I'm Alive
|
Posted:Apr 18, 2014 4:35 am
Last Updated:May 25, 2024 6:41 am 7853 Views
|
Read: Ephesians 2:1-10
You He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins. âEphesians 2:1
Bible in a Year:
2 Samuel 3-5; Luke 14:25-35
Laura Brooks, a 52-year-old mother of two, didnât know it but she was one of 14,000 people in 2011 whose name was incorrectly entered into the government database as dead. She wondered what was wrong when she stopped receiving disability checks, and her loan payments and her rent checks bounced. She went to the bank to clear up the issue, but the representative told her that her accounts had been closed because she was dead! Obviously, they were mistaken.
The apostle Paul was not mistaken when he said that the Ephesian believers were at one point deadâspiritually dead. They were dead in the sense that they were separated from God, enslaved to sin
(Eph. 2:5), and condemned under the wrath of God. What a state of hopelessness!
Yet God in His goodness took action to reverse this condition for them and for us. The living God âwho gives life to the deadâ (Rom. 4:17) poured out His rich mercy and great love by sending His Jesus to this earth. Through Christâs death and resurrection, we are made alive (Eph. 2:4-5).
When we believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we go from death to life. Now we live to rejoice in His goodness!
I know Iâm a sinner and Christ is my need;
His death is my ransom, no merit I plead.
His work is sufficient, on Him I believe;
I have life eternal when Him I receive. â
Accepting Jesusâ death gives me life.
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
All Kinds Of Help
|
Posted:Apr 17, 2014 4:01 am
Last Updated:Apr 17, 2014 4:05 am 7755 Views
|
Read: Genesis 41:46-57
Pharaoh said to Joseph, âIn as much as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.Genesis 41.39
Bible in a Year:
2 Samuel 1-2; Luke 14:1-24
In the wake of the shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, many people have felt strongly compelled to help. Some donated blood for the injured, some provided free lunches and coffee at their restaurants for workers. Others wrote letters of comfort or just gave hugs. Some sent gifts of money and teddy bears for the ; others offered counseling. People found ways to serve according to their personalities, abilities, and resources.
A story in the Bible about Joseph tells how he used his skills to play an important role in helping people survive a 7-year famine
Gen. 41.53-54). In his case, he could prepare beforehand because he knew a difficult time was coming. After Joseph warned Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, that the lean years were coming, Pharaoh put him in charge of the 7-year preparation time. Joseph used wisdom and discernment from God to get his country ready 41.39. Then, when the famine was over all the face of the earth, . . . Joseph opened all the storehouses (v.56). He was even able to help his own family 45.16-18.
These stories show the heart of God for the world. He has prepared us and made us who we are that we might care for others in whatever way He leads us.
Lord, help me feel the hurt that others feel
When life inflicts some bitter pain,
And use me in some loving way to heal
The wounds that may through life remain.
Compassion offers whatever is necessary to heal.
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
Joining The Family
|
Posted:Apr 16, 2014 4:35 am
Last Updated:Apr 16, 2014 4:39 am 7687 Views
|
Read: Galatians 3.26.4.7
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3.26
Bible in a Year:
1 Samuel 30-31; Luke 1.:23-35
Maurice Griffin was adopted when he was 32 years old. He had lived with Lisa and Charles Godbold 20 years earlier as a foster . Although Maurice was now a man living on his own, adoption had been what the family and he had always longed for. Once they were reunited and the adoption was official, Maurice commented, This is probably the happiest moment in my life. . . . I'm happy to be home.
Those of us who have joined the family of God may refer to that time as the happiest moment in our lives. When we trust Christ for salvation, we become God's , and He becomes our heavenly Father. The Bible assures us, You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus Gal. 3.26.
As God's adopted , we acquire spiritual siblings our brothers and sisters in Christ and we all share an eternal inheritance
Col. 1.12. In addition, Jesus Spirit indwells our hearts and enables us to pray using the name Abba, Father Gal. 4.6 like a calling, Daddy.
To be a of God is to experience the closeness and security of a Father who loves us, accepts us, and wants to know us. Our adoption into His family is a wonderful homecoming.
I once was an outcast stranger on earth,
A sinner by choice, and an alien by birth;
But I've been adopted, my name's written down,
An heir to the mansion, a robe, and a crown.
God's arms are always open to welcome anyone home.
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
Spoonful Of Sugar
|
Posted:Apr 15, 2014 4:28 am
Last Updated:Apr 15, 2014 4:32 am 8264 Views
|
Read: Psalm 1.7-14
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. . . . Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Psalm 19:9-10
Bible in a Year:
1 Samuel 27-29; Luke 13:1-22
Where is Mary Poppins when you need her? I know this sounds as if I'm longing for the good old days when cheerfully unrealistic movies featured characters like this fictional nanny, but what I'm really longing for are people with a vision for the future that is realistically optimistic. I yearn for joyful, creative people who can show us the positive side of what we consider negative, who can remind us that just a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down.
