The Messiah!

Genesis 3; Genesis 4; Genesis 5; Luke 2
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Scripture

Luke 2

25 At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him 26 and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28 Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

Observation

The people were expecting a Messiah that would come and rescue Israel. They were expecting the Messiah to come like He will come on His second return, but His first mission was to save us from our sins. They were expecting a national leader that would set them free from Roman domination, but Jesus had a bigger rescue in mind for His first earthly ministry.

People get frustrated when God doesn’t fit their idea of what God should be like. So they try to create a god that works for them = an idol. They reject the truth that Jesus came to this earth to set them free from their sin and they don’t believe that the next time He comes to this earth He will come as Victor and Judge.

What kind of an idea do you have about God? If you didn’t get your ideas or truth from the Bible then I can tell you that they are very messed up. Do you want to see what God is like then read the Bible?

Application

I look forward to the coming Messiah!


Prayer

Come Lord Jesus!


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A Great Verse To Start Out The New Year!

Genesis 1; Genesis 2; Luke 1
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Scripture

Luke 1

37 “For nothing is impossible with God.”

Observation

In 2009 “Nothing is impossible with God”! It is a great promise for 2009!

Application

I will apply this verse to some seemingly impossible situations! They are impossible for me, but not for God.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to walk by faith and live out this verse this year!

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Finally a Pain Free Place!

Revelation 19; Revelation 20; Revelation 21; Revelation 22
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Scripture

Revelation 21

3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

Observation

I am ready for no more pain, sorrow, crying, or death - how about you? This world is so violent, so corrupt, and so evil, Heaven will be such a great place!
Sin is not allowed into Heaven so if you are planning on going to Heaven you better do something with your sin. Ooops…you can’t do anything with your sins, only Jesus can take away your sins, so you better run to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you of your sins. The Bible calls that repentance! The Bible says that unless we repent we will all likewise perish. Have you repented of your sins and placed your faith in Jesus Christ?


Application

I am looking forward to Heaven where there is no tears or pain.


Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for this past year. Thank you for allowing me to serve You. Thank you for my health and the health of my family. Thank you for our church and I ask you to bless every family in 2009. Thank you for Your Word. Thank you for providing me a way to read Your Word from beginning to end with just a click of my computer mouse each day.

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For You Alone Are Holy

Revelation 15; Revelation 16; Revelation 17; Revelation 18
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Scripture

Revelation 15

2 I saw before me what seemed to be a glass sea mixed with fire. And on it stood all the people who had been victorious over the beast and his statue and the number representing his name. They were all holding harps that God had given them. 3 And they were singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb:
“Great and marvelous are your works,
O Lord God, the Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
O King of the nations.
4 Who will not fear you, Lord,
and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come and worship before you,
for your righteous deeds have been revealed.”

Observation

When we get to Heaven we will get to sing songs written by saints (at least by Moses) that lived before us. And it looks like we will know how to play musical instruments at least the harp. All nations will come and worship before the Lord … I can’t wait to experience that! Have you ever been in a worship service with a group of Y.W.A.M.er’s (Youth With A Mission)? Kathy and I were at Ridgecrest and they happened to be there training and so we joined them for their worship service …totally awesome! I believe that it was just a glimpse of what Heaven is going to be like!

Application

I will focus on worshipping my Lord 24/7 and not just on Sunday mornings. Even as I change oil in our cars in a few minutes I want to continue to worship!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, incline my heart to worship You. I want to please You today with my attitude, with my thoughts, and with my actions. May everything I do today be as worship to You. Keep me from sin today. Help me walk close to You. Thank you for healing my body. I am so much better today. You are a Mighty God.

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666 - Does It Come With a Financial Crisis?

Revelation 10; Revelation 11; Revelation 12; Revelation 13; Revelation 14
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Scripture

Revelation 13

16 He required everyone—small and great, rich and poor, free and slave—to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead. 17 And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name. 18 Wisdom is needed here. Let the one with understanding solve the meaning of the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man His number is 666.

