Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers inc. Wheaton, Illinois 60189, all rights reserved.
TRAVEL COMPANIONS [James 2:26]
Just as the body is dead without a spirit, so also faith is dead without good deeds.
Faith and obedience are travel companions heading to the same destination, namely, to please and glorify God. You cannot have one without the other. Fear short-circuits faith when we begin to doubt that God’s way is really best. If we allow worry to gain a foothold in out minds and hearts, we will respond by refusing to do what the Lord commands, which is disobedience. The results will be a change in our travel plans. By rejecting the way of faith and obedience, we are actually choosing the path of unbelief and sin. Great faith begins with small steps. When you choose to follow God’s Word, an ever- increasing cycle of faith and obedience will begin. Don’t let fear or sin rob you of the great life that the Lord has planned for you. Who has a better track record for choosing the right path---you are God? You think about that.
A take away…..[little faith hopes that God will do what He says; strong faith knows that He will; and great faith believes that He has already done it].
PRINCIPLES OF FELLOWSHIP [1 John 1:5-7]
This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
As light, God both exposes man’s sin and condemns it. If anyone walks in darkness he is hiding from the truth which the light reveals. Jesus said in John 3:19-20; …..“judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.” Since God is light it follows that a Christian cannot truly claim fellowship with God while living in darkness. A believer who says he is in fellowship with God [who is light], but who is disobeying Him [living in darkness] is lying.
John’s point is this; If believers live in the light where God is, then there is mutual fellowship between God and them. May I say child of God, it is significant that John talked about living or walking in the light, rather than according to the light. To live or walk according to the light would require sinless perfection and would make fellowship with God impossible for sinful humans. To walk or live in the light however, suggest an openness and responsiveness to the light.
Three principles, (1)-fellowship with God and other Christians is based on a correct understanding of who Jesus is. (2)-if we claim to be without sin it is a sign that we are living in darkness. (3)-confession of sin allows us to continue to walk in the light.
DARKNESS CAN BE DEFEATED [Psalm 119:105]
Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.
Darkness can be defeated by obeying God’s Word. To walk safely in the woods at night one needs a light so he won’t trip over tree roots or fall into holes. In this life, we walk through a dark forest of wickedness and evil. But God’s Word can be our light to show us the way ahead so we won’t stumble as we walk. It reveals the entangling roots of false values and philosophies. Study the Bible, so you will be able to see your way clear enough to stay on the right path
THE WATER TEST [Romans 5:3-4]
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us ---they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation.
Jewelers use the water test as one of the surest ways to identify a true diamond. An imitation stone is never as brilliant as a genuine diamond when placed in water. The water test makes picking the real diamond relatively easy. By way of analogy, the faith of many people under the water of sorrow or affliction is nothing but an imitation. However when a true child of God is immersed in a trial, he will shine as brilliantly as ever, not because of his own strength and character, but because the Holy Spirit working in and through that believer, enables him to withstand the test, and at the same time develop a more Christ like character. When tested child of God, rejoice, for God has predestine that you be molded, shaped, and conformed into the likeness of His dear Son. We can thank God for our trials because we know that He works every thing out for our good and His glory. When the Lord begins a good work, the Scriptures say, “He will complete it.” Our sorrows and afflictions are but a part of that process. You think about that.
THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS
[Matthew 28:5-6]Then the angel spoke to the women, “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He has been raised from the dead, just as He said would happen. Come, see where His body was lying.”
The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation and key to the Christian faith. Just as He promised, Jesus rose from the dead; And because a dead man got up and walked, we can be confident that He will accomplish all that He promised. Jesus’ bodily resurrection shows us that the living Christ is ruler of God’s eternal kingdom, not a false prophet or impostor. We also can be certain of our resurrection because He was resurrected. Death is not the end; There is a future life. May I say, the power that brought Jesus back to life is available to us to bring our spiritually dead self back to life. The believer needs to remember that the resurrection of Christ is the basis for the church’s witness to the world. Jesus is more than just a human leader, He is the Son of God, fully God--fully man, the God--Man.
