Category Archives: Salvation

Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Missions, Redemption, Salvation

Power of Persuasion

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How much influence do you have? Most of us have much more than we realize. We might not win first place in a door-to-door vacuum cleaner contest but what we say and do matters a great deal.

Those who trust us listen to our opinions and will strongly consider our advice. Will we use the power of persuasion to lead others to a personal relationship with the Lord? Paul considered every meeting to be a divine appointment and witnessed of God’s saving grace.

“And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, ‘Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.‘  But Paul said, ‘I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words.  For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.‘ And Agrippa said to Paul, ‘In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?’ And Paul said, ‘Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains (Acts 26:24-29 ESV).”

Friendly persuasion isn’t arm twisting. It is the story of forgiveness lovingly shared with others.

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Christmas, Devotionals, Prophecy, Salvation

It’s a Boy!

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‘It’s a boy!’

That was just what I wanted to hear; April had a baby brother.

I gave birth to both April and son Lee before the sex of a child was routinely determined during pregnancy (through ultrasound images-sonograms). We had hoped for a boy but had to wait to find out if hopes would become reality. Mary and Joseph did not have to wait.

‘It’s a boy!’

Gabriel told Mary.

“And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end (Luke 1:30-33 KJV).”

Joseph knew.

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:18-21 KJV).”

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Salvation, Uncategorized

Memorial Day-A Day of Remembrance

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[This is an old message but I think we need yearly reminders.]

On this Memorial Day, let us remember fallen soldiers around the world. We unite to honor the memory of those who were killed in battle. It is more than duty; it’s longing.

It is especially painful to survivors when remains are unidentifiable; there is no closure. This led to resting places in numerous nations for those listed as unknown soldiers. The United States remembers their unknown fallen at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery.

Apostle Paul walked the streets of Athens and felt sadness as he observed the worship of idols. It compelled him to share his knowledge of Jesus resurrection in synagogues and the market place.

The crowds thought the message was strange but they enjoyed discussions about new ideas. (Acts 17: 15-21) Paul seized the moment as an opportunity for evangelism.

“And Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, ‘Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ What therefore you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. (Acts 17:22-23 NASB).”

He introduced them to the Creator, the giver of life, calling people to repentance. God does not record a list of unknowns.

“O LORD, Thou has searched me and known me (Psalm 139:1 NASB).”

He knows all about us; He knows me.

“Thou does scrutinize my path and my lying down, and art intimately acquainted with all my ways (Psalm 139:3 NASB).”

There is great comfort in the realization that none is unknown by the One who formed them. Nations may not be able to identify soldiers; yet, God calls them all by name.

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Crucifixion, Devotionals, Redemption, Resurrection, Salvation

Three Days; I Believe!

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Three days…

“Jesus answered, ‘Destroy this sanctuary, and I will raise it up in three days.’

Therefore the Jews said, ‘This sanctuary took 46 years to build, and will You raise it up in three days?’

But He was speaking about the sanctuary of His body. So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this. And they believed the Scripture and the statement Jesus had made (John 2:19-22 HCSB).”

I believe.

“As they were eating, He took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to them, and said, ‘Take it; this is My body.’

Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks, He gave it to them, and so they all drank from it. He said to them, ‘This is My blood that establishes the covenant; it is shed for many. I assure you: I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it in a new way in the kingdom of God (Mark 14:22-25 HCSB).”

His body, His kingdom…

“Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10 HCSB).”

Three days…

“For as Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights (Matthew 12:40 HCSB).”

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Christmas, Devotionals, Salvation

Gift…Through the Generations

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“And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 1:16-18 KJV).”

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Redemption, Salvation

In HIM

 

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“Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord, O my soul!
While I live I will praise the Lord;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. (Psalm 146:1-2 NKJV).”

My help…

My hope…

My help, my hope is in the LORD; in HIM.

“How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
Whose hope is in the Lord his God,
Who made heaven and earth,
The sea and all that is in them;
Who keeps faith forever;

Who executes justice for the oppressed;
Who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free (Psalm 146:5-7 NKJV).”

 

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Christian Growth, Hymns, Salvation

Do you; do I?

Trusting the LORD…

Obeying Him…

Do you: do I?

‘Trust and Obey’ by John H. Sammis 1887 (Public Domain)

When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear,
not a sorrow we share,
but our toil he doth richly repay;
not a grief or a loss,
not a frown or a cross,
but is blest if we trust and obey. [Refrain]

But we never can prove
the delights of his love
until all on the altar we lay;
for the favor he shows,
for the joy he bestows,
are for them who will trust and obey. [Refrain]

Then in fellowship sweet
we will sit at his feet,
or we’ll walk by his side in the way;
what he says we will do,
where he sends we will go;
never fear, only trust and obey. [Refrain]

 

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Christian Growth, Crucifixion, Devotionals, Redemption, Resurrection, Salvation

But God!

photo credit: callmetim <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/10698035@N00/475800630″>Not Jesus’ tomb, but a tomb none the less.</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/”>(license)</a> 

“Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst,  just as you yourselves know— this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power (Acts 2:22-24 NASB).”

He’s Alive!

“and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, ‘Why do you seek the living One among the dead?  He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee,  saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again (Luke 24:5-7 NASB).”

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Bible Studies, Devotionals, Resurrection, Salvation, The Church

Palm Sunday… where will you be?

photo credit: kreg.steppe <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/44124421278@N01/442507486″>Palm Sunday</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/”>(license)</a>

“Hosanna to the Son of David!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
Hosanna in the highest (Matthew 21:9b NKJV)!”   

Palm Sunday… where will you be?

Most of us will remain in our homes; worshiping through television, radio or internet connections. Others will gather at church drive-in Palm Sunday worship services.

We may not be waving palms.

We will be praising the LORD Jesus.

“Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice:

‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!’

And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:

‘Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever (Revelation 5:11-13)!”

 

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