God’s Call through the Gospel Message
The book of Acts is about the furtherance of the Gospel of Jesus. “… and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
Faithful Stewards
There are many people in our lives with whom we become acquainted. However, one must be cautious that those we spend the most time with have a true knowledge of Jesus and a love for God’s Word. We are to understand that words alone do not make one a child of God.
Jesus Revealed
When Jesus came, He did not take away the importance of the Old Testament Law and Prophets; instead, He fulfilled them. This means He completed them, or made them completely perfect. “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17).
Who is Jesus?
One cannot fully explain just who Jesus is in a brief summary. However, the Bible tells who Jesus is from the beginning through to the end. Nevertheless, for a brief sampling, read the following verses.
A Living Sacrifice
A Christian must learn how to live as a Christian.
Paul encouraged people who had given their hearts and lives to Jesus, Christians, to understand the importance of living a life in a pleasing manner. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). What does this mean?
Watch
“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” (Matthew 24:42)
In some of Jesus’ final teachings to His disciples, He gave them a specific warning that we must heed today.
The Door
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).
Something has happened in my lifetime. When I was a young person growing up in church, everything was about Jesus.
Be Prepared
“16. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
What amazing words!
Your Adversary
Remember what every Christian should have already learned about Satan: when he became proud, wanting to be greater than God, he became God’s enemy (see Isaiah 14:12-16).
Be not Deceived
Jehoshaphat was a good king. When he became king, he eliminated idol worship. He then strengthened the cities of Judah – physically and spiritually.
Day of the Lord
The book of Joel tells of the Day of the Lord (see Joel 2:1-3). Many believe that this book is the key to understanding much of prophecy concerning the coming day mentioned by Jesus to His disciples before He left them on earth (see Matthew 24). A day that has not yet come.
Prepare Your Heart
Today, not many people take time to study the Old Testament Scriptures. They are old, you know! It is all in the past. Who needs to know what happened hundreds of years ago?
Choose You This Day
What would happen if you were faced with a generation of young people, most of which were never taught to love the Lord or obey His commands?
Trust in the Lord
Noah was a man who lived in a very wicked world. Remember how God described it in Genesis. “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). Because of this great wickedness, God planned to destroy it all.
Great Strength
Have you ever been afraid of doing something? Perhaps you were afraid of going to a new place or job, a terrible storm, or maybe just telling someone about Jesus. It would be good to understand that when Christians walk with God in the ways the Bible teaches, God will be with us. We should not be afraid of anything.
A Christian’s Duty
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13
Can you name any of God’s commandments? Without knowing what God’s commandments are, people would never understand they have sinned.
The Accounting
There were times in the Old Testament that we saw God warn a people that he would send complete and utter destruction upon them because they were against God’s people and because of their wickedness (remember Nineveh in the book of Nahum). They saw complete physical destruction.
Trust God’s Word
As Christians living in this world, we are to be prepared for the dangerous journey that is the Christian life. We are warned to not be beguiled by people who are not true Christians. Some of them may desire to lead you off the true path into darkness and despair. Be careful whose company you keep!
Examples for Believers
“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12
We can remember back to some of Jesus’ Disciples. They recorded for us their eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ life. They understood the importance of just who Jesus is. They realized the importance of recording the life of Jesus.
It is Good to Remember
As you read the following verse, think of your favorite Bible teacher. “Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance” (2 Peter 1:13). The word tabernacle means “the body as a frail tenement of the soul”; stir you up means “of the mind; to excite.” The job of a good teacher (in their frailty), is to stir up their students (excite them) by putting them in remembrance (to help them remember the heroes of our faith).
How to Apply God’s Word
A Christian is to understand that God’s Word is the Bible. Christians have Bibles and know they are important to have, but one cannot forget the importance of knowing what the Bible says. It was written for Christians. It is imperative that every Christian learn how to use the Bible correctly. In order to realize the best way to apply God’s Word, one must first know it.
God is Faithful
If you ask someone who their favorite Bible character is, many will reply, “David!” Almost everyone has heard of David and Goliath. However, there is so much more to the life of David than one mighty victory when he was a young.
The Just Shall Live by Faith
“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17
Have you ever been afraid?
One cannot help but remember back to an event that took place in the Bible. Jesus had been going about preaching and healing many.
Be Not Deceived
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7
If you read the history of Israel (the Northern Kingdom) in the Old Testament, keep in mind that none of the kings of Israel was considered good because they led Israel to sin against God.
Be Still
There is much fear in the world today. I have never known a time when so many people are afraid of almost everything. Today is a day of uncertainty. One hears of earthquakes, fires, hurricanes, illnesses, the downfall of the economy, rumors of wars, and so many other things of which to be afraid.
Why should one not be afraid?
A Wise Man
There are countless people who believe there are “many” ways to get to heaven. We can see this evidenced in numerous religions out there that promise eternal life in heaven. These religions (and personal opinions) give false hope of eternal life because they do not teach there is only One way; Jesus.
A Death Sentence
Naaman healed of leprosy is a very familiar event that happened in the Old Testament. In Bible times, leprosy was much like a death sentence. There was no known cure. However, have you ever considered a great lesson that can be understood from this event?
Do you Seek the Lord?
