Divisions – Not following Jesus Christ

Matthew 28:18
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

Luke 6:46
But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say

Matthew 7:21-27
I Never Knew You, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Man

     “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lordy will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

      Build on the Rock

     “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

   “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

A Servant in the Church

Colossians 1:24-25
I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God,

Female Servant

Romans 16:1
Sister Phoebe Commended
   I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea,

[Message No: 6977]

Always be willing to Forgive

Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Ephesians 4:2
with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,

Ephesians 4:32
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Colossians 3:13
And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

Solving Problems Through Prayer

2 Chronicles 20:1-32
Problems are an inevitable part of life whether a person is saved or not. The difference is that once a man or woman becomes a believer, the Father strengthens His child to face every difficulty.

Long before a crisis arises or a solution is needed, a wise believer will be seeking God in prayer. In trouble-free times, we can build a foundation of trust and communion with Him that can withstand any hardship. Problems are unavoidable, but as we seek our Father in prayer, He is faithful to deal with our difficulties.

Questions in Luke

20:33
Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife does she become? For all seven had her as wife.”

20:41
And He said to them, “How can they say that the Christ is the Son of David?

20:44
Therefore David calls Him ‘Lord’; how is He then his Son?”

[Message No: 6976]

The Journey of Salvation - 2

Eyes Set on Jerusalem

Luke 13:31-35
On that very day some Pharisees came, saying to Him, “Get out and depart from here, for Herod wants to kill You.”

   And He said to them, “Go, tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.’ Nevertheless I must journey today, tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem.

    Jesus Laments over Jerusalem

    “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; and assuredly, I say to you, you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”
The Greatest Sin

 Luke 13:6-9

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

    He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’ ”

The Journey of Salvation

2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

   Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

[Message No: 6975]

Things Men Can Do - 15

Endure to the end if they want to

Matthew 10:22 
All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

James 1:2 
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

Be moved away from the hope of the Gospel

Colossians 1:23 
If you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Reap corruption instead of eternal life if they sow to the flesh

Romans 8:12-13 
12 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.
13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,

Galatians 6:7-8 
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Die again when sin is committed

Romans 8:12-13 
12 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.
13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,

James 1:13-15 
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;
14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.
15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

[Message No: 6974]

Questions in Genesis – 21:29

22:7
Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”
 “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.
 “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb  for the burnt offering?”

23:15
“Listen to me, my lord; the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver,  but what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.”

24:5
The servant asked him, “What if the woman is unwilling to come back with me to this land?  Shall I then take your son back to the country you came from? ”

Blessings of God’s Word

It Cleanses – John 15:3
You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

It Heals – Psalm 107:20
He sent out his word  and healed them;
 he rescued  them from the grave.

Gives Understanding – Psalm 119:130
The unfolding of your words gives light;
 it gives understanding to the simple.

Gives Faith – Romans 10:17
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message,  and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

Thoughts 

. “Sin” is a seldom-used word today.  But whether the word turns us on or off doesn’t matter; it does not alter the truth, whatever we think.  If my hangups and negatives are called “sin” by our Lord, then sin it is. - Bob Turnbull

. The way of this world is to praise dead saints and persecute living ones. - Nathaniel Howe

[Message No: 6973]

Just Praying

Acts 4:31

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. —

Prayer changes us. Prayer calls on God to change circumstances. Prayer is powerful. Prayer brings revival. Prayer transforms God's people and brings about salvation. Prayer makes us bold for the Lord. So why do we find it so hard to find time to pray?

Christian must not practice evil

They must not lust after evil things:

1 Corinthians 10:6
Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.

In evil they must remain babes:

1 Corinthians 14:20
Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.

They must put off all overflowing of wickedness:

James 1:21
Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Trained to Discern

Hebrews 5:11-14
Remember, just reading God’s Word isn’t enough. Without applying what you’ve read, all you’ll have is head knowledge. Obedience trains us to discern good and evil. Through practice, we learn wisdom and develop spiritual maturity. With God’s grace and your perseverance, the ability to discern will come.

Thought 

. The greatest work any of us can do for another, whether old or young, is to teach the soul to draw its water from the wells of God. - F. B. Meyer

[Message No: 6972]

I Am in Christ (Affirmations) - 5

John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Matthew 5:13-14
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
   “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

2 Corinthians 5:21
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

1 Peter 2:24
who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

'Life to Our Mortal Bodies'

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. - Romans 8:11
The Holy Spirit brings life to our mortal bodies by bringing Jesus alive in us despite the fact that we live in mortal bodies of decay. We display the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) as we are conformed to Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). Furthermore, the Holy Spirit within us is God's promise that we will be raised up and given new life in a resurrection body when Christ returns (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Corinthians 5:1-5). The power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:17-20).

Thought 

. Sunshine in the morning, moonlight at night, the fragrance of gardens, the deep silence of harvest fields, the musical rattle of teacups, the laughter of happy children, the familiar tread of loved and approaching feet, a beautiful thought, a pleasant dream, a letter, a kindly greeting, a worthwhile job to do, a joke, a song, a kindness received are things which cost us nothing but enrich us beyond all telling. - An English Birthday Book

[Message No: 6971]

How to Be Saved? – 2 Thessalonians 2:10

By Loving the Truth – 2 Thes. 2:10

and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing.  They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

By Life and Doctrine – 1 Timothy 4:16
Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save  both yourself and your hearers.

Questions in 2 Chronicles

12: 15
As for the events of Rehoboam’s reign, from beginning to end, are they not written in the records of Shemaiah  the prophet and of Iddo the seer that deal with genealogies? There was continual warfare between Rehoboam and Jeroboam
13:5
Don’t you know that the Lord, the God of Israel, has given the kingship of Israel to David and his descendants forever  by a covenant of salt?

13:9
But didn’t you drive out the priests  of the Lord,  the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and make priests of your own as the peoples of other lands do? Whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull  and seven rams  may become a priest of what are not gods.

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.”

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.

Thoughts

. Trade God your pieces for His peace. - Unknown
. "The greatest proof of Christianity for others is not how far a man can logically analyze his reasons for believing, but how far in practice he will stake his life on his belief." -  T. S. Eliot

[Message No: 6970]

God’s Promise

1 Corinthians 10:13-22

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

    Flee from Idolatry

    Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.

   Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons. Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?

Love

Proverbs 8:17
I love those who love me,
 And those who seek me diligently will find me.

