2nd Corinthians 3:18 NIV
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit.
11/24/06-11/26/06
We Christians are able by the Holy Spirit to view God’s glory as revealed in Scripture, in our circumstances as we trust Him and look to Him, and in our hearts as we spend intimate time alone with Him in prayer and worship. The more we focus on Him, the more we will become like Him as the Holy Spirit works in us. Christ likeness is nothing less than unwavering love, devotion, and commitment to God, perfect obedience, and complete surrender to the will of God. As we become more like Christ, the glory of God is reflected in us and in our lives. We become a beacon of light shinning in the darkness of this world. Let us pray, “Lord, open the eyes of our hearts that we may see You and behold Your glory. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on You, the author and perfecter of our faith. As we focus on You, Jesus, may Your Holy Sprit be at work in us making us ever more like You. Stir in our hearts a passionate desire to spend time in intimate fellowship with You and build in us a confident trust in You. Place Your desires in our hearts. May we love what You love and hate what You hate. May Your glory and Your grace be seen in our lives. May we so shine for You that those around us will see You in us and through us, and will desire You for themselves. Lord, fill us every day with an awesome sense of Your presence in us and with us. Amen.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
#21 1st Corinthians 13:12-13 NIV
1st Corinthians 13:12-13 NIV
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror, then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
11/21/06-11/23/06
Even the best mirrors back in Bible times were poor and unclear. Likewise, our view of God is dim and warped and it cannot be otherwise. Sin still lives in our bodies and is all around us twisting our view. We should always keep in mind that all our thoughts of God have been twisted and do not compare to His goodness and glory. But the time is coming when we, having been made perfect, will see Him with prefect clarity – face to face. We will finally be able to know and see Him as He really is. But for now, let us live in faith that He is truly righteous and good, in hope of the salvation He gives to us and the perfection we will receive, and in love toward Him who in His mercy and love toward us saved us and called us to be His own. Pray, “Lord, help us to see You as You truly are. And when things happen that we don’t understand, when our view of You becomes twisted, then strengthen our hearts with Faith, hope, and love in You. And Father, id there is any sin in our lives that we hold on to, help us to see it as it is and to understand that it only further distorts our view of You. Lord, help us to recognize and turn from the things in our lives that keep us from truly knowing You and drawing near to You. May we desire to live lives holy and pleasing to You and may we see that You are at work in us giving us the desire to obey and the power to do what pleases You (Philippians 2:13 NLT). May we do all things through Christ, our strength and life. Amen.
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror, then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
11/21/06-11/23/06
Even the best mirrors back in Bible times were poor and unclear. Likewise, our view of God is dim and warped and it cannot be otherwise. Sin still lives in our bodies and is all around us twisting our view. We should always keep in mind that all our thoughts of God have been twisted and do not compare to His goodness and glory. But the time is coming when we, having been made perfect, will see Him with prefect clarity – face to face. We will finally be able to know and see Him as He really is. But for now, let us live in faith that He is truly righteous and good, in hope of the salvation He gives to us and the perfection we will receive, and in love toward Him who in His mercy and love toward us saved us and called us to be His own. Pray, “Lord, help us to see You as You truly are. And when things happen that we don’t understand, when our view of You becomes twisted, then strengthen our hearts with Faith, hope, and love in You. And Father, id there is any sin in our lives that we hold on to, help us to see it as it is and to understand that it only further distorts our view of You. Lord, help us to recognize and turn from the things in our lives that keep us from truly knowing You and drawing near to You. May we desire to live lives holy and pleasing to You and may we see that You are at work in us giving us the desire to obey and the power to do what pleases You (Philippians 2:13 NLT). May we do all things through Christ, our strength and life. Amen.
#20 1st Corinthians 6:19&20 NIV
1st Corinthians 6:19&20 NIV
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you bought at a price. Therefore, honor God in your body and Spirit which are God’s.
11/18/06-11/20/06
Since your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, then you are always within God’s temple and always in the holiest of holies in His presence. If we could truly take hold of this truth, any sin would be unthinkable and most particularly the sins that harm the body, the temple of the Holy Spirit. We are no longer our own, we belong to God. Jesus Christ has bought us with His own precious blood. Because of this, we should always honor and glorify God in everything we think, say, and do. We once were slaves to sin, but He bought us and made us His own. He came to live within us – transforming this simple flesh into a temple for His glory. He has made us His priests and we are ever in His presence. Therefore, everything we do can and should be done as service to our great God. Let us pray, “Father, help us to remember that we are Your temple, for You live in us. May we live every day in an awesome awareness of Your presence. Let everything we think, say, and do be to Your glory – worthy of our position in You and worthy of Your name. thank You for rescuing us from sin and death. For making us so entirely Yours by living in us and being with us forever. Thank You, Jesus, for Your blood on the cross that washes us clean. Lord, may we truly be dedicated to You by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you bought at a price. Therefore, honor God in your body and Spirit which are God’s.
