Tag: #Family

A Life that Is Remembered

Jesus was very kind to women and treated them with equal respect as He treated the men. There were a number of women who followed Him and loved him while He was on earth.

Mark 15:41 When He was in Galilee, they used to follow Him and minister to Him; and there were many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.

The women also remained with Him, looking on from a distance, when He was crucified.

Mark 15:40 There were also some women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses, and Salome.

Mary Magdalene was probably the oldest of the women since she is mentioned first and so she had to be around fifty years old. Mary, mentioned here is the mother of Jesus and Salome is the mother of James and John and was Mary’s sister. Mary was either in her late forties or in her fifties since Jesus was thirty three years old at this time. The disciples honored these women and they were included in His ministry and afterwards.

Acts 1:14 These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

However, there was one woman who the Lord honored by mentioning how she will be remembered wherever the Gospel is preached.

Mark 14:3-9 While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head. But some were indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted?For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they were scolding her. But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me. She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial. Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”

She did what she could to honor and minister to Him. Simple as that. She did what she could. Jesus did not ask her to do anything but out of her love for Him she did what she could. We all have different gifts and abilities. When we do what we can then Jesus takes note of it and remembers it. Don’t worry about doing something great for the Lord. Do what you can do. Whether it is giving a cup of cold water to a thirsty person or helping the fatherless in Jesus’ name, either in your hometown or across the world, just do what you can out of love for Him.

John 12:3 Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

In all likelihood it was probably Mary, who sat at His feet, who anointed His head and his feet. The house was filled with the sweet fragrance of her love for Him. Also, since this happened before His crucifixion, her offering was a fragrant aroma to Him during His suffering. That is how it is, when we do what we can in our love for Him then the house of God is filled with a sweet fragrance and we are a fragrant aroma to Him.

Ephesians 5:2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

Our love for Him is expressed in our love for each other. When we consider others more important than us and love others as He has loved us then we will be like Christ and an offering to God as a fragrant aroma.

II Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.

The Lord is the One who leads us in victory in Christ and He is the One who manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. As we learn to walk with Him, He will lead us and make Himself known through us to the world. You are the one the Lord wants to use to make Himself known to a hurting world.

 

 

 

 

A Life Saved from Being a Fool

The Bible says that the fool puts her trust in herself and there is not much hope. There is not much hope for her success in life or her marriage or in raising her children. She may have moments of happiness from circumstances but in the end she is still a fool and she will perish.

Proverbs 28:26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But he who walks wisely will be delivered.

Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.

A fool dies because they lack understanding. The Bible says that the knowledge of God is understanding and since the fool does not seek Him, he or she lacks understanding. The fool will also despise wisdom, knowledge and understanding. If you marry a fool then you will bring sorrow on your life. Any man who does not seek Him is a fool. You can not change a man. Look at how is life was before he met you. He will revert back to who he really is.

Proverbs 10:21 The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of understanding.

Be careful who your friends are. If a fool is your friend then you will bring harm to yourself.

Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Once you recognize someone is a fool then leave their presence.

Proverbs 14:7 Leave the presence of a fool, Or you will not discern words of knowledge.

A foolish person will experience bitterness in her heart. Her heart will be broken and she will experience the pain of a lack of wisdom. A godly man will not break your heart. He will not use you. He will not lead you on or defraud you by communicating that there is more to the relationship than what there really is. A young man has no business telling a girl that he loves her unless his next words are “Will you marry me?”

Proverbs 14:33 Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, But in the hearts of fools it is made known.

A fool does not listen to correction and reproof. In fact, a fool hates it when people correct him or her. She will not go to the wise but will go to those who will tell her what she wants to hear…which will be foolishness.

Proverbs 17:10 A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding Than a hundred blows into a fool.

Ecclesiastes 7:5 It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man Than for one to listen to the song of fools.

A fool makes promises and vows and does not keep them.

Ecclesiastes 5:4 When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow!

Finally, seek the Lord while He is near and call upon Him while there is hope. Do not be as the foolish who live for today and do not prepare for eternity.

Matthew 25:1-13 Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them,but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.

Be on the alert. Jesus is coming. Be wise and prudent and not foolish. It will be too late.

