God’s Word: Inspirational and Instructional
II Timothy 3:16-17, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. There are many books in the world today that are based on man's opinion of something. Whether the topic is politics, sports, the weather, self-help, or society, sometimes not everything published in a book is true. But there is one book we can trust. We know God's Word is true because it comes from God. In a day when so many things are based on opinion, God's Word is based on truth. All 66 books; 39 in the Old Testament, 27 in the New Testament. Every one of 1,189 chapters. All 41,173 verses and 3,566,480 letters--all Scripture is God-breathed. The greatest verse about Biblical inspiration is also a great verse about Biblical application. II Timothy 3:16-17 not only tells us who gave us the Bible but also why it was given. God breathed out His Word for our benefit. Every part of it is profitable. Waiting in its pages is a wealth of blessings ready to teach, reprove, correct, and train us in righteousness. We call the Bible “God’s Word” because it contains what He wants to say. He speaks into our lives through it. Each verse and every word accomplishes at least one of the purposes listed in today’s passage. No matter what our need, God has provided a response in His Word. 1. The Bible teaches us. The word doctrine means that which is correct and right (core teaching). Whatever we find in Scripture is truth that's worth being taught. Every time we read it, we should be asking, what is God teaching me in this passage? 2. God’s Word reproves us. The word reprove means what is wrong. It is the precision instrument of the Holy Spirit, often stopping us in our tracks through the conviction of sin. When the Lord says “Don’t” in Scripture, He always means, “Don’t hurt yourself.” He graciously reprimands us. 3. God’s Word also corrects us. The word correction means how to get (it) right. A sincere Child of God wants to stay right with the Scriptures. Notice: It is we, not the Bible, that needs correcting. The Scriptures never need adding to, correcting nor updating. It not only points out the wrong, it also provides the right response. The Bible straightens out our lives like nothing else. On our own we steer in wrong directions, but God consistently directs us in the way we should go. 4. Scripture trains us in righteousness. The phrase instruction in righteousness means speaks of how to keep it right. It is an absolute guide for the lifelong process of discipleship God wants to bring about. We will never outgrow our need for His guidance. Truth, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness are all ways God brings light to our lives by His Word. When we need to see where we are, where we’ve been, and where we’re going, we have a trustworthy source of guidance in the book God wrote. This is the picture described in Psalm 119:105, Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. But there’s a catch in this great promise about the benefits found in Scripture. Note the last phrase in the verse: “. . . That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” All that God has for you in His Word may come to you if you dig into it. But if your Bible remains closed, though the benefits are all there, you have not accessed them. Amazing things can happen when you open your Bible. Get familiar with it. Figure out how to find your way around. Ask for help. The spiritual maturity you long for will never be a reality until you practice regular, careful study of Scripture. Becoming a disciple of Jesus—one who is equipped to carry out the tasks He places before you—will always involve His Word. When you are reading His inspired thoughts, the Lord is breathing into you His truth, loving reproofs, gracious correction, and the guidance you need. Questions to Consider: What parts of Scripture do you gravitate to most often? Which ones do you tend to avoid? Since it’s all profitable, how do you think you could benefit by taking time to familiarize yourself with books and chapters of in the Bible you have rarely visited? Prayer, Lord, thank You for breathing out Your Word and using faithful servants to record it for the rest of us. Thank You that I can hold it in my hands, open it at will, and anticipate that the words my eyes fall on are for my benefit to teach, rebuke, correct, and train me. I desire that every time I read the book You wrote I would delight myself in it. I thank You today, for the precious gift of Your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com
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Encouraging the Discouraged (Proverbs 25:11)
The person who sets out to be an encourager will never find a shortage of people to help. The word encourage means to put courage into another. Now more than ever, people are more discouraged due to the pressures in life. One of the overlooked needs that people have is to be encouraged. Often it is easier for us to read the physical needs of people rather than their emotional needs. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver (Proverbs 25:11). The right word spoken at the right time can make all the difference to someone whose world is crashing. William Arthur Ward said, “Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you.” You Can Encourage Others by Extending Friendship- In Acts 9 we read of Saul who had been an enemy of the early Church—even having some Christians killed. He became a believer, but the Church was still hesitant of receiving him into fellowship. Acts 9:26-27 says, “And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.” Barnabas encouraged Saul by extending love and friendship to him. He befriended this new believer. I am constantly reminded of how much new Christians need encouragement in their spiritual journey. People grow the best when an attitude and an atmosphere of acceptance is present. We need the influence of others in our lives if we are going to grow spiritually. Proverbs 27:17, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” You have found a good friend if they are sharpening you in your spiritual development. The one Bible character who personified this was Barnabas. Barnabas was such an encouragement that the apostles changed his name from Joses to Barnabas—which means, “Son of encouragement.” In the New Testament, the word most often translated “encouragement” is the word paraklesis. It comes from two Greek words: para, “alongside of,” and kaleo, “to call.” So the word encourager means “someone who is called to come alongside of you to help renew and comfort you.” Think about it. What is one of the Greek words for the Holy Spirit? Parakletos—which is very similar to the word for encouragement; paraklesis. When a Christian is yielded to the Holy Spirit; then he can be a source of encouragement to others. Barnabas was a man greatly used by the Lord to reach many people for Christ. Acts 11:24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.” Barnabas was mightily used to reach and disciple new believers for the Lord. Barnabas was known for encouraging Saul. In so doing, God used Saul (Paul) in an unbelievable way to impact the world for God. You Can Encourage Others by Re-Building Relationships- In Acts 15:36-41. Earlier in their ministry, Paul and Barnabas had taken a young John Mark with them on their first missionary journey. Somewhere along the way, Mark left the team and went home. Later, when they wanted to retrace their steps. Barnabas wanted to take Mark with them, but Paul refused. Barnabas took Mark one way, and Paul took Silas another. Barnabas sought to mend the broken relationship. Later, in II Timothy 4:11, Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. Paul asks for Mark to come to him. Paul’s relationship with Mark was restored and their ministries continued in part because Barnabas refused to let go of a good man just because he failed. Barnabas was an encourager, and we too are called to be encouragers. In II Corinthians 1:3, the Bible calls God the God of all comfort, or encouragement. So for us to encourage others is to be like God. We need more believers like Barnabas. For the glory of God, will you say, “God, make me an encourager?” Questions to Consider: Today, who can I come alongside and serve or encourage? What is stopping me? Prayer: Father, thank You for Your Spirit inside me that urges me to “supply what is lacking” in the lives of others. How gracious that You choose to use me to help someone You love. Help me to always see that encouraging others as the privilege it is rather than a burden. In Jesus name, Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com God Has a Bigger Shovel (Luke 6:38)
Luke 6:38, Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. This principle is universal. A person who has a generous spirit will get back even more than what they gave. This certainly is true in respect to giving to God. He will also give back more than we give to Him. While traveling during a rainy day, an elderly woman had a flat tire. As her car sat on the side of the road, she was approached by a young man. The young man said, "I'm here to help you, ma'am. Why don't you wait in the car where it's warm? By the way, my name is Bryan." After he changed her tire she rolled the window down and asked him how much she owed him. Bryan never thought twice about asking for money, even though he could have used some financial help. Changing a tire was not a job to him; it was a matter of helping someone in need. He told the woman that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance they needed. "And when you do," he added, "think of me." Bryan waited until the woman started her car and drove off. A few miles down the road the woman saw a small diner and she went in to grab a bite to eat. Her waitress had a sweet smile, one that couldn't be erased, even though she had been on her feet all day. The woman noticed that the waitress was pregnant. She wondered how someone who seemingly had so little could be so generous and kind to a stranger. After she finished her meal, she remembered Bryan and she gave the waitress a $100 bill. While the waitress went to get change, the woman slipped quietly out the door. When the waitress came back to the table, she noticed something written on a napkin. When she picked it up to read it, she noticed four $100 bills that had been left underneath it. There were tears in the waitress's eyes when she read what the woman had written: "You don't owe me anything. I've been there, too. Somebody nice helped me out, the way I'm helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here is what you do: don't let this chain of love end with you." That night when the waitress got home from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the woman had written. How could the woman have known how much she and her husband needed that money? With the baby due in a month, she knew how worried her husband was. As he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered softly, "Everything's going to be all right. I love you, Bryan." Bryan was the young man that changed the tire. Prayer: Father in Heaven, when You sent Jesus to this world, You gave us Heaven’s best. While there is certainly no way I could ever out give You, I can honor You by demonstrating a Christlike behavior to others. In Jesus name, Amen! If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Lord, Deliver Me from Distractions (Colossians 3:2)
