1 Thessalonians 5:9 "For God hath not appointed us to wrath,but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ".
We should make a examination of ourselves and our walk with Jesus Christ. Has Christ's love made any difference in our lives? Does being in a community led by the Holy spirit mean anything to you?Do you really have a caring heart? Let us love each other, be one in spirit, and focus on the same goals. Christ is a model in living an obedient life, a life that puts others needs ahead of our own.
A Christian is someone who professes a belief that Jesus is the Son of God. In addition, he or she has made a commitment to be like Christ. To be united with Christ means to be one with Jesus, and is a statement of a Christian's partnership with Jesus in communicating to others, what Jesus is like. The hearts and action of Christians are to be the same as that of Jesus Christ. Included in the attitude that should characterize the lives of Christians, are tenderness, compassion, unity of spirit, love and a desire to serve others. What should be absent are selfish ambitions and vain conceit. God understands that doing these things will not be easy. But neither was Jesus' journey to the cross. Jesus was faithful and obedient to death, knowing that his sacrifice would ultimately result in restoring man's broken relationship with God. God wants Christians to be obedient to the same degree, knowing that this will fulfill His purpose for our lives and work out or finish what was started when we first put our faith in Jesus.
Being one with Christ should result in a desire to be like Christ. This in turn should lead to a commitment to be obedient. The net result should be a life that reflects Christ character, one where our attitude and actions are a good reflection on God.
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Friday, January 30, 2015
Second Chance
Luke 13:7-9"Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down;why cumbereth it the ground.And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well:and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down."
Here we have Jesus telling a parable about a fruitless fig tree. A vineyard owner planted a fig tree, which he left in the care of his gardener. three years later, the owner returned to see if the tree had produced any fruit, It hadn't. In spite of the care and attention of the gardner, the tree was fruitless.
In this parable the fig tree represents Gods people. God wants his peoples lives to be a reflection of his character so that others could see what he was like.God has nurtured and protected us that he could accomplish this purpose. God wants to see if his careful attention will produce some spiritual fruit.He wants us to be careful not to slip into fruitless legalism,which gives the appearence of holiness but lacks the quality of true righteousness that God cares about.Simply turning away from our sins is not enough, we need to replace our sinful ways with something better, something more pleasing to God.
Even though the fig tree deserves to be cut down, the gardener didn't want the tree cut down. Even though we deserved death Jesus spoke up against destroying the us. He died that we might have another chance to get it right. Though we might deserve judgment, Jesus has stepped in and now we have time to repent of our sins and live in a way that honors God. God has given us a second chance
Here we have Jesus telling a parable about a fruitless fig tree. A vineyard owner planted a fig tree, which he left in the care of his gardener. three years later, the owner returned to see if the tree had produced any fruit, It hadn't. In spite of the care and attention of the gardner, the tree was fruitless.
In this parable the fig tree represents Gods people. God wants his peoples lives to be a reflection of his character so that others could see what he was like.God has nurtured and protected us that he could accomplish this purpose. God wants to see if his careful attention will produce some spiritual fruit.He wants us to be careful not to slip into fruitless legalism,which gives the appearence of holiness but lacks the quality of true righteousness that God cares about.Simply turning away from our sins is not enough, we need to replace our sinful ways with something better, something more pleasing to God.
Even though the fig tree deserves to be cut down, the gardener didn't want the tree cut down. Even though we deserved death Jesus spoke up against destroying the us. He died that we might have another chance to get it right. Though we might deserve judgment, Jesus has stepped in and now we have time to repent of our sins and live in a way that honors God. God has given us a second chance
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Savior!
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...
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
The Light From Within
John 12:12" Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
Until Jesus came to dwell among men, the entire world was in darkness. The concept of walking in darkness, symbolized the sin and ignorance of the lost. Jesus the light of the world came to rescue all who believes in him from Satan's dominion of darkness delivering them into the kingdom of the Gods kingdom of light and love.
Jesus the "true light" that gives light to every man; but this light is available only to those who believe in and follow Christ. True believers will never continue to walk in darkness, they will not continually abide in sin and spiritual ignorance. They shall walk in the light, the divine truth and the holiness of God. When you are born again, God opens your eyes to the spiritual realm, allowing you to see and understand things that you didn't know existed. They are hidden from the world, because many are blinded by the gods of this world to the truth of Gods marvelous light. But God revealed them to those who believe.
Now we are the lights of the world, sent to open the eyes of the lost, that they to might see the light and free them from the grips of Satan. But just as the Father and son are one, we to must be one with Christ, for he alone is the source of our light, without him we to are in darkness. Jesus the Christ, the light from within.
Until Jesus came to dwell among men, the entire world was in darkness. The concept of walking in darkness, symbolized the sin and ignorance of the lost. Jesus the light of the world came to rescue all who believes in him from Satan's dominion of darkness delivering them into the kingdom of the Gods kingdom of light and love.
Jesus the "true light" that gives light to every man; but this light is available only to those who believe in and follow Christ. True believers will never continue to walk in darkness, they will not continually abide in sin and spiritual ignorance. They shall walk in the light, the divine truth and the holiness of God. When you are born again, God opens your eyes to the spiritual realm, allowing you to see and understand things that you didn't know existed. They are hidden from the world, because many are blinded by the gods of this world to the truth of Gods marvelous light. But God revealed them to those who believe.
Now we are the lights of the world, sent to open the eyes of the lost, that they to might see the light and free them from the grips of Satan. But just as the Father and son are one, we to must be one with Christ, for he alone is the source of our light, without him we to are in darkness. Jesus the Christ, the light from within.