11/18/06-11/20/06
Since your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, then you are always within God’s temple and always in the holiest of holies in His presence. If we could truly take hold of this truth, any sin would be unthinkable and most particularly the sins that harm the body, the temple of the Holy Spirit. We are no longer our own, we belong to God. Jesus Christ has bought us with His own precious blood. Because of this, we should always honor and glorify God in everything we think, say, and do. We once were slaves to sin, but He bought us and made us His own. He came to live within us – transforming this simple flesh into a temple for His glory. He has made us His priests and we are ever in His presence. Therefore, everything we do can and should be done as service to our great God. Let us pray, “Father, help us to remember that we are Your temple, for You live in us. May we live every day in an awesome awareness of Your presence. Let everything we think, say, and do be to Your glory – worthy of our position in You and worthy of Your name. thank You for rescuing us from sin and death. For making us so entirely Yours by living in us and being with us forever. Thank You, Jesus, for Your blood on the cross that washes us clean. Lord, may we truly be dedicated to You by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
#19 Romans 12:1&2 NIV
Romans 12:1&2 NIV
Therefore, I urge you in view of God’s mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer 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.
11/15/06-11/17/06
Because all things are made by God and for God and to His glory and because of the great mercy and love He has poured out on us, we should give all ourselves completely over to Him. To be a living sacrifice you must surrender yourself daily, even several times a day. Complete surrender to God is the only way to live a life that is holy and pleasing to God and is the truest worship possible. Since worshiping God is to proclaim that He is worthy of all praise, obedience, love, and service – nothing says or does this better than giving all we have and all we are. Do not outwardly be like the world. We have been called out of the world and are called to be a light to the world. If they see no difference in us and in our lives they have no reason to be interested in the God we claim. But if we renew our minds and our spirits through prayer and intake of God’s word, we will find our lives transformed as the Spirit of God works in us. Then we will be a light for all the souls in darkness around us, and then we will find God’s will in our lives. Let us pray, “Lord, help us to surrender all our selves to You and to live every day as a living sacrifice that our lives may be holy and pleasing to You. Holy Spirit, work in us as we study scripture and transform us with ever-increasing glory into Christ likeness. Amen.”
Therefore, I urge you in view of God’s mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer 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.
11/15/06-11/17/06
Because all things are made by God and for God and to His glory and because of the great mercy and love He has poured out on us, we should give all ourselves completely over to Him. To be a living sacrifice you must surrender yourself daily, even several times a day. Complete surrender to God is the only way to live a life that is holy and pleasing to God and is the truest worship possible. Since worshiping God is to proclaim that He is worthy of all praise, obedience, love, and service – nothing says or does this better than giving all we have and all we are. Do not outwardly be like the world. We have been called out of the world and are called to be a light to the world. If they see no difference in us and in our lives they have no reason to be interested in the God we claim. But if we renew our minds and our spirits through prayer and intake of God’s word, we will find our lives transformed as the Spirit of God works in us. Then we will be a light for all the souls in darkness around us, and then we will find God’s will in our lives. Let us pray, “Lord, help us to surrender all our selves to You and to live every day as a living sacrifice that our lives may be holy and pleasing to You. Holy Spirit, work in us as we study scripture and transform us with ever-increasing glory into Christ likeness. Amen.”
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
#18 Romans 10:9 NIV
Romans 10:9 NIV
If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
11/12/06-11/14/06
To confess “Jesus is Lord” is to acknowledge and claim the truth of God who proved the validity of all that Jesus said and set Him as Lord over all creation by raising Him from the dead – which is why belief in the resurrection is necessary for salvation. In not only acknowledge the truth of Jesus as Lord, but in also claiming that truth, you claim Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. You cannot do one without the other. Many people try to claim Him as their savior without claiming Him as Lord. Those who do this are trying to escape hell and judgment without entering into a true relationship with God and without ever turning from their sin. Such “faith” cannot save. God does not give us salvation apart from fellowship with Him. True faith in Jesus Christ as savior – as having paid the penalty for our sin must work in the believing heart a desire to draw near to the God who loved us so much and a desire to serve out of gratitude and a responding love. You who claim to trust Christ for your salvation but have no desire to engage in fellowship with Him, no desire to serve Him, no desire for true freedom from all sin – examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine (2nd Cor. 13:5). Pray to the Lord for firm assurance that your faith is genuine and ask Him to help you to surrender all yourself to Him and to stir your heart with love for Him and a desire to obey. He will answer, for this is His desire for you.
