God makes sure that the Word of God is made available to a multitude of people. He seeks to have disciples in all the nations. "God likes diversity," said Bishop Derek Grier in his 1/13/2013 mid-morning sermon to Grace Church in Dumfries, Virginia. The parable of the sower reveals four sets of people who respond to the Word of God.
1) "A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it." -- Luke 8:5 New King James Version Bible
2) "Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture." -- Luke 8:6 New King James Version Bible
3) "And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it." -- Luke 8:7 New King James Version Bible
4) "But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop of a hundredfold." -- Luke 8:8 New King James Version Bible
In the first group, they hear the Word of God, but the devil comes and takes the Word out of their hearts. The first and second group seem to believe in God intellectually, but don't actually have God living on the inside. Some of the ways the devil takes the Word out of the heart are through distraction, confusion and subversion.
In the second group, the people receive the Word of God joyfully, but they too don't seem to receive the Spirit of God and grow into spiritual maturity. John 7:38 New Living Translation Bible says, "Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare "Rivers of living water will flow from his heart."" Living water wears down the rocky places of temptation. Lacking the Spirit of God, they lack the power, ability, efficiency and might to stand up to temptation. So when the temptation comes, their faith goes.
In the third group, they have the Spirit of God, but they remain undeveloped spiritually, and do not become deeply rooted in the Word of God. They allow the cares, riches and pleasures of life to block spiritual maturity. Many Christians have traded status-symbol cars, houses and spouses for a close and committed relationship with God whom they ardently chase.
It is easy to be distracted and absorbed in the work of managing a household, pursuing wealth and/or enjoying entertainment. Becoming deeply rooted in the Word of God takes a certain amount of time -- reading the Bible, studying it, applying it daily and then perfecting the application.
If we are not in the Word regularly, we cannot produce fruit. Our human nature is not loving, kind, gentle, peaceful, faithful, patient, self-controlled, joyful or good in ways that please God.
In the fourth group, these people have the Spirit of God and cooperate with God to grow in their relationship with God. As a consequence they bear much fruit over a period of time and in a positive manner.
While God is always stimulating us to connect with Him, the fourth group understands that God likes to be chased. We should not take our relationship with God for granted. Hebrews 11:6 New Living Translation Bible says, "And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him."
God's Word in our life is meant to be active, living. The Bible is not just for reading pleasure. God wants us to first see ourselves. and others clearly and then to cooperate with God to be transformed into the image of Christ. Hebrews 4:12 New Living Translation Bible says, "For the Word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires." Once we see, then secondly we can cooperate with God to an ever-increasingly accurate reflection of Jesus Christ..
God is most concerned with our inner life. When we first enter relationship with Him our Spirit is reborn, but our mind has an unchanged part. The Word of God is designed to magnify the mind of Christ in us and minimize the mind of human nature. The more the mind of Christ rules, the more the fruit of the Spirit will show through us.
Pray that many will receive a relationship with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, and that those who already have a relationship with God will not be deceived by Satan become lazy and lose interest in their First Love. Pastor and author Francis Chan says in his book multiply disciples making disciples, "Following Jesus is not about diligently keeping a set of rules or conjuring up the moral fortitude to lead good lives. It's about loving God and enjoying Him."
Please share a message about how you love God and people and enjoy them.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Friday, December 21, 2012
Reciprocity
"Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets," says Matthew 7:12 New Living Translation Bible. Treating people well involves the fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5).
Let's look at a few good deeds. Many examples of doing good are found in the Bible. In Genesis 18 Abraham interceded with God to rescue Lot and his family from Sodom, a city filled with wicked behavior.
When Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses in Numbers 12 for marrying a Cushite woman, God gave Miriam leprosy. Instead of retaliating, Moses prayed for Miriam to be healed. Sometimes people do things that we do not like. Instead of escalating the situation, pray for proper behavior.
In Judges 1 Caleb gave his daughter, Acsah, land and springs of water. This helped her and her husband, Othniel to have the resources they need for living.
Different people and different situations, but all reflecting the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12).
Goodness is one part of what is commonly known as the Golden Rule. We cannot be good on our own. God in us helps us to do what we need to do. God helps us to see ways to have good relationships. God gives us spiritual eyes and ears to see and understand what people in our sphere of influence need and want.
Is there something you could do today to help someone?
