“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
John 1:1 NLT. http://bible.com/116/jhn.1.1.nlt
What do I know about Jesus? In my daily bible study I was asked to reflect on what I learned about Jesus this past week. That is the first time I have ever been asked that question. What really is my purpose for studying the word of God? Why do I read, why do I study, am I learning anything that will help me live life?
I love studying the word, but my motives are important. It can't be just a ritual. I need to have a true desire to grow and to learn. I need to learn about my Heavenly Father. I need to know the personality and character of Jesus. I need to let the word fill me with the Holy Spirit and the purpose for my life. This relationship I have with God the Father, his Son, and Spirit is unique in life. But I need to treat it like its my earthly father, my kids, and my friends. I spend time with them and get to know them intimately. I need to spend time and get to know my Lord as well!
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Monday, February 27, 2017
It's a tough battle.
““Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.”Matthew 10:16 NLT. http://bible.com/116/mat.10.16.
This life of evangelism is not easy. Satan would like nothing more than to destroy our witness and to make us feel weak and inadequate as followers of Christ. We had a great sermon today pointing out this interesting verse. We are to go out into the world "shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves."
I think snakes are interesting creatures, my wife would not agree. It's amazing how disadvantaged they are yet they overcome their limitations and are extremely adept. No arms, no legs, limited communication skills, and live in pretty adverse conditions. They still thrive. They use everything they have to survive. They have a great sense of the world around them.
As an evangelist I need to do the same. I need to be sensitive of the people I'm with. I need to help soften their hearts. I need to love them. I need to serve them with every ounce of my being. I have no influence or power on my own. I need to rely on my real power, Jesus, to share his message. I need to serve with no strings and no judgment! That is what I am called to do. The enemy is against me. The world may be against me, but I need to persist. I have been given this mission. The world must know about Jesus.
This life of evangelism is not easy. Satan would like nothing more than to destroy our witness and to make us feel weak and inadequate as followers of Christ. We had a great sermon today pointing out this interesting verse. We are to go out into the world "shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves."
I think snakes are interesting creatures, my wife would not agree. It's amazing how disadvantaged they are yet they overcome their limitations and are extremely adept. No arms, no legs, limited communication skills, and live in pretty adverse conditions. They still thrive. They use everything they have to survive. They have a great sense of the world around them.
As an evangelist I need to do the same. I need to be sensitive of the people I'm with. I need to help soften their hearts. I need to love them. I need to serve them with every ounce of my being. I have no influence or power on my own. I need to rely on my real power, Jesus, to share his message. I need to serve with no strings and no judgment! That is what I am called to do. The enemy is against me. The world may be against me, but I need to persist. I have been given this mission. The world must know about Jesus.
Sunday, February 26, 2017
Do people want what you have? Share it!
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.””
Matthew 28:19-20 NLT
http://bible.com/116/mat.28.19-20.nlt
Evangelism, is it the focus of my life? It should be. I get to hang out with a lot of Christians. I rarely see someone brought to Christ. It is an amazing moment. I watched a Greg Laurie video that said 95% of Christians have never brought anyone to Christ. Wow! That's sad. He went on to say the reason is fear. We are afraid of looking dumb. We are afraid of ridicule.
We are afraid!
Why?
If I really search the answer, we have no rational reason to fear. My God is the most powerful , isn't he? I have nothing to fear when I am doing his will. I need to fulfill the great commission. I need to fear nothing and share all! We serve by building relationships, but it is also important to take the next step and help them accept Jesus.
The world is a crazy, sinful, place. We can't just sit passively while the lost perish. We need to take action, serve, and share! Do people want what you have? Do they know what you have? TELL THEM!
Matthew 28:19-20 NLT
http://bible.com/116/mat.28.19-20.nlt
Evangelism, is it the focus of my life? It should be. I get to hang out with a lot of Christians. I rarely see someone brought to Christ. It is an amazing moment. I watched a Greg Laurie video that said 95% of Christians have never brought anyone to Christ. Wow! That's sad. He went on to say the reason is fear. We are afraid of looking dumb. We are afraid of ridicule.
We are afraid!
Why?
If I really search the answer, we have no rational reason to fear. My God is the most powerful , isn't he? I have nothing to fear when I am doing his will. I need to fulfill the great commission. I need to fear nothing and share all! We serve by building relationships, but it is also important to take the next step and help them accept Jesus.