Observation

I wonder how the “666” mark of the beast will actually happen? Maybe it will come at a time when we have a national financial meltdown or maybe after another terrorist attack that happens on a more gigantic scale than 9/11 …I wonder.
We don’t know how it will happen but we do know that it is going to happen. I hope that I am not alive during those days, but I sure don’t want this to touch the lives of my children or my grandchildren either.

My hope is in the Lord Who delights in me. He will take care of His children and He will walk through any difficult times with us. He is my Strength.

Application

I will never see the mark of the beast on my forehead or on my hand. I will have the mark of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords all over me! How about you?


Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you that I don’t have to lose any sleep over worry about the mark of the beast. If it happens tomorrow, I know that I am safe in your hands. Thank you for all your promises. Thank you for letting us know how it all ends and that we have the victory.


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Evil and Hard Headed!

Revelation 5; Revelation 6; Revelation 7; Revelation 8; Revelation 9
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Scripture

Revelation 9

3 Then locusts came from the smoke and descended on the earth, and they were given power to sting like scorpions. 4 They were told not to harm the grass or plants or trees, but only the people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 They were told not to kill them but to torture them for five months with pain like the pain of a scorpion sting. 6 In those days people will seek death but will not find it. They will long to die, but death will flee from them!

7 The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. They had what looked like gold crowns on their heads, and their faces looked like human faces. 8 They had hair like women’s hair and teeth like the teeth of a lion. 9 They wore armor made of iron, and their wings roared like an army of chariots rushing into battle. 10 They had tails that stung like scorpions, and for five months they had the power to torment people. 11 Their king is the angel from the bottomless pit; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek, Apollyon—the Destroyer.

12 The first terror is past, but look, two more terrors are coming!

The Sixth Trumpet Brings the Second Terror

13 Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a voice speaking from the four horns of the gold altar that stands in the presence of God. 14 And the voice said to the sixth angel who held the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great Euphrates River.” 15 Then the four angels who had been prepared for this hour and day and month and year were turned loose to kill one-third of all the people on earth. 16 I heard the size of their army, which was 200 million mounted troops.

17 And in my vision, I saw the horses and the riders sitting on them. The riders wore armor that was fiery red and dark blue and yellow. The horses had heads like lions, and fire and smoke and burning sulfur billowed from their mouths. 18 One-third of all the people on earth were killed by these three plagues—by the fire and smoke and burning sulfur that came from the mouths of the horses. 19 Their power was in their mouths and in their tails. For their tails had heads like snakes, with the power to injure people.

20 But the people who did not die in these plagues still refused to repent of their evil deeds and turn to God. They continued to worship demons and idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood—idols that can neither see nor hear nor walk! 21 And they did not repent of their murders or their witchcraft or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

Observation

This is not easy Sunday morning reading. It is hard to imagine how terrible this will be but just reading about the very last days for this earth is hard to take. It is awful. It will be awful. I don’t want to be here when all of this happens. I know that it could happen at any time, but I would rather it happen after I am safe in Heaven. How about you?

Application

I read Revelation knowing that I am one of God’s chosen and I know that He is going to take care of me.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, these chapters of Revelation are difficult to take in. Evil continues to gain strength until You finally destroy Satan and all of his followers, but it is a terrible scene. Thank you for promising to take care of me and everyone else that calls on Your Name. Thank you that I am finally starting to feel better. This is the day that You have made I will rejoice and be glad in it.


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Jesus – No Longer a Babe In A Manger!

Revelation 1; Revelation 2; Revelation 3; Revelation 4
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Scripture

Revelation 1

12 When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. 13 And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest. 14 His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire. 15 His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. 16 He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance.

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.

Observation

Pictures of Jesus that have been created in the minds of men will never really show us what Jesus looked like and cannot show us what Jesus will look like when He returns. But this description of Jesus given by the Apostle John makes it clear that when He returns He will return as Victor and He will not return as a Meek Suffering Servant as He did the first time. When He comes the Second time it will be with a two edged sword coming from His Mouth!

