Sins mentioned in the Bible - 19

Turning God’s glory to shame

Psalms 4:2 

How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? 

Unfaithfulness

Psalms 5:9 

Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with destruction. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongue they speak deceit.

Psalms 78:57 

Like their fathers they were disloyal and faithless, as unreliable as a faulty bow.
Inward wickedness

Psalms 5:9 

Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with destruction. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongue they speak deceit.

Vileness of speech

Psalms 5:9 

Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with destruction. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongue they speak deceit.

Flattery

Psalms 5:9 

Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with destruction. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongue they speak deceit.

Psalms 12:2-3 

2 Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception.

3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue

Mischief and falsehood

Psalms 7:14 

He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment.

Violence

Psalms 7:16 

The trouble he causes recoils on himself; his violence comes down on his own head.

Persecution of poor

Psalms 10:2 

In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises.

Events after the Millennium - 3

Matthew 12:41-42 

41 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here. 

42 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here.

Matthew 15:13 

He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.

Mark 4:22  

For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.

Luke 3:9 

The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Luke 3:17 

His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Luke 6:24-30 

24 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.

25 Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.

26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.

27 “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 

28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 

29 If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 

30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.

Luke 8:16-18 

16 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. 

17 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. 

18 Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.”

God’s purpose in your life

John 13:7 

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

Psalms 33:11 

But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.

Proverbs 4:26 

Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.

Proverbs 17:24 

A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

Philippians 1:10 

so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,

2 Chronicles 14:4 

He commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to obey his laws and commands.

Ephesians 3:17 

So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

Philippians 4:7 

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 5:22-23 

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 

23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

2 Peter 1:5 

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;

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.

2 Corinthians 9:12 

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

John 15:16 

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

Knees

On knees to pray:

1 Kings 8:54 

When Solomon had finished all these prayers and supplications to the LORD, he rose from before the altar of the LORD, where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven.

2 Chronicles 6:13 

Now he had made a bronze platform, five cubits long, five cubits wide and three cubits high, and had placed it in the center of the outer court. He stood on the platform and then knelt down before the whole assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven.

Ezra 9:5 

Then, at the evening sacrifice, I rose from my self-abasement, with my tunic and cloak torn, and fell on my knees with my hands spread out to the LORD my God

Daniel 6:10 

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

Ephesians 3:14 

For this reason I kneel before the Father,

Three great questions

Matthew 24:3 

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

Mark 13:3 

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately,

Luke 21:7 

“Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”

Sins mentioned in the Bible - 18

Consulting wizards

2 Kings 21:6 

He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger.

Seduction to sin

2 Kings 21:6 

He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger.

Pride

2 Chronicles 26:16 

But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.

Destruction of holy things

2 Chronicles 28:24 

Ahaz gathered together the furnishings from the temple of God and took them away. He shut the doors of the LORD's temple and set up altars at every street corner in Jerusalem.

Closing place of worship 

2 Chronicles 28:25 

In every town in Judah he built high places to burn sacrifices to other gods and provoked the LORD, the God of his fathers, to anger.

Making altars to gods

2 Chronicles 28:25 

In every town in Judah he built high places to burn sacrifices to other gods and provoked the LORD, the God of his fathers, to anger.

Turning back on God

2 Chronicles 29:6 

Our fathers were unfaithful; they did evil in the eyes of the LORD our God and forsook him. They turned their faces away from the LORD's dwelling place and turned their backs on him.

Despising God’s Word

2 Chronicles 36:16 

But they mocked God's messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the LORD was aroused against his people and there was no remedy.

Irreverence

2 Chronicles 36:16 

But they mocked God's messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the LORD was aroused against his people and there was no remedy.

Faith to Faith – Strength to Strength

Do Not Ever Lose Your Faith in the Lord

Matthew 13:58 

And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

Hebrews 3:19 

So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.

Hebrews 4:2-3 

2 For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. 

3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’” And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world.

Hebrews 3:12-14 

12 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 

13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. 

14 We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.

Romans 11:19-23 

19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” 

20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. 

21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.

22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. 

23 And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.

Fear 

Deuteronomy 10:12  

And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,

Deuteronomy 10:20  

Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name.

