Isaiah 41:10 "Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. "
When the going gets tough, the Christian seeks God. This verse is an inspiration for all Christians. First God tells us not to be afraid because He is with all of us. He then tells us to not be discouraged, because He is your God. He continues this verse with promises to strengthen us and help us, but also to uphold with His right hand of righteousness.
This is such a powerful verse. In one verse God takes away all worries that we have and promises to help and strengthen us through it all. There is nothing in this world that could ever replace or even come close to what God can and will do for us if we let Him. Take a moment and contemplate this verse and the effect it has on your daily life. We have nothing to fear, we have no reason to be discouraged because God is always with us and there for us.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
WHY ARE WE ASHAMED?
Why do we hide our faith in Jesus from the world? Is it because we want to be accepted by the unsaved? Do we detest our decision to follow Christ? I have often thought about this and have also been there. I did it in High School because I was trying to be someone else instead of myself. Some people might even feel as though they need to protect it. But in all reality, this is something that needs to be shared. I’m not saying that you need to put on shirts with verses and shout while you are at work. People should be able to see a difference without all that. They should be able to know and feel the difference. This can lead to an opportunity to share the gospel with someone. The Bible says in Romans 10:11, “For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him, shall not be ashamed.” There is no reason to hide your faith in Christ. Let it shine and illuminate the dark world that we live in. This is not an easy task; it takes some work on your part. You have to be willing to study the Word and be ready to share your testimony. 2 Timothy 2:15 tell us, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” This may be “scary”, but the more you are willing to show God in your life, the closer you will get to Him. This will then improve all aspects of your life, and may lead to someone receiving Christ as their Savior. There are five things that we need to do to be a good Christian:
1) Read your Bible
2) Pray
3) Be faithful in Church
4) Give to the Lord’s work
5) Tell people about Jesus
The Lord is not something to keep hidden. Every day that you hide your faith, is another lost opportunity to save someone from Hell.
1) Read your Bible
2) Pray
3) Be faithful in Church
4) Give to the Lord’s work
5) Tell people about Jesus
The Lord is not something to keep hidden. Every day that you hide your faith, is another lost opportunity to save someone from Hell.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
God is wiser than men
1Corinthians 1:25 "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men."
No matter how much we try and learn, it will never be near God's foolishness. I wonder how we keep convincing ourselves that we don't need God. Its easy to stop, sit down in the middle of the path, and refuse to move. This world can crush us in a heart beat. But that is where we need to realize that God is our refuge, "...a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1) We see this message clear in Proverbs 3:5 which states, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." If we follow this verse than the world has nothing on us. Only Christ can keep us safe from the wilderness we call the world. If you are not careful, you can end up wondering this wilderness forever. Our understanding will never be more than that, our limited experience and intelligence. God has much more experience, and according to our key passage a vastly larger intelligence than us. It makes no sense to flee from God, we should be running to Him. Psalm 125:1 tells us that, "They that trust in the LORD [shall be] as mount Zion, [which] cannot be removed, [but] abideth for ever." Praise the God. We need to wake up and realize that this is not a game. We have but one chance to do this right. We need to let God be in charge of everything, and not wonder the wilderness alone.
No matter how much we try and learn, it will never be near God's foolishness. I wonder how we keep convincing ourselves that we don't need God. Its easy to stop, sit down in the middle of the path, and refuse to move. This world can crush us in a heart beat. But that is where we need to realize that God is our refuge, "...a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1) We see this message clear in Proverbs 3:5 which states, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." If we follow this verse than the world has nothing on us. Only Christ can keep us safe from the wilderness we call the world. If you are not careful, you can end up wondering this wilderness forever. Our understanding will never be more than that, our limited experience and intelligence. God has much more experience, and according to our key passage a vastly larger intelligence than us. It makes no sense to flee from God, we should be running to Him. Psalm 125:1 tells us that, "They that trust in the LORD [shall be] as mount Zion, [which] cannot be removed, [but] abideth for ever." Praise the God. We need to wake up and realize that this is not a game. We have but one chance to do this right. We need to let God be in charge of everything, and not wonder the wilderness alone.
Friday, April 24, 2009
It shall not prosper
Numbers 14:41 "And Moses said, Wherefore now do ye transgress the commandment of the LORD? but it shall not prosper."
We need to seek God's will when making decisions. If we do not, then it will be of our power and it will not prosper. Just because WE want to do something, doesn't mean God wants us to. This goes for anything, from starting a ministry to buying a car. If God is in it, then He will bless it. If we do it on our own, then we suffer the consequences. Jesus says in John 15:5 that, "...for without me ye can do nothing. " This verse will never change. God needs to be the King of our life, which means He makes all the final decisions, and we listen and obey.
