Jesus Christ

November 19th – Romans 6:23

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Romans 6:23

I am grateful that Jesus paid my debt in full!

As we swing into holiday mode, people get into the gift giving spirit. And one of my favorite are the stories about good Samaritans paying off the debts of others. We too have a Good Samaritan. One who will provide us with the best gift we could ever receive. And that gift bearer is Jesus Christ. We all have a sin debt owing. And the penalty of that debt is death, which has to be paid one way or the other. So God in His great love, sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, as a perfect sin offering. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus wipes away all of our sin. And when we trust in Christ and receive Him as our Savior, God credits our account. Because of the blood payment of Jesus, our sin is paid in full, and we are declared debt free! And in return, we get the awesome privilege of spending eternity with the Lord and sharing in His glory!

November 19th – Romans 6:23 Read More »

November 16th – John 3:36

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John 3:36

I am thankful that all who receive Jesus as their Savior will never see the fires of hell.

As the writer of the book of Revelation, John described some pretty horrific things that will happen to those who face the wrath of God. The Greek term for wrath is orgē. It refers to the righteous anger of a judge who is issuing punishment for a crime. And what is the crime? Rejecting the gospel of Jesus Christ and refusing to receive Him as Lord and Savior. From the beginning, in His unmerited love, God sent His only Son to become the perfect sin sacrifice. Through His work on the Cross, Jesus paved the way for us to have eternal life. And because God wants us to come to Him freely, willingly, and lovingly, He gives us a choice. To receive His gift of an eternity spent by His side, or face the horrible alternative. Because those who refuse to receive Jesus as Lord, face an eternity in the “outer darkness” of hell where there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 25:30).

November 16th – John 3:36 Read More »

November 11th – Acts 4:12

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Acts 4:12

I am thankful for name of Jesus Christ by which I am offered salvation

When the apostle Peter healed a lame man, he was asked what power he used to perform this miracle. In response Peter said he did it through the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. The only name that has the power to save. The word salvation comes from the the Greek word, sōtēria. It means “deliverance and preservation.” To be rescued from enemies, or spiritual rescue. And that’s exactly what Jesus does. From His unmerited love and grace, He reaches down to pull us up from death and destruction. The only begotten Son of God, Jesus took the form of a man to pay a debt that we owed. And it is by His glorious name alone, can we have the gift of eternal life. Satan and his minions try to tell us there are many paths to God, and many ways to be saved. But he is father of lies. Christ who was born without sin and lived a sinless life, sacrificed His precious blood to save us. And there is no other that can offer us salvation than our perfect Savior!

November 11th – Acts 4:12 Read More »

November 10th – John 1:14

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John 1:14

I’m thankful Jesus left His heavenly throne to become man

From the beginning it was God’s plan to establish a way for us to fellowship with Him forever.  And so He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, “The Word of Life” in the flesh. As God’s Son, Jesus is heir to everything. (Heb.1:2) Yet in a perfect display of humility and obedience, Jesus became a man, and for a little while becoming, “lower than the angels…because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.” (Heb. 2:9) Christ willingly left His glorious throne in heaven and became human. He did this out His great love for both us and the Father. And to save us, He had to become one of us. The consequence of sin is death. But Christ in His beautiful love, became our substitute paying the sin debt we owe and giving His sinless life for our sin filled ones. And through His blood we now can have an intimate, unbreakable relationship with God.

November 10th – John 1:14 Read More »

November 6th – John 14:6

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John 14:6

I am thankful for the way, the truth, and the life 

Today’s world is lacking in absolute truths, being replaced instead with “ my truth.” Meaning whether it be true or not, we are encouraged to believe our own reality. But truth is defined as the state or character of being true. And the One who perfectly fits that description is Jesus Christ. He is the only begotten Son of God, the light, goodness, and love. The promised Messiah and Redeemer of the world, Jesus is the one and only way to God. False religions deceitfully say there are many paths to heaven. But the way, truth, and life, comes through Jesus alone. Nothing, absolutely nothing else can provide eternal life. Because only the Lamb of God lived a sinless life dedicated to obeying His will. And it is His precious blood that provides the path to an eternity spent with God. So whoever rejects the Son, seeking another path, will be rejected by the Father.

