What is authentic faith? A hoping for the best? Is this how you think of faith? Authentic faith is the confident assurance in events not yet seen (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is not a call to believe in things when common sense tells you not to, faith is not a mindless stab in the dark, it is not even a crossing of the fingers and hoping for the best. It is not a leap into apparent nothingness, it’s a word that speaks of reasoned, careful, deliberate, intentional thought. Thought upon what? …
(1 John 5:4)…..For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith.
We all love to win. Victory is so sweet. I don’t know about you but I love to win, I like to compete, and I don’t like second place. One reason victory it’s so sweet is that it’s usually not easy. Victory takes effort – often great effort. Effort is also required in the spiritual battle we face against our enemies (world, the flesh, and the devil …
(Romans 8:32)…..He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us al things?
Most people approach prayer as an exercise in convincing God to help them when they are in trouble. They think they must twist God’s arm, or promise to do something, in order to get God to give them anything. The New Testament paints a different picture. God not only is a willing giver, but has already given! He is not holding back on …
Can you imagine for one moment Jesus being bound as a criminal and remaining silent as He is delivered up because of the need to deliver man (us) from sin (Isaiah 53:7)? How awful that must have been to watch, even for Judas it was difficult to bear (27:3-10). Jesus was bound and led to trial for only thirty pieces of silver, about $18.00 in today’s currency, and Judas had seen those hands calm the stormy sea and touch the blind and lame — he might have remembered how …
I was reading in Psalm 111 this morning, and thanking Him for what the text says of Him. It says in (v.2) “The works of the LORD are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them.” That is such an awesome verse. So in that thinking I want to spend a moment this morning sharing with you how awesome He is. Here are a few things to meditate on today.
a. God is eternal – no beginning – no end
(John 13:1-17)….. Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. 2 And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and …
Proverbs 22:4)…..By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life. Humility is the opposite of pride. Humility does not think it is better than anyone else. “I am what I am by the grace of God.” (1 Peter 5:5)…..Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” A humble person is one who follows God’s instructions, instead of leaning to their …
(Psalm 45:1-10)…..My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. 2 You are fairer than the sons of men; Grace is poured upon Your lips; Therefore God has blessed You forever. 3 Gird Your sword upon Your thigh, O Mighty One, with Your glory and Your majesty. 4 And in Your majesty ride prosperously because of truth, humility, and righteousness; And Your right hand shall teach You awesome things. 5 Your arrows are sharp in the …
How was the gospel preached by Paul?
If you believe in God, then you should recognize Jesus as King, because Jesus is God. So many people do not understand why it is so great that this is true. Yet, the word of God (His Scriptures) goes out of the way to declare this truth to us. Go ahead and read these verses and meditate on them this morning, and realize that it is God (Jesus) who loves you and redeemed you.