God sent a man named Amos to deliver an important message to the people of Israel. The people were living contrary to the Word of God, worshiping idols, and were practicing an empty religion. Amos asked them an important question: “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”
Why Not to be Afraid
There should be a definite contrast in the hearts and lives of Christians compared with those who have not yet believed in Jesus. Christians have a great confidence (a hope) as we live in this lost world. On the other hand, the lost (those apart from Christ) may be fearful as they live in this world. What makes the difference?
A Confession and Prayer
Many words of wisdom are recorded in the book of Proverbs. What can happen when these words are revealed and subsequently applied to lives?
Light versus Darkness
Everyone understands the difference between light and dark. They are opposites. In one, you can see clearly, in the other you cannot. In the darkness, much can be hidden and unseen.
A Temptation to Envy the Prosperous Wicked
Asaph was one of the writers of the Psalms. See what he recognized: “Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart” (Psalm 73:1).
Receive the Instruction of Wisdom
Wisdom is the major theme of the book of Proverbs, and King Solomon wrote much of it. If you remember, shortly after Solomon became king, God came to him in a dream.
Jesus, the Light of the World
Does the world seem like it is a very dark place these days? There is so much unrest and wickedness in the world today; it feels as if there is little hope for a peaceful future.
How to be Blessed
Who in this world doesn’t want to be blessed (means happy)? The Bible clearly helps us understand how to be blessed.
Know God’s Way
Have you ever wondered what God has for your life, or how to find out?
What is the most important thing a Christian can do?
The most important thing a Christian can do is to know God’s Word.
Apply Your Heart unto Wisdom
Have you ever had an urgency to do something? What drove that urgency?
For those who belong to the Lord, that urgency should come from Him.
Read Your Bible
Have you ever tried to play a game with someone without reading the instructions? Was there arguing over unknown rules? Was it a peaceful game or was there much disagreement? Was it any fun?
Be Crucified with Christ
Saul was the first king of Israel. He looked (physically) like a good king. However, his true nature was soon revealed. The most devastating thing that happened with King Saul was that he chose to do what he wanted to do instead of obeying God’s Word.
The Eyes of the Lord
Have you ever done something in secret, thinking that no one saw you? Have you ever thought something unkind about someone?
Ponder thy Path
Solomon was a very wise man. When King Solomon asked God to give him an understanding heart to judge God’s people, God gave him great wisdom.
Our Help in a Time of Need
Have you ever found yourself in a place where you did not know what to do, or even where to go? What did you do about it?
A Light in the Darkness
In the Old Testament, God often reminded His people what He expected of them. Before they were led into the land God promised to them, see what He told them: “Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes”
God’s Great Gift
Everyone knows John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” This is undoubtedly the greatest gift anyone could receive.
The Mystery of All Times
At some point in one’s life, a person become cognizant that there is something off – that they may be a good person, but that it isn’t enough in the grand scheme of things. They begin to recognize sin.
Hold Fast
Have you ever had someone make fun of you, or laugh, at you because you have chosen to live a Christian life? Have you especially noticed it when you attempt to tell someone about Jesus?
A Warning
One cannot help but remember a very strange event that happened in the Old Testament. There was a man of God sent to King Jeroboam to warn him not to practice the false religion that he was establishing.
Keep Your Heart
There is so much going on in the world today – good and evil. With all the many choices of things to see and do, things vying to take one’s time, we are to be very careful of what we allow into our hearts and lives. We should not only protect our hearts, but also be aware of the kind of wisdom that we allow into our hearts. Why? The things that we allow into our hearts and minds are…
Good Work
There seems to be much confusion in the world today about good works. In order to understand what the Bible teaches, one must have the right questions. Who is Jesus Christ, and why did He come? “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). God showed His love by sending Jesus to die, paying the penalty for sin, while I was yet a sinner. “5. Not by works…
How to Prepare for Living a Christian Life
Timothy was a great Christian and Paul’s faithful friend. Although Timothy’s mother and grandmother had taught him about Jesus, Paul had led Timothy to Jesus (taught him more about Jesus and how to be saved). Paul watched Timothy grow in his Christian faith. Paul wrote a letter of encouragement to Timothy. After reminding him of his salvation, he encouraged him to step up to the task God had placed before him. Timothy was not to be ashamed of the Gospel…
Strait is the Gate, and Narrow is the Way
Jesus taught what many call “The Sermon on the Mount.” In that sermon He taught the character qualities of the kingdom He would establish. The things He taught the people were many practical ways to live. As He came toward the end of this sermon, He presented a choice. Jesus always gives each person a choice that must be made. No one else can make that choice. However, Jesus encouraged the right choice. “13. Enter ye in at the strait…
Our Blessed Hope
Have you ever been discouraged in your Christian walk and feel like you are standing for the truth of God’s Word on your own? Have you shared the Gospel message with someone only to have the offer of Salvation rejected? Does that mean it is pointless to continue living a life pleasing to the Lord? No! This world is a dark place (and becoming darker by the day!), but we are to be a light in this world. Paul wrote…
Results of a Troubling Dream
Have you ever had a troubling dream? Did you wonder just what it meant and why it disturbed you so? Often times in this world there is so much going on, one does not have a moment of peace or quiet to think. One is relegated to the time between sleep and the waking hours to ponder life. Even then, many are plagued by the “to do’s” for tomorrow. It is then that God may intervene with a troubling dream….