To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.
He has provided the example, it is up to us to follow it.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Instructions
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
Matthew 4:4
We are instructed to study the Bible and meditate upon its meaning for our lives, yet far too many Bibles are laid aside by well-intentioned believers who would like to study the Bible if they could "just find the time."
Warren Wiersbe observed, "When the child of God looks into the Word of God, he sees the Son of God. And, he is transformed by the Spirit of God to share in the glory of God." God's Holy Word is, indeed, a transforming, life-changing, one-of-a-kind treasure. And it's up to you...and only you...to use it that way.
The vigor of our spiritual lives will be in exact proportion to the place held by the Bible in our lives and in our thoughts.
Warren Wiersbe observed, "When the child of God looks into the Word of God, he sees the Son of God. And, he is transformed by the Spirit of God to share in the glory of God." God's Holy Word is, indeed, a transforming, life-changing, one-of-a-kind treasure. And it's up to you...and only you...to use it that way.
The vigor of our spiritual lives will be in exact proportion to the place held by the Bible in our lives and in our thoughts.
George Mueller
--A Prayer--
Heavenly Father, You have given me the gift of Your Holy Word. Let me study it, and let me live according to its principles. Let me read Your Word, meditate upon it, and share its joyous message with the world, today and every day. Amen
Walking with Christ Every Day, 2007.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Obeying God
READ: Jeremiah 9:23-24
Peter was a professional fisherman. He knew how to gauge weather conditions, where to find the best places to fish, and when to end an unproductive night. Because of his expertise, he may have silently questioned the reasonableness of Jesus' instruction. Why let down the nets when an experienced team of fisherman hadn't caught anything all night?
Sometimes God asks His children to act in ways that appear unreasonable. His request might involve leaving a job or ministry that He provided only recently, taking on more responsibility when life already feels overloaded, or accepting an assignment that seems better suited for someone with a different skill set. Perhaps God's plan makes no sense in view of age, financial situation, or health condition. Yet, because of the One who asks, it will be the absolutely right thing to do. We have to decide whether to do what is sensible by human standards or to obey God.
The Bible talks about many people who had to make such a choice. Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son Issac. Noah was told to build an ark on dry land becasue a flood was coming. Joshua was given a military strategy of marching around Jericho instead of attacking it (Joshua 6:2-5). Gideon, the inexperienced fighter, was told to send most of his warriors home before the battle (Judges 7:2-3). They all obeyed and experienced God's power released on their behalf.
CLOSING: Don't let human logic dictate whether you follow God's plan. Trust in Him as Peter and these other faithful believers did.
Peter was a professional fisherman. He knew how to gauge weather conditions, where to find the best places to fish, and when to end an unproductive night. Because of his expertise, he may have silently questioned the reasonableness of Jesus' instruction. Why let down the nets when an experienced team of fisherman hadn't caught anything all night?
Sometimes God asks His children to act in ways that appear unreasonable. His request might involve leaving a job or ministry that He provided only recently, taking on more responsibility when life already feels overloaded, or accepting an assignment that seems better suited for someone with a different skill set. Perhaps God's plan makes no sense in view of age, financial situation, or health condition. Yet, because of the One who asks, it will be the absolutely right thing to do. We have to decide whether to do what is sensible by human standards or to obey God.
The Bible talks about many people who had to make such a choice. Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son Issac. Noah was told to build an ark on dry land becasue a flood was coming. Joshua was given a military strategy of marching around Jericho instead of attacking it (Joshua 6:2-5). Gideon, the inexperienced fighter, was told to send most of his warriors home before the battle (Judges 7:2-3). They all obeyed and experienced God's power released on their behalf.
CLOSING: Don't let human logic dictate whether you follow God's plan. Trust in Him as Peter and these other faithful believers did.
