The Significance of the Grace of Christ

1. Provides salvation.

Ephesians 2:8

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

2. Encourages Faith.

Acts 18:27

And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed,

3. Justifies freely.

Romans 3:24

 And are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

4. Brings eternal life.

Romans 5:21

So that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

5. Overcomes sin.

Romans 6:14

For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

6. Enables choice.

Romans 11:5

So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.

7. Perfects weaknesses.

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

8. Calls individuals.

Galatians 1:15

But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace,

9. Makes rich.

2 Corinthians 8:9

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

10. Teaches.

Titus 2:12

Training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

11. Produces faith – Produces love.

1 Timothy 1:14

The grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus

12. Gives encouragement – Gives hope.

2 Thessalonians 2:16

 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,

April 29, 2017

The Resurrection: Our Assurance

1 Peter 1:18-19

Jesus Christ shed His blood to pay for the salvation of all mankind.

This transaction occurred at great cost to the purchaser and great benefit to the purchased—you and me.

But you might ask, how can I know God the Father accepted Christ’s blood as an atoning sacrifice for my sin?

The answer lies in the resurrection.

Christ’s return to life was the Father’s way of showing He accepted the offering made on our behalf. It was God’s proclamation to the world that the sin debt had been paid in full—and all who trust in His Son are free forever from the power and penalty of sin. What’s more, the resurrection is our assurance that every promise God has made can be trusted.

Easter is wonderful news: God has broken the power of sin and death, and all who place faith in Christ will enjoy the Lord’s presence throughout eternity.

Proverbs 15:23

A man finds joy in giving an apt reply — and how good is a timely word!

Knowing the right word at the right time is a great gift. But even the best of speakers has to admit that the best of his or her words are not nearly as good as those the Spirit gives. Nevertheless, we must not excuse ourselves for our insensitive speech, unkindness, or missed opportunities.

Not paying attention to what was said is no excuse. Not being spiritually in tune with the needs of our companions is a cop out. Simply not knowing Scripture well enough to bless others with gracious speech at the appropriate time is self-deception. Listening to others after having listened to God in his Word is what tunes our ears and our hearts to bless others.

Praise God

Praising God means we sacrifice our right to hold grudges and to choose our own paths. We lay down our wants, desires, and hurts on the altar to die.

True praise comes from a grateful heart, which comes from someone who gratefully acknowledges the sovereignty of God in his or her life.

April 28, 2017

You’ve got to start somewhere

It was the initial stage of Mother Teresa having stepped into Calcutta’s Motihil slum to teach. She was happy to see several children waiting for her on the steps of a railway bridge that led down into the slum. In trying to find a spot where they could meet, she noticed that the only open area was a tree near the slum.

With no blackboard, chalk, books or desks, Mother Teresa took a stick and used it to write in the mud. As the children squatted and watched, she traced the letters of the Bengali alphabet with stick. She made a start, and the rest is history.

Are you one of those persons who want to begin something, but wait for the perfect time and resources? This sort of mentality only serves as fuel to your excuses, and allow you to justify your inaction. If you want things to happen, then it’s up to you to make them happen. Make a start, and the rest will follow.

-Mother Teresa

Ephesians 3:17-19

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Does God Still Care?

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

Paul wants us to be solidly connected to each other in love. More than being able to understand all the unfathomable mysteries of the universe or the deep teachings of Scripture, knowing and sharing the love of Christ enables us to bring God's full blessing to others. While knowledge can be good, love is greater still. While power can be helpful, love is more helpful still. While experience can teach us many things, love teaches us to use what we know to bless. Let's be a people whose lives are lived in the environment of love. (cf. 1 Cor. 13)

Quotes about Christianity

..  “Do you know what hurts so very much? It's love. Love is the strongest force in the world, and when it is blocked that means pain. There are two things we can do when this happens. We can kill that love so that it stops hurting. But then of course part of us dies, too. Or we can ask God to open up another route for that love to travel.” ― Corrie ten Boom

..  “What you are is God's gift to you, what you become is your gift to God.” ― Hans Urs

..  “When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a communist.”  ― Hélder Câmara

The Word

The Word is like Fire

Jeremiah 23:29

“Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?

The Word is like a Lamp

Psalm 119:105

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

The Word is like Milk

1 Peter 2:2

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

The Word is like a Rod

Revelation 11:1-2

I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers. But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months.

The Word is like a Seed

1 Peter 1:23

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

Luke 8:11

“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.

James 1:18

He chose to give us birth through the word of truth that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.

The Word is like a Hammer

Jeremiah 23:29

“Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?

Power of the Holy Spirit

Jesus said,] “But you [apostles] will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere — in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." — Acts 1:8

Everywhere! That pretty much covers the world, doesn't it? The amazing thing is that this ragtag bunch of disciples, who were nobodies from nowhere, did it. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, they began a movement that has endured time, cultural differences, geographical distances, persecution, martyrdom, apathy, and misunderstanding.

When the power of the Holy Spirit animates and motivates Jesus' followers, they are compelled to care about all peoples and share the message of Jesus to the ends of the earth!

Why Forgive?

In the first century, the common attire for a Jewish man included five pieces of clothing—shoes, turban, belt, loincloth, and outer tunic. After crucifying Jesus, the soldiers divided the Savior’s garments as their spoils for performing the task. After each took a portion of clothing, one remained—the tunic. This infers that even the loincloth was taken—and Jesus’s last shred of human dignity with it.

In a heartbreaking fulfillment of David’s messianic song, they stripped Jesus naked and then gambled for the tunic. In Psalm 22:17-18, where crucifixion was prophetically described some 600 years before it was invented, David said it would be so: “All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.”

