1Thessalonians 2:4 " But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts".
Paul and Silas offer up a good example of whole loaf living. They shared, not just the Gospel through words, but they showed how to apply what they were teaching to everyday life. Often it is the testimony of our lives, along side the Gospel that authenticates the message in the eyes of those around us.
Even though our lives might be busy, full of activity and even a great ministry, it's important that we take time to nurture and encourage, to teach and train those believers God has placed in our path.
The Thessalonians likely could see how Paul worked, making tents. They seen how he conducted his business, his quality of workmanship, and how he went about making sales. They could see how he and Silas got along together, how they shared what the had, and how they lived out their faith in the community. How they lived the life they proclaimed. As believers, we have people looking at us. There are many people in our lives with whom we may share the Gospel, but who see only slices of our faith in action. But God also places those in our path who get to see the whole loaf, those with whom we are sharing our lives, as well as the Gospel. These include our spouses and our children. Often though, there may be young or weaker believers in church who may be watching us, or co-workers, friends, and other people we might associate with regularly. How might we open up and share the whole loaf of bread with them . How might we be a living testimony of our Lord and Savior.
Sharing our lives with them can positively impact their perspective on the Gospel as we faithfully live it out before them. Being doers of the word and not hearers and Sayers only. Ask yourself this question daily "Am I living a life today that supports the Gospel message I Proclaim?"
Saturday, October 31, 2015
Friday, October 30, 2015
We Have The Power; Share It
1st Corinthians 1:18" For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; But unto us which are saved it is the power of God."
The Gospel of Jesus Christ, good news to a dying world. Jesus Christ and him crucified, the foundation of belief for every Christian, the food we feed on, the nourishment we grow on, and the source of life the believer lives on.
If we are going to build better a relationship in the body of Christ, it must be built on Christ and him crucified. The good news from upon high, which brings about a change in the lives of all who by faith embraces this truth. It is these truth which reunites us to God. The Gospel doesn't need any additives it is good just as it was given. The gospel calls us out of the darkness into Gods marvelous light, and its' success lies in the plain doctrine of a crucified Lord and a risen Savior. The prosperity message sounds good, and might be easy to swallow, and might change a mind, but it doesn't have the power to covert a heart. The faith message feels good on the outside, but holds no power to make you good on the inside. The simple truths of Christ and him crucified alone, has the power to turn a sinner to a saint, it is the power of God unto salvation.
Paul said "woe with me if I preach not the Gospel", for it was the Gospel that called him, the Gospel converted him, the gospel saved him. The Gospel is the power to change the whole world.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ, good news to a dying world. Jesus Christ and him crucified, the foundation of belief for every Christian, the food we feed on, the nourishment we grow on, and the source of life the believer lives on.
If we are going to build better a relationship in the body of Christ, it must be built on Christ and him crucified. The good news from upon high, which brings about a change in the lives of all who by faith embraces this truth. It is these truth which reunites us to God. The Gospel doesn't need any additives it is good just as it was given. The gospel calls us out of the darkness into Gods marvelous light, and its' success lies in the plain doctrine of a crucified Lord and a risen Savior. The prosperity message sounds good, and might be easy to swallow, and might change a mind, but it doesn't have the power to covert a heart. The faith message feels good on the outside, but holds no power to make you good on the inside. The simple truths of Christ and him crucified alone, has the power to turn a sinner to a saint, it is the power of God unto salvation.
Paul said "woe with me if I preach not the Gospel", for it was the Gospel that called him, the Gospel converted him, the gospel saved him. The Gospel is the power to change the whole world.
Thursday, October 29, 2015
With A Loud Voice
Isaiah 48:20 "go ye forth of Babylon, Flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say ye, the Lord hath redeemed His servant Jacob".
Great is the Lord, and He is greatly to be praised. From one generation to the next, we shall sing praises to thy holy name. Men shall speak of your mighty acts, and shall declare thy greatness. With your right hand your mercy upholds all who have fallen and your grace keeps all who calls on your name. You alone are worthy of all the praise.
We are not of this world, yet many still try to fit in where we don't belong. We are instructed not to conform to this world. We are now part of a heavenly body passing through on a earthly mission. God has delivered us from the things of this world. We are no longer governed by it's rules, guided by it's philosophies, moved by her motives, living by her laws or surrendering to her spirits. We don't have to chase her trinity, power, prestige, and prosperity. No we have been separated from all this confusion as God has redeemed His servant Jacob. He is calling us out of the darkness. God doesn't just want us to flee, but to rejoice while we flee, don't sneak away in the middle of the night, no he wants us singing, rejoicing with a loud voice. Jesus said to "be of good cheer for I have overcome the world". Tell everybody with a loud voice that God is a savior. Let them know that God brought you out, of the darkness, out of the bondage of sin, out of the land of confusion. Tell every creature, that Jesus Christ is the way.
