Thursday, June 30, 2016

Unashamed


Unashamed Sharing of the Gospel -  This is our challenge going forward in Christ. God is using every day ordinary people to do extraordinary things in the name of Jesus.
We are told to preach the Word to the world around us in Romans 10:13-15 “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?  And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Tell someone about your relationship with Jesus. It really is Good News. Amen?

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Living the Gospel


We are to be “rooted and established in Christ” according to 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.
We see more of this in John 15:1-11. Grafted in to the vine is being connected to Jesus. The way to get to God. Bearing fruit through His connection glorifies Father God
If you love Jesus, then we will do what He has called us to - keep His commandments. Living for Jesus includes: Reading your Bible - Prayer - Serve - Witness - Give - Regularly attend Church.
We should look and act like Jesus. Remember - What is down in the well is what comes back in the bucket! Amen?

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Working Out


Many people wonder what this verse means about “working out” your salvation from Philippians 2:12. Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. First we know we can’t earn salvation – it is a gift of God through Christ. I believe it is referring about working and strengthening our “relationship” with Him! We need to live according to the Spirit.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.  For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.  The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.  Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:12-18
 Living according to the Spirit, Gods way not our way (unless it is His way) should be our goal! Our life should always reflect Christ - conduct, words, deeds, actions, finances, planning, and heart. Amen?

Monday, June 27, 2016

Embrace


Everyone must individually embrace your faith as your own. You have to take that step of faith to receive Christ. It’s not in accepting a bunch of religious rules but entering in to relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
 Matthew 7:21-23 Jesus tells us;  “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
The path to God through Christ is clear. Romans 10:8-13 guides us; “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,  that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.  As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”  For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Call on Jesus. Amen?

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Know


Knowing is half the battle, but still many ask in seeking knowledge, What is truth?
Hosea 4:6 warns us; my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. “Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.

Gods truth is found in knowing and believing the Word of God. Knowing the Gospel as your foundation determines your salvation! We are mandated to proclaim the one and only true Gospel.
  I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—  which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.  But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!  As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse! - Galatians 1:6-9
Know and share the one true Gospel of Christ. Amen?





Saturday, June 25, 2016

Life Application

I spent last week at  the M-FUGE in Kentucky. It was a wonderful experience for all who went. The theme this year is Unashamed. I have used the phrase, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel and will apply it to my life" for years. This is the equation that was shared:
Knowing the Gospel + Embracing the Gospel + Living the Gospel = Unashamed   Sharing of the Gospel
Romans 1:16-17 states:  "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.  For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Live according to the Gospel and you'll put a smile on God's face.
Amen?

Friday, June 24, 2016

Honoring God



We are called to honor God in all we do. Love and serve Him with our heart, mind, body, and soul (Jesus said). The only title you need is Christ follower.

You don’t have to become a missionary or minister to give a right answer.
Honor God with your lives – dependable, loving, caring, doing our best, and sharing Jesus with the world around us. – 1 Peter 3:15

If you know Jesus then you know enough and have been given "spiritual eyes" to see the world as God does.

Each one of us have been given “unique” eyes to see God’s grander view in a way that honors Him. We are blessed. – Psalm 20:4

Use your "heart and eyes" to learn and serve the Lord. Amen?

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Prayer Model



In response to Luke 11:1 “Lord teach us to pray” comes Matthew 6:9-13; This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,  your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."

This is a model and guide for our own prayer life. It is a prayer for:
 

God’s Glory – “hallowed” “your kingdom come” “will”
Our Good – Provision (11), Pardon (12), Protection (13)

The foundation for all true prayer comes from the first two words: “Our Father” without Him you cannot have an effective prayer life. You must be born again!

No wonder His children are invited to come before Him with confidence – Hebrews 4:16,  Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

In this manner pray.. – Matthew 6:5... Amen?

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Mirror Time

How highly do you think of yourself?


Paul instructs us in Romans 12:3,  For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.


We cannot serve Christ properly if we take the lead, and not follow Him. A humble spirit goes a long away in pleasing God. When we are not full of self, then we can be open to be full of the Holy Spirit.


Strive to be full of faith, so God can fill you with His wisdom and power. Amen?

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Stepping Through

God opens doors of opportunity for us all the time. It usually requires faith to step through them. Paul had that chance, and he wrote the church about it. For the present, I'm staying right here in Ephesus. A huge door of opportunity for good work has opened up here. (There is also mushrooming opposition.) - 1 Corinthians 16:8-9 (The Message)


I find it interesting that in the same breathe he spoke of opportunity he mentions the opposition. Just because god opens the door doesn’t mean we shouldn’t expect trouble from the world. (Remember they are against Him.) Even though the Adversary is against God’s work – His people should be more the willing to step up and through these God moments.


God is already there and wants us to be there working with Him! It will be a chance to use our spiritual gifts, and show our obedience.


Be wise and step through any door God opens. Amen?

Monday, June 20, 2016

True That

Consider Proverbs 12:15, The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.