 

A Life Filled with Joy

We all want to have joy. Sometimes it may seem that joy is not possible all of the time but actually it can be. Is not it possible to have peace all of the time and also love? Yes, the Lord wants our lives to be filled with His fruit. Joy is not just an emotion even as love, peace, patience and kindness are not merely emotions either. Joy is a well being or satisfaction and pleasantness in the spirit. It is part of the fruit of the Spirit and comes with no guilt or regret. Emotions come and go and we are not to live by them but the fruit of the Spirit is an expression of Christ in us.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Joy is knowing His presence and having His favor on your life. Joy comes from the Lord. It is a security that comes from His presence and knowing that the Lord will be with you, will guide you and has a pleasing future for you. You can try to please yourself or you can have His pleasures which last for eternity.

Psalm 16:9 You will make known to me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

The Lord has also given us something special in this life which will give us great joy and that is the privilege of serving Him through the spiritual gift that He has given to you. There is no one like you and although others may have the same spiritual gift as you, it will not be expressed in the same unique way. The Lord has a job for you to do and only you can do it.

I Peter 4:10,11 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

There are two types of gifts, a speaking gift and a serving gift. If your gift is speaking then you are to speak the utterances of God, which is His Word. His Word has the power and you are the mouthpiece to speak it. If your gift is serving then He has given you supernatural strength though His Spirit. If you are filled with His Word and His Spirit then He will be glorified in your life and the church will be built up.

II Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

You must know His word if you want to be used by Him. He uses His Word. We are only His vessel through which He speaks. If we know His Word then we will be prepared for the goods works that he has planned for each of us.

II Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

You must keep a clear conscience so that the Holy Spirit is not quenched in your life. The Lord uses His Spirit and His Word. Sanctified means to be cleansed and set apart for a holy purpose.

II Timothy 2:21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

Finally, we must continually humble ourselves before the Lord, for He give grace to the humble. Jesus was full of grace and truth. The Word of God is truth and grace allows us to live out the truth and therefore be full of truth through the power of the Holy Spirit.

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

When you are prepared and set apart and obedient to His Word then the Word becomes flesh through you and Jesus Christ is glorified. You are a part of His body and the spiritual gift that He has given you is meant to be an expression of Him to others. The word joy has the same root as the word grace and gift. You will have great joy when you exercise your spiritual gift through the grace that He gives to you.

John 17:15-19 I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.

Jesus has sent us into the world. He has prayed that we would be cleansed and set apart through His Word. He wants to use you. When He uses you to fulfill His plan for the world then you will have great joy. When you are faithful to Him and obedient to Him and His will for your life then your life will overflow with joy. May you be blessed by entering into His joy and hearing His words to you, “Well done, My good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master.” What has He called you to do?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Life with Faith

All of us have faith but it is not our faith that helps us or saves us but it is the object of our faith. Some people have faith in themselves and some people have faith in others or institutions or even objects. Faith is trust and it is within us to trust something or someone. However, if what we have put our trust or faith in is not trustworthy and faithful then it will produce fear within us.

Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

I Corinthians 4:2

Trust is the opposite of fear. Trust gives us security and fear removes security and gives insecurity. If we sat in a chair and did not have trust that it would hold us up then we would be fearful of falling and hurting ourself. If we marry someone but we can’t trust their faithfulness in the marriage then we will feel insecure. Insecurity brings on jealousy and stress that will eventually destroy us. We will also be tempted to do all sorts of things to try to give ourselves the security which we long for but will be impossible to obtain if the person or object of our trust is untrustworthy or unfaithful. True faith allows one to rest in the one he trusts in.

God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. Hebrews 6:18

The Lord Jesus Christ is the only One who is trustworthy for He can not lie. He proved His love by dying on the cross for the world, for you and for me. There is no one beyond His love. He offers forgiveness and eternal life to all. However, we must believe what He said. Faith is an act of the will and we must have faith in His Word. Feelings follow faith. We do not live by feelings but we live according to the decisions that we make with our will by faith.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

The only promises that God makes that will help us and save us are the ones that we believe.

For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. Hebrews 4:2

The Bible says that the righteous shall live by faith. Trust in the Lord and in His Word is what pleases the Lord God. We try to please God by being “good”, which we can never be good enough. It is trusting in His goodness, His faithfulness and in His Word that pleases Him, The Lord wants us to seek Him, not seek to be “good”, for we will always fail in being “good enough” for God. Our “good” will never be able to outweigh the “bad” which we have done for we have all sinned.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23

Eternal salvation is eternal life and is a free gift from God, that can never be earned. It is from God and it is received by faith.