The soldiers gambled for all they could get, unaware of the fact that mere feet away Christ was freely forgiving and giving all He had out of love for them.

Romans 11:33-36

"Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! ... For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen."

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

Some things in Scripture don't need commentary, explanations, or elaboration; they just need to be spoken and believed. I encourage you to memorize this short passage of praise and keep it close to your heart, and let it come from your lips during all your times of difficulty as well as times of bounty and blessing.

Are we walking with Jesus

This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. – John 2:5-6

Do you want to know who walks with Jesus each day? Look for folks whose lives look like his! Do you want to walk with Jesus? Look at his life in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). See how he treated people; then do the same!

Notice how he defeated Satan and overcame temptation. Trust that you can do the same! As you do these things, you will find that Jesus is not only walking with you, he is also working through you!

Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

What is your biggest dream? God longs to do more than that through you! The real question is whether or not you will believe it, receive it, share it and then give him the glory for it!

Marriage

A marriage is an exchange of a cross or many crosses throughout one’s married life. The cross is the spouse and the crosses are either the spouse’s family members or neighbors, relatives, friends and acquaintances that keep entering into your life on and off.

Adjustments and compromises in a marriage often lead to arguments, expectations, irritations and hidden desires of separation.

When married person prays to God for grace to accept one’s life partner as he or she is and also to accept the spouse’s family as they are, then the marriage, over a period of time, becomes a bed of roses notwithstanding the thorns that try to stifle the growth in one’s married life.

When a wedding ring is exchanged at the altar in the presence of God and many witnesses, it is a symbolic gesture of an invisible cross being exchanged with a promise to carry it always – in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health till death alone separates. It is, thus, true that marriages are made in heaven, but they are solemnized, celebrated and lived here on earth only through God’s grace.

Ephesians 4:24

...and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Thoughts on This Verse....

One of the biggest decisions we face at the beginning of each day is what we will wear.
Well, no matter what we choose in the way of clothing, let's make sure we choose to put on the new person God re-made us to be when we became Christians (Galatians 3:26-27). Those are the only clothes that will fit us eternally!

Amen.

The Gospel Has Been Proclaimed (Bit of Humor)

 A first year student in a seminary was told by the dean that he should plan to preach the sermon in chapel the following day. He had never preached a sermon before, he was nervous and afraid, and he stayed up all night, but in the morning, he didn't have a sermon. He stood in the pulpit, looked out at his classmates and said "Do you know what I am going to say?" All of them shook their heads "no" and he said "Neither do I. The service has ended. Go in peace."

The dean was not happy. "I'll give you another chance tomorrow, and you had better have a sermon." Again he stayed up all night; and again he couldn't come up with a sermon. Next morning, he stood in the pulpit and asked "Do you know what I am going to say?" The students all nodded their heads "yes." "Then there is no reason to tell you" he said. "The service has ended. Go in peace."

Now the dean was angry. "I'll give you one more chance; if you don't have a sermon tomorrow, you will be asked to leave the seminary." Again, no sermon came. He stood in the pulpit the next day and asked "Do you know what I am going to say?" Half of the students nodded "yes" and the other half shook their heads "no." The student preacher then announced "Those who know, tell those who don't know. The service has ended. Go in peace."

The seminary dean walked over to the student, put his arm over the student's shoulders, and said "Those who know, tell those who don't know. Today, the gospel has been proclaimed."

Mess-ups

Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the LORD, who do their work in darkness and think, "Who sees us? Who will know?" – Isaiah 29:15

Aren't we so very silly sometimes! We try to hide what we've done and what we're planning from the Lord. Of course we're only fooling ourselves. At first glance, God knows our plans and seeing our actions is threatening. But after a little time to think it through, isn't it nice that God does see everything, including our motives and thoughts?

This insures justice will be done and our mess-ups will be evaluated in terms of our intentions, not just our failures! On top of that, it also means that those who plot to do us harm will have to answer to God, and we don't have to worry about "settling the score" or "getting even."

Nations Conspire 

God laughs – Psalm 2:1-4

The rebellion does not alter the stand of God. This only shows futility of God’s answer to human rebellion.

Mission means to take a stand with God, to counter the originator of evil, Satan, with the Gospel.

Be Not Silent

Esther 4:12-14

Esther took the risk of losing her life, and went forward to speak on behalf of Israelites who were being targeted for “ethnic cleansing”. She by her missional intervention brought redemption to Israelites.

Like Esther, each Christian has been strategically placed in a context for missional purpose in the sovereign global plan of God. Discovering that purposes and fulfilling the same provides real meaning of life in this world.

Quotes 

.. Attention to detail is the secret of success in every sphere of life, and little kindnesses, little acts of considerateness, little appreciations, little confidences…they are all that are needed to keep the friendship sweet. - Hugh Black

The God of Evangelism

The good of evangelism is to make disciples. There could be several ways to approach people with the Gospel, but the anticipated result is to make them Disciples of Christ. There will always be people who may reject the Gospel.


But the goal of evangelism is to bring people under the lordship of Jesus Christ. The disciples in turn will go out as witnesses and make disciples.

Hebrews 11:16

Instead, they were longing for a better country — a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

Hebrews 11 is full of reminders of the great heroes of faith from long ago. Many of them risked everything — some even paid the ultimate price — for their faith. How did they live out such a strong faith in the face of such difficulty and persecution? They were looking for a better place, a better home, a better country, a better city — a heavenly one. God prepared this better place for them.
He is proud to be called their God and welcome them to that better place. And this better place, this better country, is also promised to us as people of faith! Jesus promised us that he is preparing for our arrival at our heavenly home and he will come back and take us to be where he is (John 14:1-4). If the Lord is longing for us to join him, then surely we can have a deep longing to be with him. Let's desire our heavenly country!

Lost the capacity to Repent.

