Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Broken for God


Matthew 26: 6-13 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, 7a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. 8When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9“This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”
10Aware of this, Jesus said to them, Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Be a “Box Breaker”
The jar has to be broken by you, God will not break it for you

Earthly brokenness creates heavenly openness!

Be Passionate in Your Worship

John 4:23 – Seek to worship - Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”

Mary went to anoint Him again
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. - Matthew 28:1-2

Be ready to take His presence with you when you leave this place
Praise (Bless) the Lord
Psalm 103: 1-5, Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.2Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—3who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Be wise today and always - let His “fragrance” stay with you

After the Storm



Many of us are experiencing the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. After the storms in life let us be reminded what the Bible says in Psalm 85:7-9 (NIV):

Show us your unfailing love, Lord, and grant us your salvation. I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants— but let them not turn to folly. Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.

We are to accept God’s love, salvation, promises and peace.
We are commanded to fear Him and let His glory fill and rule our land.

God will use a crisis to get our attention. Are you listening?

Be wise today and always – love God with your obedience.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Saved

In Like 15 Jesus tells three stories about lost things being found. 
1. The sheep was rescued.
2. The silver coin was redeemed.
3. The son was restored.

All three of these stories have the same ending - rejoicing! Jesus cares about the lost people of this world. As His hands and feet we are to bring those who have separated themselves from God by our sin. Remember listen to their story. Share with them your story of salvation. Give them Jesus story of redemption and God's love.

Accepting Christ's gift of eternal life brings the lost out of darkness in to the light of God's presence.

Be wise today and always - share God's love with the lost.

Worries



In the midst of a storm we become consumed with worry. In Matthew 11 Jesus tells us to give to Him our worries, burdens, and cares: 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Today if your storm is named Hurricane Sandy, financial, employment, relational, or health related – give it to Jesus. He’ll never leave you or forsake you. He will see you through the crisis.

Be wise today and always – cast your burdens to Christ.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Compulsion



The past five days we have studied Jesus’ three stories found in Luke 15. In every one of them, something goes missing. And we learn …

1. Everything that’s missing matters.
The sheep matters to the shepherd. The coin matters to the woman. And the son matters so much to the father.

2. What’s missing warrants an intentional search.
In each case, what was lost is searched for, found, and reclaimed.

3. Reclamation brings rejoicing.
The shepherd, the woman, and the father all throw parties out of pure happiness that what was lost is now found.

Do you see what Jesus is saying?
“Missing things matter enough to warrant an intentional search. Find everyone who’s missing and bring them to me.” Why? Because of the remarkable compassion we’ve been shown. We’ve experienced first-hand being lost and then found, being shown undeserved love, acceptance, and forgiveness. We are compelled by the love of the Father to bring the missing to Him.

Be wise today and always – bring the lost to Christ.

Storms

We are bracing on the east coast for hurricane Sandy. We all experience storms in life. I am drawn to a storm in the Bible found in Matthew 8:23-27.

23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

The disciples had taken their eyes off Christ and were fearing for their lives. Jesus was at peace and deep in sleep when they woke Him. They acted like Jesus wasn't aware what was going on, and they needed to explain it tp Him. He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” When we realize who Christ is and His promise to watch over us then our fears, anxieties, and worries fade away. He brings peace in to our presence. Pray for His peace through the storms in your life, and have faith.

Be wise today and always - don't fear - Jesus is in the boat!


Sunday, October 28, 2012

Reactions



Sometimes people’s reaction to the same news that makes us so happy can be just the opposite. This happens in the case of the older brother of the prodigal son. The Father wants his youngest to be reconciled with the whole community – especially within the family. It doesn’t turn out that way.

We hear his reaction in The Parable of the Older Son in Luke 15:25-31: 25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Did you notice that the father “went out and pleaded with him” to join in this happy occasion. The brother was so “Me” oriented that he could not see past his own needs and greed. Sadly this still exists today. Instead of focusing on ourselves so much – what would happen if we focused on those who are lost and need to be restored to God through Jesus?

I think we’d have revival. Amen?