November 6th – John 14:6 Read More »

November 4th – Romans 10:9

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Romans 10:9

I am thankful for the freedom to have heart that believes and a mouth that publicly confesses Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior

Paul makes it clear that there are no works we could ever do to earn salvation. It’s a gift that God offers to all who believe and receive Jesus as their Savior. Yet Paul also says we that we must believe and confess that Jesus is Lord. But isn’t making confession mandatory fall in the category of works? Is Paul adding conditions the Lord never intended? The truth is, Paul meant confession isn’t a requirement for salvation, but rather the evidence of salvation. When Paul wrote his letter to the Romans, it was a tumultuous time for Christians. It was one thing to confess Jesus as Lord behind closed doors. But to confess Him as Lord publicly, meant certain persecution and possibly death. Paul himself was beaten, imprisoned, and beheaded for his faith. So He knew well the weight of a public confession. But he also knew that those who were truly saved, would not only believe in their hearts, but confess with their mouths for all to hear; no matter the consequences.

November 4th – Romans 10:9 Read More »

November 1st – Romans 1:16

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Romans 1:16

I’m thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ

When the apostle Paul was in Rome, he boldly, and publicly declared how he wasn’t ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And even bolder still, he wasn’t afraid to share that gospel with others. Because not only is it a privilege to carry on the work of Jesus and share His message, as the only one true gospel it has the power to save lives. So how about you? Are you ashamed of the gospel? Before you answer, let me ask you this? I once read to live unashamed of the gospel means we proclaim it, but we also show our belief in it through our actions and how we live our life. We cannot talk the talk and not walk the walk. For that makes our testimony useless and us no better than a Pharisee. Paul’s life choices supported his message. He did not preach one thing and live another. Instead he lived a life of obedience and represented God with bravery and enthusiasm. And out of thankfulness for sacrifice of Jesus, we should do the same!

November 1st – Romans 1:16 Read More »

October 23rd – 1 Corinthians 6:19

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1 Corinthians 6:19

God’s Promise – “I have given you My Spirit, so your body could be My temple.”

Each one of us is born with a sin nature that would rather practice self indulgence than self discipline. And when the flesh wants something, the hardest word to hear is “no”. But Paul tells us as followers of Christ we have all we need to keep our urges in check. So why is self control so important? Not because Paul is a party pooper. But because he understands the destruction that comes from being slaves to our sinful desires. Desires that if acted upon, put us right back into the bondage that Jesus died to free us from. And even more importantly, Paul reminds us that we have the Holy Spirit of Almighty God dwelling inside of us. So if we truly love the Lord, we should strive to honor Him in all things; including being good caretakers of our bodies. For they are given to us by our Creator to whom they belong. And one day those same bodies will be resurrected and glorified to eternal perfection!

October 23rd – 1 Corinthians 6:19 Read More »

October 20th – Psalm 34:7

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Psalm 34:7

God’s Promise – “My angels will surround all who fear Me.”

From His unfailing love, God never leaves us to fend off the attacks from the Enemy on our own. That’s why He dispatches ministering angels to protect His children who trust in His name. But even greater still, we have Jesus Christ encamped around us. Our great Shepherd, He’s a watchman who never sleeps, and is always there guarding, protecting, and rescuing His flock. For God promises that the eyes of the Lord are toward those who fear Him and His ears are open to their cry. He will deliver His people from their troubles, and “redeem the soul of His servants.” So let the wolves howl and the storms rage. Because as He did for His people of Israel, the Angel of the Lord has set up camp with His sheep. He goes before us as a barrier between the righteous and the evil. No wickedness can penetrate His fortress and no enemy can sneak past His watchful eyes!

October 20th – Psalm 34:7 Read More »

October 19th – Psalm 91:4

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Psalm 91:4

God’s Promises – “I will cover you with My feathers and protect you with My wings.”

We all need a refuge. But sadly, in times of trouble, some seek comfort through alcohol, drugs, food, relationships, or money. But these worldly sanctuaries are nothing more than paper houses that crumble at the first sign of an approaching storm. Yet those who take shelter in Jesus, have an unshakable refuge which can withstand even the greatest typhoon. Isaiah 40:31 compares God’s loving care to that of an eagle. Mighty warriors who protect their young, eagles carry their eaglets away from danger. They fly high above the clouds where the sun shines and no storm rages. Just like that eagle, God carries us on His wings providing all we need to soar through even the toughest of times. And from His unending faithfulness, when we abide in God, we are completely protected under His shelter of strength, love, and grace. And I can think of no safer place to be!

October 19th – Psalm 91:4 Read More »