(The story of the Elder Son – Luke 15)

The younger son came to his senses and was able to repent when a person reaches a stage where he cannot repent, he has quenched the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus called people to become like a child so that they retain the capacity to repent.

Repentance is not a onetime affair but should be part and parcel of a Christian throughout his/her life. In spite of appeal by the father, the elder son refused to repent and join the celebration.

Challenge:

Let us take stock of our life and be careful not to lose the capacities to recognize, relate, reconcile, rejoice, and repnt.

Quotes from Billy Graham

- We're all sinners. Everybody you meet all over the world is a sinner.

- A lot of Jews are great friends of mine.

- I am just one of many thousands called to be an evangelist.

- I don't need a successor, only willing hands to accept the torch for a new generation.

The Impact of Prayer

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

Prayer is the lifeblood of an intimate relationship with the Father. But believers often have questions about its power and effectiveness. Don’t hesitate to take your queries to the Lord, dig into Scripture for answers, and seek the counsel of a trusted spiritual mentor. Prayer is too important to neglect.
Will God’s plans fail if I don’t pray? God is not subservient to believers or dependent upon their prayers. The time we invest in speaking with Him involves us in the work that He is doing in our lives and in the world, but He will carry on without us.

Laboring alongside the Lord is our privilege.

Does my prayer (or lack thereof) impact God’s work? I believe that Scripture indicates the answer to this question is both yes and no, depending upon the situation. There are times when God’s purpose is set. He is in control and has determined the best course. In the Old Testament, the Lord often prophesied what He would do and then brought those events to pass.

In other cases, “you do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:2). There are some good things that He holds back until we put out prayerful hands to receive them. But because God is a loving Father, He also pours our blessings that we wouldn’t even think to request.

Believer’s prayers have tremendous impact, particularly on their own faith and life. Do you understand what an awesome privilege it is to kneel before the all-powerful Father and know that He listens and will respond? God loves to be good to His children and answer their prayers.

Acts 11:18

When they [the Jewish Christians] heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, "So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life."

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

Breaking through racial and cultural barriers is never easy. Thankfully, God's Spirit doesn't let us settle comfortably into our prejudices. Instead, we are challenged, led, and pushed to break through racial hatred and cultural ignorance. Let's be the kind of people who rejoice and praise God as every barrier dividing people falls.

Let's press on until the triumphant promise of the Gospel is fulfilled: "There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all Christians — you are one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28). In doing this, we anticipate the incredible chorus of heaven that praises God with folks from every language, tribe, people, and nation (Revelation 7:9-11).

What Should We Consecrate to God

Our body – to God as a living sacrifice a - and an instrument of righteousness.

Romans 12:1

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Romans 6:13 

Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

 He Longs For You

“As a man rejoices over his new wife, so your God will rejoice over you.” Isaiah 62:5
Look long enough in to the eyes of our Savior and, there….you will see a bride. Dressed in fine linen. Clothed in pure grace. From the wreath in her hair to the clouds at her feet, she is royal; she is the princess. She is the bride. His bride. Walking toward him, she is not yet with him. But he sees her, he awaits her, he longs for her.

The Called Ones

Called to be like Christ

2 Corinthians 3:18

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Called to Holiness

1 Peter 1:15 

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

Isaiah 41:4

Who has done this and carried it through, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD — with the first of them and with the last — I am he.

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

God is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. This is great comfort for us. We don't have to choose another deity in the course of our lives. We don't have to worry about our Father leaving us as prey for other gods. We don't have to worry about his Word becoming obsolete or outdated. He will be with us always.

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord

 Trust.

Can we trust in God? Is the Lord faithful? While we may wish to have been alive when Jesus walked the earth or Jeremiah spoke fearlessly God's hard truth, we are especially blessed to be alive today.
We stand at the end of an incredible stream of God work and know him to be profoundly faithful to his people. We can launch out into the future with boldness because we know, as Psalm 139 says, God is there!

Quotes from Billy Graham

- I'm not an analyzer. I've got a son that analyzes everything and everybody. But I don't analyze people.

- I'm not focused on the gay and lesbian movement.

- If you'd have said Evangelical in 1957, most people wouldn't know what you were talking about. And then, they'd be against it.

- We're a diverse society, and I think the TV is doing a great job in showing that we're all human beings, that we can all get along, that we can all be together, and I think that's a marvelous thing.

Proverbs 11:20

The LORD... delights in those whose ways are blameless.

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

I am confident that the Lord will say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" Why? Not because I'm perfect, but Jesus has forgiven and cleansed me and the Holy Spirit is working to perfect my behavior to match my standing before God.

 I don't know about you, but I am thankful to know that we can bring the LORD delight. Just like our children can bring us delight. Just like a good desert can bring us delight. Just like a beautiful sunset enjoyed with someone we love brings us delight.

Faith Quotes

Oswald Chambers – “The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God you fear everything else.”

Against Heresies - “The Father is that which is invisible about the Son, the Son is that which is visible about the Father.”

Where Do We Find Strength? - 5

Hard Times May Come, But He’s There with Us through Them All

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Philippians 4: 12-13

I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

2 Thessalonians 3:3

But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.

Isaiah 40:29

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.

1 Peter 5: 10

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Hebrews 4:16

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Deuteronomy 31:6-8

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

  Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it.  It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

2 Thessalonians 3:16

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.

Where Do We Find Strength? - 4

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Psalm 145: 18-19

The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.

1 Peter 5:7

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Isaiah 12:2

God Gives Us A Spirit Of Strength And Power

2 Timothy 1:7

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Psalm 138:3

On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.

Psalm 16:8

I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Psalm 62:1-2

For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Psalm 112:1

Praise the LORD!
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments!