Listen

Proverbs 8:16
By me princes rule, and nobles,
 All the judges of the earth.

Linger

Blessed is the man who listens to me,
 Watching daily at my gates,
 Waiting at the posts of my doors.

[Message No: 6969]

Divines of the Gospel

Divine gift manifested – John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Divine love manifested – Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

2 Corinthians 11:14

“And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”
While we wait for God's great victory for us to be fully realized, we also need to know that we are in a battle. God will win this battle through Jesus Christ. The final outcome is certain. Christ has already won the decisive battle.

However, let's not be fooled; the evil one will do everything he can to deceive all people and confuse the lost. Let's stick with God's plan — living his truth, listening for his voice in Scripture, and following the lead of his Spirit.

Questions in Genesis 

12:18
And Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife?

12:19
Why did you say, “She is my sister’? I might have taken her as my wife. Now therefore, here is your wife; take her and go your way.”

Thought 

. Faith is the Christian’s foundation, hope is his anchor, death is his harbor,  Christ is his pilot, and heaven is his country. - Jeremy Taylor

Question in Nahum

2:11
Where is the dwelling of the lions,
 And the feeding place of the young lions,
 Where the lion walked, the lioness and lion's cub,
 And no one made them afraid?

[Message No: 6968]

Bible – Scripture is inexhaustible.

[Reasons to Believe the Bible]
Scripture is inexhaustible.
Like a well that never runs dry, the Bible offers a fresh taste of living water each time we open it. People who have dedicated their lives to studying this amazing book admit they have only skimmed its surface. Personally, I can’t count the times that a passage I knew by heart suddenly yielded new insights.

Galatians 5:22-23

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Where the Holy Spirit lives, human character is changed and spiritual fruit can be seen. Certainly this maturity isn't found overnight! It is, however, noticeable over the long haul of life. What fruit is the Spirit bearing in your life? In what ways have you matured?

In what areas do you want the Spirit to exercise greater control? Why not take a moment and consciously yield those areas in which you struggle to him now, as you pray?

Characteristics of God’s Word

Living – Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God  is alive  and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword,  it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Perfect – Psalm 19:7
The law of the Lord  is perfect,
 refreshing the soul.
 The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
 making wise the simple.

Thought 

. All who call on God in true faith, earnestly from the heart, will certainly be heard, and will receive what they have asked and desired, although not in the hour or in the measure, or the very thing which they ask; yet they will obtain something greater and more glorious than they had dared to ask. - Martin Luther

[Message No: 6967]

The Journey of Salvation - 1

Are You in the Right Place?

Matthew 6:1-6

Do Good to Please God

   “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

      The Model Prayer

     “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and
 your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly
In the Wilderness with the Devil

Luke 4:1-13

Satan Tempts Jesus

   Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.

   And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”
   But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ ”

   Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”

   And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
   Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written:
  ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,
 To keep you,’
  and,
 ‘In their hands they shall bear you up,

 Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”
      And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”
   Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.

[Message No: 6966]

Questions in Galatians - 2

4:9
But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?

4:15
What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me.

4:16
Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?

4:21
Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?

4:30
Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.”

5:7
You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth

5:11
And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased.

1 Corinthians 15:1

“Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.”

Our hope, our salvation, and our foundation for faith is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This Gospel is the same as that Gospel first preached by the apostles and passed on to the believers in the early church. With so many confusing and conflicting ideas present in the world, we need to go back and be reminded of our simple faith in Jesus and his death, burial and resurrection.

We need to unclutter our hearts from all the ideas and issues that so often divide our churches and rip apart our fellowships and hear the words of the old hymn, "Simply to Thy Cross I cling." Today, let's be reminded of that simple Gospel of Jesus and build our life there.

[Message No: 6965]

The Poor - 3

Proverbs 16:16
How much better to get wisdom than gold!
 And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver

Proverbs 10:4
He who has a slack hand becomes poor,
 But the hand of the diligent makes rich.

Proverbs 14:23
In all labor there is profit,
 But idle chatter leads only to poverty.

Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron,
 So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

Proverbs 23:21
For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,
 And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.

Proverbs 13:18
Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction,
 But he who regards a rebuke will be honored.

Proverbs 21:5
The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,
 But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.

Proverbs 22:22-23
Do not rob the poor because he is poor,
 Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate;
  For the Lord will plead their cause,
 And plunder the soul of those who plunder them.

[Message No: 6964]

Just One King

Zechariah 14:9

The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name. —

"Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Jesus taught us to pray for the day that the LORD would be The recognized King over all the earth. We look forward to that, because our faith will be shown true and the LORD himself will be glorified as he should be. In a world of profanity, a world where God's name is blasphemed, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that he is not only LORD Yahweh, but he is also incomparable without rival, that his name is the only name worthy of reverence, honor, and praise.

Christians must not practice evil

They must endure when others do evil to them:

1 Peter 2:20-23
For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
  “Who committed no sin,
 Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;
    who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously

1 Peter 3:9
not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

Thoughts

. It is no use to pray for the old days; stand square where you are and make the present better than any past has been.  Base all on your relationship to God and go forward, and presently you will find that what is emerging is infinitely better than the past ever was. - Oswald Chambers

. The more I read and pray, the more I want to read and pray.  The less I read and pray, the less I want to read and pray. - Ed Dobson

[Message No: 6963]

How God Expresses Fatherhood

Matthew 6:8-13

One way God expresses His Fatherhood is in His desire for an intimate relationship with us. Notice how the first line of the Lord’s Prayer—“Our Father who is heaven, hallowed be Your name” (Matt. 6:9)—moves from His fatherhood to His holiness. In one sentence, Jesus shows us that we can have a personal relationship with God even though He is holy and perfect. .

This prayer has a sense of transparency, which indicates a close, trusting relationship. We can ask our Father to provide our daily needs and completely forgive our sins; we can also ask Him to give us the power to forgive others who sin against us.

Love’s Character

Durable in its affection – Jeremiah 31:3
The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:
  “I have loved  you with an everlasting love;
 I have drawn  you with unfailing kindness.

Dedicating in its influence -1 John 4:16
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
 God is love.  Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

Romans 13:6

This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. —

Ouch! I hate taxes. But I have to admit, I enjoy many of the privileges and blessings that those taxes afford. Paul reminds us in Romans 13, that civil authorities are God's tools to hold back anarchy, chaos, and lawlessness. As a Christian, I'm immune to most laws because my faith in Jesus is going to regulate my behavior far more strictly than a legal code. But I do have a responsibility (I "owe" it, Paul says) to be a good citizen, a good financial manager, a nice respectful

[Message No: 6962]

God uses people who are good examples to others.

