The Christmas season has come to an end - well, at least on the calendar. It doesn't really have to end though. We can celebrate the joy of the season all year long. Lauren over at LaurenSparks.net asks the question, "Christmas is over. Now what do we do with Jesus?" Head over there now to read her beautifully written post on this subject.
Have you ever prayed and prayed and prayed for something only to finally give up, believing that God isn't hearing you. Maybe you believe He is hearing you, but not answering you? We might be inclined to think that if God doesn't answer our prayers in the way we think He should that He isn't listening to us. That simply is not the case. Maybe God is answering with a "not now" or maybe He's saying, "No, my child. I have something else in store for you and it's so much better than what you are asking for." Learn more about how prayer changes things in this article, Does prayer change things? by Heather Adams.
"Theology means "the study of the nature of God," and knowing God's true nature should be every Christian's goal." - Gail Purath at Bible Love Notes.
Gail Purath, the author of the blog Bible Love Notes explains the difference between a good theologian and a bad one. Believers should always strive to be good theologians and we'll be held accountable if we lead others astray. Head over to Bible Love Notes now to learn more about how to be a good theologian.
2022 . . . Twenty-Twenty-Two . . . The fact that in just a few days, we will ring in the year 2022 is almost unbelievable, especially for someone like me who was born in 1969. Wow, that makes me feel so old. I'm looking forward to the new year though. The past two years have taken their toll on all of us in one way or another. When we rang in the year 2020, most of us had no idea what the next few months would bring. When we realized we were in a global pandemic, most of us had no idea it would last 6 months, let alone years. Yet here we are, still in it. It has been tough. Some of us have lost loved ones. Some have lost jobs. If we all think about it, we have probably all lost something due to the global pandemic of the past two years. But, we have also gained. We have spent more time at home with our families. Many have found a faith in God that they didn't have before the 2020 pandemic. COVID19 will forever be a word or term that will usher up all sorts of emotions in all of us. But there is another Word that will always speak truth to our hearts, God's Word. Let's take a look at the truth found in the Bible and keep in our hearts these Bible verses for the new year, 2022.
1. So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12
2. Seek the Lord and His strength. Seek His face continually. Remember His wonderful deeds that He has done, His marvels and the judgements from His mouth. 1 Chronicles 16:11-12
3. That in reference to your former way of life, you are to rid yourselves of the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lust of deceit, and that you are to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Ephesians 4:22-24
4. The Lord's acts of mercy indeed do not end for His compassions do not fail. They are new every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion says my soul. Therefore I wait for Him. Lamentations 3:22-24
5. Certainly there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:18
6. Do not call to mind the former things or consider things of the past. Behold, I am going to do something new. Now, it will spring up. Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19
7. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3
8. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation. Old things have passed away. Behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
9. And hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5
10. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord; plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
11. But as for me, I will be on the watch for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me. Micah 7:7
12. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
13. Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31
14. Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17
15. Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead. I will press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14
16. There is an appointed time for everything . And there is a time for every matter under Heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1
17. Sing to the Lord a new song; Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. Psalm 96:1-3
18. Look among the nations! Watch! Be horrified! Be frightened and speechless! For I am accomplishing a work in your days - You would not believe it even if you were told. Habakkuk 1:5
19. For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more important than they? Matthew 6:25-26
20. Know that Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves: We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless his name. Psalm 100:3-4
21. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. James 1:17
22. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these thins. Philippians 4:6-8
I hope these verses will get you off to a great new beginning for a great new year. Happy New Year everyone. May many blessings come your way from January all the way into December in 2022.
We have been living through a pandemic for a whole year. For almost 13 months, we've seen news updates about the pandemic which always spark debates because this thing has everyone in a tizzy. The politics surrounding the pandemic is unbelievable and opinions stretch as far right and as far left as you can possibly get. There aren't a whole lot of people like me in the middle just trying to do the right thing. There are a lot of other things in the news these days that also might add to our anxious thoughts. If the COVID-19 pandemic or anything else going on in your life has you feeling anxious, let me encourage you to turn off the TV, get off of social media, set some time aside, and turn to the only One who can ease your anxiety. I know you're busy. Everybody is busy doing something but resolve to set aside some time, whether it be 15 minutes or 2 hours. Just unplug, take a deep breath, and open up your Bible. Take a few minutes to consider the following Bible verses to combat anxiety. Read them. Study them. Meditate on them. Underline them in your Bible or highlight them with your favorite color highlighter. Come back to them again and again and again. God is the only real source of relief and peace during turbulent times. Turn your eyes, your heart, and your mind to Him and to Him alone so that you can leave your anxious thoughts at the feet of Jesus and find true peace over your situations.
