Blog Posts

Maturity Through Temptation

8/4/2013

"2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." - James 1:2-4

There are many trials and testings (temptations) that come our way as Christians; our Scripture today implores us to have joy in those testings. These temptations may be physical, or emotional, or spiritual and may or may not affect the ones we love. In addition, the world is always trying to allure us away from our Savior, Jesus Christ, so that we will be ineffective Christians. If you do not know Christ as personal Savior, overcoming these tests will be more difficult. For believers, there are three reasons why we must go through what some have called the ‘Refiner’s fire’ – so we may be mature (perfect), entire (Christ like), and pure wanting or in need of nothing.

Steadfast in Love for Him by Prayer

8/2/2013

"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." Acts 2:42

Some of the greatest works we share together as believers is to pray or share the Lord’s supper with one another. While there are a very many good things that believers may share together, the activity of interceding on the behalf of others or "breaking of bread" marked the lives of the early church.

Steadfast Christians Lost in Their Love for Him

7/31/2013

"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." Acts 2:42

Acts 2:42 tells us that the early Christians were steadfast in three things: * the Apostle’s doctrine, *fellowship, * the Lord’s table, and * prayers. In other words, the early Christians had a faith which was more than just believing in Him; they were diligent in the disciplines that God had taught them. They didn’t just “amen” the preacher to death on Sunday only to live like the wicked world on Monday! Their testimony helped to bear witness to the truth of Jesus in the world.

Steadfast: Living for Christ Every Single Day

7/28/2013

"And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common." Acts 4:32

Warning; if you love Jesus, but don’t love His church – these blessings can never be yours. The early church (that is the gathering of Christians in a local area) of Jerusalem experienced great blessings and persecutions, setting the precedent for all future assemblies. In common they had this - they believed (had faith) and in this, they were of one heart and mind.

God's Grace Offered Forgiveness before we asked for it.

7/14/2013

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God ... Ephesians 2:8

God’s grace is amazing; He is known as the “God of all grace” [1 Peter 5:10] in the Holy Bible. When we think of God, do we think of how longsuffering and kind He is? We have disobeyed His holy laws (the very heart of God), we have thrown our fist up before Him, and we have tried to define our own righteousness rather than relying on His righteousness and His ways. Even as believers in Him, we often fail to be as gracious and kind as He is to us.

Matthew 6:33-34 - His Priorities Our First Priority

7/4/2013

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Matthew 6:33-34

Did you personally accept Jesus Christ and start seeking his Kingdom from our last blog post? If so, welcome to God’s family! Continue seeking after Him and His ways.

Above all, seek the Lord; make Him a priority. It’s the first thing we should do when we awaken; give glory and honor to Him through prayer and then seek after Him by reading a faithful Bible translation, the King James Bible. As we make Jesus a priority, then He promises He will give to us all He has in store.

Matthew 6:33-34 - What are you seeking after? What are you looking for?

7/1/2013

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
- Matthew 6:33-34

Is food, drink, clothing, or the cares of this life the only thing you worry about? [Matthew 6:25] We learn in the sermon on the Mount that the secret to living an Abundant Life is: a) not a secret and b) not found in the temporary needs of life. The needs of life are only an end to help us trust Him more. Our Father in Heaven knows exactly what you need; we should trust that He will provide for what we need and not always what we want. Let’s live the life of victory by living life the way He intended it.

Rut Riders, Backsliders, or Joy Gliders: How we can learn to thank God, Part 2.

5/23/2013

4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.

5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.

6 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.

7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.

8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:4-8

And in other news today, a group of people called backsliders have been identified in God’s word, Psalm 107, as those who were following Him, but then backed away. These individuals have forgotten what Jesus has done for them, and they have voluntarily put themselves back into the chains of bondage that the Lord had released them from.

Rut Riders, Backsliders, or Joy Gliders: How we can learn to thank God, Part 1.

5/19/2013

4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
6 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.

Psalm 107:4-7

After studying Psalm 107, we discover three types of people who are in a relationship with God: rut riders, back sliders, and joy gliders. Rut riders are always going in circles; back sliders have a serious relationship problem with God; joy gliders enjoy life so much that if they are not careful, they are not prepared for the storms that may come. Let’s consider how each type of person can be thankful to God and deepen their friendship with Jesus.

Start with a Daily Commitment to follow God first

5/18/2013

"Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." Matthew 6:34

What happened to our spiritual life and the life of our Christian friends? It seems we were on fire for the Lord, serving Him, and willing to die for Him! Some who were deeply committed, however, seem to act like they have turned away from the Lord. Or perhaps you have realized you have walked away from following after Him. Do you know why this has occurred?

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