Healing Ministry of Jesus - 2

Peter’s mother-in-law healed at Capernaum

Matthew 8:14-15 Mark 1:29-31 Luke 4:38-39

Many people healed at Capernaum

Matthew 8:16-17 Mark 1:32-34 Luke 4:40-41

Man with skin disease healed at Galilee

Matthew 8:1-4 Mark 1:40-45 Luke 5:12-16

The man let down through the roof at Capernaum

Matthew 9:1-8 Mark 2:1-2 Luke 5:17-26

Man healed at pool of Bethesda at Jerusalem 

John 5:1-47

Jesus heals on the day of rest at Capernaum

Matthew 12:9-14 Mark 3:1-6 Luke 6:6-11

Jesus heals by the side of the lake at Capernaum

Matthew 12:15-21 Mark 3:7-12 Luke 6:17-19

Healing of the Captain’s healer at Capernaum

Matthew 8:5-13 Luke 7:1-10

The widow’s son raised from the dead at Nain

Luke 7:11-17

Demons ask to live in pigs at Galilee

Matthew 8:28-34 Mark 5:1-20 Luke 8:26-39

Two healed through faith at Capernaum

Matthew 9:18-26 Mark 5:21-43 Luke 8:40-56

Two blind men healed at Capernaum

Matthew 9:27-31

A demon put out at Capernaum

Matthew 9:32-34

Feeding of five thousand at Galilee

Matthew 14:13-21 Mark 6:30-44 Luke 9:10-17 John 6:1-4

People are healed at Gennesaret

Matthew 14:34-36 Mark 6:53-56

18 - Demon put out of girl at Tyre, Sidon

Matthew 15:21-28 Mark 7:24-30

19 - Man who could not hear or speak healed at Decapolis

Mark 7:31-37

20 - Feeding of the four thousand at Decapolis

Matthew 15:32-39 Mark 8:1-9

21 - A blind man is healed at Bethsaida

Mark 8:22-26

22 - A boy is healed at Caesarea

Matthew 17:14-21 Mark 9:14-29 Luke 9:37-42

23 - The blind man healed at Jerusalem

John 9:1-41

Woman healed on the day of rest at East of the Jorden River

Luke 13:10-17

24 - Jesus heals, teaches, picture-story of big supper at East of the Jorden River

Luke 14:1-24

25 - The men with skin disease healed at Samaria

Luke 17:11-19

26 - Lazarus is raised from the dead at Bethany

John 11:1-44

27 - Two blind men healed near Jericho

Matthew 20:29-34 Mark 10:46-52 Luke 18:35-43

Things Men Can Do - 4

Make shipwreck of faith

1 Timothy 1:9  

We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,

Neglect salvation and fail to escape wrath

Hebrews 2:1-3

1 We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.

2 For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment,

3 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.

Be renewed after backsliding

Psalms 51:10  

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Depart from faith

1 Timothy 4:1  

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

Depart from inequity

2 Timothy 2:19  

Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

Depart from God

2 Samuel 22:22  

For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I have not done evil by turning from my God.

Hosea 1:2  

When the LORD began to speak through Hosea, the LORD said to him, “Go, take to yourself an adulterous wife and children of unfaithfulness, because the land is guilty of the vilest adultery in departing from the LORD.”

John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends.

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

Words communicate and explain. We can tell someone we love them. We can explain how precious they are to us. Actions validate and confirm. When we sacrifice our preferences for another, we show our respect and affection. When we sacrifice ourselves, our wishes, and our preferences for a friend we give the greatest of all gifts and prove our love beyond any doubt.

Evangelism

`You may not be able to predict the time of a tornado, earthquake or the Lord's return. But you can know for a fact that He is coming back. Work today to share the escape route of God's grace with others, before the night cometh.

-"Out of a very intimate acquaintance with D. L. Moody, I wish to testify that he was a far greater pray-er than he was preacher. Time and time again, he was confronted by obstacles that seemed insurmountable, but he always knew the way to overcome all difficulties. He knew the way to bring to pass anything that needed to be brought to pass. He knew and believed in the deepest depths of his soul that nothing was too hard for the Lord, and that prayer could do anything that God could do. “– R. A. Torrey.

Bear One Another 

Philippians 3:12-14

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 

13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 

14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Daily Thoughts

- Obedience to God is the key to freedom.

-The spirit’s keen paring knife enhances a Christian’s fruit-bearing life.