Bible Verses to Combat Anxiety
1. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. - Psalm 94:19
2. Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. - Proverbs 12:25
3. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. - Psalm 34:17
4. But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” - Jeremiah 17:7-8
5. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. - 2 Timothy 1:7
6. But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. - Isaiah 40:31
7. Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. - Hebrews 11:1
8. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. - John 14:27
9. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7
10. Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. - Psalm 55:22
11. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6
12. Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. - Luke 12:22
13. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. - Psalm 34:4
14. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:7
15. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:38-39
16. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. - Matthew 11:28-30
17. Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. - 2 Thessalonians 3:16
18. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13
19. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. - Joshua 1:9
20. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. - Jeremiah 29:11
We are in a new Bible study series at my church. Our pastor is calling today's sermon "What You Have." We are studying from the book of Ephesians. The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon. You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.
In the opening of the book of Ephesians, Christ followers are called saints. Jesus made us saints. Every Christian is a saint and every saint is a Christian. If you are a saint (Christ follower), you are going to learn what you have today. If you are not a Christ follower, learn more about how to have a relationship with Jesus here.
Let's begin by reading Ephesians 1:3-14.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In loveHe predestined us to adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,to the praise of the glory of His grace, with which He favored us in the Beloved.In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to the riches of His gracewhich He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He set forth in Him,regarding His plan of the fullness of the times, to bring all things together in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.In Him we also have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things in accordance with the plan of His will,to the end that we who were the first to hope in the Christ would be to the praise of His glory.In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of the promise,who is a first installment of our inheritance, in regard to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. - Ephesians 1:3-14
If you have ever visited The Varsity in Atlanta, then you know that when you approach the counter, the counter worker will yell at you with a quick "What'll ya have?!" They take this job very seriously, and if you don't order fast enough, they'll yell at you again. At least this has been my experience when I visited the popular Atlanta fast food chain.
In the video above, our pastor shares his own experience which was similar to mine. Then he mentions that the apostle Paul takes us to the "buffet" of salvation in Ephesians 1. He says the table is full. There are many dishes, and they are filled with every spiritual blessing. According to my pastor, this is Paul's version of "What'll ya have?!"
What we have is our position. Feasting on what we have should be our condition.
Truth: You don't need what you already have. You already have all that you need.
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all have spiritual wealth to give us. Believers are blessed with every spiritual blessing.
What You Have
1. What We Have in the Father (verses 4-6)
We are chosen. God chose us before the foundation of the world. You are not an afterthought. Before anything existed, we (YOU) were on His mind.
We are adopted. God calls us sons and daughters.
We are accepted.
2. What We Have in the Son (verses 7-12)
We are redeemed. Jesus paid the price for our sin with His blood. We were slaves to sin but in Jesus, we are now free, redeemed.
We are forgiven. There is good and bad to learn here. The bad news is that we are all guilty and there is a penalty to be paid. The good news is that Jesus took our blame and our guilt. He has completely forgiven us.
As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our wrongdoings from us. - Psalm 103:12
I have wiped out your wrongdoings like a thick cloud and your sins like a heavy mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you. - Isaiah 44:22
They will not teach again, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the Lord, “for I will forgive their wrongdoing, and their sin I will no longer remember.” - Jeremiah 31:34
I will endure the rage of the Lord because I have sinned against Him, until He pleads my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me out to the light, and I will look at His righteousness. - Micah 7:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. - 1 John 1:9
God's grace does not end. Your sin will never outweigh His grace. Don't let the devil bring up your past!
We have insight. We are chosen and adopted. We are not victims of the age. The cancer of sin is spreading all over the world but history is His story.
We have an inheritance. We are valuable to Jesus.
When Jesus Christ wrote His last will and testament for His church, He made it possible for us to share His spiritual riches. Instead of spending it all, Jesus paid it all. His death on the cross and His resurrection make possible our salvation. He wrote us into His will, then He died so the will would be in force. Then He rose again that He might become our advocate to make sure the terms of the will were correctly followed. - Warren Wiersbe
We have been sealed. To seal something is to make it secure. This speaks of authenticity and permanence. Everything is secure. It can never be lost.
We have been guaranteed.
God blessed us immensely. He chose us unconditionally. He adopted us adoringly. He redeemed us graciously. He forgave us completely. He gave grace lavishly. He revealed His mystery wisely. He granted us inheritance eternally. He sealed us permanently. He guaranteed our position personally.
When going through the worst days of your life, God is enough.
This Sunday, we are reading Psalm 110. Psalm 110 was written by David who was no stranger to hard times and worst days. However, David wrote many Psalms about God supremacy and authority over his life. In Psalm 110, David declares that his God is more than enough in troublesome times.