We need to be ready for His Second Coming. Jesus says, “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.”

Application

I want to be victorious and sit with Jesus on His throne. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to be faithful 100%. I don’t want you to have something against me like You did against the seven churches in these first chapters of Revelation. Help me not to fall into sin. Keep me strong. Help me to strengthen others in their walk with You. You are the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.

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Good and Bad Leadership!

Psalm 117; Psalm 119:81-176; 2 John 1; 3 John 1
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Scripture

3 John 1

9 I wrote to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be the leader, refuses to have anything to do with us. 10 When I come, I will report some of the things he is doing and the evil accusations he is making against us. Not only does he refuse to welcome the traveling teachers, he also tells others not to help them. And when they do help, he puts them out of the church.

11 Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.

12 Everyone speaks highly of Demetrius, as does the truth itself. We ourselves can say the same for him, and you know we speak the truth.

Observation

Diotrephes is an example of a leader, but a very bad example. I was told the other day that we should call our leaders servants and not even use the term “leader” in church. Demetrius was evidently a good example of servant hood. Leaders influence and their influence is either positive or negative.

Some use their leadership to harm others like Diotrephes was doing, but in the end they will answer for their evil behavior. There is payday some day. God will deal with them and I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes when He does!

Let’s look at how we can serve someone today.

Application

I will look for opportunities to serve someone today.


Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me be more like Demetrius and not at all like Diotrephes today. Give me a servant’s heart. I pray that you help me to get well so I can serve you 100%. This cold has kept me down way too long and I need relief. I pray for my children today that they would have a heart for You. I pray that you bless them and bless my grandchildren. They are wonderful gifts from You. Help me as I think about this new year and give me wisdom to lead our church. Help me to be an encourager.


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A Christmas Reminder!

1 John 1; 1 John 2; 1 John 3; 1 John 4; 1 John 5
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Scripture

1 John 5

21 “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.”

Observation

Things always have a way taking God place in our hearts. Adults have toys too. They are really idols. They are the things that take primary place in our hearts, a place that only belongs to God.

It could be a boat, a computer, a computer or video game, hunting, fishing, buying stuff at stores, a hobby, a passion, all of these when we don’t keep them in their place they take God’s place. And God says that we should keep away from things like that. So you may have to curtail your hunting, fishing, shopping, and allow God to take priority in your life.

Christmas is a great time to make the adjustments and recommit your life to God. Is He Number One in your life today or has some toy taken His place and has crowded Him out? You can change that today!

Application

Today I recommit my life to You Lord. Show me anything that I am allowing to be too important in my life. I want You to be Number One in my life today.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for this Christmas. So much good stuff has happened in and through our church. The Christmas Candle Light Service was awesome and I believe that it brought You Glory and Honor. This day is all about You and Your plan for us. Thank You for coming up with the idea of Christmas. Thank you for sending Your Son to die for my sins. Help me to keep You first in my life.


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“As for you, follow me.”

John 19; John 20; John 21
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Scripture

John 21

22 “…As for you, follow me.”

Observation

John 20 ends the Gospel of John except for one thing, “the restoration of Peter”, remember that Peter had denied Christ three times after Jesus was arrested. Peter repented of his action but he needed the reassurance from Jesus that Jesus still loved him even though Peter was guilty of the terrible denial.

It is interesting that when Jesus met up with Peter to restore their relationship that Peter immediately looked around and said, “what about him”. Jesus doesn’t rebuke him for the question He just says, “…as for you, follow me”

We always want to compare our walk with someone else’s, but the Lord wants us to follow Him no matter what anybody else is doing. We shouldn’t compare ourselves with other believers we must compare ourselves with what God has asked us to do.

It is always a temptation to start nitpicking and criticizing someone else’s walk or ministry when we are not happy with ourselves, when we are not happy about our own walk, or our own ministry.

Kathy and I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and an Exciting and Blessed New Year!