Psalm 112:7-8

He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.

Psalm 91:1-2

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

What God Sees

In the midst of our Lenten journey, God doesn't see us as everyone else sees us. People around us may see us as cool, successful, unattractive, popular, old, whatever. It doesn't matter at all how others may see us.

God sees our hearts, sees us as we really are. Perhaps we wish we had him fooled, like those we've led to believe that we're less frightened, more confident, happier than we really are. Or perhaps we're deeply grateful that God sees through all the shallow, negative judgments which so many people have placed on us. Probably it's both.

Our Lord, to our joy and to our sorrow, looks into our hearts and sees us as we really are. In Lent, that's a call for introspection: to confess that we have not loved our Lord with our whole hearts, nor loved our neighbors as ourselves.
In Lent, it's especially important that we confess our sinfulness as specifically as we're able. In what ways have we failed God and ourselves? Because we can't hide from God, we dare not use all our usual ways to avoid our sinfulness. We're used to denying our sins, minimizing them, excusing them, blaming them on others.

This Lent, let's examine ourselves, asking God to search our hearts. We benefit from naming our sins, our needs, and losses, and failings. And we admit to God that only by his grace and guidance can we find healing and help.

Zechariah 11:17

[The LORD said] "Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May the sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered, his right eye totally blinded!"

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

While we don't like to hear bad news and don't appreciate the pronouncement of judgment on others, there is a time when it is appropriate. Jesus was not only our sacrificial lamb, but he is also our Chief Shepherd. When the earthly shepherds of his sheep do not lead faithfully, he will demand harsh justice.

This is a strong reminder to all who lead that they must do so faithfully and tenderly. It is also a comfort to those who have been abused by ungodly leaders — God will bring about a righteous justice to those who have abused the stewardship of their pastoral calling. Ultimately, God will also wipe away our tears even if our earthly shepherds do not! (Revelation 7:15)

A New Creation

Once there was a man on a train going across the desert in Arizona. He was the only person in the car who had not pulled down the window shades to keep out the glare of the hot sun on the parched earth. In contrast to the other passengers, he kept looking out his window, and seemed actually to enjoy the dismal scene.

After a while the curious man seated across the aisle, asked, "Sir, what do you see in that wasteland that makes you smile?"

"Oh," he replied," I'm in the irrigation business, and I was thinking if we could only get water to this land that the desert would become a garden."

That's what Jesus is teaching His disciples. He wants us to see the world's people as He sees them. Every one of them is precious in His sight. By divine grace, they can become a new creation, made beautiful in holiness.

Journey in the Lent

"Looks like a lamb that has been slain,

And wears his priesthood still."

"We shall see his face, and never, never sin

But from the rivers of his grace, drink endless pleasures in."

Thy wounds, oh Jesus! Thy wounds; these are my refuge in my trouble. Oh sinner, may you be helped to believe in his wounds! They cannot fail; Christ's wounds must heal those that put their trust in him.

Isaiah 9:2

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

This great promise in Isaiah was fulfilled with the coming of Jesus (see Matthew 4:15-16; Luke 1:79). As darkness falls tonight, look out at a street light and capture it in your memory so that every time you see a light shining in the darkness it will remind you to do two things: give thanks to God for sending his light and commit yourself to sharing that light with those you know.
   

Genesis 9:16

"Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

I don't know about you, but I'm a very visual person. I truly appreciate the way God made the world with all its variety, color, and rich diversity. I am thankful for the way our Father in heaven used certain key images in our world to remind us of his daily provision and eternal grace.

The beauty of a rainbow is not just in its wonderful colors or in the aroma of fresh rain, but in the promise that our God has made to us. The eternal and living God has chosen to link himself to our destiny and to involve himself in our world because of his love and grace! The rainbow is a reminder that we are God-blessed.

Crisis 

Crisis is common in life

Crisis is normal to life

No one can live in this life without crisis.

God:

God never fails

God never quits

God never ends anything on a negative

God is faithful!

Remember:

. Crisis is generally the reason behind feelings of wanting to give up

. Crisis is the natural result of change.

. Crisis is normal to life

. The right amount of stress can be used to motivate us in positive ways

Christianity at its best …

. Christianity is always at its best when the world is at its worst.

. It is at its best intellectually when the world is most confused in its thinking.

. It is at its best morally when men have lost the sense of good standards.

We can be perfect in our unity.

“I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”… John 17:23

Our Lord especially prayed that all believers might be as one body under one head, animated by one soul, by their union with Christ and the Father in him, through the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. The more they dispute about lesser things, the more they throw doubts upon Christianity. Let us endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, praying that all believers may be more and more united in one mind and one judgment. Thus shall we convince the world of the truth and excellence of our religion, and find more sweet communion with God and his saints.

“I appeals to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.”…1 Corinthians 1:10

In the great things of religion be of one mind; and where there is not unity of sentiment, still let there be union of affection. Agreement in the greater things should extinguish divisions about the lesser. There will be perfect union in heaven, and the nearer we approach it on earth, the nearer we come to perfection.

Paul and Apollo’s both were faithful ministers of Jesus Christ, and helpers of their faith and joy; but those disposed to be contentious, broke into parties. So liable are the best things to be corrupted, and the gospel and its institutions made engines of discord and contention. Satan has always endeavored to stir up strife among Christians, as one of his chief devices against the gospel. The apostle left it to other ministers to baptize, while he preached the gospel, as a more useful work.

Thought

I know that hope is available in Jesus, that guidance comes through the Spirit and that knowledge and power are found in God’s Word.

Warnings again being deceived.

Matthew 24:4-5

And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.  For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.

Matthew 24:11

And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.

Matthew 24:24

For false Christ’s and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

Luke 21:8

And he said, “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, I am he!’ and, The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them.