Let's look at a few good deeds. Many examples of doing good are found in the Bible. In Genesis 18 Abraham interceded with God to rescue Lot and his family from Sodom, a city filled with wicked behavior.
When Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses in Numbers 12 for marrying a Cushite woman, God gave Miriam leprosy. Instead of retaliating, Moses prayed for Miriam to be healed. Sometimes people do things that we do not like. Instead of escalating the situation, pray for proper behavior.
In Judges 1 Caleb gave his daughter, Acsah, land and springs of water. This helped her and her husband, Othniel to have the resources they need for living.
Different people and different situations, but all reflecting the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12).
Goodness is one part of what is commonly known as the Golden Rule. We cannot be good on our own. God in us helps us to do what we need to do. God helps us to see ways to have good relationships. God gives us spiritual eyes and ears to see and understand what people in our sphere of influence need and want.
Is there something you could do today to help someone?
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Speak Up
Believers are kings and queens. One of the qualities of kings and queens is recorded in Proverbs 31; they speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Everyone will not have the same ability to achieve success in life. Some people need more supports. Some need less. We are not to harm, look down on or be indifferent to those who need more support to be successful.
Guard your heart. When someone needs more help, we are not to have a bad view of them, or to try to cause them trouble.
Help the people God has put in your sphere of influence, especially help the poor and needy because they are lacking things needed to excel in life.
Don't take advantage of someone's weakness, but find a way to help them soar in life.
Sometimes we say we don't have time to help someone else because we are consumed with our own life. In various life situations, we will need to zero in on our personal lives, but seek God for a way to live by the principle of helping those who cannot speak for themselves. Sometimes we need to cut something out of our life in order to have time to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Kings and queens are not to meddle in the lives of others, but rather they are to consult God as to how to make things better.
Stay alert. If you fall asleep, wake up. We will be attacked with things like confusion hindering us from helping people. We can easily forget that our purpose is to fellowship with God and with other believers in a way that brings glory to God. Jesus Christ was born into this world to forgive sins and to restore a relationship with God.
Don't expect to be perfect in speaking up for those who can't speak for themselves. Kings and queens will not be perfect. When we are made a new creation in Jesus Christ, God gives us the nature of God. However, we have not received the full inheritance God intends to give us from salvation and an eternal relationship with Him.
Speaking up for those who can't doesn't mean that we have to be famous or doing high profile things. We all have areas where we are not able to speak up for ourselves properly and need someone's help. John 5 records that Jesus Christ healed a man who was paralyzed. We may not heal a paralyzed man, but we could provide something to someone to help them get through a particular problem.
Use the gifts God gave you to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Everyone will not have the same ability to achieve success in life. Some people need more supports. Some need less. We are not to harm, look down on or be indifferent to those who need more support to be successful.
Guard your heart. When someone needs more help, we are not to have a bad view of them, or to try to cause them trouble.
Help the people God has put in your sphere of influence, especially help the poor and needy because they are lacking things needed to excel in life.
Don't take advantage of someone's weakness, but find a way to help them soar in life.
Sometimes we say we don't have time to help someone else because we are consumed with our own life. In various life situations, we will need to zero in on our personal lives, but seek God for a way to live by the principle of helping those who cannot speak for themselves. Sometimes we need to cut something out of our life in order to have time to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Kings and queens are not to meddle in the lives of others, but rather they are to consult God as to how to make things better.
Stay alert. If you fall asleep, wake up. We will be attacked with things like confusion hindering us from helping people. We can easily forget that our purpose is to fellowship with God and with other believers in a way that brings glory to God. Jesus Christ was born into this world to forgive sins and to restore a relationship with God.
Don't expect to be perfect in speaking up for those who can't speak for themselves. Kings and queens will not be perfect. When we are made a new creation in Jesus Christ, God gives us the nature of God. However, we have not received the full inheritance God intends to give us from salvation and an eternal relationship with Him.
Speaking up for those who can't doesn't mean that we have to be famous or doing high profile things. We all have areas where we are not able to speak up for ourselves properly and need someone's help. John 5 records that Jesus Christ healed a man who was paralyzed. We may not heal a paralyzed man, but we could provide something to someone to help them get through a particular problem.
Use the gifts God gave you to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Lifestyle/Works
1 Corinthians 3 says that Jesus Christ is the foundation of our faith. God saves us by the work He has done. He forgives our sins, and also offers us eternal life. We receive these good gifts by believing God. This is the basic structure upon which our faith is built.