If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
11/12/06-11/14/06
To confess “Jesus is Lord” is to acknowledge and claim the truth of God who proved the validity of all that Jesus said and set Him as Lord over all creation by raising Him from the dead – which is why belief in the resurrection is necessary for salvation. In not only acknowledge the truth of Jesus as Lord, but in also claiming that truth, you claim Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. You cannot do one without the other. Many people try to claim Him as their savior without claiming Him as Lord. Those who do this are trying to escape hell and judgment without entering into a true relationship with God and without ever turning from their sin. Such “faith” cannot save. God does not give us salvation apart from fellowship with Him. True faith in Jesus Christ as savior – as having paid the penalty for our sin must work in the believing heart a desire to draw near to the God who loved us so much and a desire to serve out of gratitude and a responding love. You who claim to trust Christ for your salvation but have no desire to engage in fellowship with Him, no desire to serve Him, no desire for true freedom from all sin – examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine (2nd Cor. 13:5). Pray to the Lord for firm assurance that your faith is genuine and ask Him to help you to surrender all yourself to Him and to stir your heart with love for Him and a desire to obey. He will answer, for this is His desire for you.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
#17 Romans 8:31-32 NIV
Romans 8:31-32 NIV
What then shall we say in response to this? If God is for us who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all – how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?
11/09/06-11/11/06
It is God Himself who called us, justified us, and promised us glory in Him. Who can undo what God has done? Who can stand against the purpose of God? The Father sent His only Son to die in our place to bring us back to Him. Having given the greatest sacrifice possible we can be sure that He will give us all we need. If we ask in His will for anything, He will answer. Knowing all He gives to us, we should be confident in His love, protection, and provision. Too many Christians tend to think (consciously or not) that God is reluctant to answer our prayers and provide what we need. And though others and even our own conscience point to our sins and declare us unworthy, we must remember that our sins are covered and removed from us. God has made us holy and blameless before Him. He has given us rights as His beloved children and among them is the right to ask with confidence and expectation, if we ask with the right attitude of the heart – not for selfish gain but for our real needs and for the advancement of His kingdom and for His glory.
What then shall we say in response to this? If God is for us who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all – how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?
11/09/06-11/11/06
It is God Himself who called us, justified us, and promised us glory in Him. Who can undo what God has done? Who can stand against the purpose of God? The Father sent His only Son to die in our place to bring us back to Him. Having given the greatest sacrifice possible we can be sure that He will give us all we need. If we ask in His will for anything, He will answer. Knowing all He gives to us, we should be confident in His love, protection, and provision. Too many Christians tend to think (consciously or not) that God is reluctant to answer our prayers and provide what we need. And though others and even our own conscience point to our sins and declare us unworthy, we must remember that our sins are covered and removed from us. God has made us holy and blameless before Him. He has given us rights as His beloved children and among them is the right to ask with confidence and expectation, if we ask with the right attitude of the heart – not for selfish gain but for our real needs and for the advancement of His kingdom and for His glory.
# 15 Romans 8:18-19&22-23 NLT
Romans 8:18-19&22-23 NLT
Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will give us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future say when God will reveal who His children really are. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We to wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as His children including the new bodies He has promised us.
11/03/06-11/05/06
Even the best of our experiences with God here do not even compare with the joys that wait in the future when we will be free from sin and will stand fully perfected before our God and Savior. Just as the best here so far cannot compare, so the worst we experience here which must be temporary, had no comparison to the eternal glory which God through Christ will give to us. Therefore, lift up your heads all you children of God for though we wait it is with hope and eager expectation for every day brings us closer to the fulfillment of His promise. That promise is complete perfection of our hearts, souls, minds, and bodies. There will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain (Rev. 21:3-5).
Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will give us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future say when God will reveal who His children really are. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We to wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as His children including the new bodies He has promised us.