Colossians 3:1-2, If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Ever since man fell into sin in the garden (Genesis 3), people have had trouble staying focused. The world we live in today is in an era of unprecedented distraction. Since you’re already reading this on some electronic device, I don’t need to expound. There will always be distractions and opportunities to turn away from what we are supposed to be doing. One of the devil’s most effective tactics is not to get us to sin outright. Instead, he gets us to turn aside from what is truly important and focus on things of little importance. If we are not careful, we can find that we have succeeded to stay busy without getting anything accomplished. Jesus never lost sight of the pivotal purpose for which He came into the world. Every day of His life was spent on things that truly counted. This is the pattern that we should be following day by day. Focus leads to success. When we stay focused on what is important, we can accomplish great things for God. Where we focus our minds and hearts today counts forever. The very essence of what we believe to be true about the world hangs on where we direct our attention. One of the important and practical issues in the Christian life is where and how we set our minds. Regardless of how hard it may seem, you really can control your thoughts. To put it in terms of Colossians 3:2, we set our minds either on “things that are above” or “things that are on earth.” Setting our minds does not mean we only ever think of God and heaven, but it does mean that as we engage in our earthly callings such as our family, at work, in the world — we don’t mentally turn our backs on Him. All of us set our minds on something and you will set it somewhere — or if you leave it alone, it will go somewhere. · What is distracting you from being focused on the Lord? · If there was one change you made to your daily routine or thought life that could help your eyes stay fixed on Jesus, what would it be? Prayer: Father, I confess I’ve allowed myself to be distracted, and I don’t want to be anymore. Please forgive me, give me a clear sense of Your calling on my life. Help me to stay focused and attentive on serving You. Give me the strength and self-control I need to fix my eyes on You, so I can learn what You want me to learn and be who You want me to be. You are worthy of my full attention. I want to hear Your voice. Whatever it takes, Lord, help me to pursue only what You call me to do, and deliver me from distractions. In Jesus’ name, Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Our Heavenly Father Knows Best (Proverbs 1:8)
Proverbs 1:8, My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother. An old farmer who was about to die, called his two sons to his bedside and said, "My boys, my farm and the fields are yours in equal shares. I leave you a little ready money but the bulk of my wealth is hidden somewhere in the ground, not more than eighteen inches from the surface. I regret that I've forgotten precisely where it lies." When the old man was dead and buried his two sons set to work to dig up every inch of ground in order to find the buried treasure. They failed to find it but as they'd gone to all the trouble of turning over the soil they thought they might as well sow a crop, which they did, reaping a good harvest. In autumn as soon as they had an opportunity, they dug for the treasure again but with no better results. As their fields were turned over more thoroughly than any others in the neighborhood they reaped better harvests than anyone else. Year after year their search continued. Only when they had grown much older and wiser did they realize what their father had meant. Real treasure comes as a result of hard work. Ephesians 6:5-6, Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. Christians workers are to be loyal and obedient to their employers. We are to follow their instructions and put in a full day's work for a full day's pay. Laziness and shoddy workmanship are poor testimonies and clear signs a person is not filled with the Spirit. Singleness of heart means we have our minds focused, concentrated on our jobs, and work to the best of our ability. The role of the supervisor is to instruct the employee on what to do, not the other way around. One way we show respect is by not fussing, feuding, or fighting but by shining as lights. Colossians 3:23-24, Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the LORD, not for human masters, Knowing that of the LORD ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the LORD Christ. The Spirit filled worker is to work hard and to do their work for the Lord. This will make certain the quality of the work is admirable which is vital if one is to have a good testimony for God. What we do is ultimately to the Lord and not unto men. This certainly is true in the work place as referred to above, but also in any other venue of life. As our earthly supervisors give compensation for our labor, keep in mind, we will also receive compensation from the Lord. The reward is called an "inheritance" which means payday is coming soon. Prayer: Lord, thank You for the work You’ve given me to do. Remind me to work with all my heart as if I’m working directly for the Lord Jesus Christ. Help me to embrace the dignity of my work. I want to work hard, on everything, for Your glory. In Jesus' name. Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Lord’s Goodness and Mercy (Nahum 1:7)