1 Corinthians 6:9

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,

Galatians 6:7

Not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows that will he also reap.

Ephesians 5:6

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

2 Timothy 3:13

While evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

1 John 3:7

Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.

Quotes from Billy Graham

- I don't think there is a single social issue I haven't spoken on.

- I have the problems of, I must confess, old age.

- I've spent too much time giving speeches, traveling the world.

Bearing One Another’s Burdens - Galatians 6

If you are looking for a way to carry out Christ’s command to love your neighbor, Paul has a suggestion: bear their burdens. At some point, everyone struggles under the weight of an oppressive situation. Believers have an obligation to get under that load next to their brothers and sisters.
 A believer cannot wait until his life is clear of obstacles before reaching out to others, since that day may never come. Even though we have our own needs, we can do all things through Christ’s strength—including sharing someone else’s adversity (2 Cor. 12:9).

When you’re willing to wade into someone else’s troubles to help that person hold up under the weight, two things happen. First, he or she receives desperately needed blessings in the form of aid, support, and love. And second, you fulfill God’s command to love a neighbor as yourself.

Thoughts 

. Be slow to judge others but quick to judge yourself.

. God may conceal the purpose of His ways, but His ways are not without purpose.

. The beauty of creation gives us reasons to sing God’s praise.

. Write your plans in pencil and remember that God has the eraser.

. Never pass up an opportunity to enjoy nature’s beauty—it’s the handwriting of God.

. Blessed is the person who finds out which way God is moving and then goes in that direction.

. Let your light shine—whether you’re a candle in a corner or a lighthouse on a hill.

1 Corinthians 9:19

Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

Grace frees us from the law of sin and death. But, our freedom is not to be used for rebellion or for self-gratification. Instead, we are to use our freedom redemptively, just as Jesus did (cf. Philippians 2:5-11).

We can voluntarily limit that freedom to help others still caught in bondage to sin and false ideas about God. We can use the freedom of the Spirit to be transformed to be like Christ (2 Corinthians 3:17-18). Let's use our freedom to rejoice and to bless.

Where Do We Find Strength? - 3

Don’t Worry Or Fear, Find Your Strength In Him

Isaiah 43:1-3

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom,Cush and Seba in exchange for you.

Luke 12:25-26

And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?  If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Psalm 34:4

I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 27: 1-3

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes,
It is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.

Quotes about Christianity

..  “The Bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers. We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand, we are obliged to act accordingly.” ― Søren Kierkegaard

 .. “We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone.” ― Martin Luther

..  “It takes three to make love, not two: you, your spouse, and God. Without God people only succeed in bringing out the worst in one another. Lovers who have nothing else to do but love each other soon find there is nothing else. Without a central loyalty life is unfinished.” ― Fulton J. Sheen

Victory

That evening people brought to Jesus many people that had demons inside them. Jesus spoke and the demons left the people. Jesus healed all the people that were sick. Jesus did these things to make happen what Isaiah the prophet said: "He took away our diseases and carried away our sicknesses." - Matthew 8:16-17

Matthew continues to show us Jesus' power over what destroys our lives. Interestingly, it is Jesus' touch and word that are so powerful in these stories. His touch seems to be more of a demonstration of God's love, while his word is a demonstration of his authority and power.

Matthew reminds us, however, that Jesus' authority and power are not for his advantage, but for the blessing of those in need. He is God's promised Servant! His authority is demonstrated in his service to us. Thus, as we seek to be like Jesus, we need to be servants as He was.

Acts 11:18

When they [the Jewish Christians] heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, "So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life."

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

Breaking through racial and cultural barriers is never easy. Thankfully, God's Spirit doesn't let us settle comfortably into our prejudices. Instead, we are challenged, led, and pushed to break through racial hatred and cultural ignorance. Let's be the kind of people who rejoice and praise God as every barrier dividing people falls.

Let's press on until the triumphant promise of the Gospel is fulfilled: "There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all Christians — you are one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28). In doing this, we anticipate the incredible chorus of heaven that praises God with folks from every language, tribe, people, and nation (Revelation 7:9-11).

Thoughts 

Do we not continually pass by blessings innumerable without notice, and instead fix our eyes on what we feel to be our trials and our losses, and think and talk about these until our whole horizon is filled with them, and we almost begin to think we have no blessings at all? - Hannah Whitall Smith

Love slays what we have been that we may be what we are not. - Augustine of Hippo

Has he taken over your heart?  Perhaps he resides there, but does he preside there? - Vance Havner

Hebrews 11:16

Instead, they were longing for a better country — a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

Hebrews 11 is full of reminders of the great heroes of faith from long ago. Many of them risked everything — some even paid the ultimate price — for their faith. How did they live out such a strong faith in the face of such difficulty and persecution? They were looking for a better place, a better home, a better country, a better city — a heavenly one. God prepared this better place for them.
He is proud to be called their God and welcome them to that better place. And this better place, this better country, is also promised to us as people of faith! Jesus promised us that he is preparing for our arrival at our heavenly home and he will come back and take us to be where he is (John 14:1-4). If the Lord is longing for us to join him, then surely we can have a deep longing t! o be with him. Let's desire our heavenly country!

Testimony of the woman to resurrection of Jesus

Matthew 28:8

So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples

Luke 24:9

And returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.

John 20:11

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb.

Thoughts 

.. The most powerful testimony is a godly life.

.. God never abandons us.

.. The most powerful testimony is a godly life.

.. The One who holds the universe together will not let go of you.

.. The Spirit of God renews our minds when we meditate on the Word of God.

Peter’s Denial Foretold

Matthew 26:31

Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.

Luke 22:31

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat,

John 13:36

Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.”

Jeremiah 7:5-7

If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your forefathers for ever and ever.

