John 15:4-5
Fruit doesn't appear in a grocery store out of nowhere. It comes from fruit-bearing plants. It starts on a vine, tree, or bush. There is your fruit lesson for the day!
See but we have a vine too. Christ taught that he is the one True Vine. We are the branches. If we want to bear good fruit, if we want to mature spiritually, we have to "abide" or "remain in" or "stay connected"to him.
Fruit won't grow on a branch that's not in total contact with the vine. So our human promises, the ones we make without tapping into his power, mean little. WE break them! Trying on our own to be good,without Christ's help, gets us nowwhere. We wear out to easily. What matters is relying on God, through his promises, to forgive us. live in us, teach us, and encourage us, and to be close to us as we stay close him.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Being Good in a Bad World
In the real world, evil isn't terminated with in the span of a movie or tv show. Wouldnt that be nice! And sometimes you wonder if God cares at all about stopping evil.
What does God promise you when it's tough being good in a bad world?
Read Malachi 3:13-4:3
The people in the book of Malachi noticed the same things you see every day:cheaters getting A's, drug dealers getting rich, snotty girls gets the guys, etc.
The believers, survived by reminding eachother that the success of bad people isnt the whole story. In God's judgement at the end of time, evildoers will be punished, but those who follow God will romp like frisky calves set free from their pen.
So it isn't that God doesnt notice wrongs or that he doesn't feel your pain. Just the opposite. That's why he send Christ-to end evil, to give people a chance to change and turn to him. However, God is patient and holds off his scorching punishment(2 Peter 2:9;3:9)
That doesn't mean you relax and toloerate evil. Change what you can in your life and all around you. Work together with peers and parents and authorities to confront larger evils like drugs and abortion and poverty. But when you feel overcome by evil, be patient. Remind yourself that God sees you.He WON'T forget your faithfulness.
Malachi 4:2
But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.
What does God promise you when it's tough being good in a bad world?
Read Malachi 3:13-4:3
The people in the book of Malachi noticed the same things you see every day:cheaters getting A's, drug dealers getting rich, snotty girls gets the guys, etc.
The believers, survived by reminding eachother that the success of bad people isnt the whole story. In God's judgement at the end of time, evildoers will be punished, but those who follow God will romp like frisky calves set free from their pen.
So it isn't that God doesnt notice wrongs or that he doesn't feel your pain. Just the opposite. That's why he send Christ-to end evil, to give people a chance to change and turn to him. However, God is patient and holds off his scorching punishment(2 Peter 2:9;3:9)
That doesn't mean you relax and toloerate evil. Change what you can in your life and all around you. Work together with peers and parents and authorities to confront larger evils like drugs and abortion and poverty. But when you feel overcome by evil, be patient. Remind yourself that God sees you.He WON'T forget your faithfulness.
Malachi 4:2
But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.
Total Healing
Why did Jesus die for us?
Read 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
The best doctor ever is God, He wants to heal us totally, and forgiveness is only the first part of his curefor sin. If sin is awful enough for Jesus to have to die for it, then its awful enough for us to want to get rid of it. God saves us not just from the punishment for sin but from the power of sin to rule and wreck us.
Getting us to stop living for self and start following Christ is the second part. God won't let us have one with out the other. Because Christ had died, our old sinfullives have died-and we have been born anew to live a better life.
You might wonder ho wsome people manage to live lives totally devoted to God. But there's nothing mysterious about how God works to change us. Once forgiven, we become friends with God. He uses that friendship to remake us beyond our natural abilities(Romans 8:1-17). That takes time though, and sometimes it hurts, like surgery. But in the end, we're closer to becoming who God wants us to be.
Remember and read this carefully.....God loves us way to much to leave us twisting in pain, our sin and selfishness untreated.
Read 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
The best doctor ever is God, He wants to heal us totally, and forgiveness is only the first part of his curefor sin. If sin is awful enough for Jesus to have to die for it, then its awful enough for us to want to get rid of it. God saves us not just from the punishment for sin but from the power of sin to rule and wreck us.
Getting us to stop living for self and start following Christ is the second part. God won't let us have one with out the other. Because Christ had died, our old sinfullives have died-and we have been born anew to live a better life.
You might wonder ho wsome people manage to live lives totally devoted to God. But there's nothing mysterious about how God works to change us. Once forgiven, we become friends with God. He uses that friendship to remake us beyond our natural abilities(Romans 8:1-17). That takes time though, and sometimes it hurts, like surgery. But in the end, we're closer to becoming who God wants us to be.
Remember and read this carefully.....God loves us way to much to leave us twisting in pain, our sin and selfishness untreated.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Demolishing the Wall
Do you remember a time when you have taken the blame for someone to save them from getting punished? Have you ever spoken up for a friend who was in trouble and say, "nope that was my fault", just to save them? Does that ever happen? I know someone that did that.
Read Isaiah 53:4-12
These verses predict that Jesus will take the punishment others deserve. Whose blame does he take?