Adam made a wrong choice and affected millions of people who came after him. Jesus made the right choice and affected millions more who have followed after Him.

He got right in the middle of the mess and turned the whole thing around. Everything was going in a negative flow, but He came on the scene and said, “I am going to teach you a New Way to live.
[1 Cor. 11:1, 1 Cor. 4:16, Rom. 5:19]

A Commitment to Obey

Complete obedience is a choice to follow God regardless of the consequences. This means that we obey the Lord even if our friends choose a different path or when suffering and embarrassment are guaranteed. Seeing His will done is more important than our own comfort or personal ambition.
We commit the consequences to God and cling to His promises: He will never leave us (Deut. 31:6), and He makes good out of every situation (Rom. 8:28).

When we do, He will!

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense — Jesus Christ the Righteous One. — 1 John 2:1

God hates sin. Don't you? I know I do. But isn't it amazing how we'll fall back into the same old traps again and again. This is where John, the tender Shepherd that he was, hits the nail on the head. The goal is to not sin even one sin. But, knowing our struggle against the flesh, John also gives assurance to those of us trying to live faithful and pure lives. He wants us to know that when we do sin, the Sacrifice for our sins, God's Son, is also our defense attorney who proclaims us sinless by his blood! So let's draw close to Christ. Let's invite him into our heart each morning as we begin the day.
Let's trust in his power and grace to sustain us and carry us through. When we do, he will!

Glorifying God

1 Corinthians 3:18-23

 Avoid Worldly Wisdom

   Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” Therefore let no one boast in men.

For all things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours. And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.

[Message No: 6961]

Events after the Millennium - 7

Degrees of punishment

Mt 11:20-24
Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.

And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”

Mt 12: 41-42
The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.

Mt 16:27
For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.

Mt 23:14-15
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.
   “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.

Mk 6:11
And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”

[Message No: 6060]

Different kinds of Consciences – John 8:9

A convicted  conscience by Christ – John 8:9
At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.

A weak conscience  by ignorance – 1 Cor. 8:10
For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols?

Romans 6:23

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
If we get paid what we deserve, we're not going to like our wages. On the other hand, God, who is rich in mercy and grace, gives us his gift because of the sacrifice of Jesus and not what we deserve. I don't know about you, but that surely does make me want to serve him more passionately and faithfully!

Activities of Satan

Entering in men to persuade to betray – Luke 22:3-4
Then Satan  entered Judas, called Iscariot,  one of the Twelve.   And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard  and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus.

Stops one’s ministering – 1 Thes. 2:18

For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan  blocked our way
Struggling with God’s people – Ephesians 6:11-12

Put on the full armor of God,  so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.   For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,  but against the rulers, against the authorities,  against the powers  of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Thoughts

. Men give advice; God gives guidance. - Leonard Ravenhill

. If we are willing to take hours on end to learn to play a piano, or operate a computer, or fly an airplane, it is sheer nonsense for us to imagine that we can learn the high art of getting guidance through communion with the Lord without being willing to set aside time for it.  It is no accident that the Bible speaks of prayer as a form of waiting on God. - Paul S. Rees

[Message No: 6959]

Besides Still Waters - 46

We Have Passed

1 John 3:14
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.

No Greater Joy

3 John 4
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Your Most Holy Faith

Jude 20
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,

Alpha And Omega

Revelation 1:8
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Do Not Be Afraid

Revelation 1:17
And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.

Be Faithful Until Death

Revelation 2:10
Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

The Crown Of Life

Revelation 2:10
Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

That You May Be Rich

Revelation 3:18
I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see

[Message No: 6958]

What makes a Church Powerful ?

1 Corinthians 1:26-31; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
The point is that we can’t judge a church’s strength or weakness based on outward factors like size, location, prosperity, or prominence. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians points out that a strong church is one that is founded on the message of the cross and grounded in God’s wisdom rather than the world’s.

John 14:1-3

[Jesus said,] "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." —

He's coming back! As much as the world likes to remember Jesus' first coming during the Christmas season, we need to remind them that his Second Coming will be even greater. We want to be prepared — lives dedicated to his glory and hearts full of expectation at his coming.

The forgiveness of the wicked

God sent Jesus to turn the people from inequity:
Acts 3:26
When God raised up  his servant, he sent him first  to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”

Jesus delivered them from the present evil world:
Galatians 1:4
Who gave himself for our sins  to rescue us from the present evil age,  according to the will of our God and Father,

Thoughts 

. When you pray, you are not starting the conversation from scratch, you are just remembering to plug back into a conversation that’s always in progress. -
Anne Lamott

. God wants you to give Him your body.  Some people do foolish things with their bodies.  God wants your body as a holy sacrifice. - Warren Wiersbe

[Message No: 6957]

The Highway – Isaiah 35

Life of victory which has come to many of us is that of the Highway in Isaiah 35.

Here, only one kind of person is barred from walking there and that is unclean one.
The unclean shall not pass over it. This includes not only the sinner who does not know Christ as his Savior, but the Christian who does and yet is walking in unconfessed and uncleansed sin
The only way on to the Highway is up a small, dark, forbidding hill - the Hill of Calvary. It is the sort of hill we have to climb on our knees.

If we content with our present Christian life, if we do not desire with a desperate hunger to get onto the Highway, we shall never get to our knees and thus never climb the hill.
Friends, choice is ours and we know the results!

Separation – in Sowing

Leviticus 19:19

“‘Keep my decrees.
 “‘Do not mate different kinds of animals.
 “‘Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed.
 “‘Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material.
in Miracles – Exodus 10:22-23

So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness  covered all Egypt for three days.   No one could see anyone else or move about for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived.

Thoughts 

. The religion of some people is constrained, like the cold bath when used, not for pleasure, but from necessity for health, into which one goes with reluctance and is glad when able to get out.  But religion to the true believer is like water to a fish; it is his element; he lives in it and could not live out of it. - John Newton

. For God to explain a trial would be to destroy its object, which is that of calling forth simple faith and implicit obedience. - Alfred Edersheim

[Message No: 6956]

Results of not Submitting

Ham was cursed – Genesis 9:22-25

Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father naked  and told his two brothers outside.   But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it across their shoulders; then they walked in backward and covered their father’s naked body. Their faces were turned the other way so that they would not see their father naked.