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

What is the true measure of our character? Certainly it is not merely how we act "at church." The real test of our character, our godliness, is our partnership with him in his work of redeeming the lost, forgotten, downtrodden, and broken. When we live only for ourselves, when the "have-nots" are left so far behind, a culture collapses upon itself because it lacks the heart of God, and people become jealous and resentful of one another.

Trial Mockery of Jesus

Matthew 26:57

Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered.

Luke 22:63

Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him.

John 18:12

So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him.

John 18:19

The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.

When He Expired?

Nine o’clock in the morning He was nailed to the cross. He expired six hours later at 3.00 p.m. at the time when the Passover lambs were to be killed.

Matthew 27:45-50
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.  And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” 
And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink.  But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.”  And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.
Luke 23:44-46
It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.  Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.

Quotes 

.. When a little child becomes conscious of being a little child, the child-likeness is gone; and when a saint becomes conscious of being a saint, something has gone wrong. - Oswald Chambers

.. I never begin my work in the morning without thinking that perhaps He may interrupt my work and begin His own. - G. Campbell Morgan

.. All the holy men seem to have gone off and died.  There’s no one left but us sinners to carry on the ministry. - Jamie Buckingham

John 11:26

"Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

Several days ago, we emphasized that Christians who died physically were never really separated from their relationship with God's loving presence. Today, Jesus challenges us to believe a very similar thing. Do you believe that the real, living part of you made by God will never die even though your physical body dies?

 It's an incredible thought, isn't it? We are eternal, immortal, joined with Jesus and his future is joined with us. (See Colossians 3:1-4)

Drinks Were Offered to Christ

1. on arrival at Calvary

Matthew 27:33-34

And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it.

Mark 15:22-23

And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull).  And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.

2. When He was on the Cross before the mediator cried for mercy.

Luke 23:36

The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine

3. at the end of His life

Matthew 27:48

And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink.

John 19:29

A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth.

John 11:21

"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died."

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

If you have ever stood at the grave side of a loved one, this thought probably crossed your mind, too — if you had only been here, Lord! Where is Jesus when we hurt? Why couldn't he be here to help us? There are a couple of crucial answers to remember. First, Jesus is with us in our moments of loss and grief. The Church is Jesus' Body and every act of kindness, support, comfort, and help is Jesus working to alleviate our grief.

Second, while he may not have kept our loved one from passing from this life to the next, he has been the abiding and unbroken presence for each Christian who has died physically. Paul reminds us that when a Christian dies, he or she goes to be with Christ (2 Cor. 5:6-7; Phil. 1:21-23) and God's loving presence is never lost to him or her (Rom. 8:35-39)!

Jesus before Pilate

Matthew 27:11

Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.”

Luke 23:1

Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate.

John 18:28

Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover.

Acts 11:24

He [Barnabas] was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

Barnabas was a good man! Why? For many reasons. But, the key reason was that he was full of faith and the Holy Spirit. This shouldn't surprise us. When the Holy Spirit lives in us, he is at work producing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and conforming us to the character of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). No wonder Barnabas' influence was so great on the lives of those who lived in Antioch; his life was under the influence of God's Spirit!

The Crucifixion

Matthew 27:33

And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull),

Luke 23:32

Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him.

John 19:26

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”

Grace for the Thief Means Grace for Us

At Calvary a man was dying who deserved hell. He was a thief. He was a murder. Yet in the last moment he turned to Christ and said, “Lord, remember me” (Luke 23:42). In that moment Jesus to him and said, “Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43)

I expect to see that man in Paradise. That man is in heaven today.

Not because he could come down from the cross and be baptized.

Not because he could come down from the cross and take communion.

Not because he could come down from the cross and give money to charitable work.

Not because he could come down from the cross and live a good life.

He had been a wicked, godless man, but he was saved by the tender mercy and grace of God.
And that is what bring us to the cross. You will never understand what the cross means until you understand in your own life the assurance that God gives us in his Word: “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8)

Thoughts 

- The Lord will never abandon us, especially at the time of our death.

- Trials and tests can draw us closer to Christ.

- God’s Spirit lives in His people, in order to work through them.

- God’s deep love means we can be real with others.

Ephesians 6:4

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction

Thoughts on This Verse....

Malachi 4:6 promised that fathers and children would be reunited in heart. Let's make that true in our homes by nurturing and correcting our children — with a balance between nurture and correction. Let's not make our faith so full of rules and restrictions that it becomes impossible for our children to hear that they are our beloved children, with whom we are very pleased!

Let's not grant so much freedom that our children feel neglected and uncertain. Let's turn our hearts toward them and pray for God to turn their hearts toward their home with us and their home with you!

Victorious Life – 4

Promises of Victorious Life

The hidden manna:

Revelation 2:17

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’

Authority over nations:

Revelation 2:26

The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations,

White with Jesus & Name will not be blotted:

Revelation 3:5

The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.

Pillar in the temple:

Revelation 3:12

The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.

Sit with Jesus on His throne:

Revelation 3:21

The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches

Inherit the water of life:

Revelation 21:6-7

He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.  The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my so

Victorious Life – 3

How to Live Victorious Life?

By Faith:

1 John 5:4

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

By Grace:

Romans 6:14

For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace

By prayer:

Matthew 26:41

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

By the blood of the Lamb, by the blood of testimony, by not loving own life:

Revelation 12:11

And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death

Promises of Victorious Life

Eating from the tree of life:

Revelation 2:7

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

The crown of life:

Revelation 2:10

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Victorious Life – 2

Our Flesh

Romans 7:19

For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.

Matthew 26:41

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

John 15:5

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Our Enemy

Matthew 4:3

And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.