Salvation is good news, and we have been blessed with yet another opportunity to share this good news that Jesus Christ is the only way. Let us make the most of this precious gift of another day, and tell everybody we see about the goodness of God, and remember as we come from among them
let us shout the good news, Jesus saves............
Great is the Lord, and He is greatly to be praised. From one generation to the next, we shall sing praises to thy holy name. Men shall speak of your mighty acts, and shall declare thy greatness. With your right hand your mercy upholds all who have fallen and your grace keeps all who calls on your name. You alone are worthy of all the praise.
We are not of this world, yet many still try to fit in where we don't belong. We are instructed not to conform to this world. We are now part of a heavenly body passing through on a earthly mission. God has delivered us from the things of this world. We are no longer governed by it's rules, guided by it's philosophies, moved by her motives, living by her laws or surrendering to her spirits. We don't have to chase her trinity, power, prestige, and prosperity. No we have been separated from all this confusion as God has redeemed His servant Jacob. He is calling us out of the darkness. God doesn't just want us to flee, but to rejoice while we flee, don't sneak away in the middle of the night, no he wants us singing, rejoicing with a loud voice. Jesus said to "be of good cheer for I have overcome the world". Tell everybody with a loud voice that God is a savior. Let them know that God brought you out, of the darkness, out of the bondage of sin, out of the land of confusion. Tell every creature, that Jesus Christ is the way.
Salvation is good news, and we have been blessed with yet another opportunity to share this good news that Jesus Christ is the only way. Let us make the most of this precious gift of another day, and tell everybody we see about the goodness of God, and remember as we come from among them
let us shout the good news, Jesus saves............
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Share The Word; It Works
Acts 19:20 "So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed".
The gospel is the same as it ever was, God hasn't changed. There are still sinners in the world, the sins that need to be overcome are the same, and the Holy Spirit is just as mighty and able to convict and renew, but we have changed how we share this good news.
We must understand it is a blessed time in the soul, a blessed time in the family, a blessed time in the congregation and in the country when the word of God grows mightily and prevails in the hearts of the people. But Faith comes by hearing, and hearing the word of God. But to many are sharing their books, motives, ideals and philosophies over the truth of God's word, thus giving birth to so many faithless Christians. It is a blessed time when the open sinner is seen leaving his sinful ways and seeking the salvation of the Lord. When men are seen giving up their unholy gains, and changed their lives to follow the word ,will and way of God. When the leaven of the gospel begins to work, there will be no need of arguments to prove how unworthy it is for a Christian to turn to the amusement of the books of the world or those who proclaim the messages of said books.The grace of the gospel produces a new taste, it alters everything about us, our friends, our pursuits, and even that which we find entertaining.
Is the word of God growing among us? If not, why not? It is a living seed and it should grow, and will grow unless it is hindered or wrapped with the imagination of man. There is no other power in the ministry of God which will equal that which is produced when one hears the truth of God's word. If you plant it, it will grow;" So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed". It won't come back void!
The gospel is the same as it ever was, God hasn't changed. There are still sinners in the world, the sins that need to be overcome are the same, and the Holy Spirit is just as mighty and able to convict and renew, but we have changed how we share this good news.
We must understand it is a blessed time in the soul, a blessed time in the family, a blessed time in the congregation and in the country when the word of God grows mightily and prevails in the hearts of the people. But Faith comes by hearing, and hearing the word of God. But to many are sharing their books, motives, ideals and philosophies over the truth of God's word, thus giving birth to so many faithless Christians. It is a blessed time when the open sinner is seen leaving his sinful ways and seeking the salvation of the Lord. When men are seen giving up their unholy gains, and changed their lives to follow the word ,will and way of God. When the leaven of the gospel begins to work, there will be no need of arguments to prove how unworthy it is for a Christian to turn to the amusement of the books of the world or those who proclaim the messages of said books.The grace of the gospel produces a new taste, it alters everything about us, our friends, our pursuits, and even that which we find entertaining.
Is the word of God growing among us? If not, why not? It is a living seed and it should grow, and will grow unless it is hindered or wrapped with the imagination of man. There is no other power in the ministry of God which will equal that which is produced when one hears the truth of God's word. If you plant it, it will grow;" So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed". It won't come back void!
Monday, October 26, 2015
Keep On Running
Galatians 5:7 "Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth"?
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, they run around to much to run this race well. 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 various 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 hindrance. When a Christian forms a intimate relationship with a ungodly person, from that moment all progress is at a stand still. See the ungodly person is going in a different direction, so to walk with them you must turn from the direction of God.
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, they run around to much to run this race well. 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 various 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 hindrance. When a Christian forms a intimate relationship with a ungodly person, from that moment all progress is at a stand still. 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.
Saturday, October 24, 2015
Love Thy Enemy
Romans 5:6 " For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly".