Nahum 1:7, The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. President Calvin Coolidge was awakened one morning in his hotel room to find a burglar going through his pockets. Coolidge spoke up, asking the burglar not to take his watch chain because it contained an engraved charm very precious to him. Coolidge then engaged the thief in quiet conversation and learned he was a college student who had no money to pay his hotel bill or buy a ticket back to campus. Coolidge counted $32 out of his wallet declared it to be a loan, and advised the young man to leave the way he had come so as to avoid the Secret Service! Although this young man never earned nor deserved mercy Coolidge showed this young man mercy rather than justice. Surprisingly, the loan was paid back. God declares and demonstrates His goodness to His children. Nahum described the mercy and goodness of God. He is good! He is a refuge for help in the day of trouble. Furthermore, God knows those who trust in Him. He knows His own. … The Lord knoweth them that are his (II Timothy 2:19). He has promised to bless those who trust in Him (Psalms 2:12; 34:78; 40:4; 84:12). Those promises remain to this day. Three traits which comfort Christians in turbulent times: 1.His Mercy is Pure (The Lord is good) This verse declares the goodness and mercy of the Lord. Although God’s mercy is something we are not deserving of, we should be very grateful for it. Only the heart of a divine Saviour can love us at the level we receive. 2.His Mercy is Preserving (a strong hold in the day of trouble;) God is a help in trouble, not just in the good days, but also in the days of trouble. Many things and people can help us on good days but when trouble and calamity comes, their help ceases and is not adequate. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1). It is the Lord Himself, His presence, that will shelter and protect the person who places his faith in the Lord. No matter the trouble (whether terrifying trial, seductive temptation, or simple problem) the Lord is good and He cares for those who trust in Him. The Lord will shelter, protect and deliver the believer into the very presence of God Himself. 3.His Mercy is Personal (he knoweth them that trust in him) Believers will not face the vengeance of God because the Lord knows those who trust Him. The word knows suggests a close, personal relationship, a deep, intense, loving relationship. The Lord knows those whose faith and hope are in Him. He knows them because true believers walk with the Lord, fellowshipping, sharing and talking with Him. They live righteously, obeying His Holy Word and commandments. The Lord and His dear people have a close bond, a very personal relationship. Therefore, when His people face trouble, whether mild or terrifying, the Lord is a refuge or stronghold for them. Prayer, Father in Heaven, use me as a sanctified vessel to pour out mercy and love without measure on other people. Father, we live in a world where there are so many hurting people. Help me to stretch out a willing arm of comfort, when I see other people hurting or in pain. May Your Holy Spirit empower me to bless and help all those whom I come in contact. In Jesus name, Amen! If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Be Affectionate One to Another (Romans 12:10)
Romans 12:10, Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Two outlooks of love are addressed here. 1. Regard for the saints. "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love." The words "kindly affectioned" indicate a family love for one another. Christians are members of one family. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. We are to love one another because we are brethren (I Thessalonians 4:9; I Peter 1:22). Believers are to love each other in a family way. Paul is saying that we should love one another as if we were related. Loving the saved is proof of salvation. "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren" (I John 3:14). Loving the brethren also tells the world that we are Jesus' follower. "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35). Having just explained what real Biblical love is Paul calls on us to make application by honoring and preferring others. Jesus stressed the importance of brotherly love. Brotherly love is one of the traits by which the world will know that we are Christians. Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him (I John 5:1). Paul is telling us that our relationships in the Body of Christ should carry the authenticity of family. It represents two or more friends who love each other just as deeply as if they were members of the same family. We should indeed love each other as if we were genuinely blood brothers and sisters. In fact, our love for one another should be so profound that we hold one another in honor. 2. Respect for the saints. "In honor preferring one another" (Romans 12:10). "In honor" means "in reverence, deference, or respect." It means to treat someone or something as valuable and precious. To show genuine appreciation and admiration for others. We are to have a love for all brethren, regardless of their status of being either rich or poor, young or old, black or white. In honor, we are to be preferring one another. The word "preferring" means "to go before and lead." This involves deferring or yielding to the other person. We are to yield the right-of-way. This is true humility. The idea is that we are to allow others to be first. It is letting the other guy be out front. Paul admonished the Philippians, Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves (Philippians 2:3). Preferring the spouse, friend, or family member you are with above yourself will not only please the Lord but will also improve your time