Expect the Unexpected with God

"Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."  -Proverbs 19:21

Have you ever considered the many unusual and unexpected things, both good and bad, that have happened in your life? It may seem like they just exploded out of nowhere, and without warning. But, did they..?

What if I were to tell you that many weren't just random occurrences. Some of them had to do with an encounter between you and God! Usually, they take place at points of crisis in our lives.

Think of them as corners that we turn along the way in our spiritual growth and development. A really good illustration of this is Moses' unexpected meeting with God at the burning bush in the Midian desert (Exodus 3:2-3). A closer look at this extraordinary confrontation can help prepare us for the "unexpected"  whenever it comes "our" way. 

To start with, we need to be clear on some things. When it comes to God, there's no such thing as the unexpected. No matter how spontaneous this encounter seems to be, there's precise planning on God's part. And, in Moses case, he was an integral component of God's plan.

We can see the "first part" of this plan come into play beginning from the time the infant Moses was set afloat on the Nile up to the time that he, in a moment of furious rage, killed an Egyptian taskmaster who was mistreating a Hebrew slave (Exodus 2:5-10; 11-15)

Although God didn't tell Moses to do this, he used the unfortunate incident to get Moses out of Egypt so that he could begin the "second part" of his preparatory period. Moses obviously required forty years of seasoning, because that's how long God allowed the evil Pharaoh to stay in power.

After the Pharaoh's death, the obstacle that had kept Moses from going back to Egypt was removed (Exodus 2:23). In the same way, God's hand is on everything that concerns his children; particularly as it pertains to his plan and purpose.

Moses never received any prior warnings or tip-offs as to what was about to happen in his life. He went from being prince of Egypt to a shepherd, which wasn't exactly a promotion in the eyes of the Egyptians at that time. 

And on this special day (the burning bush) he was at the backside of the Midian desert, at Mount Horeb, a place of extreme solitude. You imagine how unusually weird it must have seemed for Moses to come across this bush that was on fire out in the middle of nowhere, yet it never burned up!

To make it even stranger, the angel of the Lord appeared in the fire with a startling command to Moses. Nevertheless, this was the unique instrument, and location, by which God chose to manifest his presence to Moses (Exodus 3:1-4). Why this spectacular method?

Moses was about to set out on the most important mission of his life (Exodus 3:5-22). Before he could represent God to the Hebrew people, he had to receive a vision of the indescribable glory of God in his own soul. There was no time for pondering or mulling it over. God needed to keep his plan moving along.

Needless to say, Moses' life was changed as a result of this unforgettable encounter. But notice how every step along the way had a purpose. God doesn't work in our lives by chance, or rolling the dice. He has specific plans in mind for you and I, too.

The question is: "Are you ready for God to prepare you in whatever ways he deems necessary for a truly life-changing encounter?" God wants to make you into a unique vessel to use for useful and fruitful service. Don't be surprised if he's waiting just around the next corner..!

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:28; Psalm 27:14; 1 Corinthians 2:9; Isaiah 14:24 

Prayer: Dear God, though I don't know what You have planned for me down the road, continue to prepare me for whatever that may be; my heart and soul patiently wait for Your command, amen.

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey

We Are the Body of Christ (Part 6)

"Christ's yesterday was the accomplishment of redemption,--His tomorrow is the having His Church with Himself in glory. But He is a living Christ for today."  - G.V. Wigram

In our discussion last week, we touched on our redemption. This being, of course, the redemption of our souls, the pardon of our sins, and purification from unrighteousness. This is attributed to the blood of Christ shed on the cross for sinful man (Revelation 1:5).

There was no other way. The ransom for our souls could not be paid by silver and gold as was commonly paid for human ransoms. The redemption of a soul requires much more than this. The blood of Jesus Christ is the only price of man's redemption.

The careful thought of our redemption should serve as a constant reminder and powerful motivator to holiness, and the fear of God. The apostle Paul, in his message to the Galatian churches, introduces this important doctrine to them.

They had lost sight of this great truth and had embraced other teachings that inclined to confuse, or even render it void by Judaizing teachers. This was especially aimed at  the great truth that people can be justified only by faith in the blood of Jesus.

Paul wanted to make certain that they (the body of believers) did not forget that Christ gave himself as a great sacrifice to make atonement for us; for our sins. A result of this was to rescue us from the present evil age (Galatians 1:4).

This was not only to redeem us from God's wrath, and the curse of the law, but to reclaim us from the corruption, and perverse practices and rituals which naturally oppress and shackle us (Galatians 1:3-5). There's another element to our redemption that needs to be mentioned, if only briefly.

It is imperative that the Church not be content to simply rest on their redemption by Christ. There is still much work to  be done. We must continuously strive for spotless purity, absolute perfection. In other words, perfecting holiness, not only before men, but before God, as well (2 Peter 3:14).

Our Lord will suddenly return to us, or quickly call us to him.  Are you prepared for this? We must take advantage of his gracious patience in his delay and seek peace and holiness without delay. Only the persevering and upright Christian will be the joyous Christian when this glorious day occurs.

In case you have doubts about being able to sustain yourself during this time, don't worry. We have been given provision to maintain us through our obedience in spirit and practice, by which we demonstrate our fellowship or communion with God.

Those of us who choose to follow this show that they know God, have received the Spirit of God, and have the divine image firmly stamped on their souls. We resemble each other, loving the same God, adopting the same views, and living for the same purpose (1 John 1:7).

One last point. We must never lose sight of the fact that it is in and through Christ that God is revealed to the world as the only omniscient God. He is the wisdom and power of God, or the glory through Jesus Christ.