    When Noah awoke from his wine and found out what his youngest son had done to him,   he said,
  “Cursed  be Canaan!
 The lowest of slaves
 will he be to his brothers. ”

Miriam got leprosy – Numbers 12:1-10

Miriam  and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife,  for he had married a Cushite.   “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?”  And the Lord heard this.

    (Now Moses was a very humble man,  more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)
    At once the Lord said to Moses, Aaron and Miriam, “Come out to the tent of meeting, all three of you.” So the three of them went out.   Then the Lord came down in a pillar of cloud;  he stood at the entrance to the tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When the two of them stepped forward,   he said, “Listen to my words:

  “When there is a prophet among you,
 I, the Lord, reveal  myself to them in visions,
 I speak to them in dreams.
    But this is not true of my servant Moses;
 he is faithful in all my house.
    With him I speak face to face,
 clearly and not in riddles;
 he sees the form of the Lord.
 Why then were you not afraid
 to speak against my servant Moses?”

     The anger of the Lord burned against them,  and he left them.
    When the cloud lifted from above the tent,  Miriam’s skin was leprous—it became as white as snow.  Aaron turned toward her and saw that she had a defiling skin disease,

[Message No: 6955]

Questions in Galatians - 2

4:9
But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?

4:15
What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me.

4:16
Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?

4:21
Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?

4:30
Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.”

5:7
You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth

5:11
And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased.

1 Corinthians 15:1

“Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.”

Our hope, our salvation, and our foundation for faith is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This Gospel is the same as that Gospel first preached by the apostles and passed on to the believers in the early church. With so many confusing and conflicting ideas present in the world, we need to go back and be reminded of our simple faith in Jesus and his death, burial and resurrection.

We need to unclutter our hearts from all the ideas and issues that so often divide our churches and rip apart our fellowships and hear the words of the old hymn, "Simply to Thy Cross I cling." Today, let's be reminded of that simple Gospel of Jesus and build our life there.

[Message No: 6954]

Put God First

Never meet other people, before you meet with God. If you take time to acknowledge  God, say God I need you today. Lead me and guide me.

Keep me on right path not only will your day go better, but will keep you from making mistakes.

Well, today is yet another new day in your life, which has come to you as God's gift.

 Thank you Lord.

Qualifications for Warfare

Enduring hardship – 2 Timothy 2:3

Join with me in suffering,  like a good soldier  of Christ Jesus.

Not involving in civilian affairs – 2 Timothy 2:4   

No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer

Having self-discipline – 1 Cor. 9:26-27

Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly;  I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.    No, I strike a blow to my body  and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

2 Corinthians 3:6

He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant - not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. —

A new covenant — God willingly entered into a new agreement with us, his creatures, sealed it with the blood of his Son Jesus, and sent the Spirit to give us the power to live the life of this new covenant. God has made a covenant of love and grace with us. The Almighty has then turned around and made us worthy and competent to share that covenant with others. No wonder it is life giving: it brings life to us and through us!

neighbor, and a person who willingly honors those who have merited it.

[Message No: 6953]

Our Reaction to Sin – 1 John 1:9

Confess it to God:
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins  and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Should hate it
Proverbs 8:13
To fear the Lord  is to hate evil;
 I hate  pride and arrogance,
 evil behavior and perverse speech.

Questions in Amos

6:2
Go to Kalneh  and look at it;
 go from there to great Hamath,
 and then go down to Gath  in Philistia.
 Are they better off than  your two kingdoms?
 Is their land larger than yours?

6:10
And if the relative who comes to carry the bodies out of the house to burn them  asks anyone who might be hiding there, “Is anyone else with you?” and he says, “No,” then he will go on to say, “Hush!  We must not mention the name of the Lord.”

Deuteronomy 9:17

[Moses reminds the Israelites of his reaction to seeing the golden calf by saying,] "So I took the two tablets and threw them out of my hands, breaking them to pieces before your eyes." -

Anger, frustration, disappointment, and loss of self-control have sunk many of God's greatest leaders. Leading can sometimes be a horribly disappointing task. Yet God's people would perish without strong leaders full of godly conviction. Despite the failure of some of our leaders and the perils that can beset those who choose to lead, leadership is as honorable as it is vital!

Where would Israel have been without Moses or Joshua or Hezekiah or David...? So if the Lord is calling you to lead, don't accept his invitation lightly, but please, accept it! If you are not a leader, please remember to pray for your leaders and their families.

[Message No: 6952]

Love’s Unfailingness

Love’s unfailing Promise
Joshua 23:14
Now I am about to go the way of all the earth.  You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise  has been fulfilled; not one has failed.

Love’s unfailing Supply
1 Kings 17:14
For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain  on the land.’”

Results of not Submitting

The unsubmissive were killed – Luke 20:9-16
He went on to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard,  rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time.    At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed.   He sent another servant, but that one also they beat and treated shamefully and sent away empty-handed.   He sent still a third, and they wounded him and threw him out.

    “Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love;  perhaps they will respect him.’

    “But when the tenants saw him, they talked the matter over. ‘This is the heir,’ they said. ‘Let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’   So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.
 “What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them?   He will come and kill those tenants  and give the vineyard to others.”

 When the people heard this, they said, “God forbid!”

Thoughts 

. God is a sea of infinite substance. - John of Damascus
. Forgiveness is powerful and beneficial.  When we forgive someone for hurting us, it frees us from feeling like victims or feeling we are under the power of the person who hurt us. - Grace Ketterman

[Message No: 6951]

He saw the rainbow

Ezekiel 1:28

Usually you see the rainbow with the storm is over [Gen. 9:8-17], and only an arc at that. Ezekiel saw the rainbow during the storm, and it completely  encircled the throne!

A symbol of God’s grace, the rainbow  assures us that the Lord is with us and will not forsake us, especially when we are going through a storm.

Guidelines to the Bible Study

Begin with Prayer – Psalm 119:18
Open my eyes that I may see
 wonderful things in your law.

Examine the Word – Acts 17:11
Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica,  for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures  every day to see if what Paul said was true.
Get Revelation – Ephesians 1:17
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,  may give you the Spirit of wisdom  and revelation, so that you may know him better.