Monday, January 26, 2015
Mind Your Business
John 21:22 " Jesus saith unto him,If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou me"
Sometimes on this Christian journey we run into distraction which prevent us from following Jesus. These distractions often come in the form of watching someone else's walk with the Lord.
Now in our text,we have Peter concerned about two different things which is truly none of his business. First he ask who it was that betrayed Christ, and then he wanted to know what was John going to have to do. Now on the surface these two question seemed harmless enough.But remember Jesus had left Peter with the instructions to feed his sheep,and this should have occupied all of Peter's energy.He didn't ask how he should go about feeding the sheep instead he was concerned about stuff that had nothing to do with him.We've all been given a task to do and that should occupy our everythought and concern.We should be focused on how to lead lost souls to Christ, how to let our lights so shine before men as the lost might seek the Lord Jesus.But like Peter many of us are to busy worring about what others are doing to follow Jesus
Sometimes on this Christian journey we run into distraction which prevent us from following Jesus. These distractions often come in the form of watching someone else's walk with the Lord.
We often get so caught up in what is going on in other Christians life, that we fail to do that which Jesus has instructed us to do.Now I'm not saying don't be concerned about those who have fallen away or who has been lead astray,but let us not be consumed with their short comings.Let us pray for them and get back to the work of God at hand.
Now in our text,we have Peter concerned about two different things which is truly none of his business. First he ask who it was that betrayed Christ, and then he wanted to know what was John going to have to do. Now on the surface these two question seemed harmless enough.But remember Jesus had left Peter with the instructions to feed his sheep,and this should have occupied all of Peter's energy.He didn't ask how he should go about feeding the sheep instead he was concerned about stuff that had nothing to do with him.We've all been given a task to do and that should occupy our everythought and concern.We should be focused on how to lead lost souls to Christ, how to let our lights so shine before men as the lost might seek the Lord Jesus.But like Peter many of us are to busy worring about what others are doing to follow Jesus
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Why!
James 4:3" Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts".
The word of God tells us that when we diligently seek Him, He will give us the desire of our heart. With this being true, we must understand that when we diligently seek God, it is He who becomes the desire of our heart. Remember He will have no other God before Him, and where your treasures are that is where your heart will be.
When we come to God with a prayer request, we must ask our self why. Why are we requesting what it is we are asking for. Will it bring glory to God? Will it help someone in need, or is it just to satisfy our own lust and greed. God will not deny a request which falls within His will, but most of what we seek is for self glorification, or personal edification. Now the word of God tells us He will withhold no good thing from us, but remember He is talking about good things as He sees what is good for us. Material riches is not good for everybody, some people would act a fool if they had a nickel above car fare. God's favor is fare, it's just that all things are not good for all people. God knows what is best for each of us.
James tells us that we don't have because we don't ask, and when we do ask we ask with the wrong motives or for the wrong things. Let us come to God and seek those things He would want us to have for the building of His kingdom and to spread His Gospel..
The word of God tells us that when we diligently seek Him, He will give us the desire of our heart. With this being true, we must understand that when we diligently seek God, it is He who becomes the desire of our heart. Remember He will have no other God before Him, and where your treasures are that is where your heart will be.
When we come to God with a prayer request, we must ask our self why. Why are we requesting what it is we are asking for. Will it bring glory to God? Will it help someone in need, or is it just to satisfy our own lust and greed. God will not deny a request which falls within His will, but most of what we seek is for self glorification, or personal edification. Now the word of God tells us He will withhold no good thing from us, but remember He is talking about good things as He sees what is good for us. Material riches is not good for everybody, some people would act a fool if they had a nickel above car fare. God's favor is fare, it's just that all things are not good for all people. God knows what is best for each of us.
James tells us that we don't have because we don't ask, and when we do ask we ask with the wrong motives or for the wrong things. Let us come to God and seek those things He would want us to have for the building of His kingdom and to spread His Gospel..
Friday, January 23, 2015
Jesus! Our Mercy from God
Titus 3:5 " Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost".
here is nothing we can do to be saved except accept that which God has already made available for us. God so loved us that He gave that we might live. It wasn't because of how good we were or that we deserved or was worthy, it was solely out of His love for man and His mercy on mans condition.
It was while we were yet sinners that God commended His love toward us, and sent Jesus the Christ, the only begotten of the Father to die that we might have a right to the tree of life. We are not saved by any works of righteousness we have or can do, in fact any righteousness that comes from us is not of us but of Him who saved us. Remember we are a new creature IN Christ, meaning the righteousness that comes out of us comes from Him.
God with His mercy has allowed His holy spirit to make us a new creature through the washing of regeneration which is the work of the holy spirit in the life of the believer. Those who have faith are given a new nature, which now allows us to do God's will. This is all a gift of God's mercy on us. Jesus the mercy of God given to all who will believe.
here is nothing we can do to be saved except accept that which God has already made available for us. God so loved us that He gave that we might live. It wasn't because of how good we were or that we deserved or was worthy, it was solely out of His love for man and His mercy on mans condition.
It was while we were yet sinners that God commended His love toward us, and sent Jesus the Christ, the only begotten of the Father to die that we might have a right to the tree of life. We are not saved by any works of righteousness we have or can do, in fact any righteousness that comes from us is not of us but of Him who saved us. Remember we are a new creature IN Christ, meaning the righteousness that comes out of us comes from Him.
God with His mercy has allowed His holy spirit to make us a new creature through the washing of regeneration which is the work of the holy spirit in the life of the believer. Those who have faith are given a new nature, which now allows us to do God's will. This is all a gift of God's mercy on us. Jesus the mercy of God given to all who will believe.
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