As such, every bit of glory that passes from sinful man to God, so as to be acceptable to Him, must go through the hands of Jesus Christ. For only in him, and him alone, are we made pleasing to God (Ephesians 3:21).

And now we have arrived at a proper stopping point and need time to let everything sink in. Thank you for sharing this time with me. I look forward to meeting next time as we continue our discussion of the glorious church!

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 16:28-29; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; Romans 8:28; Colossians 1:20; 2 Corinthians 5:21

Prayer: Dear Lord, inspire us to live every day in wonder and appreciation of all that is around us, and may your love, manifested fully in Jesus, your Son, surround us this day and always, amen.

May the Lord bless,

Shawna

God's Gift of Time

"Time is given us to use in view of eternity."  - Harry Ironside

While gathering my notes for today's message I came across this poem by an anonymous author. I'd like to share it with you here. It is titled: The Clock

"The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power.
To tell just when that clock will stop, at late or early hour.
Now is the only time you own, live...love...toil with the will...
Place no faith into tomorrow, for the clock may then be still."

This made me think about how I perceive time and its relation to my life. Like many of us, I sometimes forget that time is a non-renewable commodity. Naively assuming that there's always tomorrow (Proverbs 27:1).

Each of us has only a limited amount of it, and once it has been used up it is gone forever. It is easy to get so busy living our lives that we rarely stop to think about this, but we should.

The Bible presents us with some good metaphors relating to the brevity of life, such as: vapor (James 4:14); a breath (Psalm 144:4); grass (Psalm 103:15-16); wind (Psalm 78:39); a shadow (1 Chronicles 29:15); water spilled on the ground (2 Samuel 14:14).

Given our pre-ordained number of days (Job 14:5), it is crucial that we use each one of them to its fullest. By this, I am not just talking about taking a world cruise, parachuting from a plane, or running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain.

While it is true that Our Father wants us to enjoy the earthly beauty and blessings he has furnished to us, He also desires that we are aware of our heavenly obligation to Him, who provides all of this.

Therefore, we must consider the choices we make, the things we pursue, and our destination or where we are headed. That we are here is not accidental. Each one of us exists for a purpose. And that purpose is simply to glorify God (Isaiah 43:7).

Truthfully, we only have so much time to get this right. Our lives are the definitive "one-time-only" deal. Yes, we can still have fun and live life, but there has to be a place for glorifying God, too. And, this will take some commitment (Psalm 100:2–3).

We must worship God with gladness, and acknowledge and praise Him (Psalm 100:2). After all, He is our Creator and Father. This also includes living our lives in relationship and faithful service to Him (1 Samuel 12:24; John 17:4).

Others may think of this as being boring or humdrum, or a waste of time, but nothing could be further from the truth! Think of this as preparation for the greatest adventure that any one of us could ever experience here on earth (1 Corinthians 2:9).

We only know time while living here on earth, and it is fleeting. Time does not exist in eternity, which makes it even more important to use it wisely. God gave us the gift of time to see what we do with it.

As in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), it is up to us to make the best use of the resource (time) that we have been given. God will not tell you or force you how to manage it. The decision is yours alone. But don't wait too long. The clock is ticking....

Scripture: Mark 13:32; Colossians 4:5; Romans 13:11; Ecclesiastes 3:11; Acts 1:7

Prayer: Dear Lord, though my time here is short, my love for you is endless; help me live each and every day to its fullest in Your name, amen.

May your day be blessed,

Blake

Video - Diane Strack: Moving Forward Through Forgiveness

This week, Diane Strack, speaker, teacher, and a mentor to single moms, explains how the process of forgiveness gives people hope for the future. Something we could all stand to learn more about and put into action. Awesome!  ~Eve

I Will Walk Before the Lord...

“A man who walks with God always gets to his destination.”  - Henrietta C. Mears

Some may walk because it's the only reliable means of transportation they have. Others may walk for exercise and health reasons. Still others may walk for charitable or political causes, and the like.     

But, there is another type of "walk" that we need to concentrate on as a body of believers. This has to do with our conduct, that is, the way in which we carry ourselves, and our progress or growth as individuals.

We all have "ways," we all "walk" somehow. But there is a difference between us spiritually, and it doesn't have a thing to do with whether we actually walk or not. Instead, it has to do with walking rightly and wrongly. Or, better yet, walking to heaven and to hell.

A continuous, unceasing state of action is emphasized here. It's the universal law. Some walk after, or follow the spirit, while others pursue the flesh. Some walk in darkness, others walk in light. True religion, however, is walking with God.

I point to Psalm 116:9 (KJV), which reads: "I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living." This noble resolution is truly worthy of adopting as our own. Let's look at it's words a little more closely, beginning with, "I will walk before the Lord."

Understand that it is a walk of faith in God. Faith in the heart is always connected with light in the mind. The exercise of faith, suggests the possession of knowledge. There must be faith in the being, character, promise, and covenant of God, and in His Son.

It is a walk of communion (affinity) with God. A coming together must exist before communion can be enjoyed. It is faith that joins us to God. You must walk with him not only in public rites and ceremonies, but privately, as well.

It's also, both, a walk of dependence and a walk of devotedness to God. It includes a surrender of the heart, the devotion of the soul, and the consecration of the life; and implies activity, and progression. Now, where is the full impact of all of this best experienced?

The last part of the Psalm tells us, "in the land of the living."  It's here, and only here,on this earth that the ordinances (mandates) of religion are to be enjoyed. There are no directives to follow once we are in the grave. Nor are there any to follow in hell. All who are there are beyond the reach of mercy.

