Posts

The Blessed Hope

The Blessed Hope Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13) We are to expect and prepare for our blessed hope. That hope is not heaven or glory, but Jesus Himself, face to face, closer than ever. We don’t just wait for the coming of Jesus; we live in active expectation of the return of Jesus. We are looking for it. The return of Jesus Christ should be precious for Christians to consider. Jesus came the first time to save the soul of man; He will come a second time to resurrect the body. Jesus came the first time to save the individual; He will come a second time to save society. Jesus came the first time to a crucifixion; He will come a second time to a coronation. Jesus came the first time to a cross; He will come a second time to a throne. Jesus came the first time in humility; He will come a second time in glory. Jesus came the first time and stood before Pilate; He will come a second time an
Post a Comment
Read more

A Walk of Faith

A Walk of Faith Wednesday, February 6, 2019 -Greg Laurie So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side! —Exodus 14:22 It must have been very exciting when the Israelites walked through the middle of the Red Sea on dry ground. Maybe they saw fish cruising by in the walls of water on each side, like the best aquarium ever. But they had to walk for hours and hours. It took all night. That is the Christian life. It’s just a walk with the Lord. Sometimes there’s a lot of excitement in the beginning of the Christian life when we realize what God has done for us. But as time passes, we might start taking things for granted. And we might find ourselves becoming apathetic. If that describes you, then you need to plot your RPGS: (1)  Read  the Bible every day. You never outgrow it and never get beyond it. God’s Word never becomes irrelevant. (2)  Pray  about things. Bring things up before the Lord. You need to have
Post a Comment
Read more

Free Yourself from Bitterness

Image
January 29, 2019 How to Free Yourself from Bitterness But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.  Matthew 6:15 When Terry Anderson was taken captive by a guerilla group, little did he realize that he would be enduring what no one should ever be subjected to. Anderson, age 40 at the time, had been the chief Middle-East correspondent for the Associated Press. Soon after he was taken captive, he was given a Bible by his Shiite Muslim captors, and for the duration of his four-and-a-half-years of captivity, he drew strength and hope from the pages of this grand old book. At the most difficult times, he said, "My faith kept me from giving in to despair."  It was also that relation with God that enabled him to forgive the very individuals who had deprived him of his freedom for more than six years. "They did great wrong to me and my family," he said, but instead of hating them, he explained, "I don't hate anybod
Post a Comment
Read more

I am a Follower

"Follower" is more than something you do or don't do; it's who you are. Our behavior is determined by our identity. When we understand who we are, then we will know what to do. . . But if our behavior change isn't flowing from our core identity, it doesn't last. . .When you understand that your identity is not about being a fan and instead embrace who you are as a follower, your life will gain incredible clarity and direction. When Jesus came He wasn't focused on behavior modification, He was focused on giving the disciples a whole new identity. When our identity is wrapped up in who we were then we will start to live out of that identity because identity determines behavior. If we believe who we are is what we were, then we find ourselves living the way we once did. Instead of moving forward as a follower of Christ, we find ourselves held captive by our past. . . We have been made new in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). He gives us a new identi
Post a Comment
Read more

No Reserves. No Retreats. No Regrets.

It's not that following Jesus wasn't important to this man, but following Jesus wasn't his top priority. . . Many fans say to Jesus, "I will follow. Anything and everything I have, I give to you." But Jesus points to what you're hiding behind your back and says, "What about that?". . . They are willing to follow Jesus, but the relationship isn't exclusive. . . Jesus doesn't want followers who have a divided affection or a split allegiance . . . When you accept the invitation to follow Jesus, you are not just saying that He is a top priority in your life; you are making Him the only priority in your life. . . Jesus loves you so much. He died to have a relationship with you. He will not share your heart with anyone. . . The reason Jesus is so adamant about followers surrendering everything is because the reality is this: the one thing we are most reluctant to give up is the one thing that has the most potential to become a substitute for
Post a Comment
Read more

Godliness with Contentment

But godliness with contentment is great gain. -1 Timothy 6:6 When we live and act without contentment, we are trying to fill needs in our lives. It might be the need to be "somebody," the need to feel secure or cared for, or the need to have excitement and newness in our lives. Most people try to fulfill these needs with material things, but they can only really be met by a spiritual relationship with the God who made us.  -David Guzik, commentary on 1 Timothy 6
Post a Comment
Read more

Today is the Day

Fans feel OK about a half-hearted relationship with Jesus because they have every intention of one day going all-in and being completely committed. . . They let themselves off the hook for a lukewarm faith because they didn't tell Jesus no; they're just waiting till later. . . It says in Matthew chapter 4 verse 20, "At once" and in verse 22, it says "immediately." That's the commitment that Jesus was looking for in His followers. When fans are asked about when they will get serious about their commitment to follow Jesus, the most common answer is tomorrow. . .  When Jesus calls us to follow, He means right now.  For the fans who are always telling Jesus tomorrow, I've discovered that most often tomorrow only becomes today when tragedy strikes and dreams are shattered. . . There are natural consequences that come when we refuse to follow Jesus and instead go our own way. The truth is the longer you put Him off, the more likely it is that fo
Post a Comment
Read more