InTouch Magazine, January 2008, Vol. 31 No. 1
Monday, February 11, 2008
The Believer's Repentance
READ 2 Corinthians 12:20-21
Today many churches place a lot of emphasis on confession. This often happens at the expense of a proper understanding of repentance. Confession of sin is mentioned twice in the New Testament in James 5:16 and 1 John 1:9, but repentance is talked about a lot more. It is important for us to be careful not to confuse the two, because a believer can confess without repentance but can't repent without confession.
It is possible to feel sorry and confess our sins but change nothing. Repentance means taking responsibility for sin and committing to change a wrong action or attitude (work to stop committing that sin). This is essential for spiritual growth. True confession (when we agree with God's perspective about our transgression) goes hand in hand with repentance. If we know that God hates what we are doing, we will stop.
By confessing and repenting, the believer accepts responsibility for getting rid of his or her life of sin through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus' ready forgiveness shouldn't be treated like the Monopoly "get out of jail free" card! We have to do more than casually say, "Lord, I've messed up again...I'm sorry." To win over habitual sin, we have to resist temptation and obey God. Satan will continue to harass us, and we may fail again, but we should keep up sincere confession and repentance until God gives us victory over our sin.
Closing: Repentance isn't feeling sorry or claiming weakness in the face of temptation. It's a condition wherein our spirit understands the Lord's grief over sin, grieves with Him, and commits to changing behavior to please Him.
Today many churches place a lot of emphasis on confession. This often happens at the expense of a proper understanding of repentance. Confession of sin is mentioned twice in the New Testament in James 5:16 and 1 John 1:9, but repentance is talked about a lot more. It is important for us to be careful not to confuse the two, because a believer can confess without repentance but can't repent without confession.
It is possible to feel sorry and confess our sins but change nothing. Repentance means taking responsibility for sin and committing to change a wrong action or attitude (work to stop committing that sin). This is essential for spiritual growth. True confession (when we agree with God's perspective about our transgression) goes hand in hand with repentance. If we know that God hates what we are doing, we will stop.By confessing and repenting, the believer accepts responsibility for getting rid of his or her life of sin through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus' ready forgiveness shouldn't be treated like the Monopoly "get out of jail free" card! We have to do more than casually say, "Lord, I've messed up again...I'm sorry." To win over habitual sin, we have to resist temptation and obey God. Satan will continue to harass us, and we may fail again, but we should keep up sincere confession and repentance until God gives us victory over our sin.
Closing: Repentance isn't feeling sorry or claiming weakness in the face of temptation. It's a condition wherein our spirit understands the Lord's grief over sin, grieves with Him, and commits to changing behavior to please Him.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
The Ultimate Rejection
READ: Matthew 7:21-23
According to Jesus, the gate to heaven is narrow. The easier route through life is the broad pathway of secular happiness, with all of its side roads to decadence and self-indulgence. But the way to eternal life is marked by self-sacrifice and humility.
The Lord warned His followers not to be deceived about their salvation. Those who find heaven's road have given their heart to Jesus and acknowledged that His sacrificial death paid their sin-deb in full. This is important because we meet many people who appear to be walking the narrow path though they have never actually made a decision for Christ. These people may be busy with church work, but they have placed performance before commitment. Their activities may be commendable--such as volunteering in ministries and supporting missions--and they may even hold some right beliefs. But actions and thoughts aren't always an accurate reflection of the spirit and heart.
Many churchgoers assume their works are so pleasing to God that heaven is a certainty; sadly, they will be stunned by the ultimate rejection. At the judgment, Jesus will tell them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness" (Matthew 7:23). Jesus will not accept anyone who has refused to be forgiven for his or her sins.
You don't want to be among those who think deeds earn admission to heaven. Receiving Christ as Savior is the only way (John 14:6). Then you can be sure that at the end of life's journey, you'll step off the narrow road and into God's presence forever (1 John 5:13).
According to Jesus, the gate to heaven is narrow. The easier route through life is the broad pathway of secular happiness, with all of its side roads to decadence and self-indulgence. But the way to eternal life is marked by self-sacrifice and humility.