Be wise today and always – be about God’s plan.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Restoration



This is a continuation of the third story that Jesus shares in Luke 15.
They are all connected with a central theme of finding things that are lost. We hear The Parable of the Lost Son (continued) in Luke 15:11-20b: “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

Do you see what the father is doing?

He’s inviting the whole village to share his joy. He doesn’t want the son only to be reconciled to him; he wants him to be reconciled to the whole village. He wants everyone to have a relationship with his son. This is a story that no one could have anticipated. When the son is found, the father throws a huge party to celebrate his return. Why? Because he is happy!

Be wise today and always - be happy when a sinner comes home.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Prodigals



This is the third of three parables that Jesus tells. They are all connected with a central theme of finding things that are lost. We hear the beginning of The Parable of the Lost Son in Luke 15:11-20a: 11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.

The stories so far have been of lost things that someone else had to go find. In this parable we see the phrase, “he came to his senses”. The prodigal son knew he was lost, and had to go home to his Father. It’s true today. When we “come to our senses” we must go back to father God asking forgiveness.

What do you need to go to the Father for today?

Be wise today and always – come to your senses and get right with God.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Coins



This is the second of three parables that Jesus tells. They are all connected with a central theme of finding things that are lost. We hear The Parable of the Lost Coin in Luke 15:8-10: “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins] and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Just like in the first story Jesus’ audience would have been astounded by this account. No Jewish woman would ever lose a silver coin. Scholars believe the ten coins were her dowry and most likely worn around her neck. There is no way should could of lost one, but she did. The result is the same as the first – there is rejoicing here and in heaven!

Repentance leads to Rejoicing!

Be wise today and always – rejoice over those who repent!

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Sheep



This is the first of three parables that Jesus tells. They are all connected with a central theme of finding things that are lost. We hear The Parable of the Lost Sheep in Luke 15:3-7: Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

The listeners to this story would have been astounded. Shepherds never lose sheep, and even if they did they would never leave the 99 in open ground to go find just one. To top it all off he didn’t try to hide it he had a big party! I am sure there were gasps in the audience. They never heard such a tale before.

God loves us more than that shepherd loved his sheep.

If He loves us that much how much more should we love one another?

Be wise today and always – love the unlovely and lost in this world.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

God’s Way



This week we are going to look at evangelism, and how “the lost” are so important to God. In Luke 15:1-2 we see the setting and audience for three of Jesus’ most famous parables (stories).  Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

Jesus is teaching through storytelling. He wants His listeners to understand how God operates, and how they can be part of His plan. The Pharisees and other church leaders did not want change or to upset their plans. They “never done it that way before” and they were not going to start now.

Funny how things haven’t change much in 2,000 years. People are still ‘stiff necked and hard hearted”, and Jesus message has not changed. It’s not about us – It’s all about God! This week think about the “lost things and people” in your world.

What does Jesus want you to do about it?

Be wise today and always – do it God’s way.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Lost and Found



At my church (and this blog) we are in week five of the 30 Day Church Challenge. We have been studying the five purposes of the church using the first church’s model as found in Acts 2:42-47. So far we have seen that they had:
1.     Authentic Community
2.     Daily Worship
3.     Spiritual Growth
4.     Practiced Stewardship

This week the focus will be on Acts 2:47 that says: And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

The title to this week’s lesson is - Lost and Found: Reaching Out to Your Relational World. We’ll be using Like 15 as our teaching text, so today read the chapter, and start thinking about its meaning.

Be wise today and always – be about God’s plan for your life.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Changes



Isn't it good news that God never changes! We have a great example of it in Jonah 3:1-3; Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time:  “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. Of course God had told Jonah the same thing earlier but because of his disobedience he had to spend 3 days in the belly of a big fish. God did not change His mind about what He wanted Jonah to do
After his ordeal Jonah decides to be obedient. I love this quote, “God loves you just the way you are, but refuses to leave you that way.” We’re a lot like Jonah – even if we don’t want to admit it.The good news is that we don’t have to be thrown in the ocean and swallowed by a big fish! Have you seen this list before?

"The Seven Steps to Church Stagnation":
1. We've never done it that way before. 2. We're not ready for that.
3. We are doing all right without trying that. 4. We tried it once before.
5. We don't have money for that. 6. That's not our job.
7. Something like that can't work.

