leaders to the people of God
Monday, January 11, 2016
In Obedience to God; Love Him
John 14:15 " If you love me, keep my commandments".
If we love Jesus, we will keep His commandments. Obedience is not optional for believers. Jesus stated a simple fact that must be clearly understood. If you love me keep my commandments. Jesus is not giving an optional commandment. He is saying that the man who truly loves Him will keep His commandments. So for the born again believer there is no option. He loves Jesus; therefore, he keeps His commandments. In this we the true believer is not claiming perfection, but we are claiming to love Jesus and to believe with all our heart that Jesus is the Son of God. Therefore we must diligently seek Jesus, and seek to please Him in all that we do. To Love Jesus is not an emotional thing. It involves emotions but it is not based on emotions. It doesn't change according to the situation. It is not a rational or mental commitment. It involves the mind but it is more than deciding and following some rules. To love Jesus is a matter of the heart and the spirit. It is a heart thing, from the inter most being of man.
If we love Jesus, we will keep His commandments. Obedience is not optional for believers. Jesus stated a simple fact that must be clearly understood. If you love me keep my commandments. Jesus is not giving an optional commandment. He is saying that the man who truly loves Him will keep His commandments. So for the born again believer there is no option. He loves Jesus; therefore, he keeps His commandments. In this we the true believer is not claiming perfection, but we are claiming to love Jesus and to believe with all our heart that Jesus is the Son of God. Therefore we must diligently seek Jesus, and seek to please Him in all that we do. To Love Jesus is not an emotional thing. It involves emotions but it is not based on emotions. It doesn't change according to the situation. It is not a rational or mental commitment. It involves the mind but it is more than deciding and following some rules. To love Jesus is a matter of the heart and the spirit. It is a heart thing, from the inter most being of man.
The heart is the seat of man's affections, and devotion. The heart attaches and focuses our affection, will, and devotion to an object or person. The heart causes a man to will, or to give himself either to good or bad. To love Jesus means that a man focuses his heart, affections, and will, upon God by giving and receiving the love of God. We must give all we have and all we are to Jesus Christ for him to do as he will. We must deny our self daily, not deny our self of things, but deny self, we die to self and our will that we might live in Him for His will. This should be the action of our love for God.
Friday, January 8, 2016
Obligation!
1 Corinthians 9:16 " For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel!
As Christians,we have made a commitment to work on growing in our walk with God. The mission is ongoing, it doesn't stop after we have attended church a certain number of Sundays or read through the entire Bible a certain number of times. Of course, those things are important to being a disciple, but a bigger charge is that we not only believe in the Lord, but also believe the Lord and have unwavering faith in Him.
Once we learn the Gospel, it is our responsibility to share it with all we see.We will want to share it, because it is such good news to us and everyone else. The Gospel is bigger than our failures, even when we fall short of perfection, we must remain steadfast and determined to believe the gospel and share it. To a dying world we might be the only glimpse of Christ they will see. We are ambassadors for Christ, there are no days off and there is no lunch break. Once you have been born you cannot be unborn, so we are to be a living witness for Christ at all times. When we minister to non-believers, we will sometimes be met with resistance, as Jesus and the apostles were. This should not discourage us from our unwavering loyalty.
With the weekend now upon us what will we show the world?Will our weekend life bear witness to the Savior, or will we give in to the lust ,will and desires of the flesh? will we be a lighthouse or a stumbling block to a lost and dying world. Regardless of what challenges we are met with, or what failures occur, we cannot save others, only God can do that.We are only responsible for remaining true to our commitment to the gospel, and sharing it with all that we see.
As Christians,we have made a commitment to work on growing in our walk with God. The mission is ongoing, it doesn't stop after we have attended church a certain number of Sundays or read through the entire Bible a certain number of times. Of course, those things are important to being a disciple, but a bigger charge is that we not only believe in the Lord, but also believe the Lord and have unwavering faith in Him.