In [1 Corinthians 15:3-4] Paul wrote--
I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me---that Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and He was raised from the dead on the third day, as the Scriptures said. There will always be people who say that Jesus didn’t rise from the dead. However Paul assures us that many people saw Jesus after His resurrection; Peter, the disciples, more than five hundred Christian believers, most of whom were still alive when Paul wrote this, although some had died, James (Jesus’ half brother), all the apostles, and finally Paul himself. The resurrection is a historical fact. Don’t be discouraged by doubters who deny the resurrection. Be encouraged and filled with hope because of the knowledge that one day you and they will see the living proof when Christ returns. May God richly bless you this Easter Sunday.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FEAR GOD?
[Psalm 25: 12]Who are those who fear the LORD? He will show them the path they should choose.
To fear the Lord is to recognize God for who He is: holy, almighty, righteous, pure, all-knowing, all powerful, and all wise. When we regard God in light of who He is, we gain a clearer picture of ourselves: sinful, weak, frail, and needy. When we recognize who God truly is and who we truly are, we will fall at His feet in humble respect and worship. Only then as the text says, will He show us how to choose His way. Friendship with the Lord is reserved for those who fear Him. God offers intimate and lasting friendship to those who in Christ revere Him, who hold Him in highest esteem. What relationship could even begin to compare with having the Lord of all creation for a friend? May I say, your everlasting friendship with God will grow as you honor Him, as you walk in the fullness of His Spirit, as you abide in Christ, as you trust and obey. You think about that.
TWO MEN--TWO PRAYERS
[Luke 18:9-14] Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else. “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer; ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat. I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
The Pharisee did not go to the temple to pray to God, but to announce to all within earshot how great and wonderful he was. (Do you know people like that?) The tax collector went however, recognizing his sin and begging for mercy. May I say, self-righteousness is dangerous. It leads to pride, causes a person to despise others, and prevents the self-righteous person from learning anything from God, or having a right relationship with the Lord. The tax collector’s prayer should be our prayer, because we all need God’s mercy every day. Don’t let pride come between you and God. You think about that.
GOD’S FORGIVENESS
[Psalm 19:12-14]How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep me from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Many believers are plagued by guilt, they worry that they have committed a sin unknowingly, failed to put their whole heart into a task, or neglected what they should have done. Guilt can play an important role in bringing us to Christ, and keeping us on the straight and narrow. But it should not cripple us, or make us fearful. God fully and completely forgives us, even for those sins we do unknowingly. So why do you think David was concerned about his unintentional sins? As the text indicates; for the same reasons you and I should be concerned about ours. David simply loved God! And when you love someone, you do not want to grieve them; you want to please them. Let me give you a take-away from this passage: as you begin each day, determine in your heart that God’s love and grace will guide what you say and think.
TAKE-AWAYS
What we believe has a direct impact on our response to life’s problems.
Where the mind dwells, the heart follows.
Preparation for the future starts with developing biblical thinking.
In times of discouragement, you have a choice. Will you focus on your circumstances, or will you fix your gaze on Jesus and trust Him?
We know that God won’t add to or take away from the Bible. It is His complete and reliable Word. Therefore, anyone claming to have more scriptures, new revelation, or another Testament is a fraud.
Because we are eternally secure in Christ, we are never in a hopeless circumstance. We may feel desperate, but emotions are not reliable. Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior and friend, is our constant source of hope.
The power is not in what we say, but in what God says.
Assurance in prayer is based on the dependability of the character of God, not on the strength of our faith.
GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY
[Luke 2:8-14]That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angle of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, but the angle reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! And this is how you will recognize Him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!” Suddenly, the angle was joined by a vast host of others--the armies of heaven--praising God: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors.”