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

Eternal life and salvation begins the moment that one puts their faith in the Lord and receives Him as the only Savior and Lord. There is salvation in no one else. Nothing else can be trusted in. Everything will eventually fail us.

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

Are you in trouble? Are you struggling? Do you want to live forever in God’s love? Do you long for forgiveness? Do you realize that you can never be “good enough” for God and that your “good works” can never outweigh your “bad deeds”? Come to Him.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11: 28, 29

Jesus Christ invites us to come to Him. He longs to show us His love. He longs to wrap His love around us. He longs for give us rest.

Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him. Isaiah 30:18

He loves you and came for you and He is asking you to come to Him. He wants you to receive His gift of love, which is present salvation and eternal salvation. His love is a gift and is a decision that is made in faith. You will not be disappointed. This is the promise He makes to you but you must believe and trust in His Word.

For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” Romans 10:11

The following is a simple explanation of how to receive God’s gift of love and forgiveness in and through Jesus Christ:

A: Acknowledge that you have messed up and can never be “good enough” and that you need a Savior and Lord. “for all have sinned” Romans 3:23

B; Believe in what Jesus Christ did on the cross to save you. “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;” I Peter 3:18. Believe that He died, was buried and rose again. He is alive today and will become the Savior of those who put their trust in Him the moment they choose to believe in Him to be their personal Lord and Savior.

C: Confess Jesus Christ as Lord of all and Lord of your life. “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” Romans 10:9,10

Prayer is talking to God, through Jesus Christ. A simple prayer that can be prayed to receive Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior is:

Dear God, I need you. I have failed in my actions, my thoughts and my life. I can never be perfect. Will you please forgive me of all of my failures and forgive me for never being “good enough” to please you. Thank you for your love in sending your Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for me to forgive me of all of my failure and offering eternal life. By faith, I receive the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ and what He did for me. Thank you for giving me eternal life and for the privilege of becoming your child. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray this prayer, Amen

If you prayed this prayer: The moment you receive Jesus Christ you become God’s child. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,” John 1:12. Your sins are forgiven and you have been transferred into God’s kingdom and rescued from Satan’s kingdom. “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13,14. You also become the recipient of God’s great love. “See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are.” I John 3:1a. You have eternal life. “And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:11-13

If you prayed this prayer of receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior then by faith, pray and thank Him for each of these things that He has done for you.

Start reading your Bible and do what He tells you to do so that you will learn to live in His love for you. “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.” I John 5:3

If you would like a free Bible then please email us at: reply@instructionstoayounglife.com

A Life with Faith

All of us have faith but it is not our faith that helps us or saves us but it is the object of our faith. Some people have faith in themselves and some people have faith in others or institutions or even objects. Faith is trust and it is within us to trust something or someone. However, if what we have put our trust or faith in is not trustworthy and faithful then it will produce fear within us.

Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

I Corinthians 4:2

Trust is the opposite of fear. Trust gives us security and fear removes security and gives insecurity. If we sat in a chair and did not have trust that it would hold us up then we would be fearful of falling and hurting ourself. If we marry someone but we can’t trust their faithfulness in the marriage then we will feel insecure. Insecurity brings on jealousy and stress that will eventually destroy us. We will also be tempted to do all sorts of things to try to give ourselves the security which we long for but will be impossible to obtain if the person or object of our trust is untrustworthy or unfaithful. True faith allows one to rest in the one he trusts in.

God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. Hebrews 6:18

The Lord Jesus Christ is the only One who is trustworthy for He can not lie. He proved His love by dying on the cross for the world, for you and for me. There is no one beyond His love. He offers forgiveness and eternal life to all. However, we must believe what He said. Faith is an act of the will and we must have faith in His Word. Feelings follow faith. We do not live by feelings but we live according to the decisions that we make with our will by faith.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

The only promises that God makes that will help us and save us are the ones that we believe.