David wrote a song that expressed a similar truth. In his words, âthe judgments of the Lord are sweeter also than . . . honey (Ps. 19:9-10). Seldom do we hear that truth is sweet. More often we hear that it is bitter or hard to swallow. But truth is so much more than medicine to treat what's wrong. It's the diet that will prevent disease. It's not an inoculation or an injection. It's a gourmet meal that should be presented as a culinary delight, enticing the hungry to taste and see that the Lord is good (34.8.
We sing Jesus is the sweetest name I know, but some of us present Him as if Hes gone sour. Pure truth, untainted by pride, is the sweetest, most refreshing taste of all to those who hunger for spiritual sustenance. And we have the privilege of serving it to a starving world.
Jesus is the sweetest name I know,
And Hes just the same as His lovely name,
And that's the reason why I love Him so;
Oh, Jesus is the sweetest name I know.
The truth of the Lord endures forever. Psalm 117.2
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
Mistaken Identity
|
Posted:Apr 14, 2014 4:13 am
Last Updated:Apr 14, 2014 4:16 am 8860 Views
|
Read: Matthew 16:13-20
He said to them, But who do you say that I am? Matthew 16:15
Bible in a Year:
1 Samuel 25-26; Luke 12:32-59
My youngest brother, Scott, was born when I was a senior in high school. This age difference made for an interesting situation when he grew to college age. On his first trip to his college campus, I went along with him and our mom. When we arrived, people thought we were Scott Crowder and his dad and his grandmom. Eventually, we gave up correcting them. No matter what we said or did, our actual relationships were overridden by this humorous case of mistaken identity.
Jesus questioned the Pharisees about His identity: What do you think about the Christ? Whose is He? They replied, The of David (Matt. 22:42). The identity of Messiah was critical, and their answer was correct but incomplete. The Scriptures had affirmed that Messiah would come and reign on the throne of His father David. But Jesus reminded them that though David would be Christ's ancestor, He would also be more David referred to Him as Lord.
Faced with a similar question, Peter rightly answered, You are the Christ, the of the living God (Matt. 16:16). Still today, the question of Jesus identity rises above the rest in significance and it is eternally important that we make no mistake in understanding who He is.
Frail of dust, and feeble as frail,
In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail;
Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end,
Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend.
No mistake is more dangerous than mistaking the identity of Jesus.
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
" Isn't God Powerful!"
|
Posted:Apr 11, 2014 8:41 am
Last Updated:Apr 11, 2014 8:45 am 9342 Views
|
Read: Psalm 29
Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name. Psalm 29:2
Bible in a Year:
1 Samuel 17-18; Luke 11:1-28
One day, my 3-year-old granddaughter Katie surprised her mom and dad with a bit of theological expertise. She said to them, You both had sisters who died. Then God took them up to heaven to be with Him. Isn't God powerful!â
God's immense power is a mystery, yet it is simple enough for a to understand. In Katie's young way of thinking, she knew that for God to do something so miraculous, it would mean that He is powerful. Without understanding all the details, she knew that God did something wonderful by taking her two aunts to heaven.
How often do we sit back in our more sophisticated world and marvel: âIsn't God powerful? Probably not often enough. We can't know how God spun the worlds into existence with His voice
(Job 38:39; Ps. 33:9; Heb. 11:3), nor can we know how He maintains control of them (Neh. 9:6). We can't know how He planned and fulfilled the incarnation of Jesus, nor can we understand how He can make Christ's sacrifice sufficient for our salvation. But we know these things are true.
The power of God: immeasurable in its wonder yet clear enough for us to understand. Itâs yet another reason to praise Him.
Everything God does is marked with simplicity and power.
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
Left Side Of The Road
|
Posted:Apr 10, 2014 3:06 am
Last Updated:Apr 10, 2014 3:08 am 9304 Views
|
Read: Galatians 5:1-14
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Galatians 5:14
Bible in a Year:
1 Samuel 15-16; Luke 10:25-42
Growing up in the US, I always thought it interesting that in some countries motorists drive on the left side of the road instead of the right. Then, when I was in England, I heard a London tour guide explain one possible reason for this law: In the 1800s, pedestrians as well as -and-carriages used the same roads. When a carriage was on the right side of the road, a driver's whip would sometimes hit a passerby. To remove this hazard, a law was passed requiring all carriages to travel on the left side of the road so the pedestrians could be kept safe.
Just as the rules of the road are for our benefit and protection, so are God's commands. Because He loves us, He has given them to us for our benefit. Paul writes: For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself (Gal. 5.13-14.