Application

I will focus on what God has called me to do and not worry about what others are doing or not doing.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for calling me to serve You. Help me to serve You with all my heart, all my mind and all of my soul. Give me wisdom to be able to lead Your people in understanding what You would have them to do. I pray that you raise up leaders in our church and I pray for workers to help us further Your Kingdom.


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The Power of That Name – Jesus!

John 15; John 16; John 17; John 18
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Scripture

John 16

23 At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. 24 You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.

Observation

Just think that if you were working for the President of the United States and could use his name when you needed something. My name is So and So and I work for the President. The person that you are talking to would probably break their neck to help you.

Jesus says that when we need something that we can use His Name and He would stand behind the request to His Father.

It would go sort of like this: “Dear God I am asking for this and Your Son said that I could mention His Name because I have a personal relationship with Him.

Is that cool or what?

Application

As I talk to God today, I realize that I can do so because I am connected to His Son Jesus. He is the Vine and I am one of the branches.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me realize the wonderful privilege I have of being able to come to You at any time with any request because of Jesus. It is in His Name that I approach Your Throne. I come boldly today because of Jesus. Thank You for hearing me and thank You for saying Yes to my requests. You are Wonderful and Worthy of Praise!


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No Jesus No Peace – Know Jesus Know Peace!

John 12; John 13; John 14
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Scripture

John 14

27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

Observation

Here is a great gift that you can receive at Christmas – peace of mind and heart. Jesus is the only person that can give us that gift. No Jesus No Peace …Know Jesus Know Peace. He is the Prince of Peace. No matter what you are going through right now you can have peace of mind and heart if Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior.
No matter what happens to the financial situation, no matter what happens with my health, no matter what problem presents itself I have the gift – the gift that comes from Christ alone - peace of mind and heart. God is in control. If God is for me who can be against me.

Application

I will take Jesus at His Word!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me a peace that passes all understanding. Thank you for giving me the peace of mind and heart. It is a wonderful gift. I don’t have to worry. I can just trust You. Thank You for a wonderful Lord’s day yesterday. Thank you for the beautiful people that make up our church. They are Your servants. I pray that You richly bless them. Thank you for the excitement that our youth have. Thank you for their boldness to go witness and pray for people in the shopping malls. Bless them Lord.

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Lazarus Come Out!

John 9; John 10; John 11
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Scripture

John 11

43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”

Observation

Someone has said that Jesus had to call Lazarus out by name because if He would have just said, “Come Out!” then all the dead would have come out of their graves. One day this is going to happen. When Jesus returns in the clouds, with the shout of the trumpet the dead in Christ are going to come out of their graves and meet Him in the air. I am looking forward to that experience …how about you?

This is one of my favorite passages of scripture in the Bible. This passage shows the Power of Christ, it shows the Compassion of Christ. It clearly shows us that Jesus has victory over death and that one-day we can be sure that we will be resurrected just like Lazarus was brought forth from the dead. Only we will not ever have to experience death again Lazarus had to die not only one time but twice. When he was brought back from the dead it was not for Lazarus benefit it was for his sisters and it was to demonstrate Christ’s power over death.

Application

I will enjoy this week of Christmas knowing that death has no power over me!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that this story of Lazarus was included in the Bible to encourage us and to show us how much Jesus loves us. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for giving us this picture of how much You love Your children. I am blessed. I pray that this Christmas people will be moved closer to Your Kingdom, closer to a personal relationship with You.

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Only Jesus Could Make This Statement!

John 7; John 8
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Scripture

John 8

46 Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me?

John 7

23 Jesus continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You belong to this world; I do not. 24 That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I AM who I claim to be, you will die in your sins.”

Observation

If someone claimed that they had never sinned would you believe them? Jesus is challenging his accusers to put up or shut up. They never could truthfully accuse Jesus of sin. When they arrested Jesus they had to get people to lie about Him.
I don’t think that I can go a day without committing some kind of sin.

Can you imagine living 33 years on this earth without ever sinning one time? He had a bunch of brothers and sisters and still never sinned. The scriptures say that he was tempted in every way we are yet He never gave in to any of those temptations not once in 33 years.