In fact, there aren't any in heaven either. There isn't any reason for them because everyone there has received the end of their faith. Sadly, those who will not know God here in the riches of his grace, shall know him afterwards in the terrors of his justice.

In closing, where is your "walk" taking you? Your walk here presently, can affect you eternally. Here, and only here, grace is in abundant supply. Here, and only here, hope always flashes to light up the impenetrable darkness. Therefore, walk, but walk faithfully.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:7; Deuteronomy 5:33; Micah 6:8; Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 2:6

Prayer: Dear God, you have delivered my soul from death, and my feet from falling, I pray that I may walk before You in the light of life always, amen.

God be with you always,

Kate

His Grace to Us

"And as grace is free, so is it sure. Nothing can change, or alter, or turn away sovereign grace." - Alexander Whyte

As we read through Scripture we run across a lot of different words or terms that we might not be clear on. Some of the most commonly used terms are often just taken at face value because we don't, for whatever reason, really understand them.

So, I thought it might be helpful to examine one of these words. The word I have chosen is: "grace." You have to admit, it's a good one! The word grace appears at least 170 times in the King James Bible (131 times in the NIV Bible).

Let's start with "what is grace?" Grace is: God's good will and free, unmerited (undeserved) favor; the unmerited goodness of God shown to fallen man; free and eternal love and favor of God, the source of all the benefits we receive from Him.

It is: the moral attitude which God is pleased to accept toward man; unbought love, undeserved mercy; and the child of Love and the parent of Mercy. There isn't a word in the Bible that is more expressive of the true character of God.

Also, there isn't another word in the entire Gospel of greater importance, than the grace of God. We can look at free grace as "everything for nothing." Grace truly is the keynote of the Bible. Now, let's have a look at what it means for you and I.

There's no doubt that we all need grace (Romans 7:21-23). Every day of our lives sin walks lockstep right along side of us. Without God's grace we'd be in bad shape. Thankfully, grace is free, plentiful, and powerful for our every need (Philippians 4:19; Ephesians 4:7; Acts 20: 32).

Where do we get grace? We receive grace from one source, and that is from God through Christ (2 Corinthians 9:8; John 1:17). Who is grace given to? It's given to: those who love Christ (Ephesians 6:24); who have faith (Romans 5 1, 2); and are humble (1 Peter 5:5).

Once we have received grace, we are: justified (Romans 3:24); regenerated (1 Corinthians 15:10) and strengthened (2 Timothy 2:1) by it. And through it we have: the gift of Christ (Hebrews 2:9); salvation (Titus 2:11); forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7, 8); and joy (Acts 11:23).

I understand that I'm not perfect. But, I also understand that God's grace is proof that he knows I'm not perfect. Max Lucado summed grace up nicely, saying, "The meaning of life. The wasted years of life. The poor choices of life. God answers the mess of life with one word: 'grace.' " Amen!

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8; Romans 3:24; 2 Peter 3:18; Acts 15:11; Galatians 1:15

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for paying the penalty for my sins; and for never turning your back on me. Thank you for your grace and mercy, amen.

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey

We Are the Body of Christ (Part 5)

"Sanctification makes us pure in heart."  - William J. Seymour

Last time, we started to talk about Jesus, and the sanctification and cleansing of his church. Of course, we are not talking about the church building, but rather, the church body which consists of all who believe and trust in him.

Just to make sure we're on the same page before continuing, we're aware that Jesus is the world's Savior; meaning, he died for all of us.  He was the atoning sacrifice for our sins, obtaining a pardon for our sins.

However, it is important to mention that in order to reap the full benefits of this pardon, we must have faith in Christ, obey his command, and be baptized. Without these, there is no promise of salvation.

As mentioned, sanctification and cleansing play an important part in Jesus' church body. Sinners, such as you and I, are represented in the Scriptures as defiled or polluted by sin. In Acts 22:16 the apostle Paul stresses to "be baptized and wash away your sins."

Baptism is symbolic of the washing away of sins. This is not to suggest that an external cleansing is enough to purify the soul, but it is a divinely appointed precept that expresses a washing away of sins; a purification of the heart (Hebrews 10:22).

Also, if you notice, at the end of Acts 22:16 there is a "calling on the name of the Lord." This is critical not only for sanctification, but pardon, as well. In fact, the calling on the name of the Lord should be connected with the ordinance of baptism.

That mandate was symbolic of a purifying that only the Lord could produce. It's fitting that the rite of baptism should be accompanied with exceptional prayer. An individual who is baptized should, by all means, make the occasion a special and solemn religious exercise.

However, always be mindful that the external ceremony means nothing without the pardoning mercy of God (Romans 10:13). Naturally, we cannot talk about sanctifying and cleansing without mentioning redemption.

What is the only price of man's redemption? It is the blood of Jesus Christ. Our redemption is undeniable and real, not symbolic. You and I are bought with a price that is equal to the purchase.

It is the precious blood of Christ, an innocent person, an unblemished lamb whom the paschal lamb served as; the Son of God. Therefore we say it is the blood of God (Acts 20:28).

Our redemption was not merely an after-thought with God, it was a costly ransom. Thus, the appeal for a holy life is enforced by considering the great cost of our redemption and the great hope which is revealed before us.

The redemption of the soul, with the pardon of sins, and purification from unrighteousness, is, as is clearly evident throughout the New Testament, attributed to the blood of Christ shed on the cross for man (Revelation 1:5).

