Month: February 2021 (Page 1 of 2)

Recently I saw a post asking, what’s your favorite Bible verse? As I briefly pondered this question, I realized my favorite Bible verse has changed over the years. 

For years I leaned on the following verses and repeated them most often: Matthew 7:7-8 and Luke 11:9-10.  At that time in life, I did not have a good understanding of these Scriptures, yet I latched onto them as my favorites. They helped prod me to ask, seek, and knock. 

In recent years other verses come to mind most often. The following would now be three of my favorites:

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:33-34 ESV

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:9-10 ESV

“…The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” James 5:16b

At this moment, no matter where we are in our spiritual life, Jesus, through God’s Word, can help us. When we study Scripture, we gain from the verses and stories we read. Some will become our favorites. One thing to keep in mind, As we journey and grow in our biblical understanding, we can rest assured, “If it’s good, it’s from God.”  James 1:17-19

What are your favorite verses?

When we each stand in judgment before God, let us be able to stand and say we tried rather than we did not try because we did not believe we could make a difference.

That God may judge us on our efforts to make a difference rather than our lack even to try. Let us not be like the one talented servent who was rebuked and lost all he was given.

After all, In sowing the seeds of God’s Word, we are told to plant and water that God will supply the increase. So let us try, Let us Pray, Let us have faith, and believe because by following God according to God’s Word and doing our best in this world, we will get to enjoy the next in the presence of God.

• 1 hour – Sunday bible class
• 1 hour – Sunday Worship
• 1 hour – Sunday eve worship
• 1 hour – Wednesday bible study
• 1 hour – 1st and 3rd Thursday for a men’s bible study.

Above is my typical schedule for planned edification each month in bible classes and worship service. When you add travel and prep time, this calculates to around 7 % of my “awake” hours per month; this really surprised me. Does this number surprise you? I thought it would be greater than 7 %.

With the impact of the COVID-19 government restrictions, many who once had similar schedules now pray, worship, study, and partake in communion each week at home due to government guidelines and/or health concerns for themselves and others. For most, this is because they feel it necessary, not because they want to. Christians understand if we can’t gather with our brothers and sisters in Christ, our ability to edify one another is severely diminished; that is, our ability to be in-person examples and have others be our examples is hampered. Our ability to “go and do” (Matt 28:18-20). To personally share the message of God’s incredible love and Grace extended to every person suffer’s when we limit our interaction. So, we all look forward to soon being together again in-person at every opportunity.

The thought I’m really trying to convey is: How much time are we actually spending in honor and service to our creator? How much time are we utilizing to edify one another, study, and spread the message of Christ in normal times?

Suppose we can recite the Bible word for word and have a perfect understanding of it; what good does that do us if we do nothing with it? (see Matt. 25:14-30)

Are we doing the most with the time we have, or are we dangerously striving to do what we think is the bare minimum to be heaven bound?

In Luke 18, The rich young ruler kept the commandments of God, yet Jesus told him to give away all you have and follow me. The ruler’s heart was misplaced, and he went away sad, apparently unwilling to give his all. For us, our riches may be money, or maybe it’s how we prioritize our time.

We are so important to God!

Jesus gave EVERYTHING for us; How much effort are we willing to give Him? Rhetorically: What percentage of our precious time are we willing to spend on going and doing?

In love, God First!

Absolute truth is the only truth from God. 

Shades of gray have nothing to do with God.

Jesus put it this way…

“Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil.” ‭‭MATTHEW‬ ‭5:37‬ ‭ESV‬‬

God First!

I wish Satan were lazy, but unfortunately, he’s not. The Bible says he prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. If only everyone who calls themselves Christian had Satan’s determination, only for good, rather than evil. Seeking ways to show others the love of God through our actions, as the Bible tells us to do by loving God first, and our neighbors as Jesus loved us.

If we truly love God, we want to please God and keep His Commandments. As Christians, we cannot afford to be lazy. A Lazy Christian is like the one talent servant, and that only pleases Satan.

Jesus gave us an assignment:

^“And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. ¹⁶ Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” 

mARK 16:15-16

• 1st Peter 5:8 (Devil prowls)
• Matthew 25:14-30 (parable)
• 1st John 5:3 (Keep Commandments)
• Mark 16:15 (share the gospel)
• Matthew 22:37-39 (greatest command)

God First!

Joy is in our hearts; it is unwavering and unscathed by the winds of happiness or sadness as our trust is NOT, In Ourselves, Our Emotions or Others.

Our Faith Is In The Lord!  

May others always see the joy in our hearts through our actions and reactions. Not as fleeting emotions, but as resident parts of our very being. (Joyful souls)  

Share the joy!  

God First !

“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”  

1st Peter 1:8-9