Questions in 1 Chronicles

22:18
He said to them, “Is not the Lord your God with you? And has he not granted you rest  on every side?  For he has given the inhabitants of the land into my hands, and the land is subject to the Lord and to his people.

29:5
for the gold work and the silver work, and for all the work to be done by the craftsmen. Now, who is willing to consecrate themselves to the Lord today?”

29:14

“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this?  Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.

[Message No: 6950]

God is working while you wait...

“I wait expectantly, trusting God to help, for he has promised” Psalm 130:5

God wants you to wait patiently for him to answer your prayer, but he also wants you to wait expectantly. Have faith. Trust God to hear and to answer. When you wait expectantly, you show God that you believe his promises. You believe he’s going to keep his word.

When God doesn’t answer your prayers, you need to remember a couple very important truths. First, God is in control, and you’re not. He knows better what you need than you do. There is no mountain too tall that he can’t move it. There is no problem so big that he can’t solve it. There is no sorrow so deep he cannot soothe it. God is in control, and he has a plan.

The second thing you need to remember is that, whether or not you ever receive your answer, God will honor your patience — if not in this world then in eternity.
“I wait expectantly, trusting God to help, for he has promised” (Psalm 130:5)

Constant Watch

The LORD will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. — Psalm 121:7-8

One of my hardest challenges as a parent knows that I can't ultimately protect my children from some hurts and heartbreaks. Some of that pain is necessary to help them mature and grow. Some of it is just the agonizing result of living in a fallen world.

But, we can be fully confident that if we share the Lord with them, if they give their lives to his will, nothing can steal them from his ultimate victory, care, and reunion with us and with him.
Knowing how we love them, imagine how much the Father loves us and longs to bring us to that place of safety in his house! Until we get home, isn't it comforting to know that he is watching over us and those we love, now and forevermore?

Thought 

"Many promising reconciliations have broken down because, while both parties came prepared to forgive, neither party came prepared to be forgiven." - Charles Williams

[Message No: 6949]

Freedom through the Cross

Jesus’ death on the Cross was a great victory for us. Because God dealt with our sin on the Cross, it means that all the misery and suffering – which is a result of sin – was dealt with.

1. Freedom from Satan

Colossians 2:15
He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

Colossians 1:13
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,

2. Freedom from Sin

Colossians 2:13
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,

3. Freedom from sickness

Matthew 8:17
This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”

4. Freedom from the Curse

Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”


Lamentations 3:22-23

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. --

What sustained you through the night? What will get you through today?
What will enable you to achieve, even thrive, in the days that lie ahead?
 The LORD's mercies. These incredible resources never really run out! Each new day brings a fresh supply of them.

God is faithful to make sure we have them each day. Praise be to God for making our world new and clean each new day.

[Message No: 6948]

Different kinds of Consciences – Hebrews 10:22

A defiled conscience by unbelief - Titus 1:15
To the pure, all things are pure,  but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure.  In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.

A seared conscience by hypocrisy -  1 Timothy 4:2
Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.

Our Reaction to Satan

Putting on the full armour of God – Ephesians 6:11
Put on the full armor of God,  so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Questions in Genesis

18:17
Then the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham  what I am about to do?

18:18
Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation,  and all nations on earth will be blessed through him.

18:23

Then Abraham approached him and said: “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?

Thoughts

. He who cannot forgive breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass. – George Herbert
. I suppose when we wake on January 1 the world will look the same.  But there is a reminder of the Resurrection at the start of each new year, each new decade.  That’s why I also like sunrises, Mondays, and new seasons.  God seems to be saying, “With me you can always start afresh.” - Ada Lum

. The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul. - G. K. Chesterton

[Message No: 6947]

Barabbas

Unless and until we accept Jesus as our Lord and savior, we are just like Barabbas – dead in our sins. But the Redeemer is always near, reading and willing to trade HIS righteousness for our sins. What a deal!

Our Redeemer

It was no accident for Barabbas to have been selected to stand of the platform that day. It was God’s divine plan and what a message God sent to all us. His only real son was sacrificed by death on the cross so all of us could live free and become children of God.

Barabbas represented all of us that day. The Jews did not realize it at the time, but there on the platform stood the Redeemer and the redeemed.

Revelation 5:9

And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. —

Worthy! What a beautiful word! For those of us who are disciples of Jesus, we know of only one who is truly worthy. He is worthy to open the scroll and reveal the future. He is worthy of praise and adoration. Why? Because even though he was holy, perfect and heavenly, his death on the cross to purchase our pardon, forgiveness, and salvation made him worthy. And he did it not just for us, but also for people of all races and languages and cultures. Jesus, you are worthy!

Separation – In Creation

2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”  made his light shine in our hearts  to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

Sickness – Leviticus 13:46
As long as they have the disease they remain unclean. They must live alone; they must live outside the camp.

In Reproduction – Leviticus 19:19
“‘Keep my decrees.
 “‘Do not mate different kinds of animals.
 “‘Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed.
 “‘Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material.

[Message No: 6946]

Ways to read God’s Word

Regularly – Luke 4:16
He went to Nazareth,  where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue,  as was his custom. He stood up to read,

Diligently – Psalm 119:47
for I delight in your commands
because I love them.

Prayerfully – Psalm 119:18
Open my eyes that I may see
 wonderful things in your law.

Five commands: four reasons

Proverbs 23:1-5
When you sit to dine with a ruler,
 note well what is before you,
    and put a knife to your throat
 if you are given to gluttony.
    Do not crave his delicacies,
 for that food is deceptive.

   Saying 8
    Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
 do not trust your own cleverness.
    Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,
 for they will surely sprout wings
 and fly off to the sky like an eagle.   

Thoughts 

. Fear is a greater evil than the evil itself…What do you fear?  No, fear not; you walk on the sea amid the winds and the waves, but it is with Jesus.  What is there to fear?  But if fear seizes you, cry loudly, “O Lord, save me.”  He will give you his hand: clasp it tight and go joyously on. - Francis de Sales
. Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge to Satan.  Prayer will cease a man from sin; or sin will cease a man from prayer. - John Bunyan

[Message No: 6945]

The Destroyer

Galatians 2:15-21
We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

   “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

Love for Christ

1 Corinthians 16:22
If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come!

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."

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.

Proverbs 10:8

“The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.”