I feel that this would make a nice spot to break until we meet next time. There is so much more to discuss regarding Jesus Christ and his glorious Church. And, I hope that you will join me again. Until then, love, peace, and happiness to all of you!

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:23; John 17:17; Philippians 1:6; Acts 26:18; Hebrews 9:14

Prayer: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, amen

May the Lord bless,

Shawna

The Woman Who Fears the Lord

"All places where women are excluded tend downward to barbarism; but the moment she is introduced, there come in with her courtesy, cleanliness, sobriety, and order."  - Harriet Beecher Stowe

Have you ever given thought to what makes a "godly" or virtuous woman? What does she look like? act like? talk like? Perhaps you may have heard about this godly woman, or that godly woman but has anyone given just a basic description of who or what she is?

I'll use Proverbs 31 (particularly verses 10-31) as my source for discussion. In this example of Scripture, a concerned mother provides her son with a check-list, of sorts, of qualities to look for in a potential wife. In other words, what wives women should make and what wives men should choose.

Proverbs 31:11 tells us that she is trustworthy. Dependability and reliability are virtues that have been recognize, appreciated, and valued from the beginning of history. God needs trustworthy people. Families, even society need people who can be trusted.

The next verse, Proverbs 31:12 describes her as being benevolent. She is described as one who sees in her marriage an opportunity to contribute and help. If both husbands and wives would seek to to make a positive contribution toward the well-being of each other, marriage and society would be much more enjoyable.

In Proverbs 31:13-16; 21-22; 24-25; 27, the virtuous, or godly woman is described as being industrious. It's interesting to note here that, although she is a domestic, her interests and activities are not restricted to only the household.

Even in ancient times she had a career that extended outside the family unit. She is described as a producer and achiever, as well as a contributor to the well-being of the family and to the society of that time. Moving along, we see in Proverbs 31:17-19; 25 that she also possesses a good self-image.

This is vital to our happiness in life. She who holds herself in low esteem will not be able to relate positively and constructively to others. She properly evaluates and appreciates herself. Because of her good self-esteem she is able to face the future head-on without fear and with full confidence.

This woman is also described as compassionate (Proverbs 31:23). That is, she does not limit her concern to her husband and household. She sees the needs of the unfortunate and hears their pleas for help. She moves in compassion to help them, and is giver rather than a receiver.

She also identifies with her husband and rejoices in his recognition (Proverbs 31:23). In addition, she contributes to his status and role in the community. Rejoicing over the service he performs and the recognition he receives.

Lastly, she is described as having the ability to speak constructively (Proverbs 31:26). Our words can be destructive and hurtful if left unchecked. Instead it is better to use them to help, inspire, and encourage. She has, in essence, mastered the art of using her words for the good of others.

In summary, within Proverbs 31 we basically find a description of a liberated woman. Even in that long ago time she was free to worship God, be responsible and dependable, be a wife, mother, worker, helper, and a builder.

She did not define freedom in terms of privilege, but in terms of liberty to be and to become, to do, and to achieve. She received great recognition because she was worthy of praise (Proverbs 31:28-31). There is no expiration date for the qualities described here. They are just as fresh today as the day they were written.

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:1; 1 Corinthians 11:3; Proverbs 11:22; Galatians 2:20; Ruth 3:11

Prayer: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me, amen

May God be with you,

Eriana

Video - Susie Larson: You Love Me

In this week's video clip, author, radio host, and national speaker, Susie Larson emphasizes the fact that while we should love God, we must understand how much God loves us. Enjoy!   ~Eve

Jesus Can Chase the Blues Away!

"Let this encourage those of you who belong to Christ: the storm may be tempestuous, but it is only temporary. The clouds that are temporarily rolling over your head will pass, and then you will have fair weather, an eternal sunshine of glory. Can you not watch with Christ for one hour?"  - William Gurnall

Rollo May, an American psychologist and author, said that, "Depression is the inability to construct a future." When one is suffering from depression, everything else is put on hold.

Depression is one of the world's most prominent emotional illnesses. Here, in the United States, thousands are hospitalized annually with depression, and even more go untreated.

Most of us suffer occasionally with some form of depression, ranging from a mild case of the blues to a severe case of psychosis. People who lived in Jesus' day were no exception.

Even two of Jesus' disciples struggled with a bout of depression. They had good reason to. They had followed Jesus because they thought that he was the Messiah promised in the Old Testament.

But, the crucifixion in Jerusalem completely shattered their idea of the Messiah. They journeyed from Jerusalem to Emmaus, and as they went along they shared their disappointments (Luke 24:13-14).

Their demeanor was extremely sad. Then, during the course of their travel the risen Christ joined them, but they didn't recognize him. In a post-resurrection appearance Jesus ministered to the mood of these disciples (Luke 24:15-16).

Jesus dealt with their depression by explaining the Scriptures to them (Luke 24:27). This is a great tip for us, too. In times of struggle we can turn to the Bible to learn what God has to say.

You see, the disciples failed to know the Scriptures. In this case, an explanation of the events was available to them in the Old Testament, but their own prejudices kept them from understanding God's word.

In many instances, our despair of life comes from a failure to understand and apply Scriptures. Jesus clarified the Scriptures to these two depressed disciples. He related Old Testament passages to himself, showing them that he is the theme of Scripture, and the anticipated Messiah.

Discovering Jesus in the Scriptures is the secret to the Bible's meaning. Through reading the Bible, we come across the living Christ. He's the shot in the arm we need to help us make sense of life. And, if we trust his Word, he can chase the blues away, too!

