But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness & respect, (1 Peter 3:15 NIV)
Todays world is in desperate need of hope. Too often we look to athletes, celebrities, politicians, & political parties as our hope. Those people even with their best efforts will let us down & should not be where our hope lies. But if Jesus Christ is Lord of our lives, we have hope. Not only hope but hope that does not fail. Since we have that hope, we should go through life looking like we know that Hope. When the rest of the world is worried about the economy, world situations, sickness, etc., we need to know that our God is not dependent on what is going on with those things. He is Lord of all. If we face life victoriously, others will wonder why we aren't stressed about the things that bother them. That is when we have the opportunity to share about our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. Share your hope with them. Do it with love & respect. The world is looking for hope & its up to us to show them where our hope comes from. Its up to us to show them how we can have hope in hopeless situations. Jesus Christ is our hope. He died on the cross & was raised again so that we could have that hope. Remember, our Hope never fails.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Word or Deed
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Col. 3:17 NIV)
If we lived by this verse how would it change our words toward each other, our activities during the day, & what we saw as important. If before we spoke (or typed) we thought about whether or not God was being glorified by our words, would we speak (or type) differently? If how we acted towards others was done because it brought glory to God, would we act differently towards others? Far too often we think we have a right to act or speak in a certain way but is it pleasing to God? Could something so small as changing how we speak & act towards others, really make a huge difference in our relationships or even the world? We are to bring glory to God in all we do. And we are to give thanks to the Father through Christ. Have you ever tried to complain while giving thanks to God, its actually pretty difficult. Once you actually start thinking of all the things that God has given you, the complaints become less & less because you see how many blessings you have to be thankful for. Try it today. Make a list of all the things you can think of to be thankful for (even the ones you take for granted each day). Im going to guess you will make quite a list>
If we lived by this verse how would it change our words toward each other, our activities during the day, & what we saw as important. If before we spoke (or typed) we thought about whether or not God was being glorified by our words, would we speak (or type) differently? If how we acted towards others was done because it brought glory to God, would we act differently towards others? Far too often we think we have a right to act or speak in a certain way but is it pleasing to God? Could something so small as changing how we speak & act towards others, really make a huge difference in our relationships or even the world? We are to bring glory to God in all we do. And we are to give thanks to the Father through Christ. Have you ever tried to complain while giving thanks to God, its actually pretty difficult. Once you actually start thinking of all the things that God has given you, the complaints become less & less because you see how many blessings you have to be thankful for. Try it today. Make a list of all the things you can think of to be thankful for (even the ones you take for granted each day). Im going to guess you will make quite a list>
Friday, January 24, 2014
Its Not Me
I have been crucified with Christ & I no longer live but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me & gave Himself for me. (Gal. 2:20 NIV)
When we choose to make Jesus Christ our Lord & Savior, our life is turned over to Him. Our desires are not our own anymore but we seek Gods desires for our life. We have surrendered our will to His. That probably not a real popular thought for many today because the world wants to tell us that we should be able to do what we want. They ask us why we would want to give up control of "our" lives. It is because of the second part of this verse. We do so because of our faith in the Son of God. We know we can do all things through Christ. We know He works out all things for our good. We know He makes our crooked places straight. When we cant see the right way or how something can work out, He knows exactly what we need to do. So you see its really an easy decision. We do so because we trust Who we have surrendered our lives to. If you will make that decision today, it will be a decision you will never regret. He loved you enough to give His life for you. If He loves you that much I think its alright to trust Him with the rest of your life.
When we choose to make Jesus Christ our Lord & Savior, our life is turned over to Him. Our desires are not our own anymore but we seek Gods desires for our life. We have surrendered our will to His. That probably not a real popular thought for many today because the world wants to tell us that we should be able to do what we want. They ask us why we would want to give up control of "our" lives. It is because of the second part of this verse. We do so because of our faith in the Son of God. We know we can do all things through Christ. We know He works out all things for our good. We know He makes our crooked places straight. When we cant see the right way or how something can work out, He knows exactly what we need to do. So you see its really an easy decision. We do so because we trust Who we have surrendered our lives to. If you will make that decision today, it will be a decision you will never regret. He loved you enough to give His life for you. If He loves you that much I think its alright to trust Him with the rest of your life.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
No Greater Joy
I have no greater joy than than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. (3 John :4 NIV)
What a true statement. Whether it is your actual children or ones you have helped to know Christ. To know that they are growing in a relationship with Christ & growing in the knowledge of His word. There is not a better investment of time than to teach your kids about Christ. Too often people spend time teaching their kids things that will have no eternal value & yet wont take time to teach them about Almighty God. Those other things are important but on Judgement Day, they will all be worthless. Growing up today, kids need a firm foundation in Gods word to deal with the struggles & false teachings that they will come against. Living that example before them will produce such great rewards. If you are walking in the truth & showing them that Christ is a priority to you then it helps to make Him important to them as well. what greater comfort could you have but to know that all is well with your childs soul. If you have that assurance you know what Im talking about. If you don't, theres no better time than the now to start.
