The apostle Paul reminded the church at Ephasus that they were quickened together with Christ, raised with Him, and seated in the heavenlies in Him. From the Book of Revelation Jesus speaks of their labour, patience, and strength. With all that, they still had a flaw.
Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
They knew He was right.
How is your love for Jesus today compared to the day of your salvation?
QUESTION: What sparks the fire of wilted love for God?
ANSWER: Read the Bible every day. Pray and attend all church services. Give your time and money to God's work. Witness.
Love for God's people, the church, and God's work, all grow out of love for The Lord.
Revival is the Church falling in love with Jesus all over again.Vance Havner.
It's good to remember the mercies we receive in sickness. Recalling my desparate prayer as I awakened from cancer surgery sixteen years ago, I tear-up at the loving-kindness of God.
In that dimly lit recovery room, I didn't pray for God to heal me. I was more concerned about chemo making me nauseous. God gave me peace with breast cancer when I realized that live or die, I was His and He was mine.
Before the sun rose that morning, I felt His consoling arms around me. Then He gave me a song: "Sheltered In The Arms of God". It was one of the highest spiritual moments in my life.
Isaiah 38:5 Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith The Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.
God answered my prayer. To my surprise, I didn't get nausea with chemo. I later learned I had a 15% chance of survival.
I've often wondered where I would be if not for the grace of God. I wouldn't have this peace in my heart, for sure. Grace is an extension of the great love of God. His grace is greater than all our sins
Sin will lead us to a physical death, a spiritual death, separated from God for eternity. But by salvation through God's love and grace, we receive His righteousness which brings eternal life in Jesus Christ.
Grace will make us right with God. The person who accepts God's grace becomes a child of the King, no longer in rebellion and therein is peace and joy.
Romans 5:1-2 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
As the mob shouted "Away with Him," people still reject jesus today. "Leave me alone," they say.
Jewish leaders hated Jesus because he claimed to be the Messiah. No one denied His miracles.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
There is no middle ground. One either stands for Jesus or against Him. One either accepts Christ as their Lord and Savior or they reject Him.
Many professed Christians attend church only if it is convenient, witness only if it doesn't embarrass them, gives only when they can spare a little change. The life of a hypocrite is the most miserable life on earth. They know what they are missing.
What will you do with Jesus?
Mark 8:34 . . . Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
The poor in spirit lack pride, self-worth, and arrogance. They wholly depend on God and that is what The Lord wants so He can use us. Destitute, they beg for God's forgiveness.
Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs in the kingdom of heaven.
The first principle of the Sermon on The Mount is that a new life style is given to the believer, one that God promises will bring eternal happiness.
YOU ARE POOR IN SPIRIT (NOT PROUD) IF YOU:
Seek to know God and make Him your personal Savior
Give God first place in your life
Seek to please God in everything
Don't complain about the life God has given you
Trust God for all circumstances
Tolerate others
Pray, knowing you are helpless without God
Accept the Bible and God's plan for your life
Praise God with thankfulness
Being poor in spirit is against our carnal nature. It is impossible to do apart from God's help.
Many rebel against the thought that we are not created for our own gratification. We seek to please ourselfs, not the One who created us. But God has a different purpose for our lives.
Deuteronomy 10:12 . . . . fear The Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve The Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul;
Without a personal relationship with God, you are hopelessly separated from God. You are spiritually dead. But by faith you can have your sins forgiven, have access to God, understand the things of God, and become a new person.
Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.
The Bible says God is long suffering, desiring that none perish. God wants to give you a full and abundant life, yet He can only do it if you let Him. Believe and ask Jesus to come into your heart.
We need to get a visual of an individual bound under the control of some one else and can't get away on their own. If you never trusted Christ as your personal Savior, that person is you, a slave to sin -- Satan's property.
But through God's Son Jesus, we are redeemed by His blood and forgiven of sin. The eternal perfect God died on the cross for a debt we couldn't pay.
Ephesians 1:6,7 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.
So long I had searched for life's meaning
Enslaved by the world and my greed;
Then the door of the prison was opened by love,
For the ransom was paid -- I was free.
I'm free from the fear of tomorrow
I'm free from the guilt of the past
For I've traded my shackles for a glorious song,
I'm free! Praise The Lord! Free at last!
Bill Gaither
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not The Lord by feeble sense
But trust Him for His grace
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flow'r.
Blind unbelief is sure to err'
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And he will make it plain.
William Cowper 1774
Churches are not called to follow men's traditions or fables nor visions or personal prophecies. They are called to follow the written Word of God.
The Bible is inspired, inerrant, infallible, and eternal. It transcends cultures, continents, and centuries -- for His people of all ages.
Churches are called to bear the light of the gospel in a dark world.
Matthew 5:14-15 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glory our Fathy which is in heaven.
Christ is the only Head of the church and the Holy Spirit the only administrator of her affairs on earth.