For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. Hebrews 4:2

The Bible says that the righteous shall live by faith. Trust in the Lord and in His Word is what pleases the Lord God. We try to please God by being “good”, which we can never be good enough. It is trusting in His goodness, His faithfulness and in His Word that pleases Him, The Lord wants us to seek Him, not seek to be “good”, for we will always fail in being “good enough” for God. Our “good” will never be able to outweigh the “bad” which we have done for we have all sinned.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23

Eternal salvation is eternal life and is a free gift from God, that can never be earned. It is from God and it is received by faith.

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

Eternal life and salvation begins the moment that one puts their faith in the Lord and receives Him as the only Savior and Lord. There is salvation in no one else. Nothing else can be trusted in. Everything will eventually fail us.

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

Are you in trouble? Are you struggling? Do you want to live forever in God’s love? Do you long for forgiveness? Do you realize that you can never be “good enough” for God and that your “good works” can never outweigh your “bad deeds”? Come to Him.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11: 28, 29

Jesus Christ invites us to come to Him. He longs to show us His love. He longs to wrap His love around us. He longs for give us rest.

Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him. Isaiah 30:18

He loves you and came for you and He is asking you to come to Him. He wants you to receive His gift of love, which is present salvation and eternal salvation. His love is a gift and is a decision that is made in faith. You will not be disappointed. This is the promise He makes to you but you must believe and trust in His Word.

For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” Romans 10:11

The following is a simple explanation of how to receive God’s gift of love and forgiveness in and through Jesus Christ:

A: Acknowledge that you have messed up and can never be “good enough” and that you need a Savior and Lord. “for all have sinned” Romans 3:23

B; Believe in what Jesus Christ did on the cross to save you. “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;” I Peter 3:18. Believe that He died, was buried and rose again. He is alive today and will become the Savior of those who put their trust in Him the moment they choose to believe in Him to be their personal Lord and Savior.

C: Confess Jesus Christ as Lord of all and Lord of your life. “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” Romans 10:9,10

Prayer is talking to God, through Jesus Christ. A simple prayer that can be prayed to receive Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior is:

Dear God, I need you. I have failed in my actions, my thoughts and my life. I can never be perfect. Will you please forgive me of all of my failures and forgive me for never being “good enough” to please you. Thank you for your love in sending your Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for me to forgive me of all of my failure and offering eternal life. By faith, I receive the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ and what He did for me. Thank you for giving me eternal life and for the privilege of becoming your child. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray this prayer, Amen

If you prayed this prayer: The moment you receive Jesus Christ you become God’s child. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,” John 1:12. Your sins are forgiven and you have been transferred into God’s kingdom and rescued from Satan’s kingdom. “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13,14. You also become the recipient of God’s great love. “See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are.” I John 3:1a. You have eternal life. “And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:11-13

If you prayed this prayer of receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior then by faith, pray and thank Him for each of these things that He has done for you.

Start reading your Bible and do what He tells you to do so that you will learn to live in His love for you. “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.” I John 5:3

If you would like a free Bible then please email us at: reply@instructionstoayounglife.com

A Life with Great Comfort

We all need comfort. Without comfort we wither on the inside and dry up. It is what nurtures and restores our souls. Comfort is like the spring rains that come and bring refreshment to the earth. Comfort brings healing to our hurts.

Ask rain from the Lord at the time of the spring rain— The Lord who makes the storm clouds; And He will give them showers of rain, vegetation in the field to each man. Zechariah 10:1

It is the Lord that gives comfort. He will come to us like the spring rain when we seek Him, that is, when we press on to know Him.

“So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth.” Hosea 6:3

When we press on to know the Lord then not only do we receive comfort for our soul but He also restores us. The Lord gave us His Holy Spirit so that we would know His great comfort and be restored.

I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; John 14:16

A characteristic of the Helper, who is the Holy Spirit, is that He brings comfort to those who belong to Jesus Christ.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. John 14:26

It is the Holy Spirit who brings comfort. He is given to all who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The Lord cleanses our conscience and heart when we receive Him. When our conscience has been cleansed then we can hear the voice of the Lord. He is our Good Shepherd and we are His sheep.

I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. John 10:11

His sheep hear His voice.

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; John 10:27

God is a God of comfort. He is the God of all comfort, who comforts us in our afflictions and troubles. His comfort is abundant in Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. II Corinthians 1:3-5

Are you struggling? Let the Lord comfort you through His Holy Spirit. Let the Holy Spirit bring to your remembrance the comforting Words of Christ. The Lord did not give the Holy Spirit to convict Christians but to comfort them. (The Holy Spirit does not convict Christians but the Holy Spirit convicts non Christians. It is the conscience of the Christian that reveals to him his wrong and he grieves or quenches the Holy Spirit. For this reason it is crucial that a Christian keep a clear conscience.) Conviction involves judgment and judgment involves punishment and condemnation. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Jesus Christ took the judgment for our sins on the cross. He took our punishment and our condemnation. He never sinned and never did any wrong. All of us have sinned.

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. II Corinthians 5:21

For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; I Peter 3:18

It is Jesus Christ who died for the sins of the world and was raised again. It is Jesus Christ who brings us to God. It is Jesus Christ who gives us His righteousness. It is in Jesus Christ that we have great comfort.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Are you struggling? Do you feel as though there is no one to comfort you? Do you feel as though there is no hope? Does your soul need to be restored? Come to Him. He is the only One who knows you perfectly and understands your hurts and needs. He will come to all who call on Him.

“For these things I weep; My eyes run down with water; Because far from me is a comforter, One who restores my soul. Lamentations 1:16a

The Lord is the Good Shepherd if you are His child. He will bring you comfort and restore your soul if you come to Him. That is who He is.

The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake. Psalm 23:1-3

A Life Understanding Life

The Bible says that the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. We all long for understanding. Have you ever said to yourself, “I don’t understand” or “I wish I understood”?

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10

When we don’t know what to do we lack understanding.

For they are a nation lacking in counsel, And there is no understanding in them. Deuteronomy 32:28

Understanding is a very interesting characteristic. It can be gained and it can be lost.

He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good. Proverbs 19:8

Harlotry, wine and new wine take away the understanding. Hosea 4:11

Understanding has many benefits and without it much grief is experienced. It gives life and can bring about death.

Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, Proverbs 16:22

But fools die for lack of understanding. Proverbs 10:21b

To the Lord belongs understanding.

With Him are wisdom and might; To Him belong counsel and understanding. Job 12:13

Understanding produces favor for the one who has it. Without it life is hard.

Good understanding produces favor, But the way of the treacherous is hard. Proverbs 13:15

Understanding makes knowledge easy. A scoffer is one who turns their back on God and does not seek Him, therefore he lacks in understanding.

A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none, But knowledge is easy to one who has understanding. Proverbs 14:6

Understanding is more valuable than silver.

How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver. Proverbs 16:16

Whether building a house, a life, a career, a marriage, a business or any other endeavor it is only by understanding that it will be established.

By wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; Proverbs 24:3

A lack of understanding brings about ruin.

So the people without understanding are ruined. Hosea 4:14b

If we want understanding then we must depart from evil. Another word for departing from evil is repentance, which means turning from doing what is wrong and turning to the Lord. We can’t have both good and bad. We can’t continue doing what we know is wrong and experience good through having understanding.

And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding. Job 28:28

The Lord does not despise any but wants to give to all understanding, if they will only come to Him then He will give understanding.

Behold, God is mighty but does not despise any; He is mighty in strength of understanding. Job 36:5

God’s Word gives understanding.

The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130

God’s understanding is infinite.

Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite. Psalm 147:5

There is nothing beyond His understanding. Do you want to understand yourself or your spouse or life or death? Do you long for resolution in certain areas that you don’t understand? Are you weary of trying to figure things out on your own? Come to Jesus. He is calling you.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 22:28-30

A Life that Lives Above Circumstances

There is a promise in the Bible that is an amazing promise and it is one that says if you do a certain thing then you will ride on the heights of the earth. This means that you will live above the circumstances of every day life. However, as with many of His promises, there is a condition. What does the Lord require of you to live this incredible life?

Isaiah 58:13,14 “If because of the sabbath, you turn your foot
From doing your own pleasure on My holy day,
And call the sabbath a delight, the holy day of the Lord honorable,
And honor it, desisting from your own ways,
From seeking your own pleasure
And speaking your own word,
Then you will take delight in the Lord,
And I will make you ride on the heights of the earth;
And I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father,
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

The Lord established the Sabbath commandment at the beginning of creation when the Lord Himself rested on the seventh day of the week. Was He tired? No, the Bible says that the Lord God does not get tired.