When an angle of the Lord appeared to the shepherds in the field, he gave them good news of great joy for all people. The long awaited Savior was born. May I say, the good news they proclaimed that day had to do with much more that Jesus’ birth. It anticipated His sinless life, which qualified Him to be God’s sacrificial lamb. It looked ahead to His crucifixion and resurrection, which signaled the Father’s acceptance of Christ’s payment for the sins of those who receive the gospel message and place their trust in Christ and His merit alone, for their salvation. The announcement also encompassed the idea of His ascension into heaven. And it envisioned the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit would indwell and seal believers, as well as the time Jesus would return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The angles rejoiced because the day of salvation was here (see 2Cor. 6:2). The shepherds praised God. Have you thanked the Lord today for your salvation child of God? Let me encourage you to do that right now. May God richly bless.
A CALL TO HOLY LIVING
[1 Peter 1:13-16]So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the special blessings that will come to you at the return of Jesus Christ. Obey God because you are His children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of doing evil; you didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God--- who chose you to be His children, is holy. For He Himself has said, “You must be holy because I am holy.”
No matter how difficult, or painful the circumstances may be, fixing our hope on Jesus Christ and Him alone, will give our life purpose and meaning. The Savior has promised always to be with us and to keep watch as a shepherd cares for his sheep [Matt. 28:20; John 10:14]. Through the Holy Spirit’s transforming power, troubled times can become opportunities to learn more about God’s faithfulness, draw on His strength, and experience spiritual growth. Notice the text says we are to resist our former lifestyle [i.e.
Don’t slip back into your old ways of doing evil…]. Satan will encourage us to pursue any path that leads away from the Lord. We need to remember we are new creations whose lifestyles are to match our position as children of God. That old behavior does not fit who we are in Christ. The text also says we are to make holiness our gold [i.e. but now you must be holy in everything you do…]. Being holy or set apart, begins with giving up control over our life to the Holy Spirit. As we submit to Him, He will begin to express the life of Christ through us. By learning what pleases God and acting accordingly, we cooperate with the Holy Spirit’s efforts to conform us to the Son’s image. May I say; while struggles are part of everyday life, we do not have to be overcome by them. Struggles are tools that God uses to transform our lives into the likeness of Christ. So rejoice in your circumstances, knowing that your Heavenly Father who will never leave you are forsake you, is working in your life for your good and His glory.
GOD HELPS FAITH GROW
[Romans 8:9]But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them are not Christians at all.)
Have you ever wondered about whether or not you are really saved? A Christian is anyone who has the Spirit of God living in him. If you have sincerely trusted Christ and His merit alone for your salvation, acknowledged Him as Lord, then the Holy Spirit has come into your life, indwelt and sealed you, and you are a Christian. You won’t know that the Holy Spirit has come if you are waiting for a certain feeling; you will know He has come because Jesus promised He would. When the Holy Spirit is working within you, you will believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that eternal life comes through Him alone. Scripture says, “that God’s Spirit will witness with your spirit.” May I say, you will know the Holy Spirit is witnessing and working within you, as you begin to act as Christ directs (Romans 8:5; Galatians 5:22-23); find help in your daily problems and in your praying (Romans 8:26-27); you will be empowered to serve God and do His will (Acts 1:8; Rom. 12:6); and you will become part of God’s plan to build up His church (Ephesians 4:12-13). Do you know, that you know; that you belong to Him? If you have placed your faith in Christ, God will help your faith grow, that’s a promise from God’s Word the Bible. Just ask Him for help.
ENCOURAGING ONE ANOTHER [1 THESSALONIANS 5:11]
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
Believers gain and maintain spiritual strength from the encouraging actions and words of other Christians. None of us can progress in our faith or stay true to our Lord without the help and encouragement of fellow believers. In fact we need this kind of healthy interaction every day, not one day out of seven. Notice what Paul says in Romans 1:11-12, “For I long to visit you so I can share a spiritual blessing with you that will help you grow strong in the Lord. I’m eager to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. In this way, each of us will be a blessing to the other.” We are encouraged by encouraging others. Paul prayed for the chance to visit these Christians so that he could encourage them with his gift of faith and be encouraged by theirs. When believers come together, every one should give and receive. Our mutual faith gives us a common language and a common purpose for encouraging one another. Look around you. Be sensitive to other believers who might need a word of encouragement. Be supportive with your words and actions. This is what our Lord has called us to do. May God richly bless you
UNFORGIVENESS [EPHESIANS 4:31-32]
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Unforgiveness is one of the most destructive behaviors possible. Impacting our prayers, relationships, even the thoughts we have. You can allow an unforgiving spirit to utterly ruin your life. Scripture is clear that we are to willingly and openly forgive anyone who causes us harm. The reason is that we ourselves have been forgiven. The grace that God pours out on each of us should be our motivation and example. If we have received His forgiveness, then we simply must do the same for others, even when it seems difficult or unfair.