After saving us and granting us eternal life, God wants us to please Him. We can please Him by the works we do. Good work is described as gold, silver, costly stones. Worthless work is described as hay or straw.
Some work will stand the test. Other work will not.
If God is satisfied with our work, it will stand approved. If God is not satisfied, it will be burned up. The believer will be saved, but his or her work will be burned up.
Our work is done through the body God has given us. Our body is the temple of God. God protects His temple carefully.
God wants us to grow in all areas of life. Our works are our lifestyle, our relationships, hobbies, education, careers, etc.
Our lifestyle is our worship. Worship is not just singing songs.
Romans 12 New Living Translation Bible says, "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you."
Sometimes we have fertile environments to grow in and other times we don't. Paul was in the province of Asia in 2 Corinthians 1 New Living Translation Bible and was in a situation where, "We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it."
But God got them through it.
Life is often not smooth. Sometimes we are up. Sometimes we are down. Keep getting up. Proverbs 24:16 New Living Translation Bible says, "The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked."
We all need others to help us live well. Ask God for help in choosing the right relationships. May your works be prosperous.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Faith
We all have faith. We have confidence that certain things will happen. The Biblical kind of faith is in God's ability to accomplish various things.
In Mark 7:24 a woman from Syrian Phoencia had a daughter who was possessed by an evil spirit. Jesus at first did not want to heal her because she was not a Jew. But her faith was a persistent kind. Even though Jesus said, "It isn't right to take food from the children and trow it to the dogs," this woman kept on asking for a healing.
Sometimes we ask for something the first time, and we don't get it. With God that is not always a no. It could mean that He wants to see how committed we are to getting the things we want.
In Mark 7:24 a woman from Syrian Phoencia had a daughter who was possessed by an evil spirit. Jesus at first did not want to heal her because she was not a Jew. But her faith was a persistent kind. Even though Jesus said, "It isn't right to take food from the children and trow it to the dogs," this woman kept on asking for a healing.
Sometimes we ask for something the first time, and we don't get it. With God that is not always a no. It could mean that He wants to see how committed we are to getting the things we want.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Gifted
Thank God believers are gifted with various abilities. God has given believers various spiritual gifts. 1 Corinthians 12 notes that one of the spiritual gifts is prophecy. Prophecy is the ability to interpret God's Word and may also include the prediction of future events under the inspiration of God.
All the spiritual gifts are valuable. The ability to interpret God's Word is especially useful for sharing His message with people. Sometimes miracles can be done without people coming into a relationship with God or having their relationship with God strengthened. For example, in Luke 17, 10 lepers were healed by Jesus Christ of their leprosy, but only one went back and thanked God for his healing, and Jesus noted his faith. The benefit of healing for the other nine was temporary instead of eternal. The faith of the one who worshiped God was useful for this earthly life and the next life.
While our spiritual gifts can help us lead a better life today, ultimately we are here for being a means for God to introduce people to Himself or to strengthen a person's relationship with God.
The Apostle Paul encourages us to ask God for gifts like prophecy because they more clearly help with growing in a relationship with God.
However, everyone will not have the same spiritual gift(s). God likes diversity. Just like God did not intend for us all to have the same qualities or to do the same things, neither did He give us the same gifts.
Each believer is valuable and has a role to play in God's kingdom. Don't neglect to use the spiritual gifts that you have.
All the spiritual gifts are valuable. The ability to interpret God's Word is especially useful for sharing His message with people. Sometimes miracles can be done without people coming into a relationship with God or having their relationship with God strengthened. For example, in Luke 17, 10 lepers were healed by Jesus Christ of their leprosy, but only one went back and thanked God for his healing, and Jesus noted his faith. The benefit of healing for the other nine was temporary instead of eternal. The faith of the one who worshiped God was useful for this earthly life and the next life.
While our spiritual gifts can help us lead a better life today, ultimately we are here for being a means for God to introduce people to Himself or to strengthen a person's relationship with God.
The Apostle Paul encourages us to ask God for gifts like prophecy because they more clearly help with growing in a relationship with God.
However, everyone will not have the same spiritual gift(s). God likes diversity. Just like God did not intend for us all to have the same qualities or to do the same things, neither did He give us the same gifts.
Each believer is valuable and has a role to play in God's kingdom. Don't neglect to use the spiritual gifts that you have.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
God Chose Us
God chose each believer to be in relationship with Him before He created the universe. He did this because He loves us and has a good plan for us.