The people of Jesus' day understood loving their neighbors, but they did not understand loving their enemies. To them it was alright to hate the enemies, but Jesus taught just the opposite. He loved us while we were His enemy. If we were going to be like Him we must do like Him and love our enemies. Jesus gave practical ways to love our enemies. He said to bless them, pray for them and do them good.
Jesus died to save lost man. We were ungodly, and powerless and yet Christ died for us. We were without strength, weak, worthless, useless, helpless, destitute, powerless. We were spiritually unable to help ourselves and Christ died for us. We were ungodly, not like God, enemies to God, rebellious to God, profane having a different lifestyle than God, and yet Christ died for us. Christ died for those whom no man would have given his life to save. He died for those who had no value and who were no good, those the world said was unfit to live, God felt were to precious to die and Christ died for us. While we were yet sinners God proved His love for us, the unbelievable Love of God.
God proved His love for us, He has given up His Son to die for the ungodly, while we were sinners. We do not deserve it, we never have and never will, but God loves us with an unbelievable love. Have you received the unbelievable love of God?
The people of Jesus' day understood loving their neighbors, but they did not understand loving their enemies. To them it was alright to hate the enemies, but Jesus taught just the opposite. He loved us while we were His enemy. If we were going to be like Him we must do like Him and love our enemies. Jesus gave practical ways to love our enemies. He said to bless them, pray for them and do them good.
Jesus died to save lost man. We were ungodly, and powerless and yet Christ died for us. We were without strength, weak, worthless, useless, helpless, destitute, powerless. We were spiritually unable to help ourselves and Christ died for us. We were ungodly, not like God, enemies to God, rebellious to God, profane having a different lifestyle than God, and yet Christ died for us. Christ died for those whom no man would have given his life to save. He died for those who had no value and who were no good, those the world said was unfit to live, God felt were to precious to die and Christ died for us. While we were yet sinners God proved His love for us, the unbelievable Love of God.
God proved His love for us, He has given up His Son to die for the ungodly, while we were sinners. We do not deserve it, we never have and never will, but God loves us with an unbelievable love. Have you received the unbelievable love of God?
Friday, October 23, 2015
Start Spreading The News
John 1:40-41" One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, we have found the Messiah, which is being interpreted, the Christ".
It is sad that gossip is shared faster and with more frequency than the good news of salvation. After church service phones all over the world are being use in an effort of spreading the gossip of the day. Friends telling friends who did what, who was with who, and how sister shout to loud really put on a show. But God called us to share the gospel. It is with the gospel that a lost world will be saved. As we see in our text, sharing the gospel is how we bring souls to Christ.
Here in our text we have an example of how this salvation thing is suppose to work. See Andrew heard John preaching, telling the people to repent for the kingdom of God is at hand. Now he didn't gossip and tell his brother how John was dressed, or how his hair wasn't combed or even the food he ate, no Andrew told his brother the good news about Christ. Andrew heard the words of John and believed. Remember faith comes by hearing, and Andrew put himself in the position to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. Then right away Andrew he went seeking his brother, and brought him to Jesus. We too who have heard and believe the good news of salvation must first seek our family members, and bring them to Jesus. We to often bring the mess of the church home and share it with friends and family instead of bringing home the gospel. Many time our family members and friends stay lost because we share with them the shortcomings of man instead of the glory of God.
Let us make it a point to bring home the good news of salvation and share that with those we love that they to might brings others to Jesus. Gossip might sound good, but believe me it won't save anybody. Share the good news that a lost world might be saved...
It is sad that gossip is shared faster and with more frequency than the good news of salvation. After church service phones all over the world are being use in an effort of spreading the gossip of the day. Friends telling friends who did what, who was with who, and how sister shout to loud really put on a show. But God called us to share the gospel. It is with the gospel that a lost world will be saved. As we see in our text, sharing the gospel is how we bring souls to Christ.
Here in our text we have an example of how this salvation thing is suppose to work. See Andrew heard John preaching, telling the people to repent for the kingdom of God is at hand. Now he didn't gossip and tell his brother how John was dressed, or how his hair wasn't combed or even the food he ate, no Andrew told his brother the good news about Christ. Andrew heard the words of John and believed. Remember faith comes by hearing, and Andrew put himself in the position to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. Then right away Andrew he went seeking his brother, and brought him to Jesus. We too who have heard and believe the good news of salvation must first seek our family members, and bring them to Jesus. We to often bring the mess of the church home and share it with friends and family instead of bringing home the gospel. Many time our family members and friends stay lost because we share with them the shortcomings of man instead of the glory of God.
Let us make it a point to bring home the good news of salvation and share that with those we love that they to might brings others to Jesus. Gossip might sound good, but believe me it won't save anybody. Share the good news that a lost world might be saved...
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