Jesus says in John 7:24 “…unless you believe that I AM who I claim to be, you will die in your sins.”

Do you believe that Jesus came to this earth, lived a sinless life and then died for your sins? Christmas is God’s Gift to you! He doesn’t want you to die in your sins. His Gift to you is Eternal Life through the sinless life of Jesus Christ our Lord!

Application

It is the desire of my heart to be a person that is truthful, transparent, a person of integrity.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, even though I can never be perfect I pray that I would be a person that people could trust. Help me be a man of integrity. I want my life to reflect my relationship with Jesus. I pray for Kevin and Rachel today as they get married. I pray that you bless their marriage and use them to further Your Kingdom in the future. I pray that You surround them with strong Christians that can help them grow in Christ.

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“Celebrate Recovery” – A Ministry That Can Change Your Life!

John 5; John 6
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Scripture

John 5

Jesus Heals a Lame Man


1 Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. 2 Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. 3 Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches. 5 One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?”

7 “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.”
8 Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!”

9 Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking!

Observation

This man has spent thirty-eight years lying there sick and Jesus asked him this all important question, “Would you like to get well?” How long have you been struggling with your hurt, hang-up, or habit? Would you like to get well?
Did you notice the man’s response to Jesus’ question? He said, “I can’t, sir”, somebody always gets there before I can get myself to the pool.’ (Eddy paraphrase)

Until a person comes to the point in their life where he or she is willing to say to God, “I can’t” they can never truly experience “Recovery”. You and I have to come to a point in our lives where we realize that “WE CAN’T” get well on our own then and only then can Jesus bring us to complete recovery.

I watch people everyday that are trying to fix things themselves and they are either unwilling or they are still ignorant of the fact that Jesus can and Jesus wants to give them complete victory over their hurts, hang-ups, and habits so they can Celebrate Recovery!

Would you surrender your life to Jesus today? Would you tell him, “Jesus, I can’t?” and let Him begin to heal you today?

If you live in the Tampa Bay area and need help with a hurt, hang-up, or destructive habit then come join us this Sunday at 5 pm at Tampa Baptist Church for Celebrate Recovery. We meet in our gym located on the east side of our campus by the corner of Flora St and Dixon St. You can go to our church web site for more information at:

www.tampabaptistchurch.com

Application

I will continue to steer people to become involved in our Celebrate Recovery ministry because it changes people’s lives.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for our Celebrate Recovery ministry. I pray for the leaders. I pray that you would encourage them. I pray that you would empower them. I pray that you would call strong leaders to come help them. I thank you for their faithfulness and I thank you for the lives that are being changed.

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You must be born again!

John 2; John 3; John 4
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Scripture

John 3

1 There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. 2 After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”

3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

4 “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”

5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. 7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’

Observation

It doesn’t matter if you are Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, what matters is have you been born again. Have you been born again? When were you born again? Jesus told the Jewish religious leader Nicodemus that it is the only way to see the Kingdom of God is to be born again. There is only one way to be born again. You have to put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ. It is a spiritual rebirth. Have you been born again?

You can’t experience Christmas unless you have been born again! The Purpose of Christmas is Celebration, Salvation, and Reconciliation!

Application

I will share the Good News that everyone must be born again!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for the opportunity to talk to people about their relationship with Jesus. Thank you for giving me that chance today and I pray for more opportunities tomorrow. I pray that you prepare hearts for folks to be born again.

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Can Anything Good Come From Nazareth?

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2 Peter 1; 2 Peter 2; 2 Peter 3; John 1

Scripture

John 1

43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me.” 44 Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s hometown.
45 Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.”

46 “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
“Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied.

Observation

Come and see for yourself! Jesus is the stairway to Heaven! Nathanael doubted that the Messiah could come from Nazareth. But once he met Jesus there was no doubt about who Nathanael believed Jesus to be as we read his response to Jesus in verse 49, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!”