The Lord warned His followers not to be deceived about their salvation. Those who find heaven's road have given their heart to Jesus and acknowledged that His sacrificial death paid their sin-deb in full. This is important because we meet many people who appear to be walking the narrow path though they have never actually made a decision for Christ. These people may be busy with church work, but they have placed performance before commitment. Their activities may be commendable--such as volunteering in ministries and supporting missions--and they may even hold some right beliefs. But actions and thoughts aren't always an accurate reflection of the spirit and heart.
Many churchgoers assume their works are so pleasing to God that heaven is a certainty; sadly, they will be stunned by the ultimate rejection. At the judgment, Jesus will tell them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness" (Matthew 7:23). Jesus will not accept anyone who has refused to be forgiven for his or her sins.
You don't want to be among those who think deeds earn admission to heaven. Receiving Christ as Savior is the only way (John 14:6). Then you can be sure that at the end of life's journey, you'll step off the narrow road and into God's presence forever (1 John 5:13).
InTouch Magazine, January 2008, Vol. 31 No. 1
Monday, February 4, 2008
Tara Miller
Hello Everybody. Brice was telling me about this young woman who was in an accident a few months back. She has an inspiring story and I think you all will like it. I know I did.
The quality isn't great, but you can read it. Just click on the picture to get the full size image.
The quality isn't great, but you can read it. Just click on the picture to get the full size image.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
The Key to Acceptance
READ: Luke 6:46-49
Many people that go to church are alarmed to find out that ministry work does not earn a place in heaven. Good deeds mean nothing to God unless they are the result of a relationship with Him. Only those who have received Jesus Christ as their Savior will enter heaven, no matter how many acts of kindness or charity they have performed.
The definition of the word "believe" is what often confuses church members who lack genuine faith. They believe in God, Jesus, and heaven. But there's a difference between giving intellectual assent to an idea and spiritually acknowledging Christ as God's Son and one's own personal Savior. In the Bible, every time someone truly believes in Jesus, he or she changes. It is impossible to remain the same after realizing one's desperate need for Him.
An earnest desire for salvation begins with the recognition that we have sinned against God. We must also be aware that there is no hope of salvation apart from the Lord. Having understood these two facts, we need to trust in His sacrifice for the payment of our sin-debt. Some people use the terminology "ask Jesus to forgive your sin" or "ask Jesus into your heart." It doesn't matter how we describe the experience--if we repent of sin and make a decision to receive Christ, we are saved.
God promises to respond to a humble acknowledgment of His Son's sacrifice. If you desire to be in heaven with Him for eternity, ask yourself this question: Have I been saved? If not, now is the time.
Many people that go to church are alarmed to find out that ministry work does not earn a place in heaven. Good deeds mean nothing to God unless they are the result of a relationship with Him. Only those who have received Jesus Christ as their Savior will enter heaven, no matter how many acts of kindness or charity they have performed.The definition of the word "believe" is what often confuses church members who lack genuine faith. They believe in God, Jesus, and heaven. But there's a difference between giving intellectual assent to an idea and spiritually acknowledging Christ as God's Son and one's own personal Savior. In the Bible, every time someone truly believes in Jesus, he or she changes. It is impossible to remain the same after realizing one's desperate need for Him.
An earnest desire for salvation begins with the recognition that we have sinned against God. We must also be aware that there is no hope of salvation apart from the Lord. Having understood these two facts, we need to trust in His sacrifice for the payment of our sin-debt. Some people use the terminology "ask Jesus to forgive your sin" or "ask Jesus into your heart." It doesn't matter how we describe the experience--if we repent of sin and make a decision to receive Christ, we are saved.
God promises to respond to a humble acknowledgment of His Son's sacrifice. If you desire to be in heaven with Him for eternity, ask yourself this question: Have I been saved? If not, now is the time.
In Touch Magazine, January 2008, Vol. 31 No. 1.
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