Scripture: Psalm 34:17-18; Matthew 11:28; Isaiah 41:10; 1 Peter 5:7; Jeremiah 29:11

Prayer: Dear Lord, You are my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? You are the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? I ask you Lord, whom I seek after, that I may dwell in Your house all the days of my life, amen.  -adapted from Psalm 27

Have a blessed day!

Genevieve

There is Salvation in No One Else

"Division has done more to hide Christ from the view of men than all the infidelity that has ever been spoken."  - George Macdonald

One of the hardest things to do is to put yourself, heart and soul, behind a leader. Why is this so? I suppose there are as many reasons as there are people.

I think it is reasonable to say that one of the biggest obstacles, if not THE biggest, that stands in our way is: faith. In other words, can we really believe that person?

To get a good understanding on prospective leaders we like to watch how they interact with others, listen to what they have to say, and see how they live their lives.

No doubt, the disciples learned a great deal by following Jesus as he preached, taught, healed and performed miracles wherever he went. After all, they had the best seats in the house! (1 John 4:14)

The disciples had a good idea of who he was. But that wasn't what bothered Jesus. He wasn't really sure of how others felt about him. He was waiting for just the right opportunity to bring it up.

And he did! After the great Capernaum sermon (John 6), many had fallen away from him; the enthusiasm for his words was rapidly tapering off; the end was already in sight.

He asks the question,"What are men saying about me? Whom do they think that I am?" (Luke 9:18; Mark 8:27; Matthew 16:13) We know from scripture that some thought he was John the Baptist, Elijah, or one the old prophets (Luke 9:19).

What his tells us is that people had taken notice of Jesus, but it's not enough to simply have an opinion of Christ. You need to know with an unwavering certainty. We are saved by our thoughts of him (Acts 4:12).

Christ most definitely was the Son of God. He was divine. All divine names and titles are applied to him in the Scriptures. Along with that all divine attributes (omnisciences, omnipotences, etc.) are applied to him, as well.

He is set forth as the object of worship for all created beings. He calls men to him, promises forgiveness, says he will give peace and rest and will save their souls. Only a divine being can do these things; he therefore claims to be divine.

Thus, the most important thing is your reply to this question, "Whom do they think that I am?" It's not what the world thinks. It's not, "Is he a Savior?" Instead, the crucial question is, "Is he your Savior?"

Scripture: Galatians 3:26; 1 John 2:2; Romans 10:17; Acts 13:23; Romans 5:8;

Prayer: Dear Jesus, may You fill me with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit I may abound in hope, amen.

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey

We Are the Body of Christ (Part 4)

"Saving faith is an immediate relation to Christ, accepting, receiving, resting upon Him alone, for justification, sanctification, and eternal life by virtue of God's grace."  - Charles Spurgeon

When we met last, the final point made was that Christ is the Savior of the Church, that is he is the head over the church body. Jesus sacrificed himself to save the church; he purchased salvation for it. 

We'll expand on this a little, this week, by turning our focus onto the sanctification and cleansing of his church. There is a definite cleansing virtue in the word of Christ. As spoken to the church (believers) it works grace, and works out evil and immorality (John 15:3).

In John 17:17, Jesus prayed to His Father (God) for the sanctification of his disciples. Jesus also desires this for his church. Believers are sanctified (purified) by the truth of Christ. Thus, faith received from the word of Christ purifies the heart (Acts 15:9),

We are aware that Jesus is the world's Savior; that he died for all. It's crucial for this to be shared. The gospel, the good news of salvation through Christ, must be preached, or delivered to all (Mark 16:15). And who better to do this than the Church!

It's not rocket science that we are talking about here. If one believes the gospel message; he believes in Christ as his Savior. The gospel being the word of peace and reconciliation by his atoning sacrifice, including the doctrine of free and full pardon by his blood, justification by his righteousness, and complete salvation by him.

This pardon, however, does require that a few conditions be met. They are: faith in Christ, of course, and obedience to his command. Baptism, which we will talk about later, is also a part of this.

Regardless, if a person doesn't have enough faith in Christ to obey him, then he doesn't have enough faith to be saved. Unfortunately, for the unbeliever this means that he remains unchanged. There is no promise of salvation (John 3:18).

There are several more points that I'd like to touch on regarding Jesus and the sanctification and cleansing of his church, but I think that they would be better saved for next time.

I hope that you have found our discussions worthwhile, thus far, and that you will join me again for our next discussion of Jesus and His glorious Church!

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Galatians 2:20; Romans 6:6; Hebrews 13:12; Colossians 3:1

Prayer: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, amen.  - Ephesians 1:3

May the Lord bless,

Shawna

Jesus Christ, Our "Living" Savior

"Christianity is not just repeating John 3:16 or Acts 16:31; it is yielding the heart and the life to Christ."  - Harry Ironside

Christianity is the result of the early disciples' faith that Jesus Christ had overcome death, the grave, and now lives eternally. It has continued on as a powerfully active faith thanks to those who have placed their belief and trust in Jesus Christ.

In addition, the faithful have found him to be a living presence and an ongoing force in their lives. Perhaps it would be helpful to back up just a little and examine, if only briefly, how we see Jesus Christ as Our Living Savior.

It was only after his resurrection that the apostles were able to wrap their minds around the nature of his shameful and horrible death on the cross. In the days between Jesus' resurrection and his ascension back to the Father, the living Lord ministered to his disciples.

He made them perceptive to understanding the Old Testament Scriptures that called attention to the necessity for his crucifixion for the sins of a guilty human race (Luke 24:44). The apostolic preaching of the early church expounded on this point.

