Jam 1:5-8 Faith in the God of the Bible, the God of creation, means we ask Him for the wisdom that comes from the Word of God. Wisdom says I have limitations, I don't have all the answers, I don't have control over everything, and I need help outside of my own perspective.
“Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” – Pro 1:7
“Let God’s promises shine on your problems.” – Corrie ten Boom.
“If you believe in a God who controls the big things, you have to believe in a God who controls the little things. It is we, of course, to whom things look 'little' or 'big.'" –Elisabeth Elliot.
Father, teach us to trust you knowing we have limitations and often do not have the answers in this life; help us surrender our will and give us your will through your written word, and may it become the living word in our life in Jesus name amen.
Devotional
I heard a story of two farmers praying to God for rain to come. Both prayed but only one prepared the land. Who do you think trusted God more to send the rain? Mr. Bridges (Ray Wood)
1 Sam 17:39 And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.
Before your Giant can come down, you need to know who we are, and who you’re not, and who we are in Christ.
What was David’s challenge, for 40 days and evenings Goliath had been challenging Israel and they were “dismayed and greatly afraid.” Goliath was approximately 9 feet 6 inches tall, the giant was probably almost twice as tall as any other man in the Philistine army. There’s no doubt that it would have been an intimidating and fearful prospect. When we know who we are, and understand our limitations, and who we are in Christ we will take down our Giants.
“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’” — Mary Anne Radmacher
What Happens When Jesus Comes To Church Mrk 1
Jesus Miracle Worker
Christ is the Good Physician. There is no disease He cannot heal; no sin He cannot remove; no trouble He cannot help. He is the Balm of Gilead, the Great Physician who has never yet failed to heal all the spiritual maladies of every soul that has come unto Him in faith and prayer.
- James H. Aughey
Jn 5:1-15 A man was lame for 38 years, Jesus said to him do you want to be healed. Jesus heals a lame man on the Sabbath, while the religious leaders are concerned about the lame man carrying his mat Jesus heals him.
What is stopping you from believing that Jesus can do anything, like this lame man nothing is impossible for Him.
Matt 9:27 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.
No matter how big or small Jesus cares and He still does the impossible Jesus the same yesterday today and forever - B Spada
The Heart of God - Psalm 139
Luk 19:8-10 I’m Saved
What does it mean when someone says I’m Saved.
To save, preserve safe from danger, loss, or destruction. To save from the penalty of death and destruction, (not merely to make happy) but to bestow everlasting life as of the result of Jesus resurrection. It refers to helping or saving from danger.
Salvation is a general term, denoting deliverance.
* Jesus came looking for Zac
* Jesus transforms Zac
* Jesus looks beyond the opinions of the crowd to get to Zac
Zac – was saved because he was willing to receive Jesus into his heart and home
Zac – was saved because he turned from his corrupt lifestyle to do the will of God.
Zac – was saved because he was willing to make restitution to those he ripped off.
“You contribute nothing to your salvation except the sin that made it necessary.” ~ Jonathan Edward
Ps 105 Joseph, The Miracle Of God's Word
Turn on the Light 1 John 1
Eyes To See Ears To Hear Devotional
"I cannot emphasize too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists but by Christians, not on religion but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ." – Patrick Henry.
Gal 5:1 “For freedom, Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”
Paul’s use of “slavery” and “freedom” tells of the story of the exodus, when God delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage. The Lord led them out of the wilderness. For us, it's the wilderness of sin; this is our fourth of July.
Abraham Lincoln, The Gettysburg Address, 1863: "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."
I found freedom through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. – Bruno A Spada
The Sustaining Love of God
Ps 103:10 - 17 He hath not dealt with us after our sins;
Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, So great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, So the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
The psalmist David describes the power of Yahweh's Love. David says as we seek and follow and obey Him, we are blessed, but David also shows us it's not our effort that sustains us, but it's God's care and love for us that gives us the strength to go forward in this life.
Is the covenant between God and his people conditional or unconditional? Yes. Yes. Jesus came and fulfilled the conditions so God could love us unconditionally. - Timothy Keller
I'm Broken Psalms 137
Father's Day Message
The Spell is Broken
Matt 25:1-13 This is not the day to give our oil away because of misdirected priorities. Jesus is telling believers to be prepared for the Son of Man’s arrival. The enemy of our soul wants to put us to sleep spiritually. I call this a spell; Jesus came to break the spell so we can be spiritually alert, and it all started by receiving Christ as Savior, but we must understand this is a continue spiritual war.
Matt 24:44 “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”
“Remember who you are. Don’t compromise for anyone, for any reason. You are a child of the Almighty God. Live that truth.” ~ Lysa Terkeurst
Invest in your relationship with Jesus Christ so that you never have to hear depart from me, you workers of iniquity. – Bruno Spada
My Identity - Eph 1
Vindicated and Acquitted
The Cain Pain – Gen 4
What is the pain of Cain? – being self–absorbed, self–centered. Jude 1:11 says “Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain.”
The way of Cain - Cain's pride resulted in the violence leading to murder and ultimately divine judgment.
The Religion of Cain –
1. Faith is not a religious act that makes you look good. It's an act of obedience to God's word. Matt 6:1
2. Faith is understanding the principles of sowing and reaping Gal 6:7
3. Faith is a daily examination Jam 4:7-10 “Submit to God, resist the devil, come near to God, and He will come near to you.”
4. Faith is turning to God as a daily lifestyle 1 Jn 1:11
The Bible teaches that faith is the only approach that we have to God. No man has sins forgiven, and no man goes to heaven; no man has the assurance of peace and happiness until he has faith in Jesus Christ. Billy Graham