11/03/06-11/05/06
Even the best of our experiences with God here do not even compare with the joys that wait in the future when we will be free from sin and will stand fully perfected before our God and Savior. Just as the best here so far cannot compare, so the worst we experience here which must be temporary, had no comparison to the eternal glory which God through Christ will give to us. Therefore, lift up your heads all you children of God for though we wait it is with hope and eager expectation for every day brings us closer to the fulfillment of His promise. That promise is complete perfection of our hearts, souls, minds, and bodies. There will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain (Rev. 21:3-5).
#16 Romans 8:28-30 NLT
Romans 8:28-30 NLT
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn, with many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, He called them to come to Him, and He gave them right standing with Himself, and He promised them His glory.
11/06/06-11/08/06
We must always remember that all that God allows, (and if He did not allow it, it would never happen) whether good or bad will be turned to the good of God’s children. Sometimes we may never see in this life the good He brings out of trouble but we can have certainty that some eternal good for us or others will come out of any evil and out of all our suffering. Those who belong to God have been chosen by Him to become like Christ – perfect in righteousness, obedience, and love. He calls us to Himself and makes us able to come by justifying us and He promises us glory in Him, in being His, in being like Christ.
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn, with many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, He called them to come to Him, and He gave them right standing with Himself, and He promised them His glory.
11/06/06-11/08/06
We must always remember that all that God allows, (and if He did not allow it, it would never happen) whether good or bad will be turned to the good of God’s children. Sometimes we may never see in this life the good He brings out of trouble but we can have certainty that some eternal good for us or others will come out of any evil and out of all our suffering. Those who belong to God have been chosen by Him to become like Christ – perfect in righteousness, obedience, and love. He calls us to Himself and makes us able to come by justifying us and He promises us glory in Him, in being His, in being like Christ.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
#14 Romans 8:15&16 NIV
Romans 8:15&16 NIV
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, nut you received the Spirit of adoption. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our Spirit that we are children of God.
10/31/06-11/02/06
We have no reason to fear any longer. As God’s children we need not fear death since it is not final, we need not fear God and His judgment upon sin for we are now His children made righteous by the blood of the Lamb, and we need not fear what the future may bring for we know that God holds the future and us in His hands. He knows His plans for us and they are good, they are plans for our hope of the future. We have received God’s Holy Spirit and because of His Spirit in us we have an intimate and loving relationship with the Father. The Spirit confirms this to us by producing fruit in our lives – by working in and through us.
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, nut you received the Spirit of adoption. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our Spirit that we are children of God.
10/31/06-11/02/06
We have no reason to fear any longer. As God’s children we need not fear death since it is not final, we need not fear God and His judgment upon sin for we are now His children made righteous by the blood of the Lamb, and we need not fear what the future may bring for we know that God holds the future and us in His hands. He knows His plans for us and they are good, they are plans for our hope of the future. We have received God’s Holy Spirit and because of His Spirit in us we have an intimate and loving relationship with the Father. The Spirit confirms this to us by producing fruit in our lives – by working in and through us.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
# 13 Romans 7:15&24-25 NLT
Romans 7:15&24-25 NLT
I don’t understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hate. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: in my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.
10/28/06-10/30/06
As God’s children, we desire to obey Him but we still live with a sinful nature and so we must struggle against it daily. But God has put His Spirit in us and by the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us we can overcome the sin nature. As we walk in close fellowship with God, we will be able to recognize sin and in His power we can resist temptation though now we battle daily against sin, the flesh, and the enemy and sometimes fall, yet we know that in the end we will fully and finally be free when we go home to be with the Lord forever.
I don’t understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hate. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: in my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.
10/28/06-10/30/06
As God’s children, we desire to obey Him but we still live with a sinful nature and so we must struggle against it daily. But God has put His Spirit in us and by the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us we can overcome the sin nature. As we walk in close fellowship with God, we will be able to recognize sin and in His power we can resist temptation though now we battle daily against sin, the flesh, and the enemy and sometimes fall, yet we know that in the end we will fully and finally be free when we go home to be with the Lord forever.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
#12 Romans 6:23 NIV
Romans 6:23 NIV
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
10/25/06-10/27/06
The consequence of sin death. We have all earned death since we have all sinned. But God offers us the gift of eternal life, of a right relationship with Him through the atoning work of Jesus Christ. It is a gift and not something we have earned, must earn, can earn, or will earn. A gift by it’s very nature is free and unearned. To attempt to repay someone who gives is an insult, it is to reject the gift as it was given.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
10/25/06-10/27/06
The consequence of sin death. We have all earned death since we have all sinned. But God offers us the gift of eternal life, of a right relationship with Him through the atoning work of Jesus Christ. It is a gift and not something we have earned, must earn, can earn, or will earn. A gift by it’s very nature is free and unearned. To attempt to repay someone who gives is an insult, it is to reject the gift as it was given.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
#11 Romans 6:11-13 NLT/NIV
Romans 6:11-13 NLT/NIV
So you should consider yourselves dead to sin and able to live for the glory of God through Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires…but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life and offer the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.