This was especially characterized in their preaching by a proclamation of Christ's substitutionary death on a cross, and his victorious resurrection from the dead, as proof that God had been providing a way for humanity's salvation (Acts 10:39-43).

And through the raising of Jesus from the dead, God was reassuring them that their problem of sin had been handled, both, radically and sufficiently. Thus, Christ lives to be our Savior from the penalty of sin (Romans 1:4; 4:24-25).

But, Jesus Christ came into this world to do a lot more than die for our sins on a cross. He came to save us from the seduction of evil that has plagued humankind ever since Adam. The living Christ enters the hearts and lives of believers the moment they declare their faith in him (Revelation 3:20).

By his Holy Spirit, he dwells within those of us who look to him in faith, thereby enabling us to crucify our old lives and become new creatures in him (Galatians 2:20). Christ lives to be our Savior from the power of sin.

Certainly one of the greatest joys that comes as a result of receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is the gift of a new nature (2 Corinthians 5:17). God bestows upon us a nature like his own, that we "may participate in the divine nature" as the apostle Peter tells us (2 Peter 1:4). Christ lives to save us from the very existence of sin.

In closing, only a Savior who has defeated sin and death can save us from the penalty of sin; that being death. He is an eternal, living Savior who pleads our case before God the Father; residing within the faithful to save them from the penalty, power, and existence of sin.

Scripture: Acts 4:12; 1 John 4:14; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 John 2:2

Prayer: Dear Lord, by Your grace I have been saved through faith; this being not of my own doing but Yours; I stand humbled before You, amen.

May your day be blessed!

Blake

Video - Sheila Walsh: Crushed In Spirit

There are many important topics, some of which might make us uncomfortable but need to be shared. This week, Christian speaker and author, Sheila Walsh, interviews a little girl crushed by her forced participation in prostitution.

For more information about the Rescue LIFE outreach to save children from sex trafficking. I have included a link if you are interested:  https://lifetoday.org/outreaches/rescuelife/.   ~Eve

Don't Envy Sinners

"The cure for the sin of envy and jealousy is to find our contentment in God.  - Jerry Bridges

Have you ever asked yourself why it appears that sinners and wrongdoers get all the breaks, while the good and God-fearing seem to get the proverbial "short end of the stick?" I admit that I have.

To borrow a catchphrase from the late comedienne and talk show host, Joan Rivers, "Can we talk?" In this case, I'd like to talk about the dangers of envy and jealousy. After all, who hasn't struggled with it?

Psalm 37 addresses this, and then presents intelligent and sensible encouragement to help us correct our thoughts and actions. For our purposes, I'd like to pay particular attention to the first seven verses. These provide an excellent foundation and will serve us well.

Psalm 37:1, "Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong."  This opening verse, especially the second part, paints a picture of the easy succession from worry (fretting) to jealousy. You could say that it sets the stage for envy to set in.

Further, when we start out by fretting "because of those who are evil," we may end up "doing evil" ourselves. So, how can we correct this? Fortunately the Psalmist incorporates the heavenly to correct the earthly. Pay close attention to the frequency of "the Lord" in the Psalm. This is a big hint!

Psalm 37:3, "Trust in the Lord."  Focus on "Trust." We can rest assured that that He is hard at work on our behalf when things look bleak. Psalm 37:4, "Take delight in the Lord." The unsearchable riches of Christ will gradually reveal themselves if we allow them to, displacing enviousness and worry.

Psalm 37:5, "Commit your way to the Lord." What way? Your way! In all that you earnestly do, any worthy ambition, duty, task, or path you take, "Commit your way to the Lord." Commit to Him always, not just when you're half-way through and bogged down in the road.

Commit before things go wrong, bring Him along side before you even get started. If you go out in the company of Jesus beforehand, you'll have the peace that surpasses understanding in your heart. And finally, Psalm 37:7, "Be still before the Lord." 

The King James Version says, "Rest in the LORD." If you have followed all that we have discussed: trusting in, delighting in, and committing your way to the Lord, you can now "be still" or "rest." Don't worry. Whatever happens simply hand it over to the Lord!

We, as believers, should never squander a moment worrying, agonizing, brooding, anguishing, or losing sleep over sinners. Instead, look ahead with the conviction of faith, because you have no reason to be jealous or envious of the sinful and their fleeting prosperity.

The cure for worry is available to all who make God their heart's delight and desire. Cast all your anxieties on Him. God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. In Him you will find complete satisfaction,

Scripture: James 3:16; 1 Corinthians 3:3; Proverbs 14:30; Proverbs 23:17; Psalm 73:3

Prayer: Dear God, I ask for the power of your Spirit in my life each day, so that I may live more fully in your presence, amen

Have a blessed day!

Genevieve

"Behold, I Am Coming Soon..."

"Remember always your end, and that lost time does not return."  - Thomas a Kempis

It's springtime for those of us who live in the Northern Hemisphere! Though some may still be dealing with winter's last gasps, many are thrilled that warmer weather is finally coming around.

There may even be a few brave souls who have already begun planning their summer vacations. "Where will we go?" "What shall we do?" "How long will we be?" "What is our budget?" These being just a few of the thoughts that run across our minds.

The planning process is both exciting and stressful. So much hinges on details, and there's not a lot of time to get it all done; as does many other things in our busy lives. A lot of energy and effort goes into planning our vacations so that they will be fun and memorable.

It all sounds great, doesn't it? But let me toss something out to you. "How much time and effort have you invested in preparing to meet Our Lord in Heaven?" This really is a serious question, especially since your eternity depends on it.

