Good News For You
Jesus has good news for you. This news will change your life. Like the dawn of a new day, Jesus brings good news that brings new beginnings. The Bible has a term for this good news, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Forgiveness and eternal life can be your if you choose to follow Jesus. That’s good news for you.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures
1 Corinthians 15:1-11 is one of the clearest presentations of the Gospel in all of Scripture. Christ died for our sins, was buried, and raised on the third day. He died to become the perfect sacrifice to appease God’s wrath, and our sins could be forgiven. He was buried, but death couldn’t keep him down. On the third day, He was resurrected from the grave. This was witnessed by the disciples and more than five hundred people before he ascended to heaven.
Are Your Prayers Being Heard?
Did you know that most people don’t listen to what you say? It’s true! Studies show that people only listen enough to respond with what they want to talk about. This is why they either talk about themselves or steer the conversation in another direction. Are your prayers being heard by God? He’s paying attention, but something else may be blocking the answer.
1 Peter 3:12
“because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do what is evil.”
Are Your Prayers Being Heard
Are your prayers being heard? Do you see evidence of God working through the prayer you have brought before him? Maybe those prayers aren’t being heard because there is unforgiven sin in your heart. There is nothing more that God wants to do than to hear our prayers and answer them the way he thinks best. If your prayers aren’t being answered, spend some time seeking his forgiveness.
God Makes Himself Known
Some people who enter the room need to make their presence known. They think everyone should know they have arrived. It often overshadows what is going on why people are there. God works in the opposite way. He can be so subtle that people won’t believe He exists because they can’t see any evidence. That is a dangerous mistake. Neglected too long, and God makes Himself known.
Ezekiel 39:7
‘I will make known my holy name among my people Israel. I will no longer let my holy name be profaned, and the nations will know that I the Lord am the Holy One in Israel.
God Makes Himself Known
God makes himself known. We often think if we can’t see something at work, it isn’t there. That is often the case with God in our lives. It is easy to forget he is there because we can’t see him. We go on with our everyday life without a thought of how God is working in our life. Then, all of a sudden, God lets us know he has always been there. God makes himself known to us, and eventually the nations will know.
One Sacrifice
There are a lot of products out there that advertise as a “one size fits all.” All in one soap and shampoo, a multi-tool that will be the last tool you will ever need, and an energy bar that has all of the nutrients you need to fuel your body. The problem is that these products are over-promised and under-deliver. When the writer of Hebrews says that Jesus offered one sacrifice for all, it means that his death on the cross was more than enough for everyone. forgiveness.
Hebrews 10:12-14
But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
One Sacrifice
One sacrifice did it all of our sins. That is all that is necessary. Christ’s atoning work on the cross satisfied God’s wrath and removed the penalty of death from us. There is nothing else we can do, or we have to do to get right with God. Christ’s work on the cross did it all.
Confronting Immorality
Very few things are as devastating as discovering immorality in a marriage. It impacts far more people than the couple. If there are kids, they are thrust into a state of confusion. Extended family and friends don’t know how to proceed, which will often divide churches. Sadly, the offender is often let off the hook because no one wants confrontation. Confronting immorality in the home and the church is difficult but essential.
1 Corinthians 5:1-2
It is reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.
Confronting Immorality
The church has a process for confronting immorality. There were some sexual sins in the church at Corinth that the pagans didn’t tolerate. A man was with his step-mom. Even the thought of that is sickening, yet the Corinthians did nothing. They were arrogant about it. It gave God a bad name and was a sad witness for the church. This should’ve caused mourning and remorse for the sin, but it didn’t. The Corinthians had become calloused to sin. Paul demands that this person be removed from the church and delivered over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh.
Forgive Them
Do you struggle with holding a grudge? Are there people you refuse to forgive? Everyone will be hurt at one time or another. The question is, “How will you handle it when your heart breaks?” Jesus gives us some sound principles on how to forgive people. People mocked him as he was hanging on the cross and questioned whether He was God. His response? Father, forgive them.
Luke 23:32
Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
The Bigger Picture
Imagine what your state of mind would be after suffering what Christ has and then to be hanging on the cross. It would be easy to be angry or even defeated. Jesus replies to all of this with “Forgive them.” In my book, that is pretty amazing! Who in their right mind would do that? Jesus knew something easy for us to miss. He saw the big picture and understood that most of these people were either following orders or had been convinced by others. They didn’t realize that the Son of God was right there with them. Isaiah 53 was being fulfilled, and they didn’t know it. All they knew was that they were crucifying someone.
You Have One Job
In the Old Testament, the Priests were set apart from the nation of Israel. They weren’t allowed to own property, and they lived off of the sacrifices and offerings brought into the temple. Their primary role was to minister to the Lord and show the people how to worship God. Sadly, the standard for priests starting slipping with Eli’s sons, and by the time of the prophet Ezekiel they had slid into only caring for themselves. Ezekiel issues a warning, “Feed the sheep.”
Ezekiel 34:2
“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to those shepherds, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Woe, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock?”
The role of a priest or pastor has long been referred to as a shepherd. The prophet Ezekiel is told by God to prophesy against the priests who have neglected their flock. They were more consumed with themselves and their stomachs than the spiritual needs of their spiritually starving country. Because of this, many Israelites have strayed from following God and chased after idols that offer no hope.