10/22/06-10/24/06
When we came to saving faith, embracing God’s gift of grace, we were then “crucified with Christ” (Gal. 2:20). It was then that we died to sin for the old, sinful nature was in that moment nailed to the cross and we became a “new creation” (2Cor. 5:17) in Christ. Since this is true, it follows that we should no longer live in sin. This does not mean that we will not fall on occasion, for though the old nature is crucified it is not entirely dead just yet. But now we, as an act of our will, offer our whole selves to God to perfect us into the image of Christ so that less and less often do we fall into sin. I pray, “Lord, may all Your children fully surrender them selves to You that You might work in us and through us every day to bring glory to Your name.”
So you should consider yourselves dead to sin and able to live for the glory of God through Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires…but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life and offer the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.
10/22/06-10/24/06
When we came to saving faith, embracing God’s gift of grace, we were then “crucified with Christ” (Gal. 2:20). It was then that we died to sin for the old, sinful nature was in that moment nailed to the cross and we became a “new creation” (2Cor. 5:17) in Christ. Since this is true, it follows that we should no longer live in sin. This does not mean that we will not fall on occasion, for though the old nature is crucified it is not entirely dead just yet. But now we, as an act of our will, offer our whole selves to God to perfect us into the image of Christ so that less and less often do we fall into sin. I pray, “Lord, may all Your children fully surrender them selves to You that You might work in us and through us every day to bring glory to Your name.”
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
# 10. Romans 3:22-24 NIV
Romans 3:22-24 NIV
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
10/19/06-10/21/06
True righteousness comes from God alone by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. This clearly precludes any merit or works on our part. Salvation is purely the gift of God. We are “justified freely by His grace” because the price of redemption – our ransom, the punishment of our sin – has already been paid by Jesus Christ in His suffering and death on the cross. The price for our sin having been paid, God is now able of His grace to freely justify all who believe. God placed our sin on Christ the sinless lamb and has placed the righteousness of His Son, Jesus, upon us – that we may be holy and blameless in His sight.
There is no difference between peoples when it comes to a need and the means of salvation. Since all have sinned and missed God’s perfect standard of righteousness then all are in need of salvation and there is only one way to be saved.
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
10/19/06-10/21/06
True righteousness comes from God alone by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. This clearly precludes any merit or works on our part. Salvation is purely the gift of God. We are “justified freely by His grace” because the price of redemption – our ransom, the punishment of our sin – has already been paid by Jesus Christ in His suffering and death on the cross. The price for our sin having been paid, God is now able of His grace to freely justify all who believe. God placed our sin on Christ the sinless lamb and has placed the righteousness of His Son, Jesus, upon us – that we may be holy and blameless in His sight.
There is no difference between peoples when it comes to a need and the means of salvation. Since all have sinned and missed God’s perfect standard of righteousness then all are in need of salvation and there is only one way to be saved.
# 9. Romans 1:16 NIV
Romans 1:16 NIV
I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.
10/16/06-10/18/06
“The gospel” – the good news that forgiveness and true righteousness has been made available through the atoning work of Jesus Christ – “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” This “good news,” this divine truth works in the heart of everyone who will believe – granting them salvation.
“Salvation” – to be saved from the wrath of God upon sin, from the power and slavery of sin, from guilt, from the second death which is eternal separation from God. Therefore, no matter that the world may persecute and ridicule us for it. The gospel is the means by which God has decided to display the power of salvation through the inward work of the Holy Spirit. We cannot be ashamed of it for it is through this same gospel that we have been saved, set free of sin and judgment and made children of God. We ought to always be ready to give account of the hope in us. This hope is found in the saving work of Christ Jesus – the unshakeable hope of salvation through faith in God trusting in the gift of the Lamb.
I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.