The individual plan He has for us is part of a larger plan He has whereby all things except God the Father are to be brought into the leadership of Jesus Christ.
Believers have been redeemed from the ultimate effect of sin. When Jesus Christ died and rose again from the dead 2,000 years ago in Calvary, Israel, He took care of the penalty for all sins we ever did, are doing or will do in the future.
God is for us. He has set us apart to grow increasingly like Him.
When we first come into relationship with God He has a lot to change in us to make us like Him. Before God revealed Himself to us, we could not recognize Him or be transformed into His likeness. We had a veil over our mind and spirit. But when we receive the Lord, the Spirit of the Lord removes the covering (veil).
We become free in Christ to do many things, but not to sin.
The individual plan He has for us is part of a larger plan He has whereby all things except God the Father are to be brought into the leadership of Jesus Christ.
Believers have been redeemed from the ultimate effect of sin. When Jesus Christ died and rose again from the dead 2,000 years ago in Calvary, Israel, He took care of the penalty for all sins we ever did, are doing or will do in the future.
God is for us. He has set us apart to grow increasingly like Him.
When we first come into relationship with God He has a lot to change in us to make us like Him. Before God revealed Himself to us, we could not recognize Him or be transformed into His likeness. We had a veil over our mind and spirit. But when we receive the Lord, the Spirit of the Lord removes the covering (veil).
We become free in Christ to do many things, but not to sin.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Some Things to Pray
What are some things to pray for? Jesus says in Matthew 21:22 New International Version Bible, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." In John 17 Jesus prayed that He will be revealed to believers. God has to give life to our spirit in order for us to recognize who Jesus is. We can pray that Jesus will be revealed to people.
Unity is also something good to pray for. Psalm 133:4 New King James Version Bible says, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." Unity makes it easier to accomplish our purpose in life because we are cooperating with each other.
Living in unity does not mean that we are all the same. Pray to know your God-given purpose. This way we will fulfill all that He has called us to fulfill.
Don't try to fulfill purpose without consulting God. By ourselves we go into areas that are not productive.
When we live in purpose we also live with truth. We can pray for truth to be revealed. Truth may seem to be revealed by facts, but this is not always the case. Truth has a dimension that is both spiritual and natural. For example, in the natural the Apostle Paul had a thorn in his flesh, some type of problem in his life. In the Spirit of God, God turned the weakness this thorn caused into strength.
We can pray for intimacy with God. Jesus notes in John 17 that He is so close to God the Father that He is one with God the Father. Jesus is the manifestation of God that we can see. He had a physical body in His earthly ministry 2,000 years ago. Even before Mary was pregnant with baby Jesus, Jesus had a body. For example, in the Old Testament Jesus was the commander of the Lord's army in Joshua 5 that Joshua worshiped.
We can pray that God will not lead us into temptation. Temptation can bring out weakness that does not lead to giving honor to God. Avoid temptation. It can be enticing. Some can be passed, but not all.
We can pray for protection. Our ultimate enemy is the devil and his demons who have been around a lot longer than we have. God can take care of problems we have no idea about. For example, we live in a world where there is enough food for everyone, but political obstacles stand in the way. Respect authority. Pray for governmental leaders. May leaders let go of pre-destined failure and embrace win-win solutions today and every day. Anything is possible.
Unity is also something good to pray for. Psalm 133:4 New King James Version Bible says, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." Unity makes it easier to accomplish our purpose in life because we are cooperating with each other.
Living in unity does not mean that we are all the same. Pray to know your God-given purpose. This way we will fulfill all that He has called us to fulfill.
Don't try to fulfill purpose without consulting God. By ourselves we go into areas that are not productive.
When we live in purpose we also live with truth. We can pray for truth to be revealed. Truth may seem to be revealed by facts, but this is not always the case. Truth has a dimension that is both spiritual and natural. For example, in the natural the Apostle Paul had a thorn in his flesh, some type of problem in his life. In the Spirit of God, God turned the weakness this thorn caused into strength.
We can pray for intimacy with God. Jesus notes in John 17 that He is so close to God the Father that He is one with God the Father. Jesus is the manifestation of God that we can see. He had a physical body in His earthly ministry 2,000 years ago. Even before Mary was pregnant with baby Jesus, Jesus had a body. For example, in the Old Testament Jesus was the commander of the Lord's army in Joshua 5 that Joshua worshiped.