It's easy to give our opinion. It's kinda fun to "put in our two cents worth." It's easy to "talk the talk." Unfortunately, however, our talk can often be a way to keep us insulated from the obedience God desires. No matter our age or experience, if we are wise, we will accept the righteous commands of God!

[Message No: 6944]

Responses to God’s Word

Accepting – Acts 8:14
When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria  had accepted the word of God,  they sent Peter and John  to Samaria.

Believing – John 2:22
After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said.  Then they believed the scripture  and the words that Jesus had spoken.

Trembling – Isaiah 66:2
Has not my hand made all these things,
 and so they came into being?”
 declares the Lord.
 “These are the ones I look on with favor:
 those who are humble and contrite in spirit,
 and who tremble at my word.

Christians Must

Meekly instruct those who oppose themselves -2 Timothy 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,

Restore the sinning brother in a spirit of meekness – Galatians 6:1
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit  should restore  that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

Abide in the meekness of wisdom – James 3:13
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it  by their good life, by deeds  done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

Thoughts 

. "Defend the Bible? I would just as soon defend a lion. Just turn the Bible loose. It will defend itself." - Charles H. Spurgeon

. A smile is the light in the window of your face that tells people you’re at home. – Unknown

[Message No: 6943]

Knowing God as Our Father

Galatians 4:4-7

God has many names—such as Creator, King, and Shepherd—and they reveal various facets of His character. But there’s a name for Him that meets one of our human needs in an intimate way: Father. Every person is born with a deep desire to be loved unconditionally, but when this yearning isn’t fully met, many hurts and scars can result.

What security and wholeness there is in knowing that we can call God “my Father” and receive that unconditional love! Scripture tells us He is “a father of the fatherless” (Psalm 68:5) and that He will never leave us, even if our earthly parents abandon us (Psalm 27:10).

Psalm 71:8

My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long. —

Our mouths can be filled with food, profanities, or gossip. Or... we can choose for our mouths to be filled with praise for God and his loving grace. We can talk about many things and speak to many different people about many different subjects. Or... we can choose to declare the greatness, majesty, and splendor of our heavenly Father all during our day. Why don't we choose to praise God with our mouths and tell him of his greatness and let others know of his grace as we go about today's activities?

Love’s Character

Deliberate in its service – John 13:1
It was just before the Passover Festival.  Jesus knew that the hour had come  for him to leave this world and go to the Father.  Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

Dominating in its power – 2 Corinthians 5:14
 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.

Thoughts 

. A continual looking forward to the eternal world is not a form of escapism or wishful thinking, but one of the things a Christian is meant to do.  It does not mean that we are to leave the present world as it is.  If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. - C. S. Lewis

. So often I simply react to a situation rather than remembering how my God would have me respond because of who He is and because of what He has said.
-    Kay Arthur

[Message No: 6942]

Promises of God – James 1:12

Crown of Life – James 1:12
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial  because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life  that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Kingdom of God – James 2:5
Listen, my dear brothers and sisters:  Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world  to be rich in faith  and to inherit the kingdom  he promised those who love him?

New Heavens – 2 Peter 3:13
But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth,  where righteousness dwells.

Psalm 138:8

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever — do not abandon the works of your hands. —

God has a purpose and plan for each of our lives. The greatest thing we can do is to find that purpose and live it out. We can trust his purpose for us because it is based on his wisdom and love. As long as we seek his will, we're not going to do anything that can ultimately mess up his purpose for us.
Yes, we may at times stray from the perfect channel he wants us to travel, but we never get totally out of the main channel. As long as we do not abandon him, and remember he will never forsake us, he will use us for his purposes.

The forgiveness of the wicked

The evil ones must cease to do wrong – Isaiah 1:16
Wash  and make yourselves clean.
 Take your evil deeds out of my sight;
 stop doing wrong.

An evil conscience is cleansed by the blood of Christ – Hebrew 10:22
let us draw near to God  with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings,  having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience  and having our bodies washed with pure water.

[Message No: 6941]

Our Reaction to Satan

Perceiving His Thoughts – 2 Corinthians 2:11
 in order that Satan  might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

Giving No Chance – Ephesians 4:27
and do not give the devil a foothold.

Resting in the Faith – 1 Peter 5:9
Resist him,  standing firm in the faith,  because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Submitting to God – James 4:7
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil,  and he will flee from you.

Questions in Genesis

15:2
But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord,  what can you give me since I remain childless  and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?

15:8
But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord,  how can I know  that I will gain possession of it?”

Man’s Problem

Fear – Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear,  for I am with you;
 do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
 I will strengthen  you and help  you;
 I will uphold you  with my righteous right hand.

Helplessness – Isaiah 41:14

Do not be afraid,  you worm  Jacob,
 little Israel, do not fear,
 for I myself will help  you,” declares the Lord,
 your Redeemer,  the Holy One  of Israel.

[Message No: 6940]

Hear the Lord

2 Chronicles 20:14-20
God always has a special word for those who turn to Him for help. When you face  a battle, spend much time in His Word and in Prayer, for then He will give you that needed word of encouragement.

Activities of Satan

Bind people in sickness – Luke 13:11
and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years.  She was bent over and could not straighten up at all.
Luke 13:16
Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham,  whom Satan  has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?”

Thoughts 

. May God defend me from myself. - Michel de Montaigne

. Sinners can do nothing but make wounds that Christ may heal them; and make debts that he may pay them; and make falls that he may raise them; and make deaths that he may quicken them; and spin out and dig hells to themselves that he may ransom them.  But it is neither shame nor pride for a drowning man to swim to a rock, nor for a ship-broken soul to run himself ashore upon Christ. - Samuel Rutherford

Questions in Amos

5:18
Woe to you who long
 for the day of the Lord!
 Why do you long for the day of the Lord?
 That day will be darkness,  not light.

5:20
Will not the day of the Lord be darkness,  not light—
 pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness?

5:25
Did you bring me sacrifices  and offerings
 forty years  in the wilderness, people of Israel?

[Message No: 6939]

God Commands Unity

Ephesians 4:3-6

endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

One body
One spirit
One hope
One Lord
One baptism
One faith
One God

Division – Reasons

The traditions of men bring division – Mark 7:7-9

 And in vain they worship Me,
 Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
     For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.”
   He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.

Different names bring about division: 1 Corinthians 1:10-13

Sectarianism Is Sin

    Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

[Message No: 6938]

Four things belonging to Christ

The Gospel of Christ our Theme – Phil 1:27
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy  of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm  in the one Spirit, striving together  as one for the faith of the gospel

The work of Christ – our Employment – Phil. 2:30
because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.

