Galatians 2:14 "But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the Gospel, I said to Peter before them all, If thou being a Jew, livest after the manner of the Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the gentiles to live as do the Jews."
The life we have been called into is not an easy life. It is a life which requires a lot of sacrifice, long suffering, self denial, humility, giving and forgiving just to name a few. But it is a life that must be lived in truth. It is a life we can't just talk, but the world must also see this life in our walk. It is easy to say you are a Christian, to say you are Christ like, but what does the life you are living before man say. It is one thing for people to see you dressed on Sunday's and say that there is a Christian, but if they see you dressed up on Friday or Saturday night will they say the same thing?
Here Paul called Peter to the carpet. Peter was trying to tell the gentiles they had to live and walk a certain way. Yet that which he was telling them they had to do, he himself wasn't doing. We who are believers, sometimes are quick to point fingers at the way the non-believers are living and the things they do which goes against the word of God, but what about that which we do which to goes against God's word. How can we who are saved expect the lost to live in accordance to God's word, if we are not. Let us first make sure we are walking in the right direction before we begin pointing fingers at those who we believe are going wrong. Paul told Peter if you being saved is living the life of the unsaved, how can you expect the unsaved to live right.
We know or at least we profess to know that Jesus rose with all power in heaven and earth in His hands, let us then live as though we believe this truth. Let us spend more time in the mirror and less time looking out the window, and then maybe we can win more souls to Christ.
Monday, June 30, 2014
Saturday, June 28, 2014
His Ways To Be My Ways
Romans 8:32 "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things".
When Christ came to earth, He explained that there is a different way of thinking and living for those who have been born of the Holy Spirit. He taught that God's way is the way of giving, rather than the normal selfish human way of always getting. The key to living a way of life different from the way of the world is to allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, that this mind will be in us that was also in Christ Jesus. Through His spirit, God not only leads us in a different way of thinking, He helps us change the motivations that govern our actions.
This focus on unselfishness rather than the self-serving approach produced by our natural way of thinking, brings about a dramatic change in the way we live and everything we do. God ask that we reorder our priorities,allowing his spirit to change our thinking, serving God by doing his will and seeking his kingdom. When we put God first ,he promises to provide ways for us to meet our needs. He will with hold no good thing from us.Living a godly life is much more than merely calling on God's name as though that alone will excuse us for doing whatever we please. Living a godly life is doing what pleases God. It is practicing what he commands, and living a way of life defined by his word. Jesus taught a way of life based on observing God's commandments from a heart of love that willingly makes personal sacrifices for the sake of others, focusing on giving rather than receiving. A true Christian cannot base his way of life, his new way of living on his own ideas about right and wrong.
God's law and Christ example of perfect obedience to those laws, set the standards for the genuine Christian way of Life. Our new life is based on giving, a free gift given by God to all who will receive it." For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son",Giving is the way of God and the foundation of His love to mankind. Let us use this same foundation as we give to a lost world that which God gave to us, His only begotten Son.
Friday, June 27, 2014
Love In Spite Of
Luke 6:27-28 "But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you".
What would happen if, as Christians, we started actually living out what Jesus taught us? Jesus teachings on love attacks several traditions and misinterpretations of what we believe love to be. While we have learned to love thy neighbor, we sometime seem to exclude our enemies. But Jesus instructs us to love and do good to our enemies. we are to love not based on who they are, but because of whose we claim to be.Now this love does not result from a weakness or failure to stand up for truth or justice, it is a purposeful love that flows from a strong heart that seeks eternal salvation for others. This sacrificial love demonstrates that our purpose for living is larger than ourselves.
Jesus commands us to pray for and bless those that offend us. Our natural response is to strike back when mistreated, but Jesus teaches us to do the opposite. Jesus gave two illustrations to show the extent of how far our love for others should go, there is a blow to the face and stolen clothes, in such cases we are not retaliate. The purpose is to reach out in love instead of satisfying ourselves through revenge. Our love must be strong and purposeful in accepting mistreatment, as it shows our trust in the Lord and his ability to use the situation for his Glory. Jesus not only taught how we are to love, but how we must also be merciful to others in our daily lives, as the Father is merciful to us.