Come and see! Inviting people to come join us in worship still works today. Inviting them to a small group or special event where the Good News of Jesus will be proclaimed still works today. Come and see! Come and see!

Application

I will invite folks this week to church so they can come and see for themselves!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, bring people into my life today who I can invite to church. Help me show them the way to Jesus.


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Don’t Slip Back Into Your Old Way Of Living…

1 Peter 1; 1 Peter 2; 1 Peter 3; 1 Peter 4; 1 Peter 5
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Scripture

1 Peter 1

14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then.

1 Peter 2

1 So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech.

9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 4

1 So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin. 2 You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. 3 You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols.

Observation

What was your old life style like? Was it like what is described by Peter in the verses listed above? Peter warns us to watch out that we don’t slip back into that old way of life. I have thought that once a person gives his or her life to Christ that it would be impossible for them to live like they used to live. We are new creations in Christ so how could we slip or slide back into a life style so unlike the life we have the power to live in Christ.

To myself I am saying that I could never do that, but the scriptures remind us that when we are looking at the terrible sinful life of someone else, “be careful lest we also fall (or slip)” The sinful lifestyle that has me upset about my sinful brother or sister in Christ should be a wake up call to me that if I am not careful with sin that I could also being doing the same thing. So we must humbly try to help a fallen brother or sister in Christ to help restore them back to a right relationship with Christ.

I have someone that is very close to me that is living a life of self-destruction. It grieves me that this person has so far refused to turn back to Christ and has slipped into a lifestyle that is so unlike someone that has a relationship with Christ. It has been hard for me to reach out to this person.

It is hard to patiently watch this person destroy friendships and relationships and be powerless to help him. All I have been able to do is to pray. But today I need to say to myself, “only by the grace of God have I been able to escape this same kind of sinful behavior and if I am not careful I too could slip back into the old way of living.

Application

I will continue try to reach out to people that claim to know Christ but have been enslaved once again in sinful behavior with the attitude that this could also happen to me if I am not careful.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Satan prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. I pray for this person that has found himself in Satan’s grasp and I pray that you set him free. I pray that You never let me slip back into my old way of living. Keep me strong. Help me not sin against You. Help me walk in victory today. Give me energy and enthusiasm to do Your will today. Help me to serve You enthusiastically.


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Did I Miss a “Don’t”?

James 1; James 2; James 3; James 4; James 5
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Scripture

James 1

16 So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror.

25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
26 If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.

James 2

14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?

18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

21 Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?

James 3

14 But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying.

James 4

1 What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? 2 You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. 3 And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. 4 You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God?

11 Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you.

James 5

9 Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!

Observation

James was one tough guy I think. He didn’t waste any words! He used the word “don’t” a lot too! Which of these “don’ts” do you like the best …which one hits home and so you like it the least?

I think the one’s that speak to me this morning are James 4:11, “Don’t speak evil against each other…” and James 5:9, “Don’t grumble about each other”. It is so easy when I am frustrated with myself to blame others and begin to look at what they are not doing or what they are doing poorly (in my critical eyes). When I am unhappy with myself it is easy to criticize and judge the performance of others.

Application

I will look at ways that I can help others today and not spend time grumbling about them or criticizing them.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to look at ways to help others and not worry about their shortcomings today. Give me strength to do what is right. Help me to serve You enthusiastically this entire week.


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Accountable to God

Hebrews 12; Hebrews 13; Jude 1
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Scripture

Hebrews 13

17 Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.

Observation

It is a privilege to serve the Lord, but it is also a huge responsibility. I know that one day I will stand before God and give an account to Him. I want Him to be able to say to me, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” I don’t want to mess up.

Application

I desire to have a servant’s heart.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I realize that one day soon I will stand before you and give an account of how I served You here on this earth. Help me to remain faithful. Give me the strength not to yield to the temptations around me. Give me the wisdom to lead people to grow in Christ. I pray for our church that it would grow stronger everyday. I pray that today you would be lifted up and glorified through our worship services. This is the day that the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it!

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