The knowledge of Christ – our Study – Phil. 3:8
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing  Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ
The Power of Christ – our Strength – Phil. 4:13

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Matthew 10:22

“All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
Jesus' words are very strong! His emphasis is for a reason. Christians need to realize that they are not going to be the dominant culture. Discipleship can be hard and demanding; most folks want things simple and easy. The values that disciples are called to put into place in their lives are not going to be the dominant cultural ones. "So be ready!"

Jesus is telling us. "Be ready to face criticism and rejection." But while we know it may be an uphill battle to change the hearts of men and women, we can be God's tools to bless others and to lead them closer to him! And for us, salvation in all its glory awaits us at the end of the journey.

Thoughts 

. It is distrust of God to be troubled about what is to come; impatience against God to be troubled with what is present; and anger at God to be troubled for what is past. - Simon Patrick

. Hezekiah took his morning mail, with its bad news, and forwarded it to God. -
William Vander Hoven

[Message No: 6937]

Different kinds of Consciences – Hebrews 9:14

A cleansed conscience – Heb. 9:14
How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit  offered himself  unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences  from acts that lead to death,  so that we may serve the living God!

A faithful conscience by obedience – 1 Pet. 2:19
For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.

Deuteronomy 4:29

“But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

When was the last time you truly searched after God? I'm not talking about an obscure theological insight about God or another bestselling book about God. When was the last time you sought after the Father so that you could know him better and appreciate him more? Let's open our hearts and go on the Great Quest to find God. Like the prodigal son in Luke 15, we will find he's waiting and watching for us to come home!

Questions in Genesis

18:12
So Sarah laughed  to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord  is old, will I now have this pleasure?”

18:13
Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’

18:14
Is anything too hard for the Lord?  I will return to you at the appointed time next year,  and Sarah will have a son.”

Divine ness  of the Gospel 

Divine power  exhibited  - Eph. 1:19
and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power  is the same as the mighty strength

[Message No: 6936]

Created to Love God

Deuteronomy 5:6-11
Jealousy is an undesirable, negative emotion, which is fuelled by anger or selfishness. According to James 3:16, “Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.” From today’s passage, however, we see that there is a different perspective on the word when it’s applied to God: “For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God” (Deut. 5:9).

This seems like a contradiction, but jealousy has a second, more positive meaning, which has almost been lost in our modern culture. It describes God’s vigilance in guarding our love for Him. Since we were created to love and worship Him, anything that competes for our devotion is a just cause for His jealousy.

The most important commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind (Luke 10:27). Without this complete devotion to Him, we will pursue our own interests and neglect godly principles and goals. No idol—whether a person, dream, pursuit, or possession—is worthy of worship. But a holy and just God, whose deep love for mankind moved Him to send His Son Jesus Christ to die in our place, deserves and demands our total love and loyalty.

Ephesians 5:21

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. —

Worship on Sunday can be inspiring and uplifting. Worship in everyday life can be exhilarating. Worship in our relationships can be transformational. But such worship always requires that we give up our own ways, our own wills, and our own wants and learn to live for another.

If we truly live with Christ Jesus as our Lord, we will live as he did; we will submit to others to serve them for their good and to meet their needs. Sometimes that means being tender. Other times that means being tough. But it always means living to God's glory.

Beauty of Jesus

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,
All His wondrous compassion and purity
O Thou Spirit Divine, all my nature refine.
Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.
Amen.   

[Message No: 6935]

Bible – Scripture is indestructible.

[Reasons to Believe the Bible]
Over the years, various governments and leaders have tried in vain to destroy the Bible, or at least restrict access to it. And yet this polarizing—and well-loved—book keeps circulating and winning hearts for Christ.

The Bible truly is the most amazing book ever written because it comes directly from God. Not only does it accurately predict the future; it also has the power to save sinners and transform them into saints.

Deuteronomy 3:27b-28

“Look at the land with your own eyes, since you are not going to cross this Jordan. But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.”

Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt and in the wilderness, but did not get to enter into the Promised Land because of his sin. Yet, for all those years, Moses nurtured and prepared the person who would do what he could not do.

That person was Joshua. Who are you training, molding, encouraging, motivating, and calling to do what you won't be able to do? What successor will take your dreams farther than you can? Who is your Joshua?

Characteristics of God’s Word

Eternal – Psalm 119:89
Your word, Lord, is eternal;
 it stands firm in the heavens.

Inspired – 2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed  and is useful for teaching,  rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness

Thoughts

. "For God to explain a trial would be to destroy its purpose, calling forth simple faith and implicit obedience." - Alfred Edersheim

.  "Whatsoever we beg of God, let us also work for it." - Jeremy Taylor

[Message No: 6934]

Who is Wise? - 2

Proverbs 10:1
The proverbs of Solomon:
  A wise son makes a glad father,
 But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.

Proverbs 15:20
A wise son makes a father glad,
 But a foolish man despises his mother.

Proverbs 21:20
There is desirable treasure,
 And oil in the dwelling of the wise,
 But a foolish man squanders it.

Proverbs 24:5-6
A wise man is strong,
 Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;
    For by wise counsel you will wage your own war,
 And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.

Hebrews 2:14

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death — that is, the devil.

Did you know that Jesus is not only our Savior, but he is also our brother! "He had to be made like his brothers" the Holy Spirit says in a few verses. We were God's lost children so Jesus came and shared our mortality, our human skin with all its limitations, so that he could defeat our worst enemy, the evil death-maker Satan.

Death no longer has its hooks in us or its hold on us, because our big brother has defeated it and has gone to prepare our place at the Father's side!

Thought 

. Man’s problem rises from the fact that he has not only lost the way, but he has lost the address. - Nicolas Berdyaev

[Message No: 6933]

The Character of God

Romans 5:3-4

“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

What are you living to produce in your life? Wealth, fame, status, significance, a legacy? How about character! Isn't having the character of God our real goal in life? So even in our worst of times, if we can be people of character, then nothing can steal from us our most desired goal, the character of God, given us in Jesus Christ.

Activities of Satan

To bring doubt about God’s goodness – Genesis 3:5
For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God,  knowing good and evil.”

Fill the heart to lie to the Holy Spirit – Acts 5:3
Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan  has so filled your heart  that you have lied to the Holy Spirit  and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?