Isaiah 40:28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.

The Lord was setting the pattern for work and for life by His example. He does not only teach us but He shows us how to live life. He gave us a day of rest because He is good. He did not make man for the Sabbath but the Sabbath for man.

Mark 2:27 Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.

Often people will say that they wish they had a day where they did not have to do anything. He has given us a day every week to rest and become refreshed in our relationship with Him. It is not “family day” or a day that we can do things we want to do and because we enjoy them then it is not considered work. No, rather He makes it very clear that we are not to do our own pleasure or live life our way. We are not to seek our own pleasure or speak our own words but we are to honor Him by honoring His holy day. He says that if we do this then we will ride on the heights of the earth.  Holy means that it is set a part for Him.

Revelation 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day,

This is the Apostle John speaking. Since Jesus Christ rose again from the dead on Sunday, the first day of the week, Sunday became the Sabbath day for the Christians after the resurrection. Sunday became the day that was set a part from the other days of the week so that they might get together and worship the Lord and rest.

Deuteronomy 5:12-14 ‘Observe the sabbath day to keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter or your male servant or your female servant or your ox or your donkey or any of your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you, so that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you.

The Lord considered the setting aside one day a week and not doing any work so important that He made it one of the Ten commandments. You will find that if you will keep this commandment then the quality of your life will become much better and you will also “take delight in the Lord”, as He promises.

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.

One of the beautiful characteristics of the Lord is that He does not make you do anything. You don’t have to obey any of His commandments. However, because He is so incredibly good He promises a reward if we delight ourselves in Him. He will give us the desires of our heart.

 

 

 

 

A Life that is Not Anxious

Are you ever anxious and worried? Anxiety can debilitate a person. Worry robs us of peace, joy and love for others because when we are anxious we focus on our problems. Some of our anxiety is about things that have never happened and will never happen but we believe they might so we worry about them.

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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Anxiety is a lack of faith. A lack of prayer is a lack of faith. The Lord says that if we will pray then we will not be anxious. Prayer is an expression of faith.

Hebrews 4:16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

If you will go to Him with your cares then then you will find mercy and grace to help in your time of need.

I Peter 5:7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

He tells us to cast all of our anxieties on Him because He cares for us. He cares for you and your burdens will become His burdens if you will give them to Him.

Psalms 138:8 The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

Isn’t this an amazing promise…that He will accomplish what concerns you. Are there things that concern you? Are you anxious about whether you will ever meet a young man who will truly love you? Are you anxious in your school work or you job? Do you have a sick loved one? There are so many things that concern us but if we will give them to Him then He will accomplish them for us.

A Life of Humility

If you want to be great then the Lord says you must be least. If you want to be exalted then He says that you must humble yourself. He knew that His disciples wanted to be great and wanted to be somebody. In our hearts we are the same. So, as they walked with the Lord Jesus He taught them a different way of life. A way that leads to life and to life abundantly.

Proverbs 18:12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, But humility goes before honor.

If we don’t live life God’s way then we will have sorrow and pain.

Proverbs 10:22 It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich, And He adds no sorrow to it.

Many people will get riches and honor but with it will come sorrow and destruction. Jesus Christ gives us the picture of what it means to have humility. We are to consider others more important than ourselves and to not merely look out for our own personal interests but also for the interests of others.

Philippians 2:3-5 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

Humility is the inward expression of total dependence on God and the outward expression of total obedience to Christ. Moses was called the most humble man on earth before Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, came to live and die and rise again from the dead. The phrase that characterized Moses’ life was he “did according to all that the Lord commanded him”.

Exodus 40:16 Thus Moses did; according to all that the Lord had commanded him, so he did.

Humility and obedience go together. Jesus was obedient to the point of death and then the Father highly exalted Him above every name that is named.

Philippians 2:8-11 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus is Lord of all. Every knee will bow before Him. You can either bow now voluntarily or you will bow against your will in hell because you did not bow willingly on earth.

I Peter 5:5,6 … all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,

Yes, He will life up those who clothe themselves with humility and obey Him during this life. He says that we will reign with Him when He comes in His glory. Don’t be foolish and think that you can wait until tomorrow. Tomorrow may not come but eternity will.