The standard of sacrificial love goes beyond what others might do or what we might want to do, but it is what Jesus teaches us to do, and what he did. The prime example of selfless giving is our heavenly Father himself, who showed kindness to all humanity regardless of how they treated him, as he gave his only begotten son that we might have everlasting life. When we have love one to another as Jesus hgad to us, then we will lead a lost world to the salvation of the Lord.
What would happen if, as Christians, we started actually living out what Jesus taught us? Jesus teachings on love attacks several traditions and misinterpretations of what we believe love to be. While we have learned to love thy neighbor, we sometime seem to exclude our enemies. But Jesus instructs us to love and do good to our enemies. we are to love not based on who they are, but because of whose we claim to be.Now this love does not result from a weakness or failure to stand up for truth or justice, it is a purposeful love that flows from a strong heart that seeks eternal salvation for others. This sacrificial love demonstrates that our purpose for living is larger than ourselves.
Jesus commands us to pray for and bless those that offend us. Our natural response is to strike back when mistreated, but Jesus teaches us to do the opposite. Jesus gave two illustrations to show the extent of how far our love for others should go, there is a blow to the face and stolen clothes, in such cases we are not retaliate. The purpose is to reach out in love instead of satisfying ourselves through revenge. Our love must be strong and purposeful in accepting mistreatment, as it shows our trust in the Lord and his ability to use the situation for his Glory. Jesus not only taught how we are to love, but how we must also be merciful to others in our daily lives, as the Father is merciful to us.
The standard of sacrificial love goes beyond what others might do or what we might want to do, but it is what Jesus teaches us to do, and what he did. The prime example of selfless giving is our heavenly Father himself, who showed kindness to all humanity regardless of how they treated him, as he gave his only begotten son that we might have everlasting life. When we have love one to another as Jesus hgad to us, then we will lead a lost world to the salvation of the Lord.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
With A Loud Voice!
Revelations 5:12 "Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing".
John said The Lamb was worthy, and the books were opened, and we shall all be judged, every man, according to his works. While there is time, worship the Lamb of God! For He is worthy. In heaven He is seen receiving all the honor, glory, and praise, yet on earth He received almost none of these things. In fact, He was ridiculed while hanging on the cross, and he was made a curse for us by being crucified. The solders may have mocked Him, as a false king before His crucifixion, but now He is truly worshiped as a king in Heaven. Do you mock him ,saying he is you King but not living as a subject in His Kingdom. The four living creatures "Amen" in agreement, and the elders do the only thing they could, they fall down and worship the Lamb who was slain, the Lamb who is worthy.
This Christian journey we have embarked upon, has many unknowns. It is full of challenges, obstacle's, opportunities, temptations, stumbling blocks, and barriers. It is a narrow road we must travel, and along the way we will slip, trip and fall. We will stumble, have doubts and sometimes even entertain the thought of giving up. But we must press on towards the mark of the high calling of God, so quitting is not an option. No matter where the journey leads us we must trust that Jesus will never fail. He is our Shepherd and He will supply our every need and lead us along the way. With every twist and turn, with every peak and valley we overcome, it brings glory to God and salvation to a dying soul. Every obstacle and challenge we are faced with, is a opportunity for us to be molded, shaped and fashioned into that which God has called us to be. No matter what it is we are going thru it is working together with Gods purpose for our good. Whatever happens is part of God amazing plan of salvation, and is made available because of the worthiness of the Lamb.
Jesus paid it all and all to Him we owe. Jesus suffered bled and died to atone for the sin of mankind. He is worthy of all the praise, so let our living say with a loud voice, Lord we praise you, while our life is one that shouts of worship for the precious Lamb of God, for He is worthy. Let us sacrifice as He sacrificed, give as He gave, and love one another as He first loved us that all might know the glory of the Lord....
John said The Lamb was worthy, and the books were opened, and we shall all be judged, every man, according to his works. While there is time, worship the Lamb of God! For He is worthy. In heaven He is seen receiving all the honor, glory, and praise, yet on earth He received almost none of these things. In fact, He was ridiculed while hanging on the cross, and he was made a curse for us by being crucified. The solders may have mocked Him, as a false king before His crucifixion, but now He is truly worshiped as a king in Heaven. Do you mock him ,saying he is you King but not living as a subject in His Kingdom. The four living creatures "Amen" in agreement, and the elders do the only thing they could, they fall down and worship the Lamb who was slain, the Lamb who is worthy.
