Month: February 2012

Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer (Romans 12:12)

Unlike the English word “hope” the New Testatment word contains no uncertainty, it speaks of something that is certain, but not yet realized. The believer’s ultimate destiny is to share in the very glory of God (Romans 8:29-30) and that hope will be realized because Christ Himself secures it (1 Tim.1:1). Christians have hope for the future because Christ purchased salvation for them on the cross (past) Sanctifies them through His Spirit in the (present) and will lead them to glory in the (future). Without the clear and certain promises of the Word of God, the believer would have no basis for such hope.

Persevrance-Sometimes translated “patience”, this word refers to endurance, the ability to remain under tremendous weight and pressure without giving into. Tribulations-Another word used for pressure, like that of a press squeezing the fluid from olives or grapes. It describes not normal pressure of day to day living, but rather the extraordinary troubles that come to followers of Christ ( 2Cor.4:8). Such difficulties produce rich spiritual benefits. Having a continued steadfast prayer life, is without a doubt the most needed substance of learned relationship with Christ. The dependance on Him in all things, and for all things is our basis for a healthy prayer life.

God bless your walk! Continue in your faith with hope and love!

So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants, We have donewhat was our duty to do’ (Luke 17:10).

Welcome to the Christian life. You are asked by God to raise the bar in your attitude and behave like a servant who would be willing to live selflessly. The demand of the standard that Christ has set, may have seemed too high. That it was impossible that no offenses should come, but be warned when they do come! (Luke 17:1) In fact Jesus is saying that it would be better in comparison that we should have a millstone hung around our neck, and be thrown into the sea, than that we should be the cause of an offense to anyone wanting to come to Him. How serious is He? He tells us, If a brother (fellow believer) sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents forgive him. It is a Christian’s duty to be straightforward with a brother or sister in sin. Even up to seven times! Or no matter how many times they sin and repent. Forgiveness, like it has been granted so graciously to you, should be granted unending. And what was His disciples response? “Give us more faith.” (vs.5) They felt so inadequate in the face of the high standard Jesus had set for them.

Dear Christian saint, the point of this parable was that a servant should not expect no special reward for doing what was his duty in the first place. These were only the minimal duties for a servant of Christ. Let us not be looking for our rewards now in this life, but rather be willing to serve, and give of ourselves on behalf of Christ and His kingdom; so that others may be welcomed into the kingdom of heaven.

May God bless your walk!

 

“Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth.” (Mark 12:14)

Jesus, is our model of the undivided heart! From His undidived heart flowed the deep waters of conviction and spiritual integrity. Jesus’ critics who were trying here in the text to trap Him over the issue of taxes, could not make Him bend and finally had to admit: Teacher, we know You are a Man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by men, because You pay no attention to who they are; but You teach the way of God in accordance of the truth. (Emphasis added) Jesus’ identity in His Father was formed in His heart in such a way that the world saw a real man. One who was free to love, help , heal, and serve. Free to teach, confront hypocrisy, and connect radically with people. And most importantly to us as Christaians, Jesus Christ modeled how to release Himself fully to God’s purposes in the face of personal suffering. A real test of a man’s integrity.

Beloved saint, Steady on in your walk with the Lord today, lean on His strength, and His Word of truth and integrity.

May the Lord bless your walk!

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (1Peter 3:15)

Sanctification is accomplished by means of the truth, which is the revelation that the Son gave regarding all that the Father commanded Him to communicate and is contained for us in the Scriptures. So here, the reading is “set apart in your hearts Christ as Lord.” The heart is the sanctuary, or starting place for God in which He wants our worship to originate. Our lives must be submissive to live in communion with the Lord Jesus, loving and obeying from a heart transformed.

Always be ready to give a defense—The English word “apologetics” comes from the Greek word here translated “defense.” Peter is using the word in an informal sense and insisting that the believer must understand what he believes and why one is a Christian, and then be able to articulate one’s beliefs humbly with meekness, thoughtfully with Bibilical reason for the hope they have in following after Christ.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, Remain steadfast in your faith and trust in our Lord Jesus Christ, always being ready to give an answer to anyone who may ask you: Why? Your answer may change the eternal destiny of someone who doesn’t even know why they are even asking? Yet, it is undeniable that they see His life in you, and that is what it means to “sanctify the Lord God in your hearts.”

May God bless your walk!

 

But he who endures to the end shall be saved.{Matthew 24:13}

True believers are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation (1Peter 1:5). God gives the people of Israel a new heart in eternal salvation along with the return to their ancient land. ” And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me. Yes, ” I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will assuredly plant them in this land, with all My heart and with all My soul.” (Jeremiah 32:40-41).

Dear Christian saint, our walk with the Lord takes much enduring preseverance, and He knows what exactly that is for each of one of us. By His grace and goodness, just as He promised to Israel, so He will do for you. I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship with of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1Corinthians 1:4-9)

May the Lord bless your walk today!