As we apply God's Word to our hearts, lets keep in mind that the God of grace has given us His guidelines to help us grow in our love for Him and our concern for others.
Thy Word is everlasting truth;
How pure is every page!
That Holy Book shall guide our youth
And well support our age.
The Bible has treasures of wisdom to mine.
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
Loved To Love
|
Posted:Apr 9, 2014 4:34 am
Last Updated:Apr 9, 2014 6:27 pm 9344 Views
|
Read: Deuteronomy 10:12-22
Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. Deuteronomy 10:19
Bible in a Year:
1 Samuel 13-14; Luke 10:1-24
Dietrich Bonhoeffers life was at risk every day he stayed in Hitlers Germany, but he stayed nonetheless. I imagine he shared the apostle Paul's view that being in heaven was his hearts desire, but staying where he was needed was God's present purpose
(Phil. 1:21). So stay he did; as a pastor he offered clandestine worship services and resisted the evil regime under Hitler.
Despite the daily danger, Bonhoeffer penned Life Togethera book on hospitality as ministry. He put this principle to the test when he lived and worked in a monastic community and when he was imprisoned. Every meal, every task, and every conversation, Bonhoeffer taught, was an opportunity to show Christ to others, even under great stress or strain.
We read in Deuteronomy that just as God ministered to the Israelites who were leaving Egypt, He instructed them to imitate Him by loving and hosting strangers and widows (10:18-19; Ex. 22:21-22). We too are loved by God and empowered by His Spirit to serve Him by serving others in countless ways each day through kind words and actions.
Who on our daily journey seems lonely or lost? We can trust the Lord to enable us to bring them hope and compassion as we live and labor together for Him.
That I may serve Him with a full surrender,
My life a crucible, His eye the test,
Each hour a gift from Him, the gracious Sender,
Each day a pledge to give to Christ my best.
The more we understand God's love for us the more love well show to others.
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
Gettings Beyond Ourselves
|
Posted:Apr 8, 2014 4:44 am
Last Updated:Apr 8, 2014 4:46 am 9425 Views
|
Read: 2 Corinthians 3.7-18
We all, . . . beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed. 2 Corinthians 3:18
Bible in a Year:
1 Samuel 10-12; Luke 9:37-62
I have one of those friends who seems to be better than I am at just about everything. He is smarter; he thinks more deeply; and he knows where to find better books to read. He is even a better golfer. Spending time with him challenges me to become a better, more thoughtful person. His standard of excellence spurs me on to greater things.
That highlights a spiritual principle: It's crucial for us to spend time in God's Word so we can connect with the person of Christ. Reading about the impact of Jesus unconditional love for us compels me to love without demand. His mercy and His free distribution of grace to the most undeserving make me ashamed of my tendency to withhold forgiveness and seek revenge.
I find myself becoming a more thankful person when I realize that, despite my shameful fallenness, the Lord has clothed me in the beauty of His perfect righteousness. His amazing ways and unsurpassed wisdom motivate and transform me. It's hard to be content with my life as it is when in His presence I am drawn to become more like Him.
The apostle Paul calls us to the joy of beholding Christ. As we do so, we are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory
(2 Cor. 3.18.
Lord, help us to come into Your presence with eyes
and hearts wide open to all that You are and want us
to become. Thank You for revealing Yourself to us
and for the joy of basking in the greatness of Your glory.
Stay close to God and you will never be the same.
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
Strawberry Mess
|
Posted:Apr 7, 2014 5:04 am
Last Updated:Apr 7, 2014 5:05 am 9325 Views
|
Read: Philippians 4:1-5
Be of the same mind in the Lord. Philippians 4:2
Bible in a Year:
1 Samuel 7-9; Luke 9:18-36
My husband and I had recently moved into our house when a man dropped off a large box of strawberries on our front sidewalk. He left a note saying he wanted us to share them with our neighbors. He meant well, but some discovered the box before any adults did and had a strawberry-throwing party at our white house. When we returned home, we saw we knew watching us from behind a fence. They had returned to the scene of the crime to see how we would react to the mess. We could have just cleaned it up ourselves, but to restore our relationship, we felt it was important to talk with them and require their help in cleaning our strawberry-stained house.
Life can get messy with relationship struggles. This was the case in the Philippian church. Two faithful servants, Euodia and Syntyche, were in sharp disagreement. The apostle Paul wrote to the church to encourage them to work through their problems (Phil. 4:2). He also wanted another person to come alongside them with a spirit of gentleness. He wrote, I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel (v.3).
Realizing we've all made messes in life, we can trust the Lord to help us deal gently with others.
Dear Lord, please give me discernment and
courage in my relationships. Help me by Your
power to be gentle and show the same love
to others that You have shown to me.
True love both confronts and restores.
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