What is forgiveness? simply put, it is the act of giving up resentment toward someone, along with the desire to retaliate. In other words, we surrender three things, (1) The general feeling of resentment, (2) the specific feelings towards a particular individual, and (3) all claims to retribution. Forgiveness is far more than a simply "I forgive you" statement. It involves a total change of action and attitude. One must say, "though you wronged me, I love and forgive you. I wish you the best and will help you however I can." Can you make this statement after being hurt? Pray for those who have wronged you, and release your resentment. May God bless you.
MAKING AN IMPACT [Matthew 5:13-16]
You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it useful again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
You are the light of the world---like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead put it on a stand and let it shine for all. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
SOWING SEED [Matthew 13:3-8]
A farmer went out to plant some seed. As he scattered it across his field, some fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The plants sprang up quickly, but they soon wilted beneath the hot sun and died because the roots had no nourishment in the shallow soil. Other seeds fell among thorns that shot up and choked out the tender blades. But some seeds fell on fertile soil and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted.
In verses 18-23 of this chapter in Matthew, Jesus explains this parable for us. The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the Word but don’t take it in. It just remains on the surface, so the Evil One comes along and plucks it right out of that person’s heart. The seed that fell on shallow soil, represents those who hear and instantly responds with enthusiasm. But when the emotions wear off and some difficulty arrives, they are long gone. The seed that fell among thorns, represents those who hear the Word, but because of worry and worldly illusions, the Word is choked out. The seed that fell on good soil represent the person who hears and takes in the Word, and then bears a harvest beyond that persons wildest dreams.
May I say the gospel message cannot be reduced to a simple formula. Note…. the farmer sowed good seed, (i.e. the Word of God) but not all the seed sprouted, and even the plants that grew had varying yields. Child of God don’t be discourage if you do not always see results as you faithfully follow Him, witnessing by word and deed to His saving grace. Belief cannot be forced to follow a mathematical formula. Rather, it is a miracle of God’s Holy Spirit as He uses your life and words to lead others to Jesus. The four types of soil represent different responses to God’s message, don’t miss that. People respond differently because they are in different states of readiness. Some are hardened, others are shallow, others are contaminated by distracting worries, and some are receptive. God called us only to be faithful in our relationship with Him, to abide in Him. He gives the increase. Jesus said you can do nothing without me. You think about that.
GOOD NEWS [Romans 1:2-3]
This Good News was promised long ago by God through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. It is the Good News about His Son, Jesus, who came as a man, born into King David’s royal family line.
The Good News is a message about Jesus Christ. In these two verses, Paul summarizes the Good News about Jesus, who came as a human by natural descent, was part of the Jewish royal line through David, died and was raised from the dead, and open the door for God’s kingdom to be poured out on us. The book of Romans is an expansion of these themes.
The Good News is a message that can be passed on. Christians have both privilege and responsibility. Note…Paul and the apostles received forgiveness of their sins (grace)… as well as the responsibility to share the message of God’s forgiveness with others. God also graciously forgives our sins. When we receive through faith the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we become new creatures in Christ. Along with this new life comes a God-given responsibility to witness of God’s Good News to the world as a missionary. Now God may not call you to be an overseas missionary, but He does call you (and all believers) to witness and be an example of the changed life that Jesus Christ has begun in you. You think about that.