This Christian journey we have embarked upon, has many unknowns. It is full of challenges, obstacle's, opportunities, temptations, stumbling blocks, and barriers. It is a narrow road we must travel, and along the way we will slip, trip and fall. We will stumble, have doubts and sometimes even entertain the thought of giving up. But we must press on towards the mark of the high calling of God, so quitting is not an option. No matter where the journey leads us we must trust that Jesus will never fail. He is our Shepherd and He will supply our every need and lead us along the way. With every twist and turn, with every peak and valley we overcome, it brings glory to God and salvation to a dying soul. Every obstacle and challenge we are faced with, is a opportunity for us to be molded, shaped and fashioned into that which God has called us to be. No matter what it is we are going thru it is working together with Gods purpose for our good. Whatever happens is part of God amazing plan of salvation, and is made available because of the worthiness of the Lamb.
Jesus paid it all and all to Him we owe. Jesus suffered bled and died to atone for the sin of mankind. He is worthy of all the praise, so let our living say with a loud voice, Lord we praise you, while our life is one that shouts of worship for the precious Lamb of God, for He is worthy. Let us sacrifice as He sacrificed, give as He gave, and love one another as He first loved us that all might know the glory of the Lord....
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
He Watches Over Me
Nahum 1:7 "The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him".
The safest place in the whole wide world is in the will of God. The only place of safety in this world is in God. The Bible speaks of a great fortress which the righteous run to and is safe. A strong tower, a place of refuge for the children of God. Tamar may disguise herself, and walk a different path, so that Judah may not know her; Isaac, half blind, might bless Jacob and pass over Esau; Joseph may forget or be forgotten by his brothers; Solomon might doubt to which mother the child rightfully belongs; and Christ may come to his own, and not be received.
The safest place in the whole wide world is in the will of God. The only place of safety in this world is in God. The Bible speaks of a great fortress which the righteous run to and is safe. A strong tower, a place of refuge for the children of God. Tamar may disguise herself, and walk a different path, so that Judah may not know her; Isaac, half blind, might bless Jacob and pass over Esau; Joseph may forget or be forgotten by his brothers; Solomon might doubt to which mother the child rightfully belongs; and Christ may come to his own, and not be received.
But the Lord knows them which are His, and his eye is always on them. Time, place, speech, or the way we dress cannot obscure his vision or dull his hearing. He can discern Daniel in the den; Jonah lodged in the belly of the fish, Peter in prison, Lazarus wrapped in rags, or Abel rolled in Blood, He can call them by name, and send his angels to comfort them, for God knows those that are His, and are known of His. Many talk about trusting God, but the truth shines in that great day of trouble, the true believer is calm and quiet in his God, and takes refuge in His strong tower. Everybody can find a bird's nest in the winter when the trees are bare, but what about when the green leaves hide them. The believer faith and life is put on displayed by adversity. The true believer shines in times of tribulation, for His trust lies within the Lord.
One thing, however, should never be forgotten: whether we know believers or not, God knows them. He does not include one hypocrite in the number, nor exclude one sincere believer, even though he may be of little faith. Ask yourself, "does he know me as one of those who trust in him? The Lord knows them that are His, and they know him as their stronghold. It might sometimes rain on a true believers life, but it never rain in his life, for his comfort is in the Lord.Ignorance and forgetfulness may cause love and knowledge to leave his creation, but the Lord is not subject to either, for His eye is on the Sparrow, so know that He is watching over You!
Monday, June 23, 2014
Victory In God's Truth
John 17:17 "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth".
God's promises are sure. God's commitment to allow a new generation to inherit a land he had promised them was a solid agreement.The disbelief of the older generation did not hinder God's faithfulness to carry out His promise he had made to their fathers. He had given this land to His children back in the time of Abraham and Jacob. Before the foundations of the world, he promised us everlasting life with Him, and now it is time for us to lay claim to it.
The Canaanites were a formidable enemy, However God said "Israel you will drive the canaanites from the land. He assured Joshua" I will be with you". The presence and power of God guaranteed the land was theirs, it wasn't Joshua's wisdom, militaries abilities, or strategies. It was in the truth of God's promise, and the power of His word that brought this to pass. Sin also is a formidable enemy, it uses various weapons to defeat us in this present life. Through the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and the pride of life, we are often defeated in our quest to live holy unto the Lord. But God's word has already given us the victory, we just have to do like the children of Israel and step out in faith and lay claim to everlasting life with our Savior. His word he tells us He has power over all flesh. We must be of good cheer, for He has overcome the world. He has lost none He has been given. We have a new life in Christ. Like with Joshua, he gave us several resources to help lead us to the promised land.