Once we learn the Gospel, it is our responsibility to share it with all we see.We will want to share it, because it is such good news to us and everyone else. The Gospel is bigger than our failures, even when we fall short of perfection, we must remain steadfast and determined to believe the gospel and share it. To a dying world we might be the only glimpse of Christ they will see. We are ambassadors for Christ, there are no days off and there is no lunch break. Once you have been born you cannot be unborn, so we are to be a living witness for Christ at all times. When we minister to non-believers, we will sometimes be met with resistance, as Jesus and the apostles were. This should not discourage us from our unwavering loyalty.
With the weekend now upon us what will we show the world?Will our weekend life bear witness to the Savior, or will we give in to the lust ,will and desires of the flesh? will we be a lighthouse or a stumbling block to a lost and dying world. Regardless of what challenges we are met with, or what failures occur, we cannot save others, only God can do that.We are only responsible for remaining true to our commitment to the gospel, and sharing it with all that we see.
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Worthy To Follow
Matthew 10:38 "Ye that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, Is not worthy of me".
Before his crucifixion our Lord has a foresight of it,and does not hesitate to realize himself as bearing his cross. With equal prescience he foresees each true disciple receiving and taking up his own personal cross. He sees none exempted.Picture a procession led by Jesus bearing His cross, and His disciple making up a cross bearing train following behind Him. This is a real march of suffering which reaches through all time. The chief requirement of a disciple is to follow Jesus in all things, in cross-bearing as in all else. We can't rejoice with the risen Savior if you are not will to suffer with the crucified Lord.
Before his crucifixion our Lord has a foresight of it,and does not hesitate to realize himself as bearing his cross. With equal prescience he foresees each true disciple receiving and taking up his own personal cross. He sees none exempted.Picture a procession led by Jesus bearing His cross, and His disciple making up a cross bearing train following behind Him. This is a real march of suffering which reaches through all time. The chief requirement of a disciple is to follow Jesus in all things, in cross-bearing as in all else. We can't rejoice with the risen Savior if you are not will to suffer with the crucified Lord.
Cross-bearing is trying, laborious, sorrowful, and humiliating, but it is inevitable to all who will follow Jesus. We are bound to take up our own personal cross, I can't carry and yours and you can't carry mine. Your cross might be giving up certain pleasures or indulgences, or any thing that might hinder your walk in complete obedience with Christ. Be it to live in poverty to proclaim the good news to the less fortunate, or enduring hardship and punishment for the good of others, what ever your cross, you must take it up voluntarily and follow Christ. We are to deliberately take it up, not to choose a cross, not to make your own cross, not to complain about the cross given you, not to faint under it, fall beneath it or run from it, but to patiently endure it, for Christ is carrying the heavy end.
We ought to be thankful that we only have to bear it, and that it doesn't have to bear us. It is a royal burden, a sanctified burden, a sanctifying burden, a burden which gives communion with Christ. let not the righteous dread the cross, for it will not crush them: it may be painted with iron colors by our fears, but it is not made of that heavey metal; we can bear it, and we will bear it right joyously, for he reward is glory. Are you worthy to follow?
Monday, January 4, 2016
Jesus Saves
1John 4:14 " And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world".
We have been called and separated from this world to be ambassadors for Christ. Called to live a life that bears witness to the truth of Gods' word that Jesus saves. Called to let our light so shine before men that they might see our good works and glorify God in heaven. We have been given all that we need to live this life and tell a dying world Jesus saves.
Jesus was made in the image of sinful man that man could once again take on the image of a Holy God. We who know the goodness of God, must lift up Jesus to a dying world. We must lift Him up by living a life that shows a dying world that our savior lives, and He has the power to save all who look to Him. All who are saved owe their salvation to the work of Jesus on the cross. We are then obligated to elevate Jesus, it is because He lives that we can have life. Let us lift Jesus and save a lost world. It is not about us being saved, it is about the savior who can save.