2 Corinthians 11:3

 But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

2 Corinthians 2:11

So that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

How to Live Victorious Life?

Through God:

1 Corinthians 15:57

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ

2 Corinthians2:14

 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.

Isaiah 59:19

So they shall fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; for he will come like a rushing stream, which the wind of the Lord drives.

By the Word:

1 John 2:14

I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.

I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

Victorious Life – 1

The Sources of Defeat

Our Thoughts

Proverbs 24:9

The devising of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind.

2 Corinthians 10:5

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

Psalm 139:23

Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts!

Our Pride

James 4:6

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Proverbs 16:18

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Romans 12:16

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.

Our Carelessness

Proverbs 4:23

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

Proverbs 22:3

The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.

1 Peter 5:8

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Is our Heavenly Father is grieved?

We do something that causes grief to our Heavenly Father. It is explained in Malachi 2:10 “Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we fatherless to one another, profaning the covenant of our fathers?

God not only wants his children to love him with all their heart, and soul, and strength, but he also wants them to love one another.

The Second Thief Died in his Sins

The second thief from the third Cross also had the opportunity to repent and turn to the Savior’s forgiveness and eternal life. But instead, he hardened his heart, refused to repent, and so died in his Sins, unsaved without hope and eternal life.

That third Cross stands forever as a warning to all humanity. Friends, as for us, we have had countless opportunities. We have heard many sermons and witnessed others are coming to saving grace. We fail to repent, we fail to take ‘U’ turn and go back to Savior.

Even repentance is a gift from God. We are not sure about death, our last moment. Death may strike suddenly and swiftly, giving us no time to turn to God.

Acts 2:17

In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

Thoughts on This Verse....

As those living in the last days, each believer — young and old, male and female — must be Spirit-led and Spirit-empowered to give his or her personal testimony to the grace of God given us in Jesus Christ. As Jesus prayed for us before his death (John 17:20-23), we must be united across the gender barriers and across the age barriers and across the racial barriers if the world is to truly know that God sent his Son as Savior of the world!

One Thief Died to Sin

He confessed his sin. “We receive the due reward of our deeds.” Now he turned to the Savior for mercy. “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom, he cried. (Luke 23:42).

So, the first thief died to sin and died to sinner saved by grace. The Cross stands for the eternal truth that no matter how deep we have fallen into sin, no matter when we turn to Him in repentance, God will always stand ready and willing to forgive and redeem.

If there was hope for that thief on the Cross, there is hope for you and me today.

The Cross is the Good News I Can Share with Others.

Without the cross I would have no good news to share with others. I would have no message of salvation. Missionaries would have nothing to say that could help lost men. The cross is at the very heart of the gospel (see 1 Cor. 15:3--"Christ died for our sins"). What message did Paul know (1 Cor. 2:2)?

The cross is one thing that the devil does not want us to talk to people about. We can talk about prophecy or many other subjects, but the devil does not want us talk about THE CROSS--God’s only way of salvation.

When we share with unsaved people, we need to bring them face to face with the Lord Jesus Christ so that they will consider the cross.  We need to explain what Christ did for them and why His death is so important. Do you know any good salvation verses which speak of Christ and what He did on the cross?

Thought

They say that in times of crisis people show their true character. Anyone can be cooperative, patient, and understanding when things are going well and life is good. But it is the noble man or woman who can behave with grace and compassion and even kindness when times are very, very bad.

Joyful in Hope

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.” Romans 12: 12

Sometimes the key to survival is simply “setting our jaw” and going on faithfully trusting that God is there helping us, despite the outward circumstances. Choosing joy through hope rather than despair, choosing patient endurance in times of affliction, and choosing faithfulness in prayer are all decisions of the will.

We trust that God, who raised Jesus from the dead, can also change our circumstances because he hears our voice.

Seven Falls, Eight Getting Up
Japanese culture and ways of thinking cannot be adequately addressed in a short space, but this Japanese proverb reflects an important and shared ideal: "Nana korobi ya oki" (literally: seven falls, eight getting up) means fall down seven times and get up eight.

This speaks to the Japanese concept of resilience. No matter how many times you get knocked down, you get up again. Even if you should fall one thousand times, you just keep getting up and trying again. You can see this ethic reinforced in all facets of Japanese culture including education, business, sports, the martial arts the Zen arts, etc. It is especially important to remember the sentiment

expressed in this proverb when times are dark.

There are no quick fixes in life and anything of real worth will necessarily take much struggle and perseverance. Success does not have to be fast—what’s more important is that one simply does their absolute best and remains persistent.

Acts 9:4-5

He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
"Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied.

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

When Paul teaches that the Church is the Body of Christ, he isn't being theoretical. The Church is Jesus' presence, his Body in this world. What is done to the Church as a collective group of people is done to Jesus.

What is done to individual Christians is done to their Savior. Jesus is present in the world through us! The saying is true: the only Jesus many will see today is the Jesus they see through you and me.

What happens when we are merciful?

1. God will be unmerciful

Matthew 18:33-34

Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
2. Judgment will be unmerciful

James 2:13

For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
3. We will become hypocrites

Matthew 23:23

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.

1 Timothy 5:3

“Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.”

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

Practical loving concern for those who are powerless and forgotten is rooted in the heart of God and championed in Old Testament Law. One of the first internal problems the early church urgently and positively dealt with was prejudice and neglect of the Greek speaking widows in Jerusalem. It was important to God and to them! Paul further reminds us that we better have the same concern for widows today! (Notice that James extends that same concern for both widows and orphans! James 1:27)

Spiritual Thoughts

A heart that is open to Christ will be open to those He loves.

God’s wisdom overshadows our self-centeredness.

Words that point us to Christ are always words that matter.

God is not nearly as concerned with our ability as He is with our surrender.