Questions in Amos

3:5
Does a bird swoop down to a trap on the ground
 when no bait  is there?
 Does a trap spring up from the ground
 if it has not caught anything?

3:6
When a trumpet  sounds in a city,
 do not the people tremble?
 When disaster  comes to a city,
 has not the Lord caused it?

Thought 

. Music strikes in me a profound contemplation of the First Composer. - Thomas Browne

[Message No: 6932]

Questions in Amos – 8:2

8:5
saying,
  “When will the New Moon  be over
 that we may sell grain,
 and the Sabbath be ended
 that we may market  wheat?” —
 skimping on the measure,
 boosting the price
 and cheating  with dishonest scales,

8:6
buying the poor  with silver
 and the needy for a pair of sandals,
 selling even the sweepings with the wheat.

8:8
“Will not the land tremble  for this,
 and all who live in it mourn?
 The whole land will rise like the Nile;
 it will be stirred up and then sink
 like the river of Egypt.

9:7
“Are not you Israelites
 the same to me as the Cushites?”
 declares the Lord.
 “Did I not bring Israel up from Egypt,
 the Philistines  from Caphtor
 and the Arameans from Kir?

[Message No: 6931]

Divine Call

"The question we must
ask our heart is, "Am I
comfortable under the
eye of God? Or is God
getting too close?" We are
strange and lovely
creatures. We can ache
for God tremendously yet
find ourselves getting
nervous if God gets too
close. After all, the closer
God gets, the more we
hear the call to be
divinized. It is both exciting
and frightening to hear that call."
— MacRina Wiederkehr —

Nothing but say only Good ...

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. — Ephesians 4:29

We can use our words to be cute. We can use our words to appear impressive. We can use our words to win arguments. We can use our words to defend ourselves. We can use our words to lie and distort. We can use our words to do many things, but God wants us to use our words to bless.
So when we speak, if our words do not bless and benefit those to whom we direct them, then we are to simply not say anything.

Some elders are correct - "If you can't say something nice, then don't say anything at all."

[Message No: 6930]

On a Hill Far Away

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.

Christians Must

Follow meekness – 1 timothy 6:11
But you, man of God,  flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness,  faith, love,  endurance and gentleness.

Receive the word with meekness – James 1:21
Therefore, get rid of  all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you,  which can save you.

Put on meekness – Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves  with compassion, kindness, humility,  gentleness and patience.

Symbols of God’s Word

Light – Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp  for my feet,
 a light  on my path.

Fire – Jeremiah 5:14
Therefore this is what the Lord God Almighty says:
  “Because the people have spoken these words,
 I will make my words in your mouth  a fire
 and these people the wood it consumes.

Hammer – Jeremiah 23:29
Is not my word like fire,”  declares the Lord, “and like a hammer  that breaks a rock in pieces?

Thought 

. "The tragedy of life and of the world is not that men do not know God; the tragedy is that, knowing Him, they still insist on going their own way."

— William Barclay

[Message No: 6929]

Lusts of the Flesh – Ephesians 4:22

were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off  your old self,  which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;

Evil in their character – Colossians 3:5
Put to death,  therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:  sexual immorality,  impurity, lust, evil desires and greed,  which is idolatry.

Deceitful in their appearance – Ephesians 4:22
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off  your old self,  which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;

Fleeting in their enjoyment – 1 John 2:17
The world and its desires pass away,  but whoever does the will of God  lives forever.

Questions in 2 Chronicles

1:10
Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead  this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

2:6
But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him?  Who then am I  to build a temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before him?

6:18
“But will God really dwell  on earth with humans? The heavens,  even the highest heavens, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!

Psalm 9:1

I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. —

The words of Jessie Brown Pound's old hymn say it best: "If the light of his presence has brightened your way, O will you not tell it today?" Prayerfully select someone who needs to know of the goodness and graciousness of God and share Jesus with that person. A heart filled with praise to God will not only praise him, but will lead others to do so as well!

[Message No: 6928]

He gave Himself to Worship

2 Samuel 7:26-29
David’s words in verses 18-29  emphasize the greatness  and the grace of God. Who  was David that God should  call him and  bless him? Who was  Israel that  God should choose them?
And who are we that God should save us and bless us?

It has well been said, “Disappointments  are Him appointments.”  David believed  that.
Do you? Have you learned that there  can be blessing in unanswered prayer?

Penalty for Sabbath Breaking

Leviticus 24:10-16
anyone who blasphemes  the name of the Lord is to be put to death.  The entire assembly must stone them. Whether foreigner or native-born, when they blaspheme the Name they are to be put to death.

Galatians 3:10
For all who rely on the works of the law  are under a curse,  as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”

Questions in Genesis

16: 8
And he said, “Hagar,  slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?”
 “I’m running away from my mistress Sarai,” she answered.

16:13
She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me, ” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.

Thought

. May God send you           
enough joy
to keep your hearts singing,
enough sorrow
to make you understanding,
enough hope to enrich your lives,
enough trials to keep you strong,
enough leisure
to refresh your spirits,
enough love
to make the world seem beautiful.
Dina Donohue

[Message No: 6927]

God is Fair

Ezekiel 33:12-20
Review chapter 18 where Ezekiel  defended God’s fairness  in sending  judgment to His people. This is a plea for repentance, for God wants  each of us to have  a broken and a contrite heart [Ps. 51:17].
We should not judge God but allow Him to judge us [See Mic. 7:18-19; Heb. 10:11-18

Man’s Soul

Emotion – 2 Samuel 13:15
Then Amnon hated her with intense hatred. In fact, he hated her more than he had loved her. Amnon said to her, “Get up and get out!”

Intellect – 1 Corinthians 14:20
Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children.  In regard to evil be infants,  but in your thinking be adults.

Will Power – 1 Corinthians 7:37
But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin—this man also does the right thing.

Romans 5:6-7

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.”
Christ died for the ungodly. Christ died for me. Without his sacrificial death, without God's grace, I am powerless to save myself or make myself righteous. Jesus did for me what I could not do and paid off my debt to sin which I could not pay. He did it for me; not because I was good enough to be worthy of his death, but because I couldn't be worthy without him.

Our reaction to Satan

Overcoming by the Word of God – 1 John 2:11
But anyone who hates a brother or sister  is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness.  They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

[Message No: 6926]