Jesus told us to go into all the world and preach the gospel to ever creature that all might be saved. Equipped with the truth of His word, the power of His spirit, and the testimony of our witness, we are to lead a world lost in darkness, to Jesus the light of the world. We are to take up the fragments of broken lives and bring them to Jesus that none should be lost. Jesus saves, let us pass it on...
We have been called and separated from this world to be ambassadors for Christ. Called to live a life that bears witness to the truth of Gods' word that Jesus saves. Called to let our light so shine before men that they might see our good works and glorify God in heaven. We have been given all that we need to live this life and tell a dying world Jesus saves.
Jesus was made in the image of sinful man that man could once again take on the image of a Holy God. We who know the goodness of God, must lift up Jesus to a dying world. We must lift Him up by living a life that shows a dying world that our savior lives, and He has the power to save all who look to Him. All who are saved owe their salvation to the work of Jesus on the cross. We are then obligated to elevate Jesus, it is because He lives that we can have life. Let us lift Jesus and save a lost world. It is not about us being saved, it is about the savior who can save.
Jesus told us to go into all the world and preach the gospel to ever creature that all might be saved. Equipped with the truth of His word, the power of His spirit, and the testimony of our witness, we are to lead a world lost in darkness, to Jesus the light of the world. We are to take up the fragments of broken lives and bring them to Jesus that none should be lost. Jesus saves, let us pass it on...
Saturday, January 2, 2016
Not By Sight
Matthew 14:29 "And He said Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water to come to Jesus."
We walk by faith, it is a walk that cannot be seen by the physical eye or understood with the carnal mind. It is a walk where we don't see and believe, but we believe and see. It is a journey traveled uphill on a road paved with the promises of God, and we are guided by the truth of God's word.
In our story today we have what some would say is a impossible feat. We have Peter walking on the water toward Jesus. But understand, many today with the carnal mind believe this holy walk we have been called to is impossible. Peter desires to come to Christ, it is a great thing when we have a desire to come to the Lord. Christ told him to come. We must trust that when Christ calls us, that He will prepare and equip us to make the journey. Our Faith in Jesus allows us to walk on the waves of our life. Our faith in Jesus allows us to walk above the things and pit falls of this world. Our faith keeps us from being over taken and over whelmed by the things of the evil one. We must trust that we are being upheld by His everlasting arms.
But as we see, it was when Peter's focused was no longer on the strength he has in Jesus, in his own weakness he began to sink. But God is the Lord of mercy, Peter didn't sink like a rock, like most of us would have, Jesus allowed him to sink slow enough for him to be able to cry out "Lord save me". If you find yourself starting to sink in sin because of unbelief remember to cry out to Him who has the power to quiet any storm, and continue this walk of faith..
We walk by faith, it is a walk that cannot be seen by the physical eye or understood with the carnal mind. It is a walk where we don't see and believe, but we believe and see. It is a journey traveled uphill on a road paved with the promises of God, and we are guided by the truth of God's word.
In our story today we have what some would say is a impossible feat. We have Peter walking on the water toward Jesus. But understand, many today with the carnal mind believe this holy walk we have been called to is impossible. Peter desires to come to Christ, it is a great thing when we have a desire to come to the Lord. Christ told him to come. We must trust that when Christ calls us, that He will prepare and equip us to make the journey. Our Faith in Jesus allows us to walk on the waves of our life. Our faith in Jesus allows us to walk above the things and pit falls of this world. Our faith keeps us from being over taken and over whelmed by the things of the evil one. We must trust that we are being upheld by His everlasting arms.
But as we see, it was when Peter's focused was no longer on the strength he has in Jesus, in his own weakness he began to sink. But God is the Lord of mercy, Peter didn't sink like a rock, like most of us would have, Jesus allowed him to sink slow enough for him to be able to cry out "Lord save me". If you find yourself starting to sink in sin because of unbelief remember to cry out to Him who has the power to quiet any storm, and continue this walk of faith..
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