The world tells you that, If it feels good do it
The Bible teaches Morality there is a right and wrong                    
The world gives you an evolving Definition of “Family”
God Created the Family A man then a woman and He said It was good!       
The world engages in Cover –ups (It’s only a lie if you get caught)
Jesus Christ uncovered our sin and died on a cross offering Forgiveness and Salvation to the world              
The world says Life leads to Death (You live then you die)
Jesus said Death leads to Life (Victory over death)   
The world will tell you that there are, Many ways, No truth, and life is short
Jesus said, “I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life       
His Way is well defined. His Truth never changes, His Life is eternal!


Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord.  Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart— they do no wrong but follow his ways. Psalm 119:1-3


Always know and follow the Truth. Amen?

Sunday, June 19, 2016

Fatherhood

This my first Father's Day without my Dad... I am sad about not being able to see him today, but his legacy and training run deep through our family. I believe he would agree with the following, and modeled it during his lifetime.


7 Aspects of Fatherhood
1. Provider – in order to prepare for your children’s future
2. Protector – our children are priceless – We  must be their defense
3. Leader – loving them by giving direction and communication
4. Authority - teach to honor and respect
5. Teacher - truthful lessons about God and life
6. Example - living it out every day. It is what you do consistently.
7. Friend - You like to be around them and them you - a trusting relationship.

Our relationship with God stems off our relationship with our Father or Father figure. Work on these aspects of fatherhood - even if you are not a Dad you'll be a better role model!


Happy Father's Day!

Saturday, June 18, 2016

A True Son

Paul in the Bible had a special relationship with a young man named Timothy. They truly had a “Father-Son” relationship in the best sense. Read through Paul’s letter’s to him and you will see how a Godly man instructs, disciplines, and encourages his son (or any younger man in the faith).

We can see his love in 1 Timothy 1:2, To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

I believe we can see a greater concern and care for Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:18-19, Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well,  holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.

It is one thing to say “I care for you”, but it’s a different level when you become actively involved in their lives. I encourage you Dads to become active in the lives of your children regardless their age. Place great concern for their faith, and pray for them continually. Set the example of what a man of God looks like.

Always hold on to your faith and share it with your children. Amen?

Friday, June 17, 2016

Never Imagine

We must use what God has given us to do His work. Luke at a familiar miracle from Luke 9: 12 Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.” 13 He replied, “You give them something to eat.” They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” 14 (About five thousand men were there.) But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. 16 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. 17 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

It says that Jesus took the fish and loaves and blessed them, and then He gave it back to them. The disciples distributed the food, everyone ate all they could, and there were 12 baskets of leftovers! When Jesus blesses what we have entrusted to Him, it will come back to us many times over. Just think about what God can do with your offering. Probably something we could never expect, but will be amazed at what He can do through willing followers.

If you notice, Jesus didn’t go looking for food, but accepted what was offered to Him. God is funny like that. He told a group of church people one time that after a poor widow gave a couple of coins in the collection plate that she was the greatest giver. Why? Because she gave all she had.  Jesus wants us to give our gifts of service, money, talents, and resources to do His work. When we have that same giving heart as the widow, God will accept it, multiply it, and allow us have it back to use it in ways we can never imagine.


 Are you ready to accept Jesus’ blessing?

Let’s follow His plan, church! It will be the greatest adventure we have ever been on. If we're obedient we will see together, this Summer, His plan unfolding to us, as individuals, his church, and this community. Amen?

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Offerings

Studying God’s Word and applying to your life is not so difficult if you are willing to accept what it says. Look at Malachi 3:6-12:6 “I the LORD do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ 8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the LORD Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the LORD Almighty. 

People turned away from God’s Word and were neither faithful nor obedient. They robbed Him by not giving their tithes and offerings, so they were cursed. The Lord says to bring the “whole tithe” to the church, and test Him to see how much blessing you will receive. Even nonbelievers will call you blessed.

That’s not so hard to understand, but we have to take a stand! If you don't stand on the Word you'll likely fall for anything.
Amen or Oh-Me!

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Best Way


A great understanding of the Bible is the best defense to fighting evil. Remember Satan knows it so we better have a firm grasp on it. Remember it's our "sword". Jesus used it against the devil in Matthew 4:10,

"Away from me, Satan For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only."

We tell Satan to leave us alone by being obedient to God. Even a small act of disobedience can open a crack to rebellion. Let's do life God's way - which is always the best way!

Amen?

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

What's important?

We get upset and anxious about so many things. Consider what Jesus said in John 15:16 to help put life in to perspective.

" 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."

God isn't in to fluff - He doesn't care about stuff. Temporary things don't last but God is eternal. Bearing fruit gives hope for today because of the promise of spending eternity with Him

Amen?

Monday, June 13, 2016

Cheerful Giver

Today let's consider what God's Word shares in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

When it comes to giving your attitude is an accountable action. You can't out-give God, but it sure is fun to try. It also puts a smile on His face.

If you are searching for God's approval then start with obedience! Verse 8 reassures us of this, God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.


Be wise and give cheerfully. Amen?