God's promises are sure. God's commitment to allow a new generation to inherit a land he had promised them was a solid agreement.The disbelief of the older generation did not hinder God's faithfulness to carry out His promise he had made to their fathers. He had given this land to His children back in the time of Abraham and Jacob. Before the foundations of the world, he promised us everlasting life with Him, and now it is time for us to lay claim to it.
The Canaanites were a formidable enemy, However God said "Israel you will drive the canaanites from the land. He assured Joshua" I will be with you". The presence and power of God guaranteed the land was theirs, it wasn't Joshua's wisdom, militaries abilities, or strategies. It was in the truth of God's promise, and the power of His word that brought this to pass. Sin also is a formidable enemy, it uses various weapons to defeat us in this present life. Through the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and the pride of life, we are often defeated in our quest to live holy unto the Lord. But God's word has already given us the victory, we just have to do like the children of Israel and step out in faith and lay claim to everlasting life with our Savior. His word he tells us He has power over all flesh. We must be of good cheer, for He has overcome the world. He has lost none He has been given. We have a new life in Christ. Like with Joshua, he gave us several resources to help lead us to the promised land.
He gave us a clear set of instructions that we must follow to be victorious. He told us to always pray. You can't give in to the temptations of this world if you are always praying. He told us to esteem other higher than ourselves. It is hard surrender to the lust of the flesh if you always have anothers best interest at heart. He told us to love one another like Christ loved us, thus always making a sacrifice of yourself for the salvation of others. He then gave us a promise, that if we followed His instructions we would be rewarded with everlasting life. He promised to be with all the way. Jesus Christ the word of God made flesh, in whom we have the victory.
Saturday, June 21, 2014
What Will You Do With Jesus?
Matthew 27:22 "Pilate saith unto them, what shall I do then with Jesus which is called the Christ?They all say unto him, let Him be crucified".
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son to die that we might live. God loved us so much that He gave. He gave at a time when we were in great need, and He gave the best that He had. "For while we were yet sinners Christ died for us". Now, what will you do with Jesus?
Jesus was given to everybody, yet there are many who have yet to do anything with Him. They haven't accepted Him and they haven't shared Him. Jesus is the answer to what ever situation that you might find yourself in. He is the solution to whatever problem that might arise in your life, and He is the way out of any circumstance that surrounds you, yet many still have yet to receive this free gift. So what are you going to do with Jesus? Do you accept Him in your life? Do you share Him with a dying world? Or do you like the multitude, kill Him off to keep Him silent.The Jews and religious leader wanted Jesus dead because He put a damper on their agenda. Many of us want Him dead in our lives because He puts a damper on our personal agenda's. He causes us to love when we want to hate, to forgive when we want to stay angry, to share when we want to keep it all to ourselves, and to look at ourselves instead of being able to point our fingers at others.
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son to die that we might live. God loved us so much that He gave. He gave at a time when we were in great need, and He gave the best that He had. "For while we were yet sinners Christ died for us". Now, what will you do with Jesus?
Jesus was given to everybody, yet there are many who have yet to do anything with Him. They haven't accepted Him and they haven't shared Him. Jesus is the answer to what ever situation that you might find yourself in. He is the solution to whatever problem that might arise in your life, and He is the way out of any circumstance that surrounds you, yet many still have yet to receive this free gift. So what are you going to do with Jesus? Do you accept Him in your life? Do you share Him with a dying world? Or do you like the multitude, kill Him off to keep Him silent.The Jews and religious leader wanted Jesus dead because He put a damper on their agenda. Many of us want Him dead in our lives because He puts a damper on our personal agenda's. He causes us to love when we want to hate, to forgive when we want to stay angry, to share when we want to keep it all to ourselves, and to look at ourselves instead of being able to point our fingers at others.
What will you do with Jesus? He is God's free gift to all the world, He is as near to you as your heart.Do you accept Him and share Him or do you kill Him off in your life to keep Him silent. He has been offered, what will you do with Jesus?
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