BY FAITH ALONE [Romans 1:17]
This Good News tells us how God makes us right in His sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”
The Good News shows us both how righteous God is in His plan for us to be saved and also how we may be made fit for eternal life. By trusting Christ, our relationship with God is made right. “
From start to finish.” God declares us to be right with Him because of faith and faith alone. Paul quotes from Habakkuk 2:4 showing that the righteous will live by faith. As we trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are saved. We have life both now and forever. Scripture is clear; we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, based on Scripture alone. Dear friend, if you have never received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, placed your faith in Him alone, and in His finished work on Calvary’s cross, acknowledged your sins to Him, and ask Him to save you; It is my earnest prayer that you will do so now. The Bible says, for “today is the day of salvation,” we have no promise of a tomorrow. You think about that friend.
NOT ASHAMED [Romans 1:16]
For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes--the Jew first and also the Gentile.
Paul was not ashamed to preach the Gospel, because his message was the Good News about Jesus Christ. It was a message of salvation. It had life changing power, and it was for everyone. When you are tempted to be ashamed, remember what the Good News is all about. If you focus on Christ and on what God is doing in the world rather than on your own inadequacy, you won’t be ashamed or embarrassed. When we fully understand what Christ has done for us and what He offers to others, we will be motivated to share the Gospel. Ask the Lord to rekindle that first love for Him, to give you the desire to obey Him, and to tell others the Good News. God bless.
CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST [Galatians 2:20].
My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
How have we been crucified with Christ? Legally, God looks at us as if we had died with Christ. Because our sins died with Him (past, present, and future) we are no longer under condemnation. (Colossians 2:13-15)-(Romans 8:1). Relationally, we have been placed in Christ and became one with Him. His experiences are ours. Our Christian life began when, in unity with Him, we died to our old life (Romans 6:5-11). May I say, that in our daily walk we must regularly put off, (that is die to) our fallen nature, by putting to death our sinful desires that keeps us from following Christ. Yet child of God the focus of Christianity is not on dying, but on living. Because we have been crucified with Christ, we have also been raised with Him (Romans 6:5) to walk in newness of life. Legally, we have been reconciled with God (2 Corinthians 5:19) and are free to grow into Christ likeness (Romans 8:29). Note! In our daily life we have Christ’s resurrection power as we continue to struggle with remaining sin (Ephesians 1:19-20). This means we are no longer alone. For Christ lives in us, He is our power for living and our hope for the future (Colossians 1:27). You thank about that.
TURNING AWAY ANGER [Proverbs 15:1]
A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.
Have you ever tried to argue in a whisper? It is equally hard to argue with someone, if not impossible, who insists on answering gently. On the other hand, a rising voice and harsh words almost always trigger an angry response. To turn away wrath and seek peace, choose gentle words. The Bible says in Romans 15: 2-3; “Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please Himself but, as it is written: The insults of those who insult you have fallen on Me.” May I say out of control anger; anger that is not righteous anger, does not fit who you are in Christ Jesus. James 1: 19-20 says; “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”
TRUST IN THE LORD [Proverbs 3: 5-6]
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.
We must not be wise in our own eyes, but be willing to listen to and be corrected by God’s Word. Bring your decisions to God in prayer, use the Bible as your guide; and then follow the Holy Spirit’s leading. He will direct your paths by both guiding and protecting you. He promises in His Word, to never leave nor forsake you. He wants the best for you and He loves you unconditionally, without limit, and will always lead you down the right pathway.
WISDOM… GOD’S GIFT [Proverbs 2:6-7]
For the Lord grants wisdom! From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.
Wisdom’s starting point is God and His revealed Word. The source of knowledge and understanding. God gives wisdom and victory to the godly, but not to those who drift through life or act irresponsibly with His gifts. If we are faithful to Him and keep our focus on Jesus Christ, if we abide in Him, and allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through us, the Lord will grant wisdom and keep us from pride and greed.
TRUE KNOWLEDGE [Proverbs 1:7]
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
In this age of information and technology, knowledge is plentiful, but wisdom is scarce. Wisdom means far more than simply knowing a lot. It is a basic attitude that affects every aspect of life. The foundation of knowledge is to fear the Lord---to honor Him, to respect Him, to live in awe of His power, and to obey His Word. Faith in the resurrected Christ should be the controlling principle for your understanding of the world, your attitudes, and your actions. Trust in God, He will make you truly wise.
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