Faith & Function

November 12, 2009

Please read Romans 10 – 12 for today’s reading

Romans 12:3-8 talks about our faith and function.  A measure of faith is given to all and we all have a function within the body of Christ.  We have been given faith to receive from God what He wants to give us.  We have been given gifts to function within the body of Christ, to help edify one another.  However, faith and function are no good if not used.  We must use our faith and function in the ministry of the church.  Some try to have faith without function, others try to function without faith; we need both.   Are you using the measure of faith given to you? Are you functioning within the church you attend?

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Weakness?

November 11, 2009

Please read Romans 7 – 9 for today’s reading

 

Romans 8:26  Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses…

Weaknesses?  Do Christians really have weaknesses?  Yes!  That is why we need a Divine Helper.  That is why God placed His holy presence in our lives, because we have weaknesses and need help. God is our help!    The word for “weaknesses” means “want of strength, infirmity, feeble, sick of soul, bearing trials and troubles.”  The reality for those who follow Jesus is that we struggle with weaknesses.  We do try, but being human we have our limits.  God is our source of strength, endurance, and overcoming.  Do I have weaknesses? Yes.  Do you have weaknesses?  Yes.  God is our helper!

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Promise To Performance

November 10, 2009

Please read Romans 4 – 6 for today’s reading

 

Romans 4 gets into the truth of Abraham being justified by faith. In verses 20 and 21 we read — He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

There you go…If God promised it, He will perform it. Period.

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Exchanging The Truth

November 9, 2009

Please read Romans 1 – 3 for today’s reading

 

Well, we are here at the holiday season…let the exchanges begin.  Wrong size.  Wrong color.  Wrong price.  Wrong brand.  On and on the list goes as to why an exchange takes place.  Exchanging is harmless if it’s a sweater, video game, or kitchen utensil. But if we are talking about exchanging the truth it is deadly.  Romans 1:25 tells us that the ungodly “exchanged the truth of God for the lie…” The lie?  The lie that we know better than God.  The lie that God does not mean what He says.  The lie that began in The Garden and has been told to every generation.  The lie that says we should worship the creature (man) more than the Creator.  This exchange will never fit, never work, never bring satisfaction.

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Change That Lasts

November 8, 2009

Please read Acts 25 – 28 for today’s reading

 

All of us have made changes.  Some of our changes last for the short-term and others are long-term.   In Acts 26 the Apostle Paul recalls his conversion experience.  Though it was years later, what took place that day had stuck with him and he had stuck with it. This is change that lasts.  Too often we make temporary changes, momentary adjustments, but what we need to have are some real and genuine lasting changes.  Moments that altar our lives for the good…for good.  A made up mind that keeps its commitment and stays the course.  Paul made a major impact for the Kingdom of God in throughout the Roman Empire because he was a changed man.  Changed people change things.

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40+ Fasters

November 7, 2009

Please read Acts 22 – 24 for today’s reading

 

Anger and hatred can be a powerful impulse.  In Acts 23:12,13 we read these words — And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. Now there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy.

Forty plus “fasters” driven by hatred, anger, and revenge.  These men were bound together in an unholy union to fast food and drink so that they might stop the mighty preacher of the cross.  Jews! Men who were of the chosen race.  Men who surely knew the Word of God.  Men who should have recognized the grace and truth of God.  Yet, hatred drove them.  They should have been fasting to keep themselves in touch with God and in partnership with Paul. But jealousy, envy, hatred, anger, prejudice, etc. causes us to do all the wrong things for the wrong reasons.

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The Whole Counsel Of God

November 6, 2009

Please read Acts 19 -21 for today’s reading

 

“The whole counsel of God” was declared by Paul (Acts 20:27).  What exactly does that mean?  Basically it means that Paul preached and taught the big picture.  Often deception is found in dissecting the details.  We must be careful in our study and learning to never lose the big picture of God’s plan.  Also, the big picture helps us remember that all the parts and pieces must fit.  Too often people are taught a part or portion of Scripture incorrectly, it does not fit with the rest of Scripture.   It is informative and insightful to dig into the Scriptures, yet never forgetting that the pieces must fit together and help us to see the big picture of God’s plan.

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Believe On The Lord Jesus

November 5, 2009

Please read Acts 16 – 18 for today’s reading

 

Once you get past all the “Christian” parafinalia and propaganda you’ll find Jesus.  Walk past the trinkets, books, posters, license plates, spiritualized mints, seminars, bumper stickers, jargon,  biblical theaters, movies, concerts, gatherings, and I could continue on…and on…and on.  Get past all the stuff and you get to one simple truth, one real reality.  Believe on the Lord Jesus…that is the simplicity of salvation.

The Philippian jailer was at a moment of crisis, he cried out in desperation, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”  Paul and Silas did not break into a theological discussion, they did not complicate this moment.  Here’s their reply — So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, y0u and your household.” (Acts 16:31).  Just believe.   Just believe on Jesus…be fully convinced that Jesus is the One and you will be saved.  Just believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be changed.  Just believe on the Lord Jesus and your family will be changed.  Just believe on Jesus.

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Many Tribulations

November 4, 2009

Please read Acts 13 – 15 for today’s reading

 

The Apostle Paul is speaking to the new converts in the cities of Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch.  Here is what Acts 14:22 says… strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”

“Many tribulations” is not a popular theme today.   Much of our theology, philosophy, and methodology today has to do with living a pain free life.  Often those who teach/write today espouse a life of faith that is so great that we can rise above all pain and suffering. Paul does not run from suffering, he does not invite it, but what he does do is to accept its reality.  Those who love Jesus and follow Him will experience tribulation…hard times, crushing moments, difficult days.  But the end result is the Kingdom of God!

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An Every Nation God

November 3, 2009

Please read Acts 10 – 12 for today’s reading

 

In Acts 10 we have the gospel being opened up to the Gentiles.  Cornelius, a Roman centurion, is the first Gentile convert.  He is stationed in the city of Caesarea.   The Apostle Peter is given a vision by the Lord.  This vision reveals to Peter that God has chosen to give His gospel to those hitherto thought unclean or unworthy — the Gentiles.   At first, Peter is reluctant, but as God deals with his heart he changes.  In his discourse with Cornelius, he says this, “But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:35).  God is an every nation God!  His people will come from the north, south, east, and west.  They will come from the country and the city.  God’s family is a combination of cultures, ethnicity’s, dialects, races, you name…God’s family is made up from every nation.  Here is what Peter says…WHOEVER….does not matter your language, your skin color, or your location.  God is an every nation God.

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