We can pray that God will not lead us into temptation. Temptation can bring out weakness that does not lead to giving honor to God. Avoid temptation. It can be enticing. Some can be passed, but not all.
We can pray for protection. Our ultimate enemy is the devil and his demons who have been around a lot longer than we have. God can take care of problems we have no idea about. For example, we live in a world where there is enough food for everyone, but political obstacles stand in the way. Respect authority. Pray for governmental leaders. May leaders let go of pre-destined failure and embrace win-win solutions today and every day. Anything is possible.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Grey Areas
Sometimes issues arise in life that the Bible appears to not have discussed. In Romans 14 the Apostle Paul says about these areas believers want to live in a freedom that is balanced by care for the conscience of believers who may live in less freedom than we do and an attitude lacking judgement toward those who live in greater freedom than we do.
One of the things Paul said in Romans 14 is that some consider every day a holiday (holy day set apart to God) whereas others celebrate particular days as holidays to God. Paul said we should be mindful that first we are faithful to God and do not doubt the way we are celebrating. Then we consult God to see if those in our sphere of influence are being harmed by the way we are living and then we need to not be judgmental of those who celebrate holidays to God differently.
When we consider the conscience of others and lacking judgement these are not meant to put us in bondage. For example, Paul was a Jew. Before he became a Christian, he believed it was wrong to have friendships with non-Jews (Gentiles). Some Jewish Christians continued not to associate with non-Jews. Paul did not. He formed friendships with non-Jews like Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia. Some considered his friendships with Gentiles a stumbling block (something that hinders the faith of others) but it wasn't.
Paul wanted those who had weaker consciences to be welcomed and respected and ultimately raised to a higher level of faith motivated by love. Philippians 1:9 New International Version Bible says, "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ -- to the glory and praise of God."
One of the things Paul said in Romans 14 is that some consider every day a holiday (holy day set apart to God) whereas others celebrate particular days as holidays to God. Paul said we should be mindful that first we are faithful to God and do not doubt the way we are celebrating. Then we consult God to see if those in our sphere of influence are being harmed by the way we are living and then we need to not be judgmental of those who celebrate holidays to God differently.
When we consider the conscience of others and lacking judgement these are not meant to put us in bondage. For example, Paul was a Jew. Before he became a Christian, he believed it was wrong to have friendships with non-Jews (Gentiles). Some Jewish Christians continued not to associate with non-Jews. Paul did not. He formed friendships with non-Jews like Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia. Some considered his friendships with Gentiles a stumbling block (something that hinders the faith of others) but it wasn't.
Paul wanted those who had weaker consciences to be welcomed and respected and ultimately raised to a higher level of faith motivated by love. Philippians 1:9 New International Version Bible says, "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ -- to the glory and praise of God."
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Friends and Prayer
In prayer and in other parts of life two or more are better than one. Ecclesiastes 4:10 New International Version Bible says, "If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!"
One way we can help each other up in through prayer. Friends should pray for each other. Psalm 28 indicates that when we pray we should show respect to God and not take for granted that He is able to hear us. Often we are in trouble. We can talk to God about trouble and triumph. He has the ability to keep us or bring us out of the pit (bad places in life).
God can also extend mercy in our situations. Friends are designed to extend mercy to each other. We are to build each other up.
God helps us through life. God is a shepherd. He desires to lead and to direct us in this earthly life and in the next lie if we are chosen for eternal life. God leads us and directs us in the way we should go.
We are at the forefront of God's mind. God wants to make sure that we live the good, abundant, enjoyable life He promised. Friends should want this too for each other.
One way we can help each other up in through prayer. Friends should pray for each other. Psalm 28 indicates that when we pray we should show respect to God and not take for granted that He is able to hear us. Often we are in trouble. We can talk to God about trouble and triumph. He has the ability to keep us or bring us out of the pit (bad places in life).
God can also extend mercy in our situations. Friends are designed to extend mercy to each other. We are to build each other up.
God helps us through life. God is a shepherd. He desires to lead and to direct us in this earthly life and in the next lie if we are chosen for eternal life. God leads us and directs us in the way we should go.
We are at the forefront of God's mind. God wants to make sure that we live the good, abundant, enjoyable life He promised. Friends should want this too for each other.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Being Human and God
The same person who formed the stars, the planets, the oceans, our known universe is the same person who chose to become like us. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, took on a body of flesh and blood, so that He might die and rise again to reconcile us with God and to destroy the devil who was given the power of death.
