Month: November 2017
God’s Plan of Salvation
1 John 5:11-12 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. The one who has the Son has this eternal life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have this eternal life. This passage tells us that God has given us eternal life and this life is in His Son, Jesus Christ. In other words, the way to possess eternal life is to possess God’s Son. The question is, how can a person have the Son of God? Man’s Problem SEPARATION FROM GOD …
Take Courage!
Matthew 14:27 “But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Take heart; it is I, do not be afraid.’” _____________________________________________________________ This “take heart” shout of Jesus to His frightened followers was a strong order coming from High Command. The words “take heart” in the original Greek come from the military word “to muster courage” or “to gather up courage.” What is being said here would have been spoken by a first century military commander to those under his authority. Notice what Jesus is not ordering them to do – He is not ordering them to think a happy thought or to …
The Power of Deception
Reflections For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. (I John 3:8) When we are joined to the Lord in spirit, that union IS the new creature in Christ. But everything outside of that union remains of the old natural man. You will note that Jesus did not obliterate the works of Satan from the old. He made a new – in Himself. For the new creation in Christ, the works of the Devil are destroyed. But there remains a possibility that Satan could try to get to us through …
Enjoying Life
True enjoyment comes only when we align ourselves with the Lord’s will. Ecclesiastes 2:1-23 2 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity. 2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it? 3 I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the …
Jesus Arrived in the Fullness of Time
Divine Intervention into Time and Space Divine Intervention Galatians 4:3-7 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of …
Occupy Until I Come
A Bible Study by Jack Kelley Some of you are aware that we post a “Question Of The Day” on Facebook each day. Recently one of these questions received more comments than any other we’ve ever posted by a wide margin. It concerned a woman’s frustration because in a recent conversation her friends confirmed that they believe in an any moment rapture but then went on to tell her their plans for the next 10-20 years, what they expect to do when they retire, what kind of career they hope their children will have, and how they can’t wait to …
QUIETING YOUR SOUL
Psalm 131:1-2 (KJV) 131 Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. 2 Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child. As this season of Advent begins, it is wise to reexamine our hearts with regards to prayer. Do you hurry through your quiet time so you can get to other things? If so, consider the values Jesus modeled for us in His practice of …
All the people saw him walking and praising God. (Acts 3:9)
“In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk”; and he leapt. Simple in its terms, but very, very drastic and very utter in its action. Immediately the man in himself knew the glory of God. He, leaping up, praised and glorified God. He had got it in his own heart, in his own soul. He knew he was changed, he was in the good of God’s rest…. This man was a testimony which was the answer to every argument. Seeing the man there in the midst whole, they had to shut their mouths. There was no argument. It is …
THE BLESSINGS OF GOD
2 Peter 1:1-4 (KJV) 1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might …
Would you please address the proper order of prayer?
Gracethrufaith Question of the Day: Q. Would you please address the proper order of prayer? I realize that there was a proper order (or to use the secular term “protocol”) that was observed in the Temple worship. Does a proper order also apply to our prayers? All during the day, I find myself just talking with either God or Jesus without much formality, very much like I talk with my best friends here on earth. Is this being disrespectful to who God and Jesus are? They are too important to me to ever be disrespectful to who they are and what …
How can I stay focused on Christ?
Even those who have followed Christ for a long time can find it difficult to stay focused on Christ. What teachings does the Bible offer to help us stay focused? In Matthew 13, Jesus gives the parable of the sower that includes insight in this area. In explaining the parable, He shares, “As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful” (v. 22). The “cares of this world” and desire for wealth can cause people to …
The Garment
By John Lysaught The throng of people surrounded this Jesus that they heard about. The city got word of His coming and was greatly excited to see Jesus perform miracles. Some were skeptical but got caught up in the crowd, wanting to see what he could do. Jesus entered the city and the crowd pushed on Him wanting to get a glimpse of the miracle worker they had heard about. The sun was hot as it sat high in the afternoon, baking the backs and heads of those that came out of the shade to see Him. They heard about …