The Love of God

 Here is this week's Bible Verse.

VERSE:             Romans 5:8

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.

REFLECTION:

There are a lot of people who are refusing to accept Jesus as their Savior because they don't feel they are worthy. Some might feel their sins are so egregious that there is no way anyone would pay the debt for their sins.

There are also those who think they will wait until they are clean or free of sin before accepting Jesus. Maybe you are one of them or maybe you have a friend or a family member who thinks this way.

Fortunately for each and everyone of us we can point to this verse and know that it doesn't matter if we are sinning. If we just give our life to Jesus He will cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Eventually we will be so thankful to Him that we will not want to sin and we will instead praise and worship Him.

Every year Adult & Teen Challenge comes to our church. They usually sing and give testimonies. If you ever doubt the love of Jesus and your worthiness to receive salvation just listen to the testimonies of these individuals. They didn't wait to get free of sin or their addiction before accepting Jesus. Instead they, like all believers humbled themselves and accepted Jesus as their Savior. Then Jesus cleaned house as he does and will do for all of us if we just accept Him as our Savior.

PRAYER:

Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for loving me so much that you were willing to die for me. Please open the eyes of unbelievers. I pray they will humble themselves and come to accept you as their Savior. Please use me to spread the Gospel and the love of Jesus to family and friends. In Jesus Name Amen.

Hope you enjoyed today's verse. 

Whose Team Are You On?

VERSE:                                    2 Peter 1:10-11

 

    Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

REFLECTION:  

    Whose side are you on?  Have you been diligent in your allegiance to God? You have to be diligent in calling whose side you are on.  If you are on God's side then you are on the right team and He will help to prevent you from stumbling.

 

    If you are playing football for a team but don't know whether you play on offense or defense or special teams you will stumble as you try to run out at the last minute to play.  Also how effective will you be if you don't know what to do when you get out on the field.  If you don't want to stumble in this game of life then make sure you are playing on God's team.  His team is so good that He has promised everyone who plays on it a spot in the hall of fame.  If we strongly draw our allegiance toward God He will not only help us to not stumble but an entrance will be supplied in to His everlasting kingdom.  God doesn't want us waffling on whether we play or not He wants us on His team and ready to give 100%.  

PRAYER:
 
    Pray for God to tell you what your role is on His team.  Stand up firm and strong in your election to Jesus.  Pray for the lost.

Mountain Lion

VERSE:                                        Isaiah 31:4

    

   For thus the Lord has spoken to me:  "As a lion roars, and a young lion over his prey (When a multitude of shepherds is summoned against him, He will not be afraid of their voice nor be disturbed by their noise), So the Lord of hosts will come down to fight for Mount Zion and for its hill."

REFLECTION:

    Last week we looked at a mountain as being a dwelling place for God as well as seeing His strength and beauty within a mountain.  Today we look at His strength and a mountain as symbolic of God's protection. God is not afraid and we should not be afraid either.  If we have accepted Jesus as our Savior and live our life for Him He will see to it that we are protected regardless of what happens to us.  Satan is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour but God has already defeated satan so He is not afraid.  We should seek shelter in the protection of the mountain that is God and know that He protects His flock from that lion.  During these times of a turbulent economy, threats of wars and persecution of the church we need to put our faith and trust in God and not fear for our lives.  He did not give us a spirit of fear. We must know that our life is in God's hands and He will protect us.  However we also must take solace in knowing that if we were to die that we would be certain of our destination? Do you know where you will go if you die? Will you go to the Mountain of God or the valley of death? If you truly are seeking God's mountain of protection then He will either protect you or bring you home.

PRAYER:

 

   Pray for God's protection in your life.  Pray for protection during these turbulent times. If you don't know Jesus as your personal Savior make that prayer of acceptance today.