- No one who is abandoned to God will feel abandoned by God.

- Even the best people have nothing to boast about.

- Let’s give our loving thanks for our Lord’s lavish gifts.

God the Son - 9

The bread of God

John 6:33 

For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

The bread of life

John 6:35 

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.

John 6:48-51 

48 I am the bread of life. 

49 Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. 

50 But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. 

51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

Light of the world

John 8:42 

Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me.

Door of the sheep 

John 10:7 

Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.

The good shepherd

John 10:11 

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

The way, the truth, the life

John 14:16 

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—

The vine

John 15:1-8 

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 

2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 

3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 

4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 

6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 

7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 

8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Romans 8:14

Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

The Holy Spirit is God's seal on us. The Spirit lives in us and his presence in us means we are God's temple. The Spirit works to transform us to be more like Christ. The Spirit helps us produce the virtues of Christ -- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control, and faithfulness. 

The Spirit intercedes for us when we pray, communicates the groaning’s of our heart when we don't have words, and fills us with power when we worship. In addition, the Spirit is our assurance that we are God's children. We are his. His future, his blessings, and his grace are ours.

Quotes from Billy Graham

Only those who want everything done for them are bored…Billy Graham 

If a person gets his attitude toward money straight, it will help straighten out almost every other area in his life…Billy Graham 

Once you've lost your privacy, you realize you've lost an extremely valuable thing…Billy Graham 

The only time my prayers are never answered is on the golf course….Billy Graham

Evangelism

-"I should like to allude to a few points in the character of Mr. Hudson Taylor which impressed me personally, and which I think had something to do with the blessing that God granted to his efforts on behalf of this country (China). First his prayerfulness; he was of necessity a busy man, but he always regarded prayer itself as in reality the most needful and important part of the work. He practically recognized that much time must be spent in seeking God's guidance, if a right understanding was to be obtained of the problems and difficulties that confronted him, in carrying on the work of the Mission. 

He knew that in no other way was the power of the Holy Spirit to be obtained for himself and his brethren, as they sought to develop the work. I venture on this occasion, not only to impress upon myself, but upon you as well, the importance of our copying him in this respect." - D. E. Hoste

Thought

If Jesus needed to communicate with God to accomplish His mission, how much more do we need to pray!

Sins mentioned in the Bible - 17

Making human sacrifices

2 Kings 17:17 

They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire. They practiced divination and sorcery and sold themselves to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger.

Refusing to humble self

2 Chronicles 7:14 

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Divination

2 Kings 17:17 

They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire. They practiced divination and sorcery and sold themselves to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger.

Enchantments

2 Kings 17:17 

They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire. They practiced divination and sorcery and sold themselves to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger.

Worshipping planets

2 Kings 17:16 

They forsook all the commands of the LORD their God and made for themselves two idols cast in the shape of calves, and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the starry hosts, and they worshiped Baal.

Observing times

2 Kings 21:6 

He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger.

Traffic with demons

2 Kings 21:6 

He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and separatists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger.

Marks of Self - Life

1. Jealousy.

1 Corinthians 3:3 

You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?

2. Quarreling.

1 Corinthians 3:3 

You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?

3. Arrogant.

Romans 11:20 

Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid.

4. Favoritism.

James 2:1 

My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism.

5. Unbelief.

Mark 9:19 

“O unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

6. Prayerlessness.

Isaiah 43:22 

“Yet you have not called upon me, O Jacob, you have not wearied yourselves for me, O Israel.

7. Sluggishness.

Proverbs 6:6 

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!

Proverbs 6:9 

How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?

8. Worrying.

Matthew 6:25 

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

9. Love money.

Luke 16:14 

The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus.

10. Storing up things.

Luke 12:21 

“This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”

Jesus Is Lord

Philippians 2:5-11

What does it mean when we say that Jesus is Lord? We hear the word used so frequently that we are in danger of losing the significance of its sheer power and magnitude.

Lord is far more than a mere title that Scripture bestows on Jesus. The second chapter of Philippians emphasizes this fact by repeatedly mentioning the word name. We see that God gave Jesus the “name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus,” all of heaven and earth will bow down and “confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (vv. 9-11).

One day everyone will recognize that Christ is Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:15). We who are His children should show our faith by inviting Him into any dark areas of our life and allowing Him to conform us to His image. We can begin with the simple yet profound confession: “Jesus is Lord.” And when we confess those words, we should be mindful of their meaning.

Access to God:

Sinners are unable to reach the Holy God in their sins -

1) Their sins separate them from God - Isa. 59:1-2

2) They are strangers and enemies because of sins - Col 1:21

3) They are dead in their sins and without God - Eph 2:1, 12

Evangelism 

"We must feel toward our people as a father toward his children; yea, the most tender love of a mother must not surpass ours. We must even travail in birth, till Christ is formed in them. They should see that we care for no outward thing, neither liberty, nor honor, nor life, in comparison to their salvation... When the people see that you truly love them, they will hear anything from you...Oh therefore, see that you feel a tender love for your people in your hearts, and let them perceive it in your speech and conduct. Let them see that you spend and are spent for their sakes." - Richard Baxter 

Quotes

~ Trust is like a sticker. Once it is removed, it may stick again, but not as strong as it holds when u first applied. Never win people with arguments rather defeat them with ur smile. Because people who always wish to argue with you, cannot bear your silence.

~ If a drop of water fails on a , its identity is lost. But if a drop of water falls on a lotus leaf, it shines like a pearl. Drop is the same, but the ‘Company’ matters.

Ferocious Dogs

There was this king that had 10 wild dogs…He used them to torture and eat all ministers who made mistake

So one of the minister’s once gave an opinion which was wrong, and which the king didn’t like at all…

So he ordered that the minister be thrown to the dogs.

So the minister said, “I served you 10 years and you do this???...

Please give me 10 days before you throw me in with those dogs!...So the king agreed.

In those 10 days the minister went to the guard that was guarding the dogs and told him he wants to serve the dogs for the next 10 days…The for the next 10 days…The guard was baffled…But he agreed…

So the minister started feeding the dogs, cleaning for them, washing them, providing all sorts of comfort for them.

So when the 10 days were up…

The king ordered that the minister be thrown in to the dogs for his punishment.

But when he was thrown in, everyone was amazed at what they saw…They saw the dogs licking the feet of the minster!

So the King baffled what he saw… Said:” what happened to the dogs!!!

The minister then said,” I served the dogs for 10 days and they didn’t forget my service…
Yet I served you 10 years and you forgot all at the first mistake!...

So the king realized his mistake and ordered the minister to go free.

This is a gift to all those who forget the good in others as soon as a problem arises. 
Don’t wipe out the history that is filled with good because for a small incident you didn’t like
Think…Reflect…Act…Change…

Thoughts:

~ Many books can inform you but only the BIBLE can transform you.

~ Worries & Tensions are like birds, we cannot stop them from flying near us, but we can certainly stop them from making a nest in our mind.

~ The Bible is the only book whose author is always present when one reads it.

Evangelism 

"Revival is the people of God constrained, gripped, overmastered, and overwhelmed by the love of Christ, so that they are feverishly restless to win souls for Christ." – James A. Stewart

Father God…You are Generous!

Psalms 115:13-16 

13 he will bless those who fear the LORD— small and great alike.

14 May the LORD make you increase, both you and your children.

15 May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

16 The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to man.

Ephesians 5:1-2 

1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 

2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

2 Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

James 1:5 

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Matthew 7:7 

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Deuteronomy 8:18 

But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.

Faith Quotes

Rex Rouis - ”The reality of the word of God must first be expressed in the heart before faith can express the reality of God to the world.”

John R. Stott - “Faith is a reasoning trust, a trust which reckons thoughtfully and confidently upon the trustworthiness of God.”

Daily Thoughts

Looking for Christ’s return makes a difference in your life.

To feel good about yourself, do what pleases God.

A bite of sin leaves a bitter aftertaste.

The highest motive for serving God is the desire to please Him.

A friend of God will be a stranger to the world.

I killed Jesus

I think it’s easy to read the Bible like it’s a history book. Moses parted the sea, Jesus died on a cross, and Columbus sailed across the ocean.

I know it’s more than an account of historic events but I often struggle to see how it applies to my life.

“They” (that collective, scholarly, holy group of people) say that when you read the Bible you should place yourself in the story. So the other day I was doing that while I read the story of Christ’s passion and death in the gospel of Matthew. I was looking for myself in the story. Which character am I? What is God trying to teach me? Well..

I think that I am every character in the story of the passion and death of Christ. And I think that’s the whole point.

Let me explain…

I am an apostle

I am an apostle, sleeping in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:40). I’m prone to give in to laziness in the presence of holiness. In the most sacred places, like before Christ in the Eucharist, I allow my flesh to dictate how attentive my soul is. I don’t put up a fight against the pull of distractions or sometimes even sleep.

I am Judas

I am Judas. Jesus has every right to call me both “friend” and “betrayer” barely 30 seconds apart (Matthew 26:46, 50). My heart is fickle and weak and sometimes my commitment to being Jesus’ friend is blown off on the whim of an emotion.

I am Caiaphas

I am Caiaphas, the high priest. I want Jesus to prove Himself to me (Matthew 26:62). I want signs and wonders to know that I really can trust Him. I want my prayers answered in my way. I want concrete proof over humble faith.

I am Peter

I am Peter. Sometimes I deny Jesus (Matthew 26:72). I deny Him in the face of the homeless when I chose to look away. I deny that I know Him when I don’t pray before eating in a restaurant. I deny Him when I am afraid of being judged and condemned by those around me.
I am the crowd

I am in the crowd yelling, “Crucify Him” (Matthew 27:21-23, 25). And I say it again and again every time I knowingly choose to sin.

I am Barabbas

I am Barabbas. I am chained in sin and holed up in the prison of my own pride. And instead of suffering the full punishment for my sins for which I am guilty…Christ takes my place (Matthew 27:26). And I often forget to thank Him.

I am Pilate

I am Pilate. I want to give up when life is too challenging (Matthew 27:24). I’m ready to wash my hands of Christianity when being a follower of Jesus means pursing virtue over mediocrity, a life of prayer over a life of pleasure.

I am Simon of Cyrene

I am Simon of Cyrene (Matthew 27:32). I suffer reluctantly. I will take the cross but I won’t seek it. I’ll only take it if it’s been placed on my shoulders…and I don’t love it.

I am passer-by

I am a passer-by. These passers-by mocked Jesus while He was hanging on the cross (Matthew 27:30). How quickly they had forgotten all the good works He had done among their cities and towns. When popular opinion about Jesus changed, they followed suite. How quickly I forget the good He’s done for me. In a brief moment of pain all my gratitude is forgotten and replaced by resentment.

I am one of the Roman Soldiers

I am one of the Roman soldiers (Matthew 27:35). I killed Jesus.  My sins were the reason He was nailed to the cross. It was my fault and I know it.

But sometimes…

I am the centurion. My eyes are opened to who Jesus is in my life (Matthew 27:54). My heart swells with the truth that God became man and died for me. And this knowledge brings me peace and resignation to amend my life.

I am of the women standing by the cross (Matthew 27:55-56).

When I’m open to God’s grace, I can be a faithful and constant Christian. In the midst of pain and suffering, I can stay close to the cross. Jesus, my beloved, is my strength and He’s all I need.

I am Joseph of Arimathea (Matthew 27:59).

Again, only by God’s grace, I can be selflessly compassionate, putting others’ needs before my own. Moved by God, I will use what He has given me in the service of others. My time, talent, and treasure are all of Him.

I am every character in the story of the passion and death of Christ. And I think that’s the whole point, think that is the whole point. Why wouldn't every dimension of the human heart be represented in the greatest story of all time? It only makes sense because the story is timeless. We have to apply it to our lives today because the reality of its events matter today.

This isn't just a story in some history book. It’s the story of your salvation…how God saw the good and the bad in our humanity and He came anyway. He died anyway.

I killed Jesus. But I am also the reason He rose from the dead.

Do you have the courage to see yourself in these characters? Can you blame yourself for the nails in His hands? The stripes in His flesh? Do you realize that your sins killed Him, also? And that because of you, because of His intense, unending love for YOU…He rose again.
Amen. 

Things Men Can Do - 3

Repent and believe the gospel; they are commanded to do so or be lost

Mark 1:15  

“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Luke 13:1-5 

1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 

2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 

3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 

4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 

5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

Romans 1:16  

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Accept or reject the gospel of their own free will

John 1:11-12  

11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 

12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

John 3:16-18
 



16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 

18  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

1 Timothy 2:4

Who wants all men to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.

2 Peter 3:9  

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Revelation 22:17  

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.