10/16/06-10/18/06
“The gospel” – the good news that forgiveness and true righteousness has been made available through the atoning work of Jesus Christ – “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” This “good news,” this divine truth works in the heart of everyone who will believe – granting them salvation.
“Salvation” – to be saved from the wrath of God upon sin, from the power and slavery of sin, from guilt, from the second death which is eternal separation from God. Therefore, no matter that the world may persecute and ridicule us for it. The gospel is the means by which God has decided to display the power of salvation through the inward work of the Holy Spirit. We cannot be ashamed of it for it is through this same gospel that we have been saved, set free of sin and judgment and made children of God. We ought to always be ready to give account of the hope in us. This hope is found in the saving work of Christ Jesus – the unshakeable hope of salvation through faith in God trusting in the gift of the Lamb.
# 8. Acts 4:10&12 NIV
Acts 4:10&12 NIV
“Then know this…it is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed… salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
10/13/06-10/15/06
“By or in the name of Jesus Christ” – in line with the will of and by the power of Jesus Christ that is the power of God. Demonstrating that all the apostles preached about Him is true. God did miracles to authenticate the messengers and their message as coming from Him.
Salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone. It does not matter who your parents are or who your forefathers were. It does not matter what kind of religious rituals you engage in. it does not matter how “good” you are. Every person is in the same leaky boat – everyone is stuck in the same pit and it is God alone in the person of Jesus Christ who can save us. We are called to put all our faith and trust in Him alone and enter into relationship with Him. Everything that follows then will flow out of a grateful heart full of love and an eagerness to obey.
A name in ancient times meant much more than it does now. To speak of “the name” of Jesus Christ is to speak of who He is and all He does. The “name” we are given by which we must be saved is Christ Jesus Himself for salvation is found in no one else. He alone lived the perfect life we could not live and He alone died to take our sin away if we would only trust in Him for it.
“Then know this…it is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed… salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
10/13/06-10/15/06
“By or in the name of Jesus Christ” – in line with the will of and by the power of Jesus Christ that is the power of God. Demonstrating that all the apostles preached about Him is true. God did miracles to authenticate the messengers and their message as coming from Him.
Salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone. It does not matter who your parents are or who your forefathers were. It does not matter what kind of religious rituals you engage in. it does not matter how “good” you are. Every person is in the same leaky boat – everyone is stuck in the same pit and it is God alone in the person of Jesus Christ who can save us. We are called to put all our faith and trust in Him alone and enter into relationship with Him. Everything that follows then will flow out of a grateful heart full of love and an eagerness to obey.
A name in ancient times meant much more than it does now. To speak of “the name” of Jesus Christ is to speak of who He is and all He does. The “name” we are given by which we must be saved is Christ Jesus Himself for salvation is found in no one else. He alone lived the perfect life we could not live and He alone died to take our sin away if we would only trust in Him for it.
# 7. John 14:21 & 23 NIV
John 14:21&23 NIV
“Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him… If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”
10/10/06-10/12/06
If you love someone, you will do what they ask of you in order to demonstrate your love. If you love someone who is in authority over you, you will obey – trusting that what they ask of you is good – thereby showing your love and trust. How much more does this apply to God – who alone is worthy of all our love and every bit of our faith and trust. For God to come to us, to make His home with us and in us forever – is there anything any better?
“Show my self to him” – to open our eyes and our hearts that we may truly know Him. By His Spirit in us, He teaches us about Himself from scripture and enables us to understand. He shows us who He is and reveals His will to us that we may obey. If we truly love and obey Him, He will reveal more of Himself and His will to us. If we do not obey what we do know, why should He show us more? Those who seek to know His will so that they may obey – whatever it is – will be shown. God does not hide from us, but He wants us to know Him. For this very reason He created us, became human like us, died for us, and gave scripture to us – that we might know Him. That knowing right now is imperfect. Sin distorts our view, but the day will come when we will “see face to face” and “know in full even as (we are) fully known” (1st Corinthians 13:12). We will have clear vision to “see Him as He (truly) is” (1st John 3:2-3) and then we will finally be fully like Christ.
“Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him… If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”
10/10/06-10/12/06
If you love someone, you will do what they ask of you in order to demonstrate your love. If you love someone who is in authority over you, you will obey – trusting that what they ask of you is good – thereby showing your love and trust. How much more does this apply to God – who alone is worthy of all our love and every bit of our faith and trust. For God to come to us, to make His home with us and in us forever – is there anything any better?
“Show my self to him” – to open our eyes and our hearts that we may truly know Him. By His Spirit in us, He teaches us about Himself from scripture and enables us to understand. He shows us who He is and reveals His will to us that we may obey. If we truly love and obey Him, He will reveal more of Himself and His will to us. If we do not obey what we do know, why should He show us more? Those who seek to know His will so that they may obey – whatever it is – will be shown. God does not hide from us, but He wants us to know Him. For this very reason He created us, became human like us, died for us, and gave scripture to us – that we might know Him. That knowing right now is imperfect. Sin distorts our view, but the day will come when we will “see face to face” and “know in full even as (we are) fully known” (1st Corinthians 13:12). We will have clear vision to “see Him as He (truly) is” (1st John 3:2-3) and then we will finally be fully like Christ.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
# 6. John 14:6
John 14:6 NLT
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
10/7/06-10/9/06
Coming to Jesus is the only way we can come to God. forgiveness of sins by Christ’s atoning work on the cross is the only way in which we can be reconciled to God, have fellowship with Him, and enter His heaven. Any other “way” is man’s attempt to “try harder” or “be better.” These are all part of the “broad road” leading to destruction. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the truth of God, there is no other truth apart from God. The lies of this world are many and convincing, but the word of God alone is truth. Those who keep the truth in their hearts and on their minds, will not be led astray by the lies that come to their ears. Test everything against the scriptures for that is the only standard. God alone gives and sustains life. “This is eternal life; that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” (John 17:3) to live as a willing servant of sin and an enemy of God is not living but the death of the soul/spirit. Sin will gradualy and finaly destroy all joy, real love, and any kind of lasting fulfillment – it corrupts the heart and twists the mind. If we could truly see sin as it really is, for what it realy does – even the “smallest” sin – we would hate it as God hates it. God has provided escape from the devistating effects of sin and ultimate freedom from it through the blood of Christ. God not only forgives us so that we may have eternal life after death, but He breathes in new life by His Spirit right now. “That you may have life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
10/7/06-10/9/06
Coming to Jesus is the only way we can come to God. forgiveness of sins by Christ’s atoning work on the cross is the only way in which we can be reconciled to God, have fellowship with Him, and enter His heaven. Any other “way” is man’s attempt to “try harder” or “be better.” These are all part of the “broad road” leading to destruction. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the truth of God, there is no other truth apart from God. The lies of this world are many and convincing, but the word of God alone is truth. Those who keep the truth in their hearts and on their minds, will not be led astray by the lies that come to their ears. Test everything against the scriptures for that is the only standard. God alone gives and sustains life. “This is eternal life; that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” (John 17:3) to live as a willing servant of sin and an enemy of God is not living but the death of the soul/spirit. Sin will gradualy and finaly destroy all joy, real love, and any kind of lasting fulfillment – it corrupts the heart and twists the mind. If we could truly see sin as it really is, for what it realy does – even the “smallest” sin – we would hate it as God hates it. God has provided escape from the devistating effects of sin and ultimate freedom from it through the blood of Christ. God not only forgives us so that we may have eternal life after death, but He breathes in new life by His Spirit right now. “That you may have life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)
# 5.John 14:1-3 NLT
John 14:1-3 NLT
“Don’t be troubled. You trust in God, now trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s home, and I am going there to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would have told you plainly. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”
10/4/06-10/6/06
Trust in God is the cure for anxiety. In heaven, we will never be separated from Him, from His presence, ever again – even by the smallest degree. We will enjoy fellowship with Him to a depth and intimacy that we cannot now even imagine. All veils, all barriers, will be gone forever. The Lord will come and get us. “He is not slow in keeping His promise, as some count slowness. He is patient with us, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2nd Peter 3:9). So perhaps a part of getting “everything ready” is drawing al those who will be saved before He comes to get us. He waits till all those who will come to Him have come. To have a room in the Father’s home speaks of belonging and a close family relationship. A home is an intimate and personal setting. Jesus prepares for us a place in His Father’s home bringing us in as His brothers and sisters, as children of the Father. He also brings us into the Father’s home as His beloved bride. So we are doubly God’s children – we are Jesus’ bride, thus His children through marriage to the Son, and we are His adopted sons and daughters.