It doesn’t matter what you’ve done remember Jonah was totally disobedient. Do you know what the difference between change in the world and in the church? It’s we’re not a democracy but a Theocracy! We must follow God's Word on all matters.

It doesn’t matter where you’ve been. Jonah had been thrown into the sea and swallowed by a fish! Deal with the change – You can get mad, run, or be scared - embrace it. It doesn’t matter who you are - No matter your background -No matter how you look -No matter how you smell. God has a plan for your life, don’t bother running (away, to your comfort zone, old habits, gossiping/tearing down) (it won’t help)

Let’s start acting more like Jesus in love, obedience, and faithfulness. Let’s embrace the great Planner and Creator & do things His way! Aren’t you glad that God never changes?

Be wise today and always be willing to change.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Being rich

We've been looking at being good stewards this week. Consider this pearl from Paul:

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. - 2 Corinthians 8:9.

Someone once said, "You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving." 



Does your giving reflect your gratefulness, your eagerness, and your love? 

Do you give spiritually and sacrificially? 

We should never neglect the privilege of giving back to the One who gave Himself for us.

Be wise today and always - remember giving is a privilege.

Friday, October 19, 2012

Serving Money

 Jesus concludes his teaching in Luke 16:1-13, The Parable of the Shrewd Manager with three lessons from the story. Today we'll look at the third one.

3. I master money or my money can master me.
“No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money” (Luke 16:13).

You cannot serve two masters. Many of us have tried, and we just can’t do it. You have to choose who you’re master will be.

Who will you choose to be your master?

Be wise today and always - serve God with your money.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Trust in Finances

 Jesus concludes his teaching in Luke 16:1-13, The Parable of the Shrewd Manager with three lessons from the story. Today we'll look at the second one.

2. Treasures are a trust. Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?” (Luke 16:10–12)


According to Jesus, how we handle his money is an act of faith.

Will we trust him with a little, and receive a little, or will we trust him with a lot and receive a lot?

Be wise today and always - handle your treasure wisely.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Welcome



 Jesus concludes his teaching in Luke 16:1-13, The Parable of the Shrewd Manager with three lessons from the story. Today we'll look at the first one.



1.  The purpose of wealth is to gain the "welcome" in heaven:

 I tell you, use your worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:9).

You only have one life. Use it to enhance your future. When you give, I encourage you to imagine someone thanking you one day for your investment in his or her salvation.

Be wise today and always - work for eternal riches.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Worldly vs Eternal Riches



Today let’s look at the story that Jesus told in Luke 16:1–8 called The Parable of the Shrewd Manager

16 Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’
“The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg— I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’“So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’“‘Nine hundred gallons of olive oil,’ he replied. “The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’“Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’ “‘A thousand bushels of wheat,’ he replied. “He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’“The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light

The three characters in the story are the Master, the Manager (Steward), and the Debtors. We see the scenes unfold from the manager being caught stealing, to his plan, and finally the master agreeing to keep him. Solomon tells us that:
 “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold”
(Proverbs 22:1).

Be wise today and always - store your riches in heaven.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Investing



In the first church they put their time, their talents, and their treasures together to do something powerful—something that has lasted from that day until now. They put them together to found the church.

We see this account in Acts 2:42-47: 


 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.  All the believers were together and had everything in common.  They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.  Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,  praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Imagine being part of that kind of authentic community. They gave to those had need! I think that makes God smile. 



What Will You Invest Your Life In?


Be wise today and always - give as it has been given to you.
 



Sunday, October 14, 2012

Reproduction



The third aspect to understanding Spiritual Growth is: We were born to reproduce. Jesus tells us:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. - John 15:5–8

Jesus calls reproducing other believers “bearing fruit.” And he says we can only bear fruit if we remain in him. This means, if we spend time with him by reading what he’s written to us (the Bible), listening to him, and talking with him through prayer.

God gets glory when we bear fruit. Let's grow and go share the Good News of Jesus with the world around us. Amen?

Be wise today and always - tell someone God's story. 

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Transformational

Here is a great aspect of Spiritual Growth - Growing is about transformation It’s about moving from something we’re not to something we should be. 

Paul tells us:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. - Romans 12:2

What is it we should be when we’re all grown up?