God is Enough, Psalm 110
The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” 2 The Lord will stretch out Your strong scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.” 3 Your people will volunteer freely on the day of Your power; In holy splendor, from the womb of the dawn, Your youth are to You as the dew.
4 The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.” 5 The Lord is at Your right hand; He will shatter kings in the day of His wrath. 6 He will judge among the nations, He will fill them with corpses, He will shatter the chief men over a broad country. 7 He will drink from the brook by the wayside; Therefore He will lift up His head. - Psalm 110
The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon. You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.
God is enough when:
1. Your enemies want to destroy you.
David had faced enemies. As a young boy, he fought the giant, Goliath. He constantly battled the Philistines. He was always running from King Saul who wanted to kill him. For years, David was an anointed king but he was running for his life. However, even though others were constantly seeking to destroy or kill David, he exclaimed that his Lord was enough.
In Psalm 110:2, we see that God will rule with great power right in the middle of what seems to be the enemy's deadliest attack.
In Psalm 110:3, we learn that people who are subject to the Great King (God) will follow Him gladly and freely. God's people will constantly be refreshed.
What enemies do you face? Cancer? Depression? A broken relationship? A struggling family situation?
When you become discouraged under the enemy's attacks, go straight to your King God. God will conquer your enemies and He will renew and refresh you.
2. Your sins consume you.
Not only was David constantly under physical attack. He faced internal struggles as well. David was plagued with his sin of adultery with the wife of Uriah. That sin led to more sin including murder. This all led to the death of David's son.
When sin consumed David's life, David still knew that his God was enough.
In Psalm 110:4, we learn about a truth that will last for all eternity. Jesus is our King forever and our Priest forever.
You might be asking, "Who is Melchizedek anyway?" At this point in his sermon, my pastor tells us what we know about Melchizedek. Here is a brief summary.
In Genesis 14, we learn that Melchizedek is a minor character in the Bible. God has promised to Abraham that He would multiply his descendants, make him the father of many nations, and make him wealthy and prosperous. Abraham has a nephew named Lot. Abraham and Lot were very close. They were both wealthy and lived near each other. Lot lived near Sodom. Sodom went to war with other cities. A king named Chedorlaomer takes over all the valley where Lot lived. Lot becomes caught up in the battle. He eventually becomes a prisoner of war along with his wife, his kids, his entire family including all of his flocks and possessions under King Chedorlaomer.
This struck a nerve within Abraham. In my pastor's words:
"This is not smart, because Abraham is like Liam Neeson. He has a special set of skills. If you take one of his family members, he is going to hunt you down. He will find you and he will kill you."
Abraham goes after King Chedorlaomer. God gives Abraham power so he wipes out King Chedorlaomer. He takes back Lot and all his family and possessions. The he takes all of Chedorlaomer's possessions. Then, Melchizedek comes along. Melchizedek is introduced without genealogy which is unusual for Old Testament characters. We know he was the king of Salem. Salem has the root Hebrew word for peace. Melchizedek's name means King of Righteousness. Melchizedek is the King of Righteousness whose kingdom is peace. Who does this point to? Maybe Jesus?
When Abraham sees Melchizedek, he bows and worships Him. He immediately gives Melchizedek 10% of everything he took from Chedorlaomer. Melchizedek doesn't show up again until Psalm 110 when David says his King is a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. David points to the ultimate King Priest, Jesus.
We fast forward to Hebrews 7. Melchizedek is mentioned in Genesis 14, Psalm 100, and then again in the New Testament in Hebrews 7.
We sin. We all sin. Sin separates us from a Holy God. Sin will condemn us to an eternal separation from God. However, God, in His mercy, sent our King Jesus forever, our Priest forever, to pay the penalty for our sin once for all. Jesus is the only one who can make sinful man right with a Holy God.
When you feel consumed by a sin or multiple sins in your life. You might see no way out, but there is a way. Jesus forgives. Jesus heals. David tells us in Psalm 100 that God is enough and He is, even when your enemies want to destroy you and even when your sin consumes you.
3. When your future seems hopeless.
Have you watched the news lately? If you watch, you'll probably feel overwhelmed with all the bad stuff going on in the world. When I watch the news, I feel like our future seems hopeless. The news media is flooded with reports of racial riots, protests, anarchy in the streets, lawlessness, political upheaval, bombings, etc. King David's world felt hopeless too. David's son would murder his other son to avenge his sister's rape. Despite all of that, David loved Absalom, welcomed him home, and greeted him with a kiss. How did Absalom respond?
