Salvation

July 22nd – Proverbs 11:4

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Proverbs 11:4

“Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.”

The one thing this world loves is wealth. And the more you have, the more you’re admired. But as the saying goes, “You can’t take it with you.” Jesus is returning soon. And on that glorious day, no amount of wealth can buy a place in the kingdom of heaven. For the admission was paid for by Jesus Christ, and only by accepting His free gift of salvation can we have eternal life. Our time on earth is running short. And the true measure of our worth lies not in what we possess, but what we leave behind. As Christians our legacy should one of love, kindness, and compassion towards others. The only true treasures worth having are those we store up in heaven. (Matt. 6:19-20) Treasures including loving others, sharing the gospel, good fruit, endurance, and faith. Better than gold, these treasures are imperishable and everlasting. And the greatest of them all, is the living hope we receive through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:3-4)

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June 11th – Matthew 12:31

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Matthew 12:31

“And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.”

When my son was little we would talk about sin and God’s forgiveness. Then as children do, he would rattle off a list of transgressions asking if God could forgive each one. Of course the answer to each was a resounding yes. Then he asked if there was anything God couldn’t forgive. And sadly the answer to that was also a resounding yes. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit of God. As used in Scripture, the word “blasphemy” means expressing something disrespectful or evil about God. And the worst evil is the deliberate and willful rejection of the work of the Holy Spirit or a persistent refusal to accept God’s forgiveness and grace. This signifies a complete and conscious rebellion against our Creator, the ultimate source of love, goodness, and forgiveness. Out of His unending love and mercy, God wishes for none to perish. And so He sacrificed His own begotten Son to offer us eternal life. Only those who receive Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior will receive the precious gift of an eternity spent by the Father’s side.

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May 30th – Philippians 4:7

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Philippians 4:7

“When Christ died He left a will in which He gave His soul to His Father, His body to Joseph of Arimathea, His clothes to the soldiers, and His mother to John. But to His disciples, who had left all to follow Him, He left not silver or gold, but something far better,  His PEACE!” (Matthew Henry) In this life we will all face trauma, heartache, and pain. Yet as Christians no matter what, we can experience an unshakable inner tranquility. Because when we receive Jesus as our Savior, we also receive the peace of God. A peace that surpasses all human understanding. And one of overwhelming security, serenity, and clarity which goes beyond anything we can comprehend. God’s peace is an impenetrable shield for our hearts and minds. One the Lord gives to guard us against anxiety, fear, and negative thoughts. Are you longing for peace in your life? Through a relationship with Christ Jesus, we can find strength and stability in our inner being, that allows us to face life’s challenges with a sound mind and a steadfast heart.

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May 23rd – Matthew 9:9

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Matthew 9:9

One day as Levi was at His tax booth in the city, a man came up to him and said, “Follow Me!” Without a second thought Levi got up, walked out, and immediately began following the man. In a single moment, Levi chose to leave everything behind. He gave up his wealth, influence, and comfort without looking back. That was the best decision Levi ever made. For that man was Jesus. And following the Lord gave to Levi a wealth many times greater than what he left behind. Jesus wants us to experience such spiritual wealth. So answer His call. Step out in faith, follow the Lord, and receive His immeasurable blessings. When Levi entered the service of the Lord, His life was changed forever. No longer was he known as the despised tax collector hated by his brothers. Instead Jesus gave him the new name of Matthew, meaning gift of God, and he became a mighty disciple of the Lord. And one day as we stand before Him in heaven, Jesus will welcome us in joy and love, declare us innocent, and give us a new name!

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April 3rd – Colossians 3:11

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Colossians 3:11

With inclusivity being the word of the day, there is only One who welcomes all to join His family. And that is God. Regardless of our ethnic, social, or cultural background, the Lord invites all to come to Him and receive His free gift of salvation. One of the most radical things Jesus Himself did was to reach out to the outcasts of the day. Eagerly the Lord loved the unlovable. These included tax collectors, prostitutes, and lepers. And you and me. That’s the beauty and awesomeness of God’s grace. He extends it to all. No matter who we are or what we’ve done, when we come before Him in true repentance, God forgives. Because the inclusiveness of God isn’t rooted in political correctness. Instead it’s rooted in His love for all people and His desire to reconcile us to Himself. This is why the message of the Gospel is good news for all people, and why the invitation to follow Jesus is open to anyone who is willing to receive it.