Keep Your Eye on the Ball
There is a saying in baseball, “Keep your eye on the ball.” It is a reminder that the only way that you can hit the ball is if you watch the ball hit the bat. If you pull your head and look to the fences, you will swing above the pitch and probably miss or hit a grounder. The saying has a point in the church as well. There are people who will try to cause division to prevent the Gospel from being preached. It is important you stay focused and don’t get distracted by petty arguments.
Romans 16:17
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.
Keep Your Eye on the Ball
Nobody likes a troublemaker. Troublemakers in the church are those who cause division and teach false doctrine. Paul tells us to avoid divisive people. Pastors are to protect the church from them and the leadership is to stand up to them. As Christians, we need to be watchful for those who try to subvert the work of what God is doing in the church.
Avoid This Common Mistake
An all too common mistake is to bring God down to our level and make him human. God is the creator of the universe and possesses the power and strength to destroy this earth and start over again. Diminishing the power and holiness of our God prevents him from working in our lives. When we think we can handle our problems on our own, we make Him common. When we don’t trust Him to come through or have the faith to step out, we bring him down to our level. Make sure that you avoid this common mistake.
Ezekiel 39:7
‘I will make known my holy name among my people Israel. I will no longer let my holy name be profaned, and the nations will know that I the Lord am the Holy One in Israel.”
Avoid This Common Mistake
By the time Ezekiel arrived on the scene in Israel, the nation had forsaken God. Their worship was lifeless, and they went through the motions of all required rituals. God was tired of His name being profaned. Israel had forsaken the true God for pagan idols from other nations. It was time to reassert His holiness amongst the nations.
The Cure for Anxiety
After two and a half years of dealing with the pandemic, the results are starting to surface. The effects of government restrictions and education requirements are starting to take their toll. A study showed that students in elementary school didn’t want to take their masks off because they felt too ugly. That is horrible! These students are going to carry this with them for years. The number of mental health disorders, prescriptions for mood-altering drugs, and attempted suicides are mind-boggling! The church needs to tackle this, and thankfully, we have the cure for anxiety.
Philippians 4:6-7
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Anxieties Cure
God’s Word gives us anxieties cure. It’s simple really. Cast all of your cares on the Lord through prayer and go on with life. Life’s worries just pile up. There is always some drama that is trying to steal our joy. If Satan can get us to start being anxious about something we can’t control he knows it will paralyze us from doing what we can. Get rid of your anxiety today.
Feet to the Gospel
The Gospel takes feet for it to get out. Isaiah tells us that those who take the Gospel spread the beauty of Christ. The church needs to mobilize and put feet to the Gospel by being the light of the world. When we bring the Gospel, it spreads peace and good tidings. The world needs this more than anything. We are the delivery system.
Isaiah 52:7
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Jesus Started It
Isaiah is talking about Jesus here. He brought the good news (Gospel), proclaimed peace and salvation, and encouraged his followers with glad tidings. The Gospel is a beautiful thing. Jesus opened up a new avenue for us to come to God. We can live for eternity because of the salvation he brought.
Wait Upon the Lord
“Patience is a virtue.” That is what my grandma and mother used to tell me all the time. It was wise counsel that I had a hard time taking because I like to get things done quickly and efficiently. My frustration level rises when I have to wait, and I am not a happy camper. Fortunately for us, God is not as impatient as we are. He chooses to wait so he can be gracious, show us mercy, and most of all, be exalted in our lives. We need to learn how to wait upon the Lord to receive these.
Jesus Provides the Way
Our world is becoming a place where people don’t like disagreement. They don’t want to listen to another point of view, and anyone who disagrees is seen as an enemy. This makes it hard to do the right thing if you know someone is going to be upset. Jeremiah was a person who did the right thing, and God took care of him. When you choose to do the same, Jesus provides the way.
Jeremiah 39:18
“Indeed, I will certainly deliver you so that you do not fall by the sword. Because you have trusted in me, you will retain your life like the spoils of war. This is the Lord’s declaration.’
This verse is a Word from the Lord that Jeremiah gives to Embed-Melech, who saved his life. Jeremiah was put into a cistern by the king. He sunk up to his knees in mud. Embed-Melech found a bunch of old sheets and made ropes out of them to lift Jeremiah out of the miry clay. When Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, entered Jerusalem, he took everyone captive back to Babylon, but people like Jeremiah and Embed were saved. Jeremiah told Embed that God would deliver him and he would retain his life.
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Boast In the Lord
As I watch my children play basketball, I am surprised by some of the players’ bravado. They make a simple shot, and they have to motion to the bench and bleachers how good they are. You could blame the kids for imitating the pros, but that is too easy. It is in our human nature to brag about ourselves. As a follower of Jesus, we need to Boast in the Lord.
2 CORINTHIANS 10:17-18
“But HE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD. For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.”
The Corinthians were full of themselves and would often tell people about it. The culture was vain, with physical appearance and wealth more important than character or integrity. Unfortunately, this carried into the church, and they were constantly criticizing Paul for his unsightly looks and boring speaking skills. They boasted about how their appearances made them better than Paul. Then he let them have it. He tells them he could brag about all he has done and endured, but he chooses to boast of what the Lord has done.