together. Real love is putting others first. We understand that every human being is created in the image of God. Honoring another above ourselves means to listen to the other person, to be most aware of his or her hopes, joys, needs and fears, and to be considerate. We are created in the image and in the likeness of the Creator, but also Christ is in us. Paul is calling on Christians to outdo one another in bestowing honor to one another. Our proper treatment of other believers in love is linked to having a proper love for and worship of God. A love between friends that is authentic, sincere, tender, and warm. It gives the idea of an appreciation so great that you would prefer to see the person you love succeed even more than you want to see your own success. This means there is no room for jealousy or competition. You truly desire the very best for this person because you love him so deeply. It represents the attitude of a person who values a friend so highly that he deeply desires the very best to come to pass for his friend. Praise God that has given you godly relationships. You are blessed with genuine friends who love you like family; who treat you like a brother (or sister); and who will walk with you for many years to come. Look for ways to grow closer and closer to the Lord and your family. As God has blessed you with dear friends, He is teaching you how to be a better friend to those who are near you. Points to Ponder: God did not create any relationship to benefit one person and not the other. Choose today to put others above yourself. Look for ways to bless them, and God will in turn bless you. Questions to Consider: 1. Are some of your relationships so precious that you hold them to be as dear to you as family? 2. If so, have you taken the time to really express to them how much you love them? 3. What can you do to improve your skills to become a better friend? Prayer: Lord, I thank You for the incredible friendships You have placed in my life. I am blessed to have such loving, faithful, and true relationships. When I think of all the people who live such lonely lives, it makes me want to stop and express my gratefulness to You for placing such precious people in my life. Lord, I also ask You to please help me see those who need to be loved so I can include them as a part of my life. I want to give to others the love and support that I have received. Holy Spirit, help me to start doing this today. In Jesus name Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Scented Saints (II Corinthians 2:15)
II Corinthians 2:15, For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: The Gospel causes saved and unsaved people to react differently. Our life and witness are perceived differently by those who know the Lord and those who are perishing without Christ. Paul’s thought is that to those who are saved, the hearing of the Gospel is the fragrance of abundant life leading to eternal life. On the other hand, the Gospel to unsaved people brings conviction of sin and their lost condition as an odor of death, especially as they reject Christ. In the same manner, the gospel witness of believers is a fragrance from life to life for those who believe in the Lord. It is a message of life. The Gospel is life-changing and gives hope of eternal life. Believers are the very fragrance of the Lord Jesus Christ when they are living for Him. It is interesting to note that believers are “unto God a sweet savour of Christ” (II Corinthians 2:15). Our very existence as His children smells good to our Heavenly Father. Picture the faithful minister in a room with a group of people. The minister's presence and words give off a fragrance to everyone present. The minister is a sweet fragrance to God, for he spreads the message of Christ among the saved and the perishing. The minister is pleasing to the Lord for the minster is faithful as he spreads the fragrance of life and death, the message that men can have life in Christ, or else the message that men shall die without Christ—die and be separated from God eternally. The picture is that of a flower. The flower is a sweet fragrance to men. Therefore, the flower is acceptable to men. The minister is a sweet fragrance to God. Therefore, the minister is acceptable to God. The minister is worthy of God’s attention, care and preservation. This means the minister is pleasing, enjoyable and very precious to God. He is under the wing of God's eternal love and care. My wife and I celebrated our 10th Wedding Anniversary in Hawaii. While we were there, we visited the Dole Pineapple Plantation and decided to venture through the world’s largest pineapple maze. The maze is enclosed around a botanical garden and once you have completed the mazes course people know where you have visited because you have the scent of the garden. As believers, our walk with the Lord should be so evident to those we encounter that they pick up on the fragrance of Christ in our life. PRAYER: Lord, may my life and service to You be acceptable and a sweet fragrance. May it attract others to You as I live before others. In Jesus name, Amen. If this post has blessed you in any way, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com God is Faithful and Satan is Frustrated (Deuteronomy 7:9; James 4:7)
