1 Corinthians 1:18 . . . . For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
From the cruel cross Christ offers salvation to the world, but the majority of people are offended by it. Some say it's too bloody.
O. A. Carson says, "The hardest truth to get across to this generation is what the Bible says about sin."
People don't want to believe they are sinners. They think their good works will get them to heaven. Isaiah said our righteousness is as filthy rags to God. Our Holy God looks for the righteousness of Christ in the hearts of those who believe.
Absolute Truth: There is one God and the only way to get to God the Father is by faith in The Son of God. Unbelievers are doomed for eternity.
What does the cross mean to you?
From the cross Jesus pleads, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28).
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Mercy
Believers are surrounded by mercy. When we look back we can say, "Surely goodness and mercy have followed me all the days of my life." (Psalm 3:6)
When we look ahead we remember the words of Jude 21. "Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."
As we begin each day, we can say, "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:2-23)
When a Christian shows mercy he is set free from grudges that drain the strength and unsettles the mind. It's thrilling to share God's mercy--not judging people, but seeing them through the merciful eyes of Christ.
When we look ahead we remember the words of Jude 21. "Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."
As we begin each day, we can say, "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:2-23)
When a Christian shows mercy he is set free from grudges that drain the strength and unsettles the mind. It's thrilling to share God's mercy--not judging people, but seeing them through the merciful eyes of Christ.
Monday, March 23, 2015
Add To Your Faith
It's been said that a set of stairs has steps, a recipe has instructions, a school has grade levels, and the Christian life has 2 Peter 1:5-8.
Add to your faith virtue, then knowledge, then temperance, then patience, then godliness, then brotherly kindness, and then charity.
Each virtue builds on the previous one until the believer has reached spiritual maturity (not perfection). It isn't easy, but we will bear more fruit for The Lord's glory, and we will be blessed.
2 Peter 1:8 For if these things be in you and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This is a call for believers to make a once-and-for-all decision to live for God no matter how difficult it might become.
Add to your faith virtue, then knowledge, then temperance, then patience, then godliness, then brotherly kindness, and then charity.
Each virtue builds on the previous one until the believer has reached spiritual maturity (not perfection). It isn't easy, but we will bear more fruit for The Lord's glory, and we will be blessed.
2 Peter 1:8 For if these things be in you and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This is a call for believers to make a once-and-for-all decision to live for God no matter how difficult it might become.
Sunday, March 22, 2015
The Fruitful Believer
The fruitful believer is in love with the Word of God. It's pages offer all the soul requires to bear fruit. The Bible is the complete revelation of God to man.
Psalm 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
The fruitful believer is a blessing to those around him because his fruit is plentiful. You may never know who is feeding off your life.
The fruitful believer is like an evergreen -- consistent, stable, faithful and dependable in all seasons. The curve balls of life are unable to knock them off course.
God will bless the fruitful believer. He'll carry them through every adversity.
Maybe you would like to be more fruitful in your Christian life. Get into God's Word. Ask Him to make you fruitful.
Psalm 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
The fruitful believer is a blessing to those around him because his fruit is plentiful. You may never know who is feeding off your life.
The fruitful believer is like an evergreen -- consistent, stable, faithful and dependable in all seasons. The curve balls of life are unable to knock them off course.
God will bless the fruitful believer. He'll carry them through every adversity.
Maybe you would like to be more fruitful in your Christian life. Get into God's Word. Ask Him to make you fruitful.
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