Now, I'm not trying to be the spoiler of your travel plans. I just think that we probably spend far more time planning for a few weeks of vacation than our afterlife. And if you hadn't thought about it lately, you really should. You, I, none of us, knows when that day will come.

Luke 12:40, Mark 13:33 and Matthew 24:42, 44 underscore the importance of our preparedness.  This is why I cannot emphasize how critical it is to plan ahead, before it's too late. It's not that difficult to do so as you will see.

The most important point of preparation is to first get yourself right with God. This can also be seen as reconciling oneself. Remember, the only way to God is through Jesus Christ (John 14:6). In many cases, people put this off until the last possible moment. I can tell you that this isn't the way to go.

Wouldn't it be better if you were prepared ahead of time? To be justified by faith and at peace with God is a much better state of being. Our sins must be pardoned, and our hearts absolved by the blood of Jesus beforehand. Let's face it, life is short and unpredictable with only a limited amount of time to plan for infinitude. 

Next, we must be on guard against the temptations of this world. We can't let things like prosperity, or hardship trip us up. Instead, fix your heart on heavenly things (Colossians 3:2). It is far too easy to start believing in one's own abilities, strengths, and talents and let God fall by the wayside.

These can influence damaging thoughts and attitudes which stifle the growth of heavenly desires. A better alternative is a strong and vigorous prayer life. As we stay in touch with God the chances of giving in to worldly things is minimized. We maintain hope of the awesome life to come!

Finally, we must always be ready for His coming. When this glorious day arrives, it will be too late for planning. Jesus will arrive ready to go! Therefore, it's up to us to plan, prepare, and be ready for Him. Then, we can welcome Him fully prepared in body, soul, and spirit. Amen!

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:10; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:10-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; James 5:7 

Prayer: Dear Lord, open our hearts to be influenced for good, and inspire us to touch the hearts of others, amen

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey

We Are the Body of Christ (Part 3)

"Christ rises above all things."  - A. B. Simpson

We have learned thus far that Jesus loves His Church (the body of believers) immensely. We can compare this special relationship to that of a bridegroom and bride who are yet in their engagement period.

Although the actual marriage date has not yet been formally set, it will come to pass. Also, as any other who is deeply committed to a special relationship, Jesus is deeply and eternally committed to His. 

And as such, He has promised that His Church will not fail; nothing or no one will overcome it (Matthew 16:18). Thus, there is no doubt regarding Jesus' love for His Church. 

This week, we'll expand on this and include some other important elements regarding the intimate relationship between Jesus and the Church. Let's begin with the fact that Jesus, because of His love, gave Himself for His Church (Ephesians 5:25).

Why did He do this? He gave himself for her that He might sanctify (purify, make holy, cleanse) her. That is, to sanctify the Church in this world, and glorify (honor, praise) it in the next.

However, the Church was not just handed over to Christ. It was purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28). He paid with His life. There are several verses in the Bible that attest to this "price", for example: 1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Corinthians 7:23; 2 Peter 2:1).

As a result of the high price that was paid, Jesus was appointed the supreme ruler, above everything; which includes the Church. All beings and things are subject to Him, whether they be thrones, dominions, principalities, or powers (Colossians 1:16-18; Colossians 2:10),

God, the Father, has made him the head, chief, and supreme, over all. This applies to the Church, as the Church has no ruler but Jesus Christ. Others may be officers in Church, but he alone is head and sovereign (Ephesians 1:22-23).

One last point I'd like to mention is Christ as Savior of the body (Church). Using the analogy of a husband being head over the wife, Christ also is head of the church.

Christ gave himself to save his body, the church, thus, His is the Savior of the body (Ephesians 5:23). He provides all of the Church's needs, preserves and protects it, and has purchased salvation for it, which all members share in. 

We have covered a lot of ground today, and I believe that we have reached a good place to rest and ponder what we have learned.

I do hope you will join me again next time as we continue our discussion on Jesus and His glorious Church!

Scripture: Ephesians 4:15; Acts 4:12; Jonah 2:9; 1 Corinthians 11:3; Titus 3:4  

Prayer: Dear Lord, I ask for the power of Your Spirit in my life each day, so that I may live more fully in Your presence, amen.

May the Lord bless, 

Shawna

Obstacles to Christ

"Believing is accepting as a fact and making a commitment of your own future to the promises of God to save you -- simply by believing in Christ."   - John F. Walvoord

There are those who often say that they would be more than happy to become "Christians," but they just can't bring themselves to believe in the Bible. Belief, they claim, is a matter of basic reason and, therefore, isn't subject to the will. That a person is no more responsible for his belief than he is for his own heredity.

However, Christ strongly affirms quite the opposite of this. He asserts that the reason why men don't accept Him, is, that they will not, (John 5:40); and that any man who is willing to serve God, or to know the truth, will most certainly, come to believe in Christ (John 7:17; 18:37).

Now, if we examine the New Testament using a wide lens, we would see that, in every case, where men are identified as failing to believe in Christ, it's never simply because of skepticism; rather, there is something sinful either in the heart or mind.

Here are some reasons why men don't believe in Christ, for example: Pride, which can be national, native, or otherwise (Matthew 3:9; John 8:33; Acts 13:45; 17:5; 22:21, 22). Intellectual (Matthew 11:25; John 9:39-42; Romans 1:21; 1 Corinthians 1: 19-21). Or, social (John 7:48).