“Don’t be troubled. You trust in God, now trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s home, and I am going there to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would have told you plainly. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”
10/4/06-10/6/06
Trust in God is the cure for anxiety. In heaven, we will never be separated from Him, from His presence, ever again – even by the smallest degree. We will enjoy fellowship with Him to a depth and intimacy that we cannot now even imagine. All veils, all barriers, will be gone forever. The Lord will come and get us. “He is not slow in keeping His promise, as some count slowness. He is patient with us, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2nd Peter 3:9). So perhaps a part of getting “everything ready” is drawing al those who will be saved before He comes to get us. He waits till all those who will come to Him have come. To have a room in the Father’s home speaks of belonging and a close family relationship. A home is an intimate and personal setting. Jesus prepares for us a place in His Father’s home bringing us in as His brothers and sisters, as children of the Father. He also brings us into the Father’s home as His beloved bride. So we are doubly God’s children – we are Jesus’ bride, thus His children through marriage to the Son, and we are His adopted sons and daughters.
# 4. Mark 12:30-31 NIV
Mark 12:30-31 NIV
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this; love your neighbor as yourself. There is no greater commandment than these.”
10/1/06-10/ /06
God is the only one worthy of such love. If we do not give it all to Him then we will give it to something which will only disappoint us. So then, this command is made in part to protect us from the pain and disappointment of what could be called idolatry. To fall in love with God is the start of an eternal romance, one that will never disappoint but only get better, stronger, deeper – every day of forever. To truly love God and others will keep us from sin. It is only when we lose that love, even for a moment, that we fall into sin. The more truly we love, the more unattractive sin becomes, for how can we deliberately harm one we love so deeply. Yet who can stir their own heart to love? Therefore, God must pour His own love into our hearts. This He will and do and all the more as we ask it of Him. Let our prayer be every day, “Lord, pour Your love into me that I may love You in return and love those around me as You have commanded. Help me to love You and tem better every day. Amen.”
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this; love your neighbor as yourself. There is no greater commandment than these.”
10/1/06-10/ /06
God is the only one worthy of such love. If we do not give it all to Him then we will give it to something which will only disappoint us. So then, this command is made in part to protect us from the pain and disappointment of what could be called idolatry. To fall in love with God is the start of an eternal romance, one that will never disappoint but only get better, stronger, deeper – every day of forever. To truly love God and others will keep us from sin. It is only when we lose that love, even for a moment, that we fall into sin. The more truly we love, the more unattractive sin becomes, for how can we deliberately harm one we love so deeply. Yet who can stir their own heart to love? Therefore, God must pour His own love into our hearts. This He will and do and all the more as we ask it of Him. Let our prayer be every day, “Lord, pour Your love into me that I may love You in return and love those around me as You have commanded. Help me to love You and tem better every day. Amen.”
# 3. Matthew 16:24-26 NIV
Matthew 16:24-26 NIV
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. what good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world but loses his own soul?”
9/28/06-9/30/06
We are to follow the Lord with complete and whole hearted devotion, even to the point of physical suffering and death. Anything you gain in this world is left behind at Your death and then what good will it be to you? It will never save you from judgment and hell.
Deny self – to deny my natural (carnal) self in which there is no good and to deny that I can do anything to change or save myself – to deny that I am the rightful ruler of myself or my life. If we give up our natural and worldly lifestyle and ambition in order to follow Christ, we will find true life – a life of love, peace, and purpose, we will also find that this true kind of life – dedicated to God – is an eternal life continuing after death in heaven and at the resurrection. But those who seek to save their worldly life style and ambition instead of following Christ will not find love, peace, and purpose; either in this life or after death. When they have died, they will see how empty their life truly was and know that they have not only lost the life that they had worked for, but they have also lost any kind of life at all.
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. what good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world but loses his own soul?”
9/28/06-9/30/06
We are to follow the Lord with complete and whole hearted devotion, even to the point of physical suffering and death. Anything you gain in this world is left behind at Your death and then what good will it be to you? It will never save you from judgment and hell.
Deny self – to deny my natural (carnal) self in which there is no good and to deny that I can do anything to change or save myself – to deny that I am the rightful ruler of myself or my life. If we give up our natural and worldly lifestyle and ambition in order to follow Christ, we will find true life – a life of love, peace, and purpose, we will also find that this true kind of life – dedicated to God – is an eternal life continuing after death in heaven and at the resurrection. But those who seek to save their worldly life style and ambition instead of following Christ will not find love, peace, and purpose; either in this life or after death. When they have died, they will see how empty their life truly was and know that they have not only lost the life that they had worked for, but they have also lost any kind of life at all.
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