When the light of the truth about Jesus illuminates us, it is our duty to shine that light to help others. Our witness for Christ should be public, not hidden. We should not keep the benefits for ourselves alone but pass them on to others. You are not alone and your testimony will help others.
“No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or hides it under a bed. A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house. For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all. Luke 8:16-17 I believe in you
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Repairing your relationship with God in the Old Testament involved going to a special building and observing ceremonies overseen by priests. There is something very comforting about those kinds of ceremonies, but the writer of Hebrews is pointing out their limited access to God. Because of the death of Jesus, we have unlimited access to God. It was Jesus’ blood that was sacrificed to repair our relationship with God, rather than that of animals. Jesus was a much greater sacrifice with an eternal result!
Having unlimited access to God is a great privilege we often take for granted. We can go to God in prayer anywhere, at any time. We can confess our sins directly and not carry them around until the next opportunity to go to a temple or see a priest. But people often carry the guilt of sin around with them and don’t take care of it right away. If you are carrying guilt around today, confess it now. Go immediately to God through your High Priest, Jesus, and tell God you are sorry, want to avoid sinning like that again and have your relationship with God made right. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. Hebrews 9:13-15 Christianity affirms that salvation comes by God’s grace alone, solely through faith in Jesus Christ’s unique life, death, and resurrection. Thus, it is God’s compassion that secures salvation. This undeserved blessing is freely given to us. God’s grace stands as the true, enduring, and unearned cause of human salvation.
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4–7 Jesus challenged society's norms. To him, greatness comes from serving-giving of yourself to help God and others. Service keeps us aware of others' needs, and it stops us from focusing only on ourselves. Jesus came as a servant. What kind of greatness do you seek?
The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Matthew 23:11-12 How do you respond to someone that is abrasive, angry, or out to steal your joy? Somedays it’s not easy to react in a Godly manner. God’s word is clear on how we need to handle those moments.
Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. Proverbs 16:32 To overcome our own passions, requires more steady management, than obtaining victory over an enemy. Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Proverbs 17:27 A wise person is cautious in what he says; he thinks before he talks and does not gab. This reveals that a person is even-tempered. Restraint in talking may even cause a fool to be considered wise. You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity], as your heavenly Father is perfect Matthew 5:48 This verse rounds out today’s inspirational. Be perfect. Christ sets up the high ideal of perfect love not that we can fully attain it in this life. That, however, Respond in love in every and all situations and show mercy; we don’t know what that person is going through. I believe in you God’s promises are found in a book like no other: the Holy Bible. The Bible is a roadmap for life here on earth and for life eternal. As Christians, we are called upon to trust its promises, to follow its commandments, and to share its Good News.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Heavenly Father, Your Holy Word is a light unto the world; let me study it, trust it, and share it with all who cross my path. In all that I do, help me be a worthy witness for You as I share the Good New of Your perfect Son and Your perfect Word. Amen All creatures that have wings can escape from every snare that is set for them, if only they will fly high enough; and the soul that uses its wings can always find a sure “way to escape” from all that can hurt or trouble it.
They that wait upon the Lord shall … mount up with wings as eagles. Isaiah 40:31. The natural temptation with every difficulty is to plan for it, to put it out of the way yourself; but stop short with all your planning, your thinking, your worry, and talk to Him! “Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain you.” You may not always be able to do this in a moment or two. Then keep on with supplication until you know He has it, and prayer becomes praise. Rest, trust, and wait, and see how He does that which you wanted to do, and had so much care about. “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.”
In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6. Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
Proverbs 12:25. We have the Lord, but He Himself has recognized that we need the love of a brother. He Himself came down and lived among us as a man to encourage others. We cannot see Him now, but blessed be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. Be blessed my brothers, I believe in you. |
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