Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Be a burden carrier!

Galatians 6: 2
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
 
The Bible suggests, that we in the church, should actually help one another.
I wonder how different our churches might be, if we had people come next to us, and walk with us?
 
If we’re about to stumble, how comforting it would be, to have another brother or sister, be on the watch with us, for a misstep.
In this daily walk of faith, any of us are prone to a trip, once in a while.
 
Church people often get offended, when another person of the faith, offers gentle, subtle, correction.
We’re actually supposed to be grateful, for the one who helps us along the way.
 
The actual translation to the words… “Carry each other’s burdens…”, is, if you see one about to stumble under his burden, hold him up.”
What is this burden? Sin, and the temptation to sin.
 
Who do you know today, who needs to be held up?
The other question that comes into play is… “Will they allow themselves to be held up?”
 
Waking with Jesus every day, is not to be done, solo.
The church needs other people, to join in this pilgrimage.
 
How comforting to know, that God distinctly put special people in our lives, so we would not fall, and so that we would not stumble…

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Holy Ambassadors

Psalm 10: 17
You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry
 
Often the theme in society is, “Where is God when you need Him the most?”
The answer is, “He’s our very present help, in times of trouble.”
 
God’s people, are often His on the spot helpers.
We are called to bring Salvation to the lost, and a word of encouragement to those who need it the most.
 
The question seems quite redundant, but whom have you encouraged lately?
Among the afflicted, who have you extended a word of hope to?
 
I meet people almost daily, who are crying out for someone to help them.
It’s up to us to notice the signs, and then respond.
 
Have there been times, when you’ve missed the signs?
I wonder how many have prayed to God for sincere help, and He’s sent one of us, but we were slow to respond—or didn’t respond at all?
 
Today is a new day, to be one of God’s Holy ambassadors.
Don’t miss the chance, to bring someone a word of good news, and maybe end their affliction, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
 

God may be giving us direct orders today, so let’s be ready when our name is called….

Monday, March 10, 2014

An Encouraging Word!

1 Thessalonians 4: 18
Therefore encourage each other with these words.
 
Paul was talking to the church at Thessalonica about the coming rapture of the church.
The coming of the rapture could happen at any time—but before that occurs, we need to encourage one another.
 
Who do you know today, that could use an encouraging word?
Who will prayerfully phone today, that could use a word of hope?
 
Maybe it’s time to show some last days love.
The Bible speaks of a great falling away in the last days, and it would seem we’re seeing that on a grand scale these days.
 
Virtually everywhere we look now days, we’re seeing the decline of moral ethics everywhere—even in the church.
Just be sure of this, a time of refreshment is very near, so don’t lose heart.
 
The Hebrew word, “bo-neh” is directly translated as our English word, “builder”. It is also translated as our word, “repairer”.
When Jesus came over 2,000 years ago, He came to repair lives.
He came to do a complete restoration, and build back up, all that was broken in the world.
 
Be encouraged today, because Jesus is coming again!
He is coming to make everything new.
That should put a hop in your step today…so be encouraged… 

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Preach it!

Galatians 2: 5
We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you.
 
Paul, Barnabas and Titus, faced some opposition to preaching the Gospel. False teachers had infiltrated the ranks.
However, it did not stop them, from bringing the truth to the Gentile nation, and defending God’s Word.
 
Christians today, face a similar foe.
The Christian society, has been largely silenced, by those who say we’re judgmental and narrow minded.
 
Make no mistake about that—the devil will do anything to bring opposition, to the message of salvation.
He’s very good at what he does, but I think sometimes we forget, that believer’s operate with Resurrection Power!
 
The church is the light of the world today, which cannot be put out by the darkness around us.
We shine more and more unto the noon day, until we usher in the brightness of His future coming.
 
Jesus gave His life as fuel, to light our very vessels.
We give our life in service to Him, that He may light other vessels, through us as He lives in us.
 
As Christians endure fiery trials for righteousness sake, we give off light that others may see the way, the truth and the life.
In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." (John 1: 4)
 
Don’t give in to the opposition you face for one single moment.
God is on our side, and there isn’t one single additional thing we need…

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Be Prepared!

1 Peter 3: 15
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.
 
This is one of those Bible verses, that sometimes easily falls through the cracks.
For anyone who asks us about our faith in Christ, we should be prepared to give some response.
 
Faith in Christ, is not a fairy tale as some would believe, but there are grave life & death issues, for those who choose not to believe.
There’s a question that I often have to ask myself…
If I truly value my relationship with Father God, how much of my time do I plan to give Him today?”
 
Sometimes, I liken this ultimate choice, with someone flying in an airplane, and the engine stops running.
If given a parachute, that person has a choice of riding that airplane into the ground, or jumping to safety.
One could even doubt whether or not the parachute is going to do its job—but you had better decide quickly, before it’s too late.
 
When God is the very center of my life, it controls everything I say and do—or at least it should.
There was a time in my life, when I could not come to grips with people who were willing to die for their faith—but not the older I get, I understand that position quite clearly.

It does not seem like too many people are willing to go to the gallows for their faith anymore.
Actually, I’m not sure too many are willing to make a defense of their faith.
 
A great theologian once said… “Our lives begin to end, the day we become silent, about the things that matter most.”
Well said, indeed…

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Defend yourself!

Jeremiah 31: 33
"I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
 
The Word of God is the very foundation of our faith.
As Christians, we’re supposed to believe that the Bible is the infallible, inspired Word of God.
 
This necessitates a thorough knowledge of scripture.
It should be assumed that a follower of Jesus, has a working knowledge of the Bible.
Would you say that’s true for you?
 
We must not only know what the Bible contains, but we should be very ready to defend it, when asked about it.
It is suggested, that 2 in 10 modern day confessed American Christians, believe that Moses was a disciple of Jesus.
That would not necessarily suggest, that those people have a working knowledge of the Bible.
 
Bible illiteracy in the United States of America, is at an all time high.
It’s no wonder why we have such a difficult time, defending what we believe.
 
Do you truly believe, in what you believe?
To know how to operate any motor vehicle, one should familiarize themselves with the owner’s manual.
 
The Bible, is the Christian’s owner’s manual.
How familiar are you, with how the Word of God operates?
 
Are you able to defend your faith?
Sadly, most people can’t…but all is not lost…at least not yet… 

Monday, March 3, 2014

Prepared Defender!

John 8: 32
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
 
It is not that most people are not  willing to defend their faith, it’s that they don’t know enough of it, to offer a convincing defense.
In the midst of defending one’s faith, most people are fearful of the cost of being faithful.
 
Did you know that as we’re willing to stand up for the things of God, God is then willing to stand up for us?
If we are faithful, the Lord restores us and makes us as good as new, and takes our fear and doubt away.
 
Just be sure of this, when we do stand up for the Bible, we’ll face guaranteed rejection and persecution.
Influences of the satanic realm, will most certainly attack us, until the very day we die.
 
The best defense of our faith, is a prepared defender.
So how much time will you spend today, studying the Word?
 
What’s the most important thing in your life?
The things of the world perhaps—your family and friends—or the faith that Jesus was willing to die for?
 
Let me make this complete claim….as you attempt to get to know the God of the Bible—the Holy Spirit then counsels and encourages.
Our defense cannot come by our own power—everyone of us needs a helper.
 
Make sure you ask the “Helper”, to help you today, along the way…