We need to seek God's will when making decisions. If we do not, then it will be of our power and it will not prosper. Just because WE want to do something, doesn't mean God wants us to. This goes for anything, from starting a ministry to buying a car. If God is in it, then He will bless it. If we do it on our own, then we suffer the consequences. Jesus says in John 15:5 that, "...for without me ye can do nothing. " This verse will never change. God needs to be the King of our life, which means He makes all the final decisions, and we listen and obey.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
NOW IS THE TIME
Romans 13:11-14
11. And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
It is time, time to awake out of the sleep that the world can lull you into. The day is at hand, we need to put on the armour of light, put on the Lord Jesus Christ and fight. Live in the light, and never again sleep while the darkness rages war against us. No more will the flesh blind us from the light, the light shall have itself defended until the end. May God guide us, and praise the Lord for victory already won.
11. And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
It is time, time to awake out of the sleep that the world can lull you into. The day is at hand, we need to put on the armour of light, put on the Lord Jesus Christ and fight. Live in the light, and never again sleep while the darkness rages war against us. No more will the flesh blind us from the light, the light shall have itself defended until the end. May God guide us, and praise the Lord for victory already won.
Monday, April 20, 2009
We have no reason to fear
2Ti 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
Fear: timidity, cowardice
Love: The Greek word agape (love) seems to have been virtually a Christian invention -- a new word for a new thing (apart from about twenty occurrences in the Greek version of the Old Testament, it is almost non-existent before the New Testament). Agape draws its meaning directly from the revelation of God in Christ. It is not a form of natural affection, however, intense, but a supernatural fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). It is a matter of will rather than feeling (for Christians must love even those they dislike -- Matt. 5:44-48). It is the basic element in Christ-likeness. (James Packer, Your Father Loves You, Harold Shaw Publishers, 1986.)
Power: inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth
Sound Mind: self-control, moderation
A. There is no Fear in GOD
1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
Psa 27:1 [[[A Psalm] of David.]] The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psa 56:11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
B. Nothing can take us from GOD
Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
C. Jesus already has the victory
Mat 14:26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
Mat 14:27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
Jhn 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Fear: timidity, cowardice
Love: The Greek word agape (love) seems to have been virtually a Christian invention -- a new word for a new thing (apart from about twenty occurrences in the Greek version of the Old Testament, it is almost non-existent before the New Testament). Agape draws its meaning directly from the revelation of God in Christ. It is not a form of natural affection, however, intense, but a supernatural fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). It is a matter of will rather than feeling (for Christians must love even those they dislike -- Matt. 5:44-48). It is the basic element in Christ-likeness. (James Packer, Your Father Loves You, Harold Shaw Publishers, 1986.)
Power: inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth
Sound Mind: self-control, moderation
A. There is no Fear in GOD
1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
Psa 27:1 [[[A Psalm] of David.]] The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psa 56:11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
B. Nothing can take us from GOD
Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
C. Jesus already has the victory
Mat 14:26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
Mat 14:27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
Jhn 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Ready Always
2Ti 4:2 "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."
Preach: public proclamation of the gospel and matters pertaining to it.
Instant: to be at hand; be ready
Season: opportunely; when the opportunity occurs
Out of Season: untimely; inopportune
Reprove: to convict; refute; confute; to find fault with; to correct; to chasten or punish
Rebuke: to adjudge; award in the sense of merited penalty
Exhort: to encourage; strengthen; instruct or teach
Longsuffering: patience; endurance; constancy; steadfastness; perseverance
Doctrine: teachings; instructions
We have 3 commands given:
1) Publicly proclaim the gospel
2) Be ready always
3) To correct, encourage, strengthen, comfort in all patience and perseverance in God’s teachings and instructions.
These are commands for all christians to follow. Are you ready?
Preach: public proclamation of the gospel and matters pertaining to it.
Instant: to be at hand; be ready
Season: opportunely; when the opportunity occurs
Out of Season: untimely; inopportune
Reprove: to convict; refute; confute; to find fault with; to correct; to chasten or punish
Rebuke: to adjudge; award in the sense of merited penalty
Exhort: to encourage; strengthen; instruct or teach
Longsuffering: patience; endurance; constancy; steadfastness; perseverance
Doctrine: teachings; instructions
We have 3 commands given:
1) Publicly proclaim the gospel
2) Be ready always
3) To correct, encourage, strengthen, comfort in all patience and perseverance in God’s teachings and instructions.
These are commands for all christians to follow. Are you ready?
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