Absalom conspired to overthrow the king, slandered his father's reputation, forced him to flee for his life, raped all of David's wives, and ultimately cost the lives of 20,000 men. That certainly paints a portrait of a hopeless future for David and his family. David must have wondered about God's faithfulness, but in the midst of all the ugly, David proclaimed that his King was more than enough.
Be encouraged. Jesus is near in seemingly hopeless situations. In fact, in verse 6, we read that King Jesus will repay the godless and unbelievers that threaten you. One day, He will destroy those who mean to harm you.
Regarding verse 7, if you look up the Hebrew word for "drink," it is used for the purpose of celebration such as a wedding feast. The word for "brook" refers to a torrent of water that comes after a deluge of rain.
In the midst of hopelessness, we can remain hopeful because King Jesus preserves His people no matter the circumstances, leading them to a celebration that is coming sooner than you might expect.
If you are in Christ today, be hopeful! Our King is coming!
In the darkest of days, God is enough. Jesus is our King. Jesus is our Priest. Jesus is our Hope.
How will you respond to Psalm 110?
If you have not bowed to King Jesus - if you have not repented of your sin and given your life to Jesus, then I want to challenge you to wait no longer. Surrender your life to Jesus today. He will overcome your enemy, forgive your sin, and give you a future and a hope.
For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. - Jeremiah 29:11
By now, it seems that everyone on the planet has heard of the Coronavirus known as COVID19 and everyone around the world is doing whatever they can to avoid it. It's a deadly virus and it is still taking its toll on nations around the world including ours, the United States. If that news isn't bad enough, our pastor presented to us today even worse news of something even more deadly than COVID19. The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon titled "Confessing Our Need for Jesus Christ."
You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.
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The bad news is that we all already have a deadly virus. It's called sin. This virus of sin is more deadly than COVID19 because it separates us from God and can separate us from Him for all of eternity, but there is a cure. The cure is Jesus.
Our scripture passage for today is John 13:5-17.
Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.So He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, “Lord, do You wash my feet?”Jesus answered and said to him, “What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter.”Peter said to Him, “Never shall You wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, then wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.”Jesus said to him, “He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.”For He knew the one who was betraying Him; for this reason He said, “Not all of you are clean.” So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you?You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am.If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
In the upper room where Jesus and His disciples gathered, Jesus washed his disciples' feet. Jesus was signifying that He was the only One who could cleanse their feet. In John 13:11, Jesus told the disciples that there was one among them who was not clean.
Are you like that one disciple? Do you have a clean heart?
The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; Who can understand it? - Jeremiah 17:9
Our hearts are deceitful. Now back to the virus of sin. How did we get it? We got it from Adam.
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned. - Romans 5:12
When Adam and Eve sinned, we inherited the virus of sin from them. The only cure is Jesus. He died so that we can be forgiven. In John 13:10 (above), Jesus knew that someone wasn't clean. Are you clean?
Confessing Our Need for Jesus Christ
Who needs to be clean? All of us. We need to confess to Jesus our need for Him. When we receive Jesus as our Savior, He saves us - like a full bath. We are clean but sometimes we get worldly dirt on us. When this happens, we need a washing, but not like a full bath. It's more like the washing of feet.
How do we get clean? We confess like Peter did. When we confess our need for Jesus, we are in agreement with God. We don't try to justify our sin, but we confess our sin and our need for Jesus.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. - 1 John 1:9
Peter confessed his need and asked Jesus to wash him. When we confess our sin to God, we are admitting His ability to forgive us. Even the worst of sins can be forgiven. Whatever sin is coming to your mind right now, God can forgive.
Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies;who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? - Romans 8:33-35
Jesus is our final substitute. He is sufficient.
What is the reason for being made clean? If we are not made clean, we are separated from God. We will not have a relationship with Jesus, but we need a relationship with Jesus. When we are truly saved, we will have a relationship with Jesus, but sin interrupts our fellowship with Him. Sin can cause spiritual defeat in our lives. How often must we experience a cleansing? We need a cleansing whenever we have a conviction about sin.
But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. - 1 John 1:7
We need to be walking in God's light. In Tim Keller's book titled "Quick Strike," he asks himself a few questions. He asks: Do I have a heart of pride? Do I have a cold heart? Am I afraid? Am I hooked (like an addiction or anything that doesn't please the Lord)?
How do we help others experience becoming clean? We need to be clothed in humility. We need to recognize our own weaknesses. We need to know that we are all fellow sufferers. We need to confess that we all need Jesus. God can use our brokenness for His honor and glory.
Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. - James 5:16
As Jesus ministers to us, we are to minister and serve others. To summarize: The bad news is that we all have virus called sin. The good news is that Jesus is the cure. We need a relationship with Jesus and we can have a relationship with Jesus.
