Uplifting Insights

Friday, December 14, 2012

Thou Art The Christ

Matthew 16:14-16

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God.

The setting for today's discussion is during Jesus' ministry and there arose questions as to who Jesus was as many thought He was John the Baptist, Elias, Jeremias, or some other prophet (v.14). Jesus wanted to know if His disciples really knew that He was the Christ, the Son of the living God as emphatically stated by Peter and this was revealed to Peter by the Holy Spirit.

There were many during Jesus' day who failed to recognize Him as the Christ the Son of the living God as many do today. Unbelievers of Jesus' day who failed to recognize Him as Christ the Savior of the World who came to earth in human form to be the sacrificial Lamb for humanity's sins, but there were many who recognized Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. Let me assure you that yes Jesus is the Son of the living God as He was born of the Virgin Mary and the Holy Ghost who is God as His Father which make Him the "Christ".

Jesus is the "Christ" the Son of the living God who is the Savior of the World.

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Tuesday, December 11, 2012

The Mercies Of God

Psalm 145:9-10

The Lord is good to all; and His tender mercies are over all His works. All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee.

Today's focus discussion is the mercies of God as it will give us a glimpse into His compassion and being slow to anger as it is His desire that all be saved. God in His divine wisdom knew before the beginning of time who would become part of His holy nation and who would reject His plan of salvation and the promise of spending eternity with Him.

That being said, in His mercies, God still loves the unbeliever just as He does the believer. All who call on the name of the Lord in sincerity He is sure to answer as He is willing to forgive and His heavenly invitation remains open to the repentant heart.

God's mercies are seen in sending His Son to become men propitiator when justice demanded that the human race remain in a state of lostness, but mercy prevailed as God's compassionate love was on display. God's mercy is evidenced by the balance of nature as all forms of His creations are cared for through His sustaining power.

There is no mercy like the mercy of God. He loved humanity when mankind didn't love Him. In the midst of trial and tribulation His hand of mercy is present.

What a merciful God?

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white3285@sbcglobal.net

http://willie-writing.blogspot.com

www.shepherdministries.info

Friday, December 7, 2012

How Do You Spell Christmas?

John 1:4

In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Many times I see Christmas written as Xmas and wonder why and how can anyone remove the name "Christ" from Christmas? When Christmas is written as Xmas the last three letters stands for the promised Messiah Anointed by God the Father to be the Savior of the world. Therefore, the last three letters points to Christ our Savior. This appointment was made before the foundation of the world.

Therefore, without His holy birth there would be no Christmas celebration to honor the Savior as He is the reason for the season and His coming to earth was to save man. Christ's beginning was in the beginning with God (v.1), but to pay man's sin debt He had to be born of a woman to die. Thank God He did!

Christmas is Christ.

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http://willie-writing.blogspot.co

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Christmas Perspective

Matthew 1:21-23

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call His name JESUS; for He shall save His people from their sins.

During this Christmas season I have noticed the media airways being filled with shopping advertisements. Some merchants chose to open on Thanksgiving in an attempt to increase their bottom line. This gave less time for families to thank God for His many blessings and offer praises to His holy name.

With the media blitz of Christmas advertisements bring these questions to mind, what is our perspective of Christmas? Do we fully understand the true meaning of Christmas that it is the birth of our Savior and without His birth there would be no Christmas to celebrate? Have we as a society of people made Christmas less about Jesus and more about our materialistic values? Regardless of one's answer or perspective Christ is the reason for Christmas.

Each letter in Christmas reflects Christ; His deity, His mission and His holiness.

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Friday, November 30, 2012

Made Righteous Through Christ

2 Corinthians 5:21

For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteous of God in Him.

Let us take an in-depth look at our scripture and analyze the "He", "Him" and "us" in today's topical discussion. The "He" is God the Father and the "Him" is Jesus Christ our Savior and the "us" is all humanity. For mankind to be made righteous we have to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. The work of God the Father and God the Son encompasses John 3:16 because it includes everyone, but to receive salvation one must believe.

With that being said, let's look at the love that was on display in that Jesus Christ took on the sins of the world so that all who believe would be made righteous in Him so that when God looks on all believers He sees the righteousness of His Son. Another school of thought is that Jesus Christ willingly gave up His seat in heaven to come to earth as man and be subjected to human limitations and humiliation for mankind knowing that He would have to sacrifice His life in order to meet God's requirements in providing salvation.

Given what God and His Son done for all believers is worthy of all songs of praise, worship and thanksgiving as a way of saying "Lord, I thank You for making me righteous through Your Son's shed blood."

Believers, we are the righteous of God through Jesus Christ.

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Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Believers Kept By God Through Faith

1 Peter 1:5

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Today's topical discussion provides some compelling facts regarding believers' safety from God's wrath as a result of one's faith. We will outline some of the facts as it relates to the believer's faith which the believer's have salvation and they are:

a) It is God through the Holy Spirit who keeps believers from the sinister attacks brought on by Satan as he seeks to destroy the lives of all believers and hinder kingdom building. Satan you are a defeated foe.

b) Believers are kept by God's grace which is granted to all believers as a result the believer's faith in Jesus Christ. Every believer's responsibility is to have and maintain a living faith in Jesus Christ and continue in God the Father's protective grace. A continued living faith in Jesus Christ is accomplished by yielding to the indwelling Holy Spirit as He protects, instructs and guides all believers into all truths.

c) The goal of God's grace is salvation to all who believe and establish an intimate relationship with Him and receive His blessings as part of believers' inheritance.

Believers, your faith will be tried; therefore, hold fast to your faith as you have a helper, the Holy Spirit. God does not loose whom He has saved. He is the doctor that has never lost patient, the lawyer who has never lost a case.

Faith and grace are essential to salvation.

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Friday, November 16, 2012

Thankssgiving

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Thanksgiving

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord He is God; it is He that made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep are His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.

For today's discussion I was led by the Holy Spirit to outline Thanksgiving from this perspective:

T is being thankful to God for all His blessings.

H is reverencing His holy name.

A is our Anointed Savior Jesus Christ who saves all who believe.

N is God's never ending love.

K is the kindness of God as His mercy reigns supreme.

S is singing praises to His holy name for He is worthy.

G is God's free gift of salvation.

I is Immanuel which means God with us.

V is victory in Christ Jesus as He defeated sin and Satan on Calvary's cross.

I is the personal relationship every believer has with God.

N is being near to God through prayer, praise and worship.

G is God's grace, love and mercy which endureth for ever.

Therefore, as we celebrate Thanksgiving reflect on it in the above terms and give God our heart-felt praise and worship.

Giving thanks to God is a daily ritual.

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www.shepherdministries.info.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Total Praise

Psalm 148:1-14

Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the heights. Praise ye Him, all Hi angels; praise ye Him, all His hosts. Praise ye Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all ye stars of light.

The psalmist is encouraging all to offer praises to the Lord God as He is worthy of all praise, honor and glory. If all of nature, His angels and the heavenly host can offer praises to God why not you and I. Verse 5 answers the implied question of why praise God by simply stating that God commanded and everything was created; therefore, this makes Him praise worthy as He is the one true God.

There is no praise like offering heart-felt praises to God as our praises are expressions of expressed gratitude of thanks for His love, grace, mercy and faithfulness to His promises. These questions come to mind, How do you praise God? Do you acknowledge God as your strength, refuge, and horn of your salvation and high tower? Do you praise God for His goodness and compassion? Do you offer God praises of thanksgiving? Will you say like David, "I will praise the name of God with a song; and will magnify Him with thanksgiving" (Psalm 69:30). However, you praise God; praise Him in sincerity and with your mind, body and soul. Just praise Him.

Whenever sincere praises go up to God, He is pleased and blessing flow like a river.

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Friday, November 2, 2012

Give Thanks

1 Thessalonians 5:18

In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

As we approach the Thanksgiving season I am reminded of the many blessings bestowed upon us in times past until now and we as believers have the assurances that God will continue to shower us with His blessings. For this we are encouraged to give thanks to God continually and for every thing.

There are many times when many of our desired wants are missing or not as we would like for them to be, but God's blessings are still upon us. We may not have the job or any other material things we desire, but still give thanks unto the Lord. Through it all God supplies all our needs according to His will and promises (Philippians 4:19).

Heart-felt thanks to God expresses our gratitude for His goodness in our lives; therefore, be thankful.

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Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Jesus Christ The Everlasting Hope

1 Timothy 1:14-17

And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am the chief.

Every believer can make the same testimony as Paul because we all were once sinners saved by God's grace through Jesus Christ as this was Christ's mission for coming to earth. With that being said, whatever hope there is of eternal life rests in Jesus Christ as He paid man's sin-debt, which is marked PAID IN FULL; however the person must accept Christ's atoning work on Calvary's cross. Christ's atoning work on Calvary is God free gift of salvation and the only way back to God the Father is through His Son Jesus Christ.

Just as Paul states in the paraphrased wording that the Lord gave His best in faith and love is true because it was manifested in His actions. There is no greater love that can be expressed than that of God the Father and God the Son Jesus Christ in providing eternal life for all believers. Who would give their live to restore a broken fellowship?

Our 401 K's and other wealth that man so faithfully place his or her trust; Christ is the hope that lasts forever as He is faithful and trustworthy for every situation.

Only Christ our everlasting hope, trust Him.

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Friday, October 26, 2012

Hope In The Midst Of Trials

Lamentations 3:1-66

I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of His wrath…It is the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassion fail not.

From the writing of the prophet Jeremiah he had witness first hand the wrath of God upon a rebellious nation Judah for failing to repent and turn back to Him. Jeremiah is sometime known or referred to as the weeping prophet because he lamented over the sinful conditions of his countrymen. The more he preached repentance it appears as though the conditions became worse, but Jeremiah continued appealing to the people and to God for mercy. Jeremiah knew that God's mercy would supersede any trials and tribulations that were occurring and would occur. What a merciful God?

Our lesson text bring home the point of our lesson text in that regardless of how bleak or difficult the situation is God's hand of mercy is near. God's compassion, mercy, love and grace is evidence by Him sending His Son Jesus to bear the sins of the world. Throughout the history of Israel God's hand of mercy is seen as His compassion never ends and His love endures forever. This applies to all today, because regardless of our troubles and the reason for them there is hope because we can turn to God in sincere prayer knowing that He hears and answer. Hope in God is a sure foundation.

Believers, hold fast to your hope in God and waited patiently for the manifestations of His mercy.

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white3285@sbcglobal.net

http://willie-writing.blogspot.com

www.shepherdministries.info

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Believers, Stand On God's Word

1 Peter 1:23-25

…The word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word by the gospel preached unto you.

As a child growing up in the South I often heard my mother say everything were going to pass away, but the one thing that was sure to last forever was God's Word. At the time I didn't realize that her saying was Biblically based as she was teaching me a powerful lesson on the firmness of God's word. The other lesson that my mother taught me was that regardless of my success in life never forget God's Word because it would be the one thing that would carry me through life. She was right.

That being said, the essence of today's topical discussion is what Peter is explaining to his audience as this principle applies today and will forever. Verse 24 reminds us of the frailty of flesh/life that as it is like grass and man's glory is like a flower of the grass and each is short-lived, but true glory is found in God.

These questions come to mind, How do you view God's Word? Do you bend God's Word to conform to your specifications or do you conform to His Word? However we view God's Word we will be judge by His Word.

Believers believe God's Word then stand firm on His Word.

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Friday, October 19, 2012

Dwell In God's Sanctuary

Psalm 84: 1-12

Blessed are they that dwell in thy house; they will be still praising thee. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them…O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

This number of Psalm expresses the blessings of believers from totally trusting God for who He is and His sovereign powers as well as living in His presence where there is safety, peace and joy. The joy believers feel causes believers to offer continuous praise and worship to God in truth and in spirit. The peace of God abides in believers as it surpasses all understanding as it is different from the world's peace; even when the turmoils of this world surrounds us God's peace enfolds us. God's peace is everlasting. With that being said, there is safety in God as He protects His people from danger as He is believers' high tower and shield of protection. God being believers' shield of protection; in the believer's weakest hour he or she is strong in the Lord.

With that being said, believers understand that we can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me (Philippians 4:13) as Christ is the true source of our strength and being. Most importantly, believers have the desire and ability through the Holy Spirit to live according to God's will and manifest His glory and honor.

Dwell in God's sanctuary and enjoy the blessings therein.

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Tuesday, October 16, 2012

"Lean Not Unto Thy Own Understanding"

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thy own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.

Today's discussion text provides sound advice and encourages all believers to always trust in the Lord, not with just head commitment, but with our total being while refraining from trusting our own understanding of things. This is because God's knowledge and ways far supersede those of man.

Another point our scripture text makes is that trusting God totally believers is Christ-centered and God focused as opposed to being self-centered. Acknowledging God in all that we do is saying yes God is supreme and is perfect in all that He does. Also, allowing God to direct our paths will lead to believers achieving the goals God has for our lives, which cause believers to make right choices. This also prevents all humanistic thinking and philosophies that can only lead to self destruction.

Since we have discussed the importance of totally trusting God and leaning not to our own understanding; let's look at the blessing of a long life and peace with God (v.3) as this manifests a right relationship with God. Another blessing for totally trusting God is that during believers most difficult times believers have the assurances of God presence, grace and help and as promised believers will never be forsaken nor lacking any good thing.

Trust God and He will direct our paths.

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Friday, October 12, 2012

Reward For Faithfulness

Romans 4:21-22

And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore, it was imputed to him for righteousness.

Hebrews 11 outlines many of the Old Testament patriarchs who took God at His word and was rewarded with righteousness for their faithfulness. This principle applies to us today. As we reflect on those patriarchs both in the Old and New Testament whose faithfulness was counted as righteousness give all mankind reason to have faith in God and His ability to perform whatever He promises as it is part of His unchangeable nature as He cannot lie.

It was Moses' faith in God that allowed him to lead the nation of Israel through the Red sea on dry land and it was Joshua's faith that the young nation could possess the Promise Land and they did. It was Noah's faith in God when God instructed him to build an Ark because it was going to rain even though it hadn't rained in 120 years. With that being said, when Abraham was promised a child he kept the faith and it too was counted as righteous. Who can forget Daniel and his three friends when their faithfulness put their lives in jeopardy; they were rewarded by being delivered and was looked upon as righteous before God.

What does an unusual request from God say for you and me today? It says that regardless of how bleak or foolish a promise or situation looks trust God because He knows the outcome before He makes the promise or request.

Faithfulness in God is counted as righteousness.

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Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Rely On God

Psalm 38:15

For in thee, O Lord, do I hope; thou will hear, O Lord my God;

As we continue our discussion on hope in the face of adversity, today's topical discussion makes a profound statement as believers are to rely on God in every situation and for everything as God has made provisions for all our needs both spiritual and physical.

Rely on God as He is the God of our salvation, strength, high tower, and refuge in the time of trouble. King David always gave honor and sang praises to God for who He is, His love and compassionate care for His people so must all believers today. We rely on God because He is the creator of all that exist and the essence of our lives from beginning to end. He knows all, sees all and is every where. Believers are to rely on God because of His faithfulness in keeping promises to mankind as God is unchangeable and cannot lie. Believers' relying on God manifests total trust and confidence in God because of His trustworthiness and is faithful to His people. It is also noteworthy to say that relying on God manifests one's true faith in God and His loving care, compassion, grace and mercy that He sheds on man.

With that being said, believers can say like King David in Psalm 34:17-22 when the righteous cry out to the Lord He hears and delivers.

Relying on God is a sure thing.

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Friday, October 5, 2012

Assured Hope In God

Ecclesiastes 7:14

In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after Him.

Today's lesson study on hope in the face of adversity and our focus will be the appropriate action Christians must take when facing adversities. Today's focus discussion is Christians' assured hope in God as He never fails nor forsakes His own.

Taking a deeper look into our lesson text we find King Solomon reminding us that in our days of prosperity we are to be joyful, but be mindful that the day will come when adversity will beset us and we are to trust God. Adversity may be to teach us a valuable lesson. I often heard my mother say life is not always a flower bed of ease. What she meant was there will be some rough days ahead and I was to learn how to endure just as if everything was going well. The most important lesson she was teaching was to trust God as He is there in times of trouble as well as when all is well. My mother's teaching coincided with both King Solomon (Ecclesiastes 7:14) and the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:12 which talks about being happy with a little and when resources are scarce.

Whether there is plenty or a little stay with God as He is one's assured hope regardless of the situation.

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Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Martyred For Christ

Acts 6:8-15; 7:1-2

And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of The Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of the Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.

While studying my Sunday school lesson and preparing to teach the class, Theology and History of the Christian Church I noticed the lesson setting was during the time when the church was expanding (35 - 48 A.D) and seven trustees were appointed to carry on the work of the church. These men were to be full of faith, which Stephen was and his commitment to Christ and the gospel message caused Stephen his life. This did not stop the spread of the gospel of Christ as the church grew even more and the gospel is still being shared with others across the globe just as it was then.

That being said, in other parts of the world Christians are being persecuted and martyred for Christ as other dominant religions and governments does not allow open worship where Christ is preached. Let me say where there is the freedom to openly worship Christ is a blessing and should not be taken for granted. Why, because in the History of Christian Church there have been persecutions, but the church grows stronger, more unified in Christ and God's kingdom building.

Let me close with these questions, How strong is your commitment to Christ and His message? Are you willing to be martyred for Christ?

Join me in praying for our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted for their religious beliefs as we are all equal in the eyesight of God our creator.

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white3285@sbcglobal.net

http://willie-writing.blogspot.com

www.shepherdministries.info

Friday, September 28, 2012

Rich Through God's Grace

Ephesians 2:7

That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness towards us through Christ Jesus.

Today's lesson study speaks of the time when God provides salvation to all who believe on His Son Jesus Christ and the richness received because of God's grace. It is well documented that all who believe is saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ and this happens because of God's love and kindness toward all mankind. Only the repentant hearts get to receive the many blessings that come with being saved.

Believers are rich because we were first called by God and second consecrated back to God and now have a right standing with Him as our sins has been forgiven as all believers have been redeemed from a life of sin. Believers are rich in God's grace in that believers have the promise of eternal life which is living in the presence of God forever and have been made spiritually alive (1 Corinthians 1:13), whereas before we were dead to sin and under Satan's control. Being rich in God's grace believers have the Holy Spirit who is God living on the inside as He imparts His wisdom and knowledge as He serves as our guide, teacher and protector.

Because of God's grace believers have immeasurable riches.

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Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Living In God's Righteousness

Romans 3:21-22

..Now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe; for there is no difference;

Today's lesson study makes two profound statements in that the righteousness of God is His redemptive activity as it relates to human sin and God putting mankind in a right relationship with Him (v. 26) and is based on one's faith in Jesus Christ. Restoring man into a right relationship with God is liberating man from the clutches of sin which if a persons remains in sin has a devastating consequence.

Let's be clear, there is no salvation without faith in Jesus Christ as God's righteousness was manifested even without the law. There was no salvation in the law, but the law pointed to the need for a Savior as mankind lacked the ability to keep the law; only Jesus Christ. With that being said, for mankind to live in the righteousness of God one must have faith in Jesus Christ and accept Him as Lord and Savior as He is God's Son who met God's requirements to be the Savior.

To live in God's righteousness is where one's faith and God's grace merges. This is because one's faith is essential to receiving God's grace which He freely gives to all believers. To live in God's righteousness is an open invitation that extends through the ages.

Believe and receive God's righteousness.

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Friday, September 21, 2012

Jesus Christ Our Hope

Jeremiah 17:7-8

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

Today's scripture text makes a profound statement regarding the surety of our hope which is in Jesus Christ. The prophet Jeremiah use the analogy of a tree that is planted by the water as water is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and is a necessary ingredient to sustain life. This is true of spiritual life and all life forms-living kingdoms.

Another point our scripture makes is that the believer whose hope rest in the Lord and when trouble (drought) comes there is no worry because his or her hope is in the Lord and all those whose hope is in Jesus Christ can and will continue to bear fruit, which is to continue growing and maturing in the Lord. This is because the tap root (the Holy Spirit) of the tree (believer) runs deep into the soul of the believer. Jesus Christ, a sure and everlasting hope.

Allow me to summarize today's lesson by saying that if your hope rest in Jesus Christ regardless of situations the believer continues to flourish and the believer's life looks like a beautiful tree with its leaves arrayed in greenery.

Hope in Jesus Christ a sure foundation.

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Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Rejoice In God's Salvation

Isaiah 25:8-9

And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us; this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.

Verse 8 provides evidence for all believers' reasons to rejoice in God's salvation because it speaks to Christ's victory over death and when believers get to heaven all tears will be gone as there will be no troubles to endure. Also, this verse alludes to the time spoken of in Revelation when God will have removed pain and suffering and believers will have transformed bodies like Christ our Savior.

This promise will be fulfilled when Christ returns to earth in triumph over sin and death and begin His reign over all creation and the consummation of salvation for all believers. All believers are encouraged to wait expectantly for Christ's return to see the fulfillment of His promise. The Lord is faithful to His promises and there is no exception.

Let's look at the believer's rejoicing in God's salvation from the point of view of Him being the loving parent who realizes the struggles His people would have endured for being identified with Christ; therefore, God will make sure the struggles believers endured while here on earth will be no more. There will be only joy, praise and worship as the day will never end.

Believers, rejoice in God's salvation as He has wrapped us in His righteousness through the Holy Spirit-God.

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Friday, September 14, 2012

"Alive Unto God Through Jesus Christ"

Romans 6:10-11

For in that He died, He died unto sin once; but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Our lesson study makes a profound statement regarding all believers fait as it relates to being alive in Christ as He paid the penalty of our sin-debt. This was a one-time atonement that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ performed unlike those of the Old Testament priests, and all who believe in Jesus died once to sin with Him and rose once to a life of righteousness with Christ. This life is lived unto God our Father through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This was all made possible through Christ's suffering and undergirded by love of the Father and the Son. All believers are kept alive by the indwelling Holy Spirit who is God. This is to restore a broken fellowship that was destroyed in the Garden of Eden and with this restored fellowship believers can now live in harmony with God a life of righteousness. What a blessing!

Let's close today's discussion by posing these thought provoking questions, Is there any other God that would give His best to reconcile man back to Himself just so that His prize creation can live in harmony with Him and possess the righteous nature as He does? Is there any other God who would impart His Spirit in us so that we will know Him and love Him? Only the God of creation would do so.

Yes, I am alive through Jesus Christ.

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Tuesday, September 11, 2012

The Chosen Of God

Ephesians 1:4

According as He has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love;

Today's lesson text is a powerful testimony to God's love and Him being all knowing as our scripture text explains the believer's election in Christ. This also speaks to God's choice of who will believe and accept His Son Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world as well as knowing before creation that He would form Him a special people who would live holy lives unto Him.

With that being said, God knew who would believe in His Son before the foundation of the world. It is noteworthy to say that Christ is the first elect of God as He was before all and everything exist through Him. It is through the believer's union with Christ that believers become the elect of God through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. God forming His peculiar people on a corporate level would be called the bride of Christ, His church, or a called out nation of people.

Also being the chosen of God is to salvation and holiness in and through Christ our Savior. Being the chosen or the elect of God is offered to all, but becomes a reality with each individual's repentant faith in Jesus Christ.

Being the chosen of God carries many blessings.

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http://willie-wtiting.blogspot.com

Friday, September 7, 2012

Unified In Love

Psalm 133:1

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.

I was led to today's topic because I witness so many disparaging words being hurdled toward many of our brothers and sisters until I wonders where is the love of God in these people. If a survey was conducted most likely all would say they are believers, well our scripture text informs us that there is goodness and pleasantness for dwelling in unity and our scripture text is corroborated in 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 where the apostle Paul made an appeal for unity among the brethren. This is because all mankind is linked through the Spirit of God as He breathed the breath of life into us and all believers have the Holy Spirit residing in each of us.

Let me close by saying, even though we may be different on the outside we are all the same on the inside and are linked through God's Spirit; therefore, the unifying factor for all mankind is love. More importantly, if someone says they love God and despise his or her fellowman then there is no truth in them as we are commanded to love one another (1 John 4:7).

True love conqueror's all.

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Wednesday, September 5, 2012

A Time For Everything

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

To every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heaven.

A we celebrated the official close of summer and enter into the autumn season of the year, we can reflect on how our personal and spiritual lives is in seasons and each season of life has a distinct purpose designed by God the Father.

Regardless of what season of life we are in we are to glorify God as we present ourselves as holy sacrifices to God. This is accomplished by yielding self control to the indwelling Holy Spirit as He is there to help us fulfill God's purpose in our lives.

Living in the beauty of our current season, believers will display the beautiful array of colorful fruit of spiritual growth.

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