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March 29th – Matthew 28:19

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Matthew 28:19

The number twelve is used 187 times in the Bible. In most cases it is represented as the number of perfection and authority.  And during His ministry on earth Jesus, “…summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him. And He appointed twelve so that He could send them out to preach.” (Mark 3:13-14) There wasn’t anything especially remarkable about these men. They weren’t Lords or Princes. Nor were they great scholars or high priests. They were average men who throughout the Gospels we see fail, struggle, and doubt God. Yet Jesus chose them anyway. And He chooses us as well, blessing us with the same commission of sharing the Good News. Because Jesus doesn’t care about our past, our failures, or our social standing. What He wants is a close personal relationship with us. He wants us to love Him, and to tell others about Him so they too can know Him and spend eternity with Him. Will you answer His call?

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March 26th – Psalm 15:1

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Psalm 15:1

If the list of requirements to dwell with God forever sound impossible, it’s because it’s supposed to be. For we can’t truly realize our need for Jesus until we understand how far we have fallen short of God’s holiness. Christ is the only one who can cleanse us and prepare us to dwell in His house forever. And thankfully, we have the blessing of receiving His gift of pardon. All we must do is confess our sins and repent. What does it mean to repent? It means to turn aside from our wickedness and sin. Walking away from the things the flesh desires and walking with Jesus. Because in all the world there was only One whose walk was utterly blameless. Only One who always did what was righteous. That person was the Lord Jesus Christ. And when we abide in Him and in His strength, we can find victory in our lives.  No matter what life throws at us, we will never be shaken and can have confidence that one day we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

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March 16th – 1 Thessalonians 5:9

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1 Thessalonians 5:9

The world is a scary place. And it grows scarier by the day. But for Christians no matter the chaos, we needn’t fear. Because we know God is in control. And as Jan Markell says, “The world isn’t falling to pieces, the pieces are falling into place.” War is coming. And God will not contain His judgements forever. For as He Himself warns, “Behold I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.” (Rev.16:15) But believers have the blessing of knowing that God’s plan isn’t for us to suffer the coming wrath. But rather to be saved through faith in Jesus Christ. So no matter how dark the world grows, we can hold fast to God and stay strong. Because God’s glorious plan for our lives is one of salvation and redemption. Not one of death and destruction.

 

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January 31st – Matthew 9:9

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Matthew 9:9

Each of the men Jesus called to be disciples, never once hesitated to follow Him. They didn’t take time to try and clean up their lives. They didn’t take time to wean themselves off the trappings of the world. And they didn’t take time to let go of the people and things of the past for a new and better future. Jesus met them and wanted them right where they were, and in a leap of faith, they answered His call straight away and began a life dedicated to the Lord. Just as He called the disciples, Jesus also calls each of us. “Follow Me!”, cries the Lord. “Follow Me and I’ll give you heavenly riches greater than the world could ever offer. Follow Me and let My love fill your hearts with a peace and joy that can never be shaken. Follow Me and I’ll give You eternal life purchased with My own precious blood. Follow Me, and help save the world!”

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December 7th – John 13:35

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John 13:35

As one of His last acts before His sacrifice on the Cross, the Lord performed a task usually reserved for the lowest slaves in the house. He knelt and began to cleanse the feet of the disciples. Such an expression of self sacrifice, Jesus did as an example of humble love. Throughout His life on earth, everything Jesus did He did in love. And He made it perfectly clear that we are to do the same. But such a calling isn’t easy. For undoubtedly as soon as you make a commitment to love others, along a person will come as a test to your resolve. But the goal of the Christian walk is to become transformed into the image of Christ. And God never calls us to go it alone, nor to do what He asks in our own strength. Our strength comes from the power of the Holy Spirt. And through His power we can walk like Jesus and serve others joyfully and humbly. Our strength comes from the power of the Holy Spirt. And through His power we walk like Jesus and serve others joyfully and humbly.

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