God is Faithful (Deuteronomy 7:9) Deuteronomy 7:9, Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; God is holy, just and faithful. Holiness is His fundamental attribute and Christians should emulate Him and live pure lives. Today, God continues to pour out His blessings on us. Opportunities are opening for the ministry globally. Churches are being planted around the world. People are coming to the Lord. Souls are being won to Christ all over the world. Particularly, people in Muslim countries. All this we couldn't possibly orchestrate on our own without Him. God's doing it and we get to have a part in His work. Satan is Frustrated (James 4:7) James 4:7, Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. The existence of a personal Devil is scoffed at by many and doubted by more. Modernists believe evil exists, but not an “evil one.” Satan is often regarded as an impersonal force, an imagination, a medieval invention designed to scare people into the “church,” or an excuse on which to blame our shortcomings. None of these are so, for the Bible clearly teaches the existence of a personal, malevolent, evil one, the Devil. It is the duty of each Christian ‘soldier’ to know as much about his, or her, adversary as possible II Corinthians 2:11. Ignorance on this subject is a dangerous thing. Satan knows his time is short. As a result, Satan scratches and claws. As the ministry impacts more lives, he roars. I John 4:4, Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. We have deepened our prayer life, helped each other resolve stress, and kept our eyes fixed on Christ. Christ destroyed the works of Satan in I John 3:8, He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. This means He has frustrated, or undone, the works of the Devil. Those in Christ can overcome Satan and live fruitful, productive lives. According to the following Scriptures, Christ sealed Satan’s doom on the cross (Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14; John 16:11). We are on the victory side! PRAYER: Father, lead me in this spiritual warfare to stand strong and never surrender. Help me to be wise to Satan’s snares and his temptations. Direct my steps that I may not get sidetracked in pursuing Your will and work. I ask that You would confound the devil and give me courage in times of testing. I know that You are with me and that You will never forsake or fail me. In Jesus name, AMEN! If this post has blessed you in any way, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com King of the Hill (Matthew 27:35-44; Mark 15:25-32; Luke 32-43; John 19:18-27)
As a young boy one of the many games we liked to play at school was “king of the hill”. One thing I need to point out is that this game was very rough and not all boys were willing to play. This game was not for the weak. We would wrestle and scrap as we shoved each other off the top of the mound. By the time one boy stood at the top he was hurled off while others were grappling to take his place. All of this was done because we desired to reign as king. Several boys would play but not all were able to claim kingship. Over 2,000 years ago, on Golgatha's Hill, our Lord and Saviour hung on a cross for our sins. There was only One willing to bleed, suffer and to die for all people. On that day, at Calvary, the True King was crowned King of kings. Satan and his demonic army attempted to prevent His reign, but He arose in victory and forever secured His title. There are no challengers, no rematch and certainly no split decision or co-champions. He sits alone on the throne for He is the King of the Mountain! After arriving at Calvary, Jesus was nailed to the cross. Jesus' behavior during the crucifixion was in striking contrast to the way most victims of crucifixion reacted. They would usually beg, fight, curse and even spit at the soldiers and spectators. Luke 23:34 describes Jesus’ reaction to this brutal treatment. Jesus hung on the cross for six hours before He died. Words do not have the power to adequately describe how He suffered. Every nerve and every muscle caused excruciating pain. Besides all of this, even on the cross Jesus faced mockery, ridicule and the temptation to come down from the cross. We are all guilty of sin. That is why Jesus had to shed His Blood for us and die, so He could pay our sin debt. He suffered for us. It is very important that Jesus Christ really did resurrect from death because we live in a world filled with pain, tragedy, conflict, illness and death. With all the questions being asked over and over, time and time again, we still have an unquenchable longing to find meaning in all the confusion and chaos that we experience. We all have a strong desire to know the answers to the deep questions in life. Spiritual leaders have come and gone, claiming to answer our deepest questions. When Jesus Christ came, He offered something totally different than all others before Him. He took our sin upon Him. The wages of sin is death. They nailed Him to the cross. And when they did this, all sins were nailed to the cross. He took our sins upon Him. Not only did Jesus Christ takes our sins upon the cross, it enabled Christ to give us His righteousness. It means that Jesus took our sins upon His record and then placed His righteousness upon our record. Prayer: Father, You sent Your only begotten Son to pay for the debt that I owed. Why You did that is hard to comprehend. Jesus Christ did nothing wrong and I can’t seem to stay away from sin! What an amazing gift You have given me! Thank You for bringing me into a relationship with You through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help me to never forget the debt Christ paid for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen. If this post has blessed you in any way please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com |
AuthorDr. Blackman is passionate about helping others grow in the grace of the Lord. His devotions are centered on how to grow closer to the Lord through a personal relationship with Christ. Archives
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