Self-righteousness (Mark 2:16; Luke 7:39; 18:10, 14; Romans 10:3). Love of praise (John 5:44; 12:43). Love of the world (2 Timothy 4:10; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15). Love of money (Mark 10:17-24; Luke 16:13, 14; 1 Timothy 6:9, 10). Frivolous' excuses (Luke 14:18).

Unwillingness to believe what they cannot understand (John 3:9; 6:52, 60; Acts 17:32; 1 Corinthians 2:14). Unwillingness to have their sins exposed (John 3:19, 20). Unwillingness to separate from unrepentant friends (Luke 9:59-62). Unwillingness to submit to God's authority (Luke 19:14; 20:9-18).

As you can see from this small sample of verses it's not intellectual doubt that keeps men from believing in Christ: it is sin in the heart. They alone are responsible for rejecting the Savior. The sentence pronounced in John 3:36, is fair and impartial. 

We're not disagreeing with sincere, honest doubters, but with men who at the core of their hearts are opposed to Christ, and to God. And, that is why there is the necessity for our discussions to be possessed by the spirit of 1 Corinthians 4:2-5; 2 Timothy 3:23-26.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:9; Acts 3:19; Romans 12:3; 1 John 3:10; Romans 5:8

Prayer: I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me, amen.  - Galatians 2:20

May God bless you,

Kaye

Video - Sheila Walsh: Resurrection People

Christian author and inspirational speaker Sheila Walsh examinest how Christians look beyond the hurts of this life to find eternal meaning and hope. We are Resurrection people...I love it!  ~Eve

Don't Let Despair Overtake You

"Life begins on the other side of despair."  -Jean-Paul Sartre

In all of the Bible, one can find only one question Jesus ever asked his Father. In forming this question, he used the words of David in Psalm 22:1, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

Within this question was all the agony he endured throughout the dark hours on Calvary. In the deep, darkness of separation from God for the only time in eternity, Jesus cried out of the pit of his despair.

As a result of his cruelly, painful experience, Jesus was able to identify with the feelings of despair that attack people's lives. We all encounter times when we can't seem to find a reason or purpose for continuing on.

It can seem that everything connected to our pressing forward with life is dim, obscure, and indefinable. We can use Psalm 22, which describes a period in the life of David, to give us some insight on despair.

First, let's examine David's situation at the time. We must ask, "What is the significance of David's question in verse 1?" He is indicating here his sense of forsakenness, or abandonment. It's hard to imagine that this is the same person who wrote about his close relationship with God in Psalm 23.

Yet, here he is probing the depths of despair. He had arrived at a moment in his life when he felt totally alone in the world. The lesson for us is that there is nothing imaginary about suffering. It is real and no one is immune from it.

David's cry for help indicates uncertainty. It's not true that "faith asks no questions." Instead, a sound faith in God will help a Christian ask profitable questions in his or her hour of despair. David's question originates from his belief, not his unbelief.

David, in spite of the severity of his despair, did not lose sight of God. He could still cry out, "My God, my God..." It is the victory of faith when one understands that, even in the darkness of the deepest anguish, God is still there.

We don't share omniscience with God, so there are many things we don't understand about suffering and sorrow. But we can be reassured in God's redemptive purpose. When dealing with despair we can always turn to God's sustaining grace to help see us through.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7; 2 Corinthians 4:8-9; Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 12:2; Joshua 1:9

Prayer: Dear Lord, Your steadfast love supports me, and when the cares of my heart are many, Your comfort cheers my soul, amen.

Wishing God's best for you,

Juliette

Is Jesus Christ Your Savior?

"Jesus is not one of many ways to approach God, nor is He the best of several ways; He is the only way."  - A. W. Tozer

I recently ran across a story out of China about a 2-year-old child who, while given his mother's I-Phone to watch videos, ended up disabling, or locking it up, for the equivalent of about 47 years!

In the end, the mother ended up having to do a factory reset which essentially scrubs away all data and settings from the phone, A very similar process occurs when one accepts Christ as their Lord and Savior.

You, I, all of us have sinned; simply and plainly, we are sinners. The Bible tells us as much (Romans 3:10-18). This puts us in a very precarious situation. We deserve nothing less than God's wrath and judgment.

The penalty for our blatant transgressions against God, Our Father in Heaven, is eternal punishment (Romans 6:23; Revelation 20: 11-15). And because of this we need someone to save us; a Savior!

Last week was the Passion Week which culminated with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But let's not forget the reason why he came to earth. He came to die in our place as an eternal payment for our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The mother in the story above paid a price for letting her child play with her phone. However, the price Jesus paid was far more substantial and eternally meaningful. He died for our sins. He paid the price that we could never pay ourselves (Romans 5:8).

His rising from the dead (Resurrection) demonstrated that His death was more than enough to pay the price for your sins and mine. He scrubbed us clean from sin. Only Jesus could do this. Only Jesus can be our Savior (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).

Even so, make no mistake that sin still exists in the world, and can overcome us at any time. But because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, we can ask Him for forgiveness and our sins are forgiven (Matthew 6:12). All He asks from us is to accept Him as our Savior.

Salvation can come no other way except through Jesus Christ (John 3:16). 14th century French theologian John Calvin said, "Since no man is excluded from calling upon God, the gate of salvation is open to all. There is nothing else to hinder us from entering, but our own unbelief."

Thus, I'll close this week by simply asking you, "Do you trust in Jesus as your Savior?"

Scripture: Galatians 2:21; Psalm 25:5; Romans 1:16; Acts 13:48; John 11:25-26

Prayer: Dear Lord, I have sinned and fall short of Your glory, deliver my life, save me for the sake of Your steadfast love, amen

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey