Tuesday, August 30, 2011
The Book of Amos
I'm still reading in the Minor Prophets. I just finished Amos. Every time I read Amos I'm struck with how much God cares about social justice. One of the main factors causing God to judge the people was the rich and powerful people's injustice toward the poor and helpless. The leaders of our society would do well to read this important book.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Weekend Sermon---John 15:1-11
John 15:1-11, in fact all of chapter 15 is one my very favorite passages of Scripture. One of my all time favorite sermons I've had the privilege to hear was preached on this passage. Even though its been almost 30 years since I heard that message, it continues to have an impact on me today.
In this passage, Jesus is teaching His disciples using a rural, agricultural metaphor as was often the case. Here, Jesus uses the metaphor of grape vines and the fruit they produce as a symbol for the life of the believer. Jesus says that He is the vine. There is only life in the vine. If a branch is not connected to the vine, it will receive no nourishment and quickly wither and die away. To be truly alive, we must be found in Jesus Christ.
Jesus goes on to say that His Father, and our Father if we are in Christ, is the vine dresser. The Father removes the unproductive branches from the vine. The productive branches are pruned back by the Father in order that they might produce more and more fruit all of the of time.
Jesus goes on to give His followers the key to having a fruit producing Christian life. Those who will be fruit bearing Christians are the ones who abide in Christ. As Jesus says in verse 5, "apart from me, you can do nothing." Our whole life as believers and our hope for this world and the world to come relies on abiding in Christ.
But, here is the important question. What does it mean to abide in Christ? How do we go about doing this most vital of actions? The word of the Lord provides the answer.
Jesus Himself gives an answer to how we are to go about abiding in Him. In verses 9-10 Jesus states, "Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love."
In order to abide in Jesus, we have to keep His commandments. We must follow the instructions and do as He says. But before we can even obey, we must have the knowledge and understanding of what commands we are supposed to obey.
How is this done? We find out what Jesus wants us to do by reading the Word of God namely, the Bible.
Something that's always alarmed and bothered me is the number of professing Christians who are almost at the point of Biblical illiteracy. They know very little about what is in the Bible as the result of rarely, if ever, picking up the Bible and reading it let alone studying it. I've never understood how people can say they love the Lord, yet they never read what the Lord has to say to them. It's baffling to me.
The only place we can go to know what Jesus would have us do is the Bible. If you truly want to abide in Christ and have an intimate and personal relationship with Him, you're going to have to become a student of the Word. Start today.
Once we have studied the words of Jesus and know what He expects of us, it is time for implementation. As James says in his epistle, we must be doers of the Word and not hearers only.
Read the Sermon on the Mount and the other discourses of Jesus. Let these words of the Master sink down deep into your heart. Ponder them, and make them a part of your life.
I believe that this is just one way that we can abide in Christ. Another way is through prayer. Prayer is the means by which we communicate with Jesus. We talk to Him and unburden ourselves. We cast our cares on Him because He cares for us.
Some people try to complicate prayer. They want to make prayer very formal or formulaic. Some say you have to pray a certain way or you're just not praying right. Nothing could be further from the truth. Prayer is talking to the Lord. Just talk to Jesus and tell Him how your day has gone. Share with Him your concerns and successes. Share every aspect of your life with Jesus. Also praise and thank Him for who He is and for all that He has done. By doing this, you will have a closer relationship with the Lord.
The practice of meditation on Jesus Christ is another way of abiding in Him. By meditation, I don't mean the Eastern practice of meditation such as centering, yoga, or repeating mantras. I'm talking about being still and knowing that Jesus is Lord. In other words, when you pray don't do all the talking. Practice listening. In the stillness, let the voice of the Holy Spirit speak to your heart. He provides strength, comfort, and peace we all need to carry on in a sinful world.
Finally, I'd like to speak about modeling Jesus as a means of abiding. We are called to be light. We are Jesus ambassadors. In all we do and say, let us strive to be like Jesus.
When we abide in Christ, our lives can't help but be transformed. Our relationships with others will improve. Each of us will be filled with compassion to reach out and help meet the needs of a hurting world. We will see people come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ through our witness and walk.
Lord, help us to abide in you. We want to bear fruit. We want to love you and know you more. Amen.
In this passage, Jesus is teaching His disciples using a rural, agricultural metaphor as was often the case. Here, Jesus uses the metaphor of grape vines and the fruit they produce as a symbol for the life of the believer. Jesus says that He is the vine. There is only life in the vine. If a branch is not connected to the vine, it will receive no nourishment and quickly wither and die away. To be truly alive, we must be found in Jesus Christ.
Jesus goes on to say that His Father, and our Father if we are in Christ, is the vine dresser. The Father removes the unproductive branches from the vine. The productive branches are pruned back by the Father in order that they might produce more and more fruit all of the of time.
Jesus goes on to give His followers the key to having a fruit producing Christian life. Those who will be fruit bearing Christians are the ones who abide in Christ. As Jesus says in verse 5, "apart from me, you can do nothing." Our whole life as believers and our hope for this world and the world to come relies on abiding in Christ.
But, here is the important question. What does it mean to abide in Christ? How do we go about doing this most vital of actions? The word of the Lord provides the answer.
Jesus Himself gives an answer to how we are to go about abiding in Him. In verses 9-10 Jesus states, "Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love."
In order to abide in Jesus, we have to keep His commandments. We must follow the instructions and do as He says. But before we can even obey, we must have the knowledge and understanding of what commands we are supposed to obey.
How is this done? We find out what Jesus wants us to do by reading the Word of God namely, the Bible.
Something that's always alarmed and bothered me is the number of professing Christians who are almost at the point of Biblical illiteracy. They know very little about what is in the Bible as the result of rarely, if ever, picking up the Bible and reading it let alone studying it. I've never understood how people can say they love the Lord, yet they never read what the Lord has to say to them. It's baffling to me.
The only place we can go to know what Jesus would have us do is the Bible. If you truly want to abide in Christ and have an intimate and personal relationship with Him, you're going to have to become a student of the Word. Start today.
Once we have studied the words of Jesus and know what He expects of us, it is time for implementation. As James says in his epistle, we must be doers of the Word and not hearers only.
Read the Sermon on the Mount and the other discourses of Jesus. Let these words of the Master sink down deep into your heart. Ponder them, and make them a part of your life.
I believe that this is just one way that we can abide in Christ. Another way is through prayer. Prayer is the means by which we communicate with Jesus. We talk to Him and unburden ourselves. We cast our cares on Him because He cares for us.
Some people try to complicate prayer. They want to make prayer very formal or formulaic. Some say you have to pray a certain way or you're just not praying right. Nothing could be further from the truth. Prayer is talking to the Lord. Just talk to Jesus and tell Him how your day has gone. Share with Him your concerns and successes. Share every aspect of your life with Jesus. Also praise and thank Him for who He is and for all that He has done. By doing this, you will have a closer relationship with the Lord.
The practice of meditation on Jesus Christ is another way of abiding in Him. By meditation, I don't mean the Eastern practice of meditation such as centering, yoga, or repeating mantras. I'm talking about being still and knowing that Jesus is Lord. In other words, when you pray don't do all the talking. Practice listening. In the stillness, let the voice of the Holy Spirit speak to your heart. He provides strength, comfort, and peace we all need to carry on in a sinful world.
Finally, I'd like to speak about modeling Jesus as a means of abiding. We are called to be light. We are Jesus ambassadors. In all we do and say, let us strive to be like Jesus.
When we abide in Christ, our lives can't help but be transformed. Our relationships with others will improve. Each of us will be filled with compassion to reach out and help meet the needs of a hurting world. We will see people come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ through our witness and walk.
Lord, help us to abide in you. We want to bear fruit. We want to love you and know you more. Amen.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Verse For the Day
Revelation 3:21--"The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on His throne."
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Malachi
I've just finished re-reading the Book of Malachi. This is one of the books of the Minor Prophets that gets a little more attention than the others. Ministers often preach about the section on tithing found in Malachi. It is a book filled with much truth, and I urge you to read it.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Weekend Sermon---Matthew 4:18-22
Much of the ministry of Jesus was centered in and around the towns and villages ringing the Sea of Galilee. I'd love to see the Sea of Galilee in person, but I've never had the opportunity to visit and experience in person the places where Jesus walked. A program I like called "Day of Discovery" often features programs taped in the Holy Land. I like to imagine Jesus walking by the Sea, performing miracles and teaching the truths of the Kingdom of God.
In Jesus' day, the Sea of Galilee was a place of commerce. Fisherman from the seaside villages went out in their small vessels casting their nets in the hope of bringing in enough to pay the bills and feed their families for another day. It wasn't glamorous work by any means, and nobody was getting rich off the deal. It was smelly work, that as fisherman know, often left one worn out with nothing to show for it.
It was in to this region of fishing villages that Jesus began His ministry. After His baptism, Jesus went into the desert and fasted 40 days and nights. When this time was up, Satan tempted Jesus on three different occasions. Each time, Jesus rebuffed Satan by the quotation of Scripture.
Coming back to civilization, Jesus started preaching. Chapter 4 verse 17 says that Jesus preached " Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand"
While carrying out His preaching ministry, Jesus decided at this time to choose disciples. He needed to train men to carry on the message when He departed, and He needed their assistance in spreading the message while He was on earth as well.
One day, as Jesus walked along the shore, He saw Simon and Andrew fishing. Jesus called, and they instantly left their fishing and followed. Later that day, James and John joined Jesus when they too received the call from Jesus.
I love the response of Peter, Andrew, James, and John. Without one moment of hesitation, they followed the call of the Master. I can almost imagine the look of Zebedee when his sons cast aside the nets to follow a better path.
Later, Jesus would call twelve men to be His apostles. What strikes me about the people Jesus called was that they were just ordinary people. In their day, they weren't anything special. Jesus called fisherman, a tax collector, and a political revolutionary. Upon His resurrection, Jesus' brothers turned to Him. They were probably carpenter's just like their brother. These men didn't posses great levels of education. In fact, the Bible refers to them as unlearned men.
Even though Jesus chose simple, ordinary people to be His apostles, they ended up doing extraordinary things. These men changed the world by the power of their testimony to the risen Christ.
Everyone of the apostles except John suffered a martyr's death. All of them faced trials and persecutions. But, they didn't let that stop them. They just kept spreading the message. And that message has come right down through the years to those of us alive in 2011.
I want to say to you today that if Jesus used ordinary people 2,000 years ago, He can and will do the same today.
You may not think that you have anything that would allow you to do something for the work of the Lord. I'm a nobody. What difference can I make?
You can make a difference if you yield your life to the Lord. You see, the apostles didn't carry out the spread of the gospel through their own strength. They allowed themselves to be the Lord's instruments empowered by the Holy Spirit. They were available for whatever God had for them.
I urge you to make yourself, you time, your talent, and you resources available for God to do great things with.
Right where you are you can be a witness. Everyone of us knows people at work, friends, family who have never given their lives to Jesus Christ. Each of us can share the gospel with those who are in our circle of influence.
Many have the ability to sing, preach or teach and you feel the Lord calling you to full time ministry. Heed the call. Be like the fisherman on Galilee and follow Jesus.
Others have a heart full of compassion and you want to help people who are hurting. Make yourself available to serve God.
Never think that you aren't good enough or that your contribution is unimportant. With God, ordinary people can do extraordinary things. All of God's people working together can make a difference for time and eternity. Amen.
In Jesus' day, the Sea of Galilee was a place of commerce. Fisherman from the seaside villages went out in their small vessels casting their nets in the hope of bringing in enough to pay the bills and feed their families for another day. It wasn't glamorous work by any means, and nobody was getting rich off the deal. It was smelly work, that as fisherman know, often left one worn out with nothing to show for it.
It was in to this region of fishing villages that Jesus began His ministry. After His baptism, Jesus went into the desert and fasted 40 days and nights. When this time was up, Satan tempted Jesus on three different occasions. Each time, Jesus rebuffed Satan by the quotation of Scripture.
Coming back to civilization, Jesus started preaching. Chapter 4 verse 17 says that Jesus preached " Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand"
While carrying out His preaching ministry, Jesus decided at this time to choose disciples. He needed to train men to carry on the message when He departed, and He needed their assistance in spreading the message while He was on earth as well.
One day, as Jesus walked along the shore, He saw Simon and Andrew fishing. Jesus called, and they instantly left their fishing and followed. Later that day, James and John joined Jesus when they too received the call from Jesus.
I love the response of Peter, Andrew, James, and John. Without one moment of hesitation, they followed the call of the Master. I can almost imagine the look of Zebedee when his sons cast aside the nets to follow a better path.
Later, Jesus would call twelve men to be His apostles. What strikes me about the people Jesus called was that they were just ordinary people. In their day, they weren't anything special. Jesus called fisherman, a tax collector, and a political revolutionary. Upon His resurrection, Jesus' brothers turned to Him. They were probably carpenter's just like their brother. These men didn't posses great levels of education. In fact, the Bible refers to them as unlearned men.
Even though Jesus chose simple, ordinary people to be His apostles, they ended up doing extraordinary things. These men changed the world by the power of their testimony to the risen Christ.
Everyone of the apostles except John suffered a martyr's death. All of them faced trials and persecutions. But, they didn't let that stop them. They just kept spreading the message. And that message has come right down through the years to those of us alive in 2011.
I want to say to you today that if Jesus used ordinary people 2,000 years ago, He can and will do the same today.
You may not think that you have anything that would allow you to do something for the work of the Lord. I'm a nobody. What difference can I make?
You can make a difference if you yield your life to the Lord. You see, the apostles didn't carry out the spread of the gospel through their own strength. They allowed themselves to be the Lord's instruments empowered by the Holy Spirit. They were available for whatever God had for them.
I urge you to make yourself, you time, your talent, and you resources available for God to do great things with.
Right where you are you can be a witness. Everyone of us knows people at work, friends, family who have never given their lives to Jesus Christ. Each of us can share the gospel with those who are in our circle of influence.
Many have the ability to sing, preach or teach and you feel the Lord calling you to full time ministry. Heed the call. Be like the fisherman on Galilee and follow Jesus.
Others have a heart full of compassion and you want to help people who are hurting. Make yourself available to serve God.
Never think that you aren't good enough or that your contribution is unimportant. With God, ordinary people can do extraordinary things. All of God's people working together can make a difference for time and eternity. Amen.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Verse For the Day
Zechariah 2:10---"Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
James Herriot
I've been thinking about how much I enjoyed reading the James Herriot books. They're my favorites. I remember the day Every Living Thing came out. I was the first one in line at the bookstore. The television program based on the books is a great show, too. I plan to read the whole series again in the weeks to come. I know that I'll enjoy all the books just as much as all the other times I've read them.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Weekend Sermon--John 6:60-71
Chapter 6 of John's gospel begins by recounting the miraculous feeding of the five thousand. Many of us remember from Sunday School how Philip found the boy with 5 loaves and 2 fish and brought him to Jesus. From this meager lunch, only enough for one small boy, Jesus multiplied the loaves and fish providing more than enough for everyone. In fact, twelve baskets of leftovers were gathered up by what I'm sure were twelve astonished disciples.
Later, Jesus disciples crossed over the Sea of Galilee and Jesus walked on the water.
When the boat arrived on the other side, Jesus found a great crowd waiting for him. They wanted to see more miracles. They wanted more bread.
Jesus didn't perform another miracle at this time. Instead, he told them about Himself. In v. 35 of chapter 6, Jesus says to the people, "I am the Bread of Life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." Jesus went on the say in v.51, "I am the living Bread that came down from Heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die"
The people and the religious leaders were shocked by what Jesus said. Clearly, Jesus was referring to Himself as God. Only Jesus could bring eternal life. Only by believing in His words and teachings can people of any age find the spiritual nourishment to satisfy their souls.
But, Jesus wasn't done shocking the people of His day. Jesus stated in v. 53 and 54 that, "Truly, truly I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood , you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day."
Many following Jesus were outraged. How could He say such a thing? Many were so offended that they immediately stopped following Jesus.
Think of that. Just a day earlier, a crowd of 5,000 men plus women and children followed Jesus. Now, after this hard saying, they all left. The only one's remaining were the 12 disciples.
When Jesus saw the multitudes leaving, He asked the twelve if they wished to leave Him as well.
In v. 68 Peter answers, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."
The disciples stayed with Jesus. And after Pentecost, the remaining eleven turned the world upside down with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
But,these words of Peter echo down to our time. The question to whom shall we go is a question everyone living must answer.
Unfortunately, many, if not most, living today choose to make the decision of the crowd and not the decision of the disciples. The crowd didn't wish to follow the hard and narrow pathway Jesus called on His followers to tread.
Now if you preach a Jesus that isn't the Jesus of the Bible, you will get some followers. A Jesus who is a good teacher among many receives many followers today. However, the Jesus who calls us take up our cross daily and follow Him receives the reaction the crowd gave to Jesus over 2,000 years ago.
New age religion, Eastern philosophies, and other religions offer a pathway some wish to follow. These spiritual formulations promise health, prosperity, and peace. But, if these pathways provide results why are so many of their followers still seeking?
To get through a world filled with hardship, others follow a hedonistic lifestyle trying to numb themselves or satisfy themselves with bodily pleasures in whatever form they take. In the end, those on this path will also find emptiness and the longing in their heart will only grow stronger with the passing years.
Peter's words are so true. "To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life"
It is only in trusting in and following the Jesus of the Bible that any of us can find the key to this world and the world to come.
Jesus Christ is the only answer to the longing of the soul. Only through repentance, faith and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ can we experience the abundant life Jesus came to give.
By placing our trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross and believing that He is risen from the dead we can be transformed from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of His marvelous light.
Only Jesus is the answer to every question. No other way can provide the answer. ONLY JESUS.
If you've never asked Jesus to be your Savior, I urge you to pray this prayer and believe with all of your heart.
Lord Jesus, I know that I'm a sinner, but I believe that you died and rose again to take away my sin and give me eternal life. I am sorry for my sin. I accept you Jesus as my Savior and Lord. Amen
Jesus, thank you that you are a great Savior. You are the way, the truth, and the life. May your name be praised both now and forevermore. Amen.
Later, Jesus disciples crossed over the Sea of Galilee and Jesus walked on the water.
When the boat arrived on the other side, Jesus found a great crowd waiting for him. They wanted to see more miracles. They wanted more bread.
Jesus didn't perform another miracle at this time. Instead, he told them about Himself. In v. 35 of chapter 6, Jesus says to the people, "I am the Bread of Life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." Jesus went on the say in v.51, "I am the living Bread that came down from Heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die"
The people and the religious leaders were shocked by what Jesus said. Clearly, Jesus was referring to Himself as God. Only Jesus could bring eternal life. Only by believing in His words and teachings can people of any age find the spiritual nourishment to satisfy their souls.
But, Jesus wasn't done shocking the people of His day. Jesus stated in v. 53 and 54 that, "Truly, truly I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood , you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day."
Many following Jesus were outraged. How could He say such a thing? Many were so offended that they immediately stopped following Jesus.
Think of that. Just a day earlier, a crowd of 5,000 men plus women and children followed Jesus. Now, after this hard saying, they all left. The only one's remaining were the 12 disciples.
When Jesus saw the multitudes leaving, He asked the twelve if they wished to leave Him as well.
In v. 68 Peter answers, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."
The disciples stayed with Jesus. And after Pentecost, the remaining eleven turned the world upside down with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
But,these words of Peter echo down to our time. The question to whom shall we go is a question everyone living must answer.
Unfortunately, many, if not most, living today choose to make the decision of the crowd and not the decision of the disciples. The crowd didn't wish to follow the hard and narrow pathway Jesus called on His followers to tread.
Now if you preach a Jesus that isn't the Jesus of the Bible, you will get some followers. A Jesus who is a good teacher among many receives many followers today. However, the Jesus who calls us take up our cross daily and follow Him receives the reaction the crowd gave to Jesus over 2,000 years ago.
New age religion, Eastern philosophies, and other religions offer a pathway some wish to follow. These spiritual formulations promise health, prosperity, and peace. But, if these pathways provide results why are so many of their followers still seeking?
To get through a world filled with hardship, others follow a hedonistic lifestyle trying to numb themselves or satisfy themselves with bodily pleasures in whatever form they take. In the end, those on this path will also find emptiness and the longing in their heart will only grow stronger with the passing years.
Peter's words are so true. "To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life"
It is only in trusting in and following the Jesus of the Bible that any of us can find the key to this world and the world to come.
Jesus Christ is the only answer to the longing of the soul. Only through repentance, faith and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ can we experience the abundant life Jesus came to give.
By placing our trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross and believing that He is risen from the dead we can be transformed from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of His marvelous light.
Only Jesus is the answer to every question. No other way can provide the answer. ONLY JESUS.
If you've never asked Jesus to be your Savior, I urge you to pray this prayer and believe with all of your heart.
Lord Jesus, I know that I'm a sinner, but I believe that you died and rose again to take away my sin and give me eternal life. I am sorry for my sin. I accept you Jesus as my Savior and Lord. Amen
Jesus, thank you that you are a great Savior. You are the way, the truth, and the life. May your name be praised both now and forevermore. Amen.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Zechariah
I just finished reading the book of Zechariah as part of my daily Bible readings. As you may know, I've been recommending that people read the Minor Prophets as these books are unfortunately often ignored. Like many other books of the Minor Prophets, Zechariah contains several prophecies concerning the Messiah and prophecies of the end of the world. If you read this interesting book, you will be amazed at the way Jesus fulfilled many of the prophecies recorded by the prophet Zechariah.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Thinking About Caregivers
August fifth would have been my Mom's 81st birthday. I remember how hard it was to take care of her those 5 years after her stroke. Today I'd like to pray for caregivers who work hard to help the one's they love.
Father in Heaven, thank you for your great love. I ask today that your grace, mercy and peace would be with all caregivers. Help them to remain strong and don't let them be discouraged. Please let them know that you are with them in a special way.
Father in Heaven, thank you for your great love. I ask today that your grace, mercy and peace would be with all caregivers. Help them to remain strong and don't let them be discouraged. Please let them know that you are with them in a special way.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Verse For the Day
John 1:1--In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.-----This is a great verse to demonstrate the preexistence and divinity of Jesus Christ.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Weekend Sermons
Starting next weekend, I will be posting sermons I've written. As a Bible college and seminary graduate, I feel the need to communicate the Word in a more lengthy form.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Parable of the Ten Virgins
Matthew 25: 1-13--This parable is a parable of the end times. It is sometimes called the parable of the wise and foolish virgins. Five of the virgins made the proper preparation. They had their lamps filled with oil and were ready when the bridegroom appeared. The other five virgin's lamps were not filled and they weren't prepared for the coming of the bridegroom. The door of the wedding feast was shut to those who were not prepared.
Jesus said that one day He would return to the Earth and establish His kingdom of righteousness. Those of us who believe are to live our lives in such a way that we would not be ashamed if Jesus were to return at this very moment.
Also, we need to make sure that we have placed our faith and trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross. When Jesus returns, the opportunity of salvation is passed. Only those who believe will enter in to His eternal kingdom.
Jesus said that one day He would return to the Earth and establish His kingdom of righteousness. Those of us who believe are to live our lives in such a way that we would not be ashamed if Jesus were to return at this very moment.
Also, we need to make sure that we have placed our faith and trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross. When Jesus returns, the opportunity of salvation is passed. Only those who believe will enter in to His eternal kingdom.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Verse For The Day
John 8:51--"Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death."
Monday, August 1, 2011
The Force of the Gospel
Last night at my church, we had a minister and her husband from Moscow, Russia as our speakers. They spoke about the way the authorities in the past had tried to destroy the church. However, as the man said, the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is an unstoppable force. It may seem like the forces of evil are prevailing all over the world. But, the Gospel is being preached and people are coming to know Jesus. Let us all keep praying and working to advance the good news of salvation.
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