That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. - Romans 10:9
God will forgive you. You just need to ask Him. Confess your need for Jesus. Receive Him. He will forgive you.
PIN ME!
Read all posts in my pastor's series on "Confession" here.
Love Where You Live is the third installment in our Love Where You Live Series. First we covered the topic Love Your Neighbors. The second installment covered Loving Others Well. In this third installment of the series, we are covering more about the series title, Love Where You Live.
Love Where You Live
The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon. You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.
If you live in the same region as me (north Georgia), 6 out of 10 people do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ. That's the statistic my pastor gives us in the video above and I want to stress here that we live in the heart of the Bible Belt. Growing up here in the deep south, I never would have believed that 6 out of 10 people would not have a relationship with the Lord. If you ask, most people might say they are Christians, but it is heartbreaking to me that so many people don't what the difference between attending Sunday morning services and having a real growing relationship with Christ. There is a big difference.
And I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me always, for their own good and for the good of their children after them. - Jeremiah 32:39
We need a singular focus, a singular mission to point people to Jesus.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. - Acts 1:8-10
Our Sr. pastor is back this week. His message is titled "Near or Far?" As we live, we are either drawing nearer to God or we are falling further away from Him. Where are you in your walk with the Lord?
Are you near to God or far away?
Our scripture passage for today is 2 Chronicles, chapter 7 and Hebrews 12:5-11. You can hop over real quick and read 2 Chronicles 7 here at Bible Gateway.
And you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons,
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, Norfaint when you are reproved by Him; For thosewhom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He scourges every son whom He receives.”
It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live?For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. - Hebrews 12:5-11
Are you near to God or far away?
The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon. You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.
Are you walking close to God or do you feel like you have slipped far away from Him? If you feel like you have slipped away, you should know this - you can come back again.
And My people who
are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and
turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive
their sin and will heal their land. - 2 Chronicles 7:14
When we fall far from God, He tells us how we can come back. He doesn't want us to stay far away from Him. He wants us near Him.
I. God loves us so much that He will discipline us when we stray.
Scroll back up and read Hebrews 12:5-11 again.
Discipline doesn't feel good, does it? It isn't supposed to feel good, but it yields righteousness. There is a difference between punishment and discipline. Punishment is something a judge does for payback. A criminal must pay his or her debt to society for a crime he or she has committed. Discipline is something a father does to train a child.
How does God discipline?
A. He reproves us, meaning He will convict us of our bad behavior.
For example, you will feel convicted if you watch a movie you shouldn't watch or a television show you shouldn't watch. You will feel convicted if you use language you shouldn't use. Conviction is something you feel in your heart, in your spirit (by the Holy Spirit), if you are a Christian. This is how you know when you have done something you shouldn't do or say something you shouldn't say.
If you feel conviction in your heart, that is a good thing because that means your heart is tender toward God's ways.
B. He scourges us, like a parent might spank a child. God will allow bad things to come into our lives to get our attention. God's love is not always a pampering love. God's love is a perfecting love.
Don't pull away. Draw near to God. When we pull away and move out from under the protection of God, the devil will take advantage of that.
Discipline shows us that:
*God loves us.
*we belong to Him.
For thosewhom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He scourges every son whom He receives. - Hebrews 12:6
*it leads us to life.
Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? - Hebrews 12:9
C. Death
This is something we don't talk about very often, but there is a sin unto death. Sometimes God will take someone home early because of their sin.
Remember, discipline is painful, but it yields holiness.
II. He loves us so much that He gives us a way back to Him.
Own your brokenness.
Turn from your sin.
Don't play the blame game.
Don't compare your sin to the sins of others.
Look at God. Seek Him only.
Let's look at 2 Chronicles 7:14 again.
And My people who
are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and
turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive
their sin and will heal their land. - 2 Chronicles 7:14
Now this verse:
For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. - Philippians 2:13
Don't live your life merely seeking for money, pleasure, advancement, etc. Seek God first. In fact, seek Him only.
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. - Jeremiah 29:13
III. He will restore us when we return to Him. He will hear, forgive, and heal.
As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. - Psalm 103:12
We don't have to stay far away from God. We can always come back to God. Consider two things if you have fallen away: 1. Are you God's child. If you are not, you can learn more about how to become God's child here. 2. If you are God's child, is it time for you to come back near to God? He is waiting for you.
God is waiting for you to come home.
Here's an old hymn for you to enjoy, Lord I'm Coming Home by the Gaither Vocal Band.
Here's another oldie but goodie from the Cathedrals.