We become disciples of Jesus

Luke 14:27

Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 

We experience the power of God:

1 Corinthians 1:18

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

We become one body:

Ephesians 2:15-16

by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,  and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 

Our self is crucified:

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

The world is crucified to us / we are crucified to the world:

Galatians 6:14

But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

We are freed from Sin:

Romans 6:6-7

We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.  For one who has died has been set free from sin.

How to carry the Cross?

By denying self

Matthew 16:24

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

By being persecuted

Galatians 6:12

It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.

By being crucified

Galatians 6:14

But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

By humbling oneself

Philippians 2:8

 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

By becoming obedient

Philippians 2:8

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.

Daniel 6:26-27

"I [Darius King of Persia] issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions."

Thoughts on This Verse....

If a foreign King in the days of the Old Testament can recognize how grand and glorious our God is, surely those of us who have received his grace through Jesus can rejoice in him and give him praise!

Facts about the Cross – 1

Cross to be carried daily

Luke 9:23

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

The power of cross ban be emptied

1 Corinthians 1:17

For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

Its message is foolishness to some

1 Corinthians 1:18

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

There is an offense of the Cross

Galatians 5:11

But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.

Each one to take up own Cross

Matthew 16:24

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Our old self was crucified

Romans 6:6

We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.

The one who does not carry the Cross is not worthy of Jesus

Matthew 10:38

And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Blessings of the Cross

The world is crucified to us

Galatians 6:14 - But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

One day Sadhu Sunder Singh preached in few villages then went to his home in Rampur. His father said, “You can stay here tonight; but you must get out early in the morning; don’t show me your face again!” his father made him to sit at a distance and gave water to drink by pouring it into his hands from a vessel held high. When Sundar Singh saw this “Untouchable treatment,” tears flowed from his eyes. Yet he did not complain. He thanked his father and went away carrying his cross for his Master!

The Attitude

Would Thomas Edison have invented the electric light bulb if he accepted failure after his 900th attempt?

They had the right attitude.

Journey in the Lent

He further said, “Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27).

Is Christ the master of your life?

Have you put to death your own plans and committed yourself to His will for your life?
Don’t be satisfied with anything less, for there is no greater joy in life than following Christ every day.

Romans 6:3

Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
Thoughts on This Verse....

More than an outward symbol, baptism is coming to the core of the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and sharing in it by grace (Romans 6:1-15). What an incredible blessing to be able to do what Jesus did at the beginning of his ministry to please God (Luke 3:21-22), and also know that through our faith in God's power to raise him from the dead, our lives can be joined with his until we can share fully in his glory! (Colossians 2:12; 3:1-4).

God’s love is the same

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."

- Luke 2:8-11

Shepherds and the glory of the Lord in the same sentence. Shepherds enjoyed a great heritage in Israel with Abraham, Moses, and David as notable shepherds and God being identified through Psalm 23 as a great shepherd. But by this time in Israelite history, they were not highly regarded. They smelled like sheep. They spent their time with sheep. They were not really clean and religious enough to be considered spiritual. So when God chose to announce the birth of Jesus to shepherds with his contingent of angels he makes his point clear: Everyone is loved by God, everyone has access to God, and everyone is! desired by God.

Spiritual Thoughts

. Jesus is the restorer of life.

. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1

. We know how much God loves us because He sent His Son to save us.

. Real doubt searches for the light; unbelief is content with the darkness.

. Jesus gave His all; He deserves our all.

'The Anointing'

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. - 1 John 2:20-21

Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit, whom he called the Comforter (or Counselor or Advocate, depending on the translation), would come and lead us into all truth (John 16:13). The Spirit, who inspired the writing of the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16-17), is alive in us and helps us know, understand, and discern God's truth (1 Corinthians 2:10-16). The Spirit of the living God lives in us and is at work in us — in me and in you!

So each of us needs to ask ourself if we are inviting the Holy Spirit into our lives to help us know, understand, discern God's truth. Am I yielding to the Spirit and am I in the word of God seeking to be informed and transformed by the Holy Spirit? Am I asking the Holy Spirit to filter, correct, challenge, and redeem what I think, read, hear, and see? Rather than succumbing to the lie that all truth is subjective, let's subject what we think, read, hear, and see to the Spirit of truth!

True Messiah

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. – Acts 4:12

While many substitute Messiahs have been offered, only the True Messiah saves. While we often live for many lords, only one Lord liberates and sets us free from sin and death. While many ways are claimed to bring us close to God, Jesus insists that he is the only way.

So we're driven to one ultimate reality: do we believe salvation is in Jesus alone, or do we not. It's our choice. But what we decide about Jesus is really deciding about everything. Is Jesus your Lord? Is Jesus the name above all names in your life? Is Jesus your Savior? If not, then please reconsider, for the Bible says: "Salvation is found in no one else."

Cleaning   

As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. – Psalms 103:12
Now that's a long way - from sun rising to sun setting, that's how far God has removed our sins. But the key word is removed. When we sin and come to God in repentance, God doesn't just forgive our sin; he purifies us of all unrighteousness. What was unholy in me is made righteous in him.

What was impure is now clean. What was stained is spotless. Why? How? We can now see more fully what the Psalmist could know only in part. God doesn't see our sin, but Jesus' sacrifice. His blood purifies and cleanses us! Our sin is gone and we are clean.

Spiritual Thoughts

. Jesus fulfilled the perfect requirements of the law so that we may enjoy the perfect peace of His grace.

. There’s no better news than the gospel—spread the word!

. Let’s remember in good times what we have learned in days of trouble.

. We have been saved by grace. Now we enjoy the many blessings that come by grace.

. Jesus came to bring us hope in the darkest of circumstances.
God sees the beginning to the end.