The world is a crazy, sinful, place. We can't just sit passively while the lost perish. We need to take action, serve, and share! Do people want what you have? Do they know what you have? TELL THEM!
Saturday, February 25, 2017
Passion
“Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: “Passion for God’s house will consume me.””
John 2:17 NLT. http://bible.com/116/jhn.2.17.
How passionate are you for the Gospel? How passionate are you for worship? How passionate are you for witnessing and sharing with the lost?
Jesus passion was evident in so many ways. He demonstrated that perfect passion by destroying the market in the temple! He was passionate about confronting the Pharisees. He was passionate about prayer and service to others. He was so passionate for us he sacrificed his life!
Sometimes I just go through the motions of serving. It's that way sometimes at home. It's that way sometimes in school. It's that way sometimes in ministry. We need to share our passion for Christ. Why would others want to follow if we don't show the passion he has filled us with? The gospel should consume us with an everlasting passion. We should be exploding with the zest of life.
Dear Lord, fill me with your passion. I need your spirit to set my mind on you every waking moment. I beg your forgiveness when I just go through the motions. I beg your forgiveness when I let this world interfere with my passion for you and bringing others to know you. I truly love you and worship you. I am honored to be your child! Amen!
John 2:17 NLT. http://bible.com/116/jhn.2.17.
How passionate are you for the Gospel? How passionate are you for worship? How passionate are you for witnessing and sharing with the lost?
Jesus passion was evident in so many ways. He demonstrated that perfect passion by destroying the market in the temple! He was passionate about confronting the Pharisees. He was passionate about prayer and service to others. He was so passionate for us he sacrificed his life!
Sometimes I just go through the motions of serving. It's that way sometimes at home. It's that way sometimes in school. It's that way sometimes in ministry. We need to share our passion for Christ. Why would others want to follow if we don't show the passion he has filled us with? The gospel should consume us with an everlasting passion. We should be exploding with the zest of life.
Dear Lord, fill me with your passion. I need your spirit to set my mind on you every waking moment. I beg your forgiveness when I just go through the motions. I beg your forgiveness when I let this world interfere with my passion for you and bringing others to know you. I truly love you and worship you. I am honored to be your child! Amen!
Friday, February 24, 2017
It's a miracle!
“Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions. When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over.”
John 2:7-9 NLT. http://bible.com/116/jhn.2.7-9.nlt
Have you ever been witness or been directly involved in a miracle? I have witnessed several, personally. The problem is society doesn't recognize it. I was talking to a few students the other day, seniors, stressing about getting all their scholarships done. I shared how Stephanie and I went to school AFTER we had our family. We both went part time to college while maintaining a family, no scholarships, and working full time. I told those students if they want to go to college, they can go! My favorite part of our story is that we had to quit our part time jobs to finish our schooling. How we did that is God! Sure we had so much help from family and friends, but God made it happen. It wasn't me. It wasn't Stephanie. It was God with a hand directly in my life. While it was happening no one knew it was God. At this wedding, where Jesus turned the water into wine, only a few knew. It still was miraculous.
Maybe you have been a part of a miracle and you just didn't recognize it. My life is filled with unbelievable moments. These are moments that could NEVER have happened without the power of God. My 56 years of life experience have proven God is alive, he's active, he loves me, and he performs miracles all the time for those that follow him! Amen!
Turn your life to Jesus! Miracles will happen! Your life will change!
John 2:7-9 NLT. http://bible.com/116/jhn.2.7-9.nlt
Have you ever been witness or been directly involved in a miracle? I have witnessed several, personally. The problem is society doesn't recognize it. I was talking to a few students the other day, seniors, stressing about getting all their scholarships done. I shared how Stephanie and I went to school AFTER we had our family. We both went part time to college while maintaining a family, no scholarships, and working full time. I told those students if they want to go to college, they can go! My favorite part of our story is that we had to quit our part time jobs to finish our schooling. How we did that is God! Sure we had so much help from family and friends, but God made it happen. It wasn't me. It wasn't Stephanie. It was God with a hand directly in my life. While it was happening no one knew it was God. At this wedding, where Jesus turned the water into wine, only a few knew. It still was miraculous.
Maybe you have been a part of a miracle and you just didn't recognize it. My life is filled with unbelievable moments. These are moments that could NEVER have happened without the power of God. My 56 years of life experience have proven God is alive, he's active, he loves me, and he performs miracles all the time for those that follow him! Amen!
Turn your life to Jesus! Miracles will happen! Your life will change!
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