Jesus had never sinned. He deserved no punishment. Yet he chose to suffer for OUR sin:pierced for our evil, crushed fro the wrong we did/do.Jesus was perfect, yet he took God's punishment for sin-death-so we wouldn't have to.
He did what that friend did but many BILLION times better.
Jesus died for everyone, but God requires each of us to accept that fact personally. See that friend who you were trying to save needed to tell the truth, just like we need to take responsibility for our sins. READ CAREFULLY: YOU CAN DO THAT BY PRAYING, "God, I've sinned. I've broken your rules and disappointed you. God, I know that Jesus died in my place." That's what being a Christian is all about.
If you accept the fact that Jesus suffered your punishment, you stick tight with God now and forever:"When people sin, they earn what sin pays--death. But God gives us a free gift-life forever in Christ Jesus our Lord"(Romans 6:23)Christ demolishes the wall of sin between us and God. Not a brick stands!Not a pebble is left-not even a speck dust. It's all been washed away by Christ's blood.
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5
Read Isaiah 53:4-12
These verses predict that Jesus will take the punishment others deserve. Whose blame does he take?
Jesus had never sinned. He deserved no punishment. Yet he chose to suffer for OUR sin:pierced for our evil, crushed fro the wrong we did/do.Jesus was perfect, yet he took God's punishment for sin-death-so we wouldn't have to.
He did what that friend did but many BILLION times better.
Jesus died for everyone, but God requires each of us to accept that fact personally. See that friend who you were trying to save needed to tell the truth, just like we need to take responsibility for our sins. READ CAREFULLY: YOU CAN DO THAT BY PRAYING, "God, I've sinned. I've broken your rules and disappointed you. God, I know that Jesus died in my place." That's what being a Christian is all about.
If you accept the fact that Jesus suffered your punishment, you stick tight with God now and forever:"When people sin, they earn what sin pays--death. But God gives us a free gift-life forever in Christ Jesus our Lord"(Romans 6:23)Christ demolishes the wall of sin between us and God. Not a brick stands!Not a pebble is left-not even a speck dust. It's all been washed away by Christ's blood.
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5
Sunday, October 26, 2008
The Wall
For almost 30yrs, eastern Germany was wall off from western Germany-city from city, family from family, friends from friends. East Germans suffered from poverty, and brutal control on politics and religion, barely able to dream of the freedoms enjoyed in the West, outside the wall. Anyone who tried to escape to the West faced razor wire, killer dogs, land mines, and machine guns.
You would never willingly choose to live locked inside a wall, separated from everything you enjoy, in a country that doubles as a prison. Yet you and I and every person who has ever lived are expert wall builders. WE choose to separate ourselves from God and his goodness.
Read Luke 15:11-24
How does the son distance himself from his dad?
Deep inside we're all a lot like that son(Romans 3:23). Some of us battle openly to do things our way. Others of us are scared to step out of line- though if we thought we could sin and live to tell about it, we might act a lot more like this wandering son. Each time we disobey, we sin by what we say, do, think--we dont build a wall but we lay a brick between ourselves and God. He doesnt build the wall, we do each time we choose to sin. Sin separates us from God as we build that wall brick by brick:sin makes it impossible for us to be God's friends.
Separation starts now, but it can last forever. If we refuse God's way of demolishing the wall, we will discover that when its time for us to have eternity the wall has been cemented up.(Romans 6:23). We'll find ourselves cut off from God and everything good he has made. No one wants to think this but imagine, if you are cemented in hell? Its to late, the things we do, the sins will, if we let sins control our lives, complete this wall permanently. No light, to joy, no grace, it will be solitary confinement for life. Sorry for the downer but their is a to break free, the wrecking ball of our lives. Jesus Christ!
Our Father, sent his son, as the wrecking ball, to tear down the wall we've built. Its a job ONLY He can do in our lives. We are good at putting bricks up and then another and another, and we get so down on ourselves because we slip, because we fall short, that we build a wall above us but for those that have made that commitment with their heart(not mind) to accept the love of Jesus Christ, he built a sun roof in that wall above us, that can NEVER(EVER) be sealed up. Its just our job to LOOK UP instead of looking down cause no matter how far we "think" we are from God, he will leave your side! For those who haven't its not to late its never to late to have Jesus be that wrecking ball in your life, let Him break those walls down.
But while he was still a long way off, his father say him and was filled with compassion for him:he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15:20
You would never willingly choose to live locked inside a wall, separated from everything you enjoy, in a country that doubles as a prison. Yet you and I and every person who has ever lived are expert wall builders. WE choose to separate ourselves from God and his goodness.
Read Luke 15:11-24
How does the son distance himself from his dad?
Deep inside we're all a lot like that son(Romans 3:23). Some of us battle openly to do things our way. Others of us are scared to step out of line- though if we thought we could sin and live to tell about it, we might act a lot more like this wandering son. Each time we disobey, we sin by what we say, do, think--we dont build a wall but we lay a brick between ourselves and God. He doesnt build the wall, we do each time we choose to sin. Sin separates us from God as we build that wall brick by brick:sin makes it impossible for us to be God's friends.
Separation starts now, but it can last forever. If we refuse God's way of demolishing the wall, we will discover that when its time for us to have eternity the wall has been cemented up.(Romans 6:23). We'll find ourselves cut off from God and everything good he has made. No one wants to think this but imagine, if you are cemented in hell? Its to late, the things we do, the sins will, if we let sins control our lives, complete this wall permanently. No light, to joy, no grace, it will be solitary confinement for life. Sorry for the downer but their is a to break free, the wrecking ball of our lives. Jesus Christ!
Our Father, sent his son, as the wrecking ball, to tear down the wall we've built. Its a job ONLY He can do in our lives. We are good at putting bricks up and then another and another, and we get so down on ourselves because we slip, because we fall short, that we build a wall above us but for those that have made that commitment with their heart(not mind) to accept the love of Jesus Christ, he built a sun roof in that wall above us, that can NEVER(EVER) be sealed up. Its just our job to LOOK UP instead of looking down cause no matter how far we "think" we are from God, he will leave your side! For those who haven't its not to late its never to late to have Jesus be that wrecking ball in your life, let Him break those walls down.
But while he was still a long way off, his father say him and was filled with compassion for him:he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15:20
Friday, October 24, 2008
Look Alikes
What qualities are rubbing off on you, thanksto the Holy Spirit, as you get to know God?
Read Galatians 5:19-26
The passage begins by telling what you would look like without God--full of rebellion, trom sexual immorality to idolatry to drunkenness,jealousy , and selfishness. Not that all non -Christians sport all those grotesque features, but when we dont know God we can't see how we are living. If we hangout with that type of crowd what are we assoicated with? But if you choos to live for God, close to God, you will pick up some qualities that will be worth living for. Its like the old saying, " you are what you eat". Dont go and try to eat the Bible but if we spend time with God, other Christians, church, youth groups, all of a sudden our life qualities start to change.
Thats the cool part of the look alike thing. As you know Jesus better, people will see that you look more and more like him(1corinthians 3:18). No one can fault you for being his look alike("against such things there is no law). People can't criticize you for being loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. And if they do, that just says how messed up they are.
Read Galatians 5:22-23 that's the verse of the day.
Read Galatians 5:19-26
The passage begins by telling what you would look like without God--full of rebellion, trom sexual immorality to idolatry to drunkenness,jealousy , and selfishness. Not that all non -Christians sport all those grotesque features, but when we dont know God we can't see how we are living. If we hangout with that type of crowd what are we assoicated with? But if you choos to live for God, close to God, you will pick up some qualities that will be worth living for. Its like the old saying, " you are what you eat". Dont go and try to eat the Bible but if we spend time with God, other Christians, church, youth groups, all of a sudden our life qualities start to change.
Thats the cool part of the look alike thing. As you know Jesus better, people will see that you look more and more like him(1corinthians 3:18). No one can fault you for being his look alike("against such things there is no law). People can't criticize you for being loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. And if they do, that just says how messed up they are.
Read Galatians 5:22-23 that's the verse of the day.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
GET UP AND GO ON
How can we overcome our mistakes and mess-ups?
Read Philippians 3:12-14
Mistakes make you want to quit. Botch a few assignments in a class at school, and its tough to keep trying. You figure you're no good, that working harder won't change your grade anyway, there's no way to start over. Mess up a few classes or a few semesters and you might start to think school isnt for you.
When you blow it as a Christian you can't take back hurt you've caused. you have to live with the consequences of messing up. Sin still offends God. But God makes a way to repair your relationship with him and start over right now. A verse in 1 John tells how: "if we confess our sins, he is faithfull and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" 1:9.
That's part of what Pauk meant by "forgetting what is behind." When you admit your sin to God, he forgives you and picks you up so you can press on toward the goal of knowing Christ completely. Don't ever give up on following Christ just because you fall down. There's no such thing as a Christian who never stumbles. Real Christians are the ones who get up and go on.
But one thing I do:forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14
Read Philippians 3:12-14
Mistakes make you want to quit. Botch a few assignments in a class at school, and its tough to keep trying. You figure you're no good, that working harder won't change your grade anyway, there's no way to start over. Mess up a few classes or a few semesters and you might start to think school isnt for you.
When you blow it as a Christian you can't take back hurt you've caused. you have to live with the consequences of messing up. Sin still offends God. But God makes a way to repair your relationship with him and start over right now. A verse in 1 John tells how: "if we confess our sins, he is faithfull and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" 1:9.
That's part of what Pauk meant by "forgetting what is behind." When you admit your sin to God, he forgives you and picks you up so you can press on toward the goal of knowing Christ completely. Don't ever give up on following Christ just because you fall down. There's no such thing as a Christian who never stumbles. Real Christians are the ones who get up and go on.
But one thing I do:forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14
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