What a true statement. Whether it is your actual children or ones you have helped to know Christ. To know that they are growing in a relationship with Christ & growing in the knowledge of His word. There is not a better investment of time than to teach your kids about Christ. Too often people spend time teaching their kids things that will have no eternal value & yet wont take time to teach them about Almighty God. Those other things are important but on Judgement Day, they will all be worthless. Growing up today, kids need a firm foundation in Gods word to deal with the struggles & false teachings that they will come against. Living that example before them will produce such great rewards. If you are walking in the truth & showing them that Christ is a priority to you then it helps to make Him important to them as well. what greater comfort could you have but to know that all is well with your childs soul. If you have that assurance you know what Im talking about. If you don't, theres no better time than the now to start.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Not By Sight
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for & certain of what we do not see.(Heb. 11:1 NIV)
In life we tend to get so caught up in what we can see. We can see the circumstances around us. We can see the financial report. We can see the medical report. We can see the troubled relationship. This verse tells us to look past what we see to what God is doing. He is working on our behalf, making a way where there is no way. Hes bringing rain in the dessert. As "impossible" situations come against us, we need to start seeing through Gods eyes. We might not be able to see the way but He does. This year if youre wanting to turn things around, start using your eyes of faith. God says to call the things that aren't as if they are. Start meditating about that situation the way God sees it. Start speaking that situations as God sees it. Quit speaking words of defeat & change the station to words of victory. Know that nothing is impossible with God. If someone tries to tell you something is impossible, tell them that God has it under control. They may look at you funny but imagine their look when God does the impossible. Start believing in a God Who can do the impossible because that is Who we serve. Don't pay attention to the nay sayers because it only matters what God says. He has big things in store for those who believe!
In life we tend to get so caught up in what we can see. We can see the circumstances around us. We can see the financial report. We can see the medical report. We can see the troubled relationship. This verse tells us to look past what we see to what God is doing. He is working on our behalf, making a way where there is no way. Hes bringing rain in the dessert. As "impossible" situations come against us, we need to start seeing through Gods eyes. We might not be able to see the way but He does. This year if youre wanting to turn things around, start using your eyes of faith. God says to call the things that aren't as if they are. Start meditating about that situation the way God sees it. Start speaking that situations as God sees it. Quit speaking words of defeat & change the station to words of victory. Know that nothing is impossible with God. If someone tries to tell you something is impossible, tell them that God has it under control. They may look at you funny but imagine their look when God does the impossible. Start believing in a God Who can do the impossible because that is Who we serve. Don't pay attention to the nay sayers because it only matters what God says. He has big things in store for those who believe!
Monday, January 20, 2014
Set Free
And you will know the truth, & the truth will set you free." (John 8:32 NLT)
A relationship with Jesus Christ is the key to freedom. He came to earth to die on the cross for our sins & rise again so that we could be free. He took our sins upon Himself on that cross so that we would not be bound by them any longer. All we have to do is accept Him & the gift He has made available to us. He set us free from anything that is holding us back from having a closer relationship with Him. He wants us to live in freedom. What are you letting hold you back? What has Christ freed you from that you are still holding on to? What is keeping you from Gods best? Is it an addiction? Maybe its the past. Maybe your letting a sickness, debt, or fear keep you shackled. Don't fight the battle in your own strength. Fight the battle with the truth which is what God says about your situation. Get in Gods word & see what He has to say. Spend time praying & listening to God & see what He tells you. His word is truth. Truth can overcome circumstances every time. Don't live another day or second living in anything less than what God has promised you. Anything other than what God says is just noise. Don't be distracted.
A relationship with Jesus Christ is the key to freedom. He came to earth to die on the cross for our sins & rise again so that we could be free. He took our sins upon Himself on that cross so that we would not be bound by them any longer. All we have to do is accept Him & the gift He has made available to us. He set us free from anything that is holding us back from having a closer relationship with Him. He wants us to live in freedom. What are you letting hold you back? What has Christ freed you from that you are still holding on to? What is keeping you from Gods best? Is it an addiction? Maybe its the past. Maybe your letting a sickness, debt, or fear keep you shackled. Don't fight the battle in your own strength. Fight the battle with the truth which is what God says about your situation. Get in Gods word & see what He has to say. Spend time praying & listening to God & see what He tells you. His word is truth. Truth can overcome circumstances every time. Don't live another day or second living in anything less than what God has promised you. Anything other than what God says is just noise. Don't be distracted.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
We Can't Fathom
Great is the Lord & most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom. (Ps. 145:3 NIV)
Sometimes I think we have lost sight of Gods power. We think things are just too big, can never change, or that God just isn't concerned. God is still great & He is still on the throne. He still is a God of miracles. We cant even imagine the power of Almighty God. We tend to pray help me get by prayers because we think that we don't want to ask for too much. If we can think it, we are not even scratching the surface of what God can do. He can take impossible situations & make them not only possible but make them happen. We need to start really believing in a big God. If we want God to move big, we have to start believing big. Praise Him, believe in Him & ask Him to move in new & mighty ways. Ask Him to use you & work through you. If youre in need of a need met, healing, or restoration & you don't see how it could happen, remember that we cant fathom the greatness of God. He is enough.
Sometimes I think we have lost sight of Gods power. We think things are just too big, can never change, or that God just isn't concerned. God is still great & He is still on the throne. He still is a God of miracles. We cant even imagine the power of Almighty God. We tend to pray help me get by prayers because we think that we don't want to ask for too much. If we can think it, we are not even scratching the surface of what God can do. He can take impossible situations & make them not only possible but make them happen. We need to start really believing in a big God. If we want God to move big, we have to start believing big. Praise Him, believe in Him & ask Him to move in new & mighty ways. Ask Him to use you & work through you. If youre in need of a need met, healing, or restoration & you don't see how it could happen, remember that we cant fathom the greatness of God. He is enough.
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