God didn't save believers from their sins and give them eternal life from a distance. He desires close fellowship. John 17:3 New International Version Bible says, "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." Believers are part of the family of God. God calls us things like friends, brothers, children and His bride.
God wants to talk with us about our lives. Hebrews 2 tells us that He is also a priest, so we can go to Him when we are tempted to do evil, and He is able to strengthen us. Scriptures like Psalm 100 say that God also likes for us to thank Him for His character and His deeds. We can also make requests of Him. When we talk with Jesus we are not talking with someone who does not know what it is to be human. Jesus Christ went through a variety of life experiences in His earthly ministry more than 2,000 years ago. Although He is fully God, Jesus Christ suffered the constraints of being human. God used this suffering/experience to bring to perfection His plan of being our high priest. There isn't any problem or issue in our life that He isn't able to help.
Jesus Christ became human for the sake of the spiritual descendants of Abraham -- some biologically related to Abraham, others not, but both God's chosen people who have received an eternal relationship with Him.
God likes us. Not only does He want to be in relationship with believers, He wants us to be rulers. All believers are joint heirs with Jesus Christ. We are kings and queens. He desires for us to take authority over our area of influence in ways that please Him.
One of the best things to please God is simply to talk to our brother, friend, husband Jesus often. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 New Living Translation Bible says, "Never stop praying."
God didn't save believers from their sins and give them eternal life from a distance. He desires close fellowship. John 17:3 New International Version Bible says, "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." Believers are part of the family of God. God calls us things like friends, brothers, children and His bride.
God wants to talk with us about our lives. Hebrews 2 tells us that He is also a priest, so we can go to Him when we are tempted to do evil, and He is able to strengthen us. Scriptures like Psalm 100 say that God also likes for us to thank Him for His character and His deeds. We can also make requests of Him. When we talk with Jesus we are not talking with someone who does not know what it is to be human. Jesus Christ went through a variety of life experiences in His earthly ministry more than 2,000 years ago. Although He is fully God, Jesus Christ suffered the constraints of being human. God used this suffering/experience to bring to perfection His plan of being our high priest. There isn't any problem or issue in our life that He isn't able to help.
Jesus Christ became human for the sake of the spiritual descendants of Abraham -- some biologically related to Abraham, others not, but both God's chosen people who have received an eternal relationship with Him.
God likes us. Not only does He want to be in relationship with believers, He wants us to be rulers. All believers are joint heirs with Jesus Christ. We are kings and queens. He desires for us to take authority over our area of influence in ways that please Him.
One of the best things to please God is simply to talk to our brother, friend, husband Jesus often. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 New Living Translation Bible says, "Never stop praying."
Monday, December 3, 2012
Grace is Available
1 Timothy 1:15 says that Jesus Christ came to forgive us of our sins and to give us eternal life. He wants us to have good relationships with Him and people.
Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for the poor, middle class and rich -- that's the true American and Christian way.
Our government has immense power to manipulate the behavior of people making them fit into a certain agenda. A godly agenda is to preserve and promote the family.
1 Timothy records that the Apostle Paul encouraged Timothy to hold on to faith and a good conscience. Sometimes we can experience fear, stress and other negativity, but that does not mean we are not in the Christian faith.
We will be persecuted for our faith. Pray for those who persecute that they may see the error of their ways. Jesus Christ came that we might live a good, abundant, enjoyable life.
God's grace is available to a wide variety of people. The Apostle Paul was once a blasphemer and persecutor of the church. God changed him, and he became a church leader who sometimes had to discipline church members.
Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for the poor, middle class and rich -- that's the true American and Christian way.
Our government has immense power to manipulate the behavior of people making them fit into a certain agenda. A godly agenda is to preserve and promote the family.
1 Timothy records that the Apostle Paul encouraged Timothy to hold on to faith and a good conscience. Sometimes we can experience fear, stress and other negativity, but that does not mean we are not in the Christian faith.
We will be persecuted for our faith. Pray for those who persecute that they may see the error of their ways. Jesus Christ came that we might live a good, abundant, enjoyable life.
God's grace is available to a wide variety of people. The Apostle Paul was once a blasphemer and persecutor of the church. God changed him, and he became a church leader who sometimes had to discipline church members.
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