Paul says in Romans 8:29 that we’re supposed to be “conformed to the image of God’s son.” “Conformed.  In Romans 12, he says we’re supposed to be “transformed.” To be transformed is to have our form changed. Trans means “change.” To be conformed is to have our form changed with another. “Con” means “with.” The goal of our growth is to be changed to “conform” to the shape of God’s son—to think and act like Jesus.

Be wise today and always - be transformed so you can conform to Jesus Christ.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Keep Growing



One aspect of Spiritual Growth is: Life is about growing.

Look what Paul has to say in Colossians 2:6-7; So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.  

This is a great reminder on how to grow and keep growing in our Christian faith. You first accept Christ as your Savior, then live your life in Him and through Him. We are "rooted" by our faith and strengthen by learning His Word, and from mature Christians. This will lead to a life of joy and thankfulness!

Take time today to do a faith and growth "check-up". One quick test is to ask others if they think you are joyful and thankful.

Be wise today and always - keep rooted and growing in Jesus.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Life or Death



How can you tell if someone is spiritually dying on the inside?

There are 3 signs:

1. They stop learning. They stop coming to church and small group. They are not allowing themselves to go deeper in God’s Word or exposing themselves to teaching through reading, sermons, etc..

2. They stop maturing. Their character isn’t growing in Christ or becoming more patient, thoughtful, or helpful.

3. They stop caring about leading others to Christ, social injustice, hurting, morality, and dying people.

Be wise today and always – keep learning, maturing, and caring.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Growing



 Life is about growing! Death happens when you stop, John tells us in 1 John 2:12–14, I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.  I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.  I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

By John’s definition, spiritual children are those who have received Jesus. They’ve had their sins forgiven by receiving Christ and they know God. Spiritual young men are strong because they are regularly reading God’s word, and they are involved in the cause of Christ, advancing his kingdom and thereby “overcome the evil one.” This is part of spiritual growth - growing in faith, obedience, and maturity.

Be wise today and always - keep growing!

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Be Prepared



We should always be ready to share our faith – even when it’s inconvenient. Peter tells us in 1 Peter 3:15, But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

Last week I was on a train at rush hour wanting to finish a sermon I was writing. I had all my things out covering two seats. The train soon became filled, and a woman was standing next to and staring at my seat. I really didn’t want to give up my space, but I did.
I explained I was working on something important, and went back to work. I could tell she was looking at my sermon, but still didn’t want to engage in conversation.

I finally “came to my senses” and asked, “I see your looking at my sermon”. We engaged in a great conversation, and I was able to share the Gospel with her. The moral of my story is to always be prepared but to also be willing to share Jesus with the world.

Be wise today and always – be prepared and willing.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Unity in Christ

Jesus prays for all believers in John 17:20-23, My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,  that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—  I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

God's plan is for all His people to live in unity. This is what authentic community is all about.

Are we taking Jesus at His Word? 

Be wise today and always - shoe Christ's love to the world around you.

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Boasting



Being Boastful (in the Lord) can be found in Jeremiah 9:23-24:

This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this; that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.



A List of Do’s and Don’ts

Don’t boast of your:
1. Wisdom 2. Strength 3. Riches

Do boast in the Lord of your:
1. Understanding 2. Knowledge 3. Doing right a. kindness b. justice c. righteousness

Be wise today and always - boast in the Lord.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Purposeful Living




A lot of people ask me, "Do you believe that we are in the last days?" I usually answer that we are one day closer than yesterday! Until Christ returns we need to keep on doing what He has instructed. Today let's take a look at 2 Timothy 3:14: But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it.

1. Continue in what you have learned (from God's Word and His Teachers)

2. You have become convinced (in Jesus' plan for your life)

3. Because you know God’s Word. Live a righteousness life, and be about His work.

Be wise today and always - live for Christ.

Friday, October 5, 2012

God First



4 Steps to take once you’re saved
1.     Identify with Christ through Baptism – Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
2.     Be Committed to Faithful Church Attendance – Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
      3.   Worship the Lord through Prayer and Bible Study – Psalm 19:9-11 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
4.    Share Your Faith – Romans 1:16-17 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. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”