September 6, 2008 – 11:38 pm
And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”
Ephesians 1:22, 23
What is church? Church is the body of Christ. Jesus lives in each of us as Christians, and all Christians in the world make up the universal body of Christ.
Church can be a tremendous help to you as you grow in your Christian life. When you go to church you can worship God and give Him praise. Other Christians can encourage you; can teach you; can counsel you; and can be used of God in your life. At the same time you can be used of God to bless others in your church. It is important to get together with other Christians when you can.
August 25, 2008 – 10:35 pm
God doesn’t need the help of any man or woman to accomplish His purposes. However, He has chosen to spread the gospel by means of His children. As one person tells another the good news of Jesus Christ, the story of hope and love spreads around the globe.
Consider each modern Christian is a spiritual descendant of the original disciples. Those men spent several years with Jesus. After His ascension, they preached what they’d learned from Him to anyone who’d listen. They also offered a helping hand where needed.
The grace and mercy demonstrated in word and action had a ripple effect. It spread outward from those first followers of Christ. It went across distance and time to hundreds, then thousands and even billions of individuals around the world.
But some people still have never heard Jesus loves them and died for their sins. This is why we’re called to serve family, friends, and neighbors. Loved ones see God’s grace lived out when we offer a helping hand, share the gospel, or lift them up in prayer.
To deny this call is to sin against the Lord. Our purpose is to serve God. The primary way we do that is by caring for those around us.
We can offer God many reasons for not serving Him such as weakness, inadequacy, and fear. But no excuse changes the mandate of Scripture. We are the Lord’s feet, hands, and voice on earth. We go where He wills. We help those in need. We tell all about the love of Jesus.
August 9, 2008 – 11:06 pm
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16
How to be joyful. Would you like to know how to have true joy in your life?
If your joy depends on any earthly thing — house, money, possessions — then these things can fade. But if your joy depends on God — who never fades, or changes — then that joy can last forever.
God’s nature is live. He loves you and wants to fill you with His Holy Spirit. In His Holy Spirit are the fruits of joy as well as love and peace and so much more. When you are filled with God’s Holy Spirit and are thankful to Him, He can fill you with His love and joy. The Bible says we can also pray continually; to be aware of the fact that God is with you throughout the day. You can pray in your thoughts to God throughout the day.
“If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.”
1 John 4:15
Why should we believe in God? The most important reason is that the Holy Spirit draws us to the truth that is God Himself. God alone is truth, and our hearts recognize Him as Lord and bow before Him.
“The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.”
Psalm 29:11
Let us pray this week particularly for peace here on earth. Let us pray for peace with justice — that the poor might be cared for, and the sick healed, and the weak protected. Let us pray for those who have lost loved ones in war.
We know that there will not be lasting peace here on earth until Jesus Christ returns. Until that day, let us pray that God’s peace will reign in our hearts and that, as much as possible, men will live at peace with one another.
“Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.”
Psalm 51:6
Truth Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
Truth means what is correct, authentic, and is really the case. God defines reality to us. His Word is true.
Pilate said to Jesus just before Jesus was crucified, “What is truth?” Jesus said “I came into the world to bear witness of the truth.”
Do you want to know what is right, and good, and holy, and true? Study Jesus. Learn about Him from the Bible. God’s word is true.
(Jesus speaking) “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
John 6:51
Who is Jesus Christ?
- He is the one and only Son of God
- He is God
- He is our Savior
- He died on the cross for our sins
- He will come again in power and glory
- He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords
How can we know this wonderful Lord? By asking Him into our hearts as our Savior and Lord.
Let us get to know Jesus Christ more and more. How can we know Him? One way is by spending time in His Word — the Bible.
“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope.”
Psalm 130:5
Waiting on God. Sometimes, when we pray, God asnwers our prayers right away. Other times, we may have to wait on God. Often we don’t like to wait, but here are three ways it can be good.
- It can teach us to focus on God and His character, not just the result of our prayers.
- It can teach us to be patient and build our trust; we can express our faith as we wait on Him.
- It can remind us that God’s ways are better and higher than ours, and that He knows best how and when to answer our prayers.
As we wait on God, let us tell Him we love Him and express our trust in Him as our loving heavenly Father. He knows what is best for our lives!
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9
You can experience God’s love and forgiveness! If you have truly asked Jesus Christ into your heart as Savior and Lord, God has forgiven your sins.
What happens if your sin once you are a Christian? Dr. Bill Bright, the late founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, had a concept he called “spiritual breathing.” Just as we breathe out bad air and breathe in good clean fresh air, so we can “breath out” — confess — our sins to God. We can ask God for His forgiveness and “breathe in” — receive — His great forgiveness and love.
God loves us and each day wants us to walk in His forgiveness and love. If you have sinned, then confess your sins to God. God can hear and forgive your sins.
“Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done.”
Psalm 105:1 (NIV)
Give thanks to the Lord.” God has given us so much! He created the world and everything in it that is good. He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins. He sent His Holy Spirit to lead, guide and teach us. He loves us!
The Bible says we are to give thanks to the Lord. We can praise Him for who He is — for His character, His goodness, His love and everything about Him.
It is good also to thank God for what He has done in our lives — for how He has blessed us, cared for us and provided for us and our loved ones.
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