Jesus Delivered Us and Teaches Us Love

Scripture: Romans 7: 4-6, 9

Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

Scripture Commentary: Jesus’ grace and mercy delivered us

Before you came to Christ there were times in your life when you felt you were in a good place, doing the right thing. From where you stand now you know you were wrong. Has your husband or wife ever hurt you? Did you feel you had to hurt them back? Did you think revenge was justice?

We are constantly hurting God, but He does not throw us away or hurt us. God forgives us, loves us, and helps us to understand what love is. Being born again takes a moment of faith, a moment God undoubtedly sees. Becoming like Christ is a lifelong process, and God will stand by to help us.

We were unspiritual in our previous lives; sold as slaves to the law of the land, to sin. But Jesus – because of his grace and mercy – delivered us. With Jesus Christ, sin has no hold on us. Sin is always waiting. We will struggle like Paul, but with the strength of Jesus (not ours, but His) we can make it. We can serve God, not by a set of rules, but out of renewed hearts and love for Him.

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Romans Chapter 7

A Living Dog Is Better Than a Dead Lion

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9: 3-6

This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead. For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.

Scripture Commentary: The living have hope

When Solomon says the dead know nothing and that there is no work, knowledge, or wisdom in death, he is not contrasting life with the afterlife. He is contrasting life with death.

After you die, you can’t change what you have done (or have not done). Considering the uncertainties of the future and the certainty of death, Solomon recommends enjoying life. It is God’s gift to us.

We must accept each day’s measure of work, food, and pleasure to refresh ourselves to continue God’s work.

Jesus rose from the dead and showed us the way to everlasting life; therefore, death is not the end. If you have Christ in your life, it’s the beginning. For Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8: 12)

Read the Entire Chapter:
Ecclesiastes Chapter 9
John Chapter 8

Let Your Name Be in the Lamb’s Book of Life

Scripture: Revelation 21: 4-6, 27

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.(4-6) And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.(27)

Commentary: God wrote His children’s names in the Lamb’s book of life

The Holy City of the new Jerusalem is where God wipes every tear from your eyes. Forevermore, there will be no death, pain, sorrow, and crying. God has written the final chapter, and it is about fulfillment and eternal joy for those who love him.

You can’t get to heaven because of your works, background, personality and good behavior. Consequently, eternal life is available to you only because of what Jesus Christ, the Lamb, has done.

You choose to be either with God or with Satan. God tells us what to do to be with Him so that we do not end up in hell.

He paid for our sins with His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. As a result, we can enter into heaven and be with God for eternity. His love for us has made this possible. Eternity with God will be more wonderful than we could ever imagine here on earth.

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Revelation Chapter 21

God Shall Prepare the Way Before Me

Scripture: Malachi 3: 1-6

Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years. And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts. For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Scripture Commentary: The messenger comes to prepare the way for the Messiah

This chapter opening tells of the coming of John the Baptist and of the Messiah. God prepares the way before me that leads me to Him. John prepared the people. The Messiah will return. Pursuing faith refines us like metal, melting away our impurities.

Refinement exposes the reflection of our lives to those around us. During the refining process a child of God appears Christ-like. When we read and apply the Word of God, Jesus tells and shows us the pure life that we have with and in Him.

God is always loyal to us in his patience although we have disobeyed and scorned His laws. He accepts our return. God is ready to return to us if we are willing to return to him.

God never leaves us.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Malachi Chapter 3

What Do Your Words Say About You?

Proverbs 10: 19, 31-32

In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.(19) The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.(31) The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness. (32)

Scriptures: Proverbs 4: 24

Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

Scripture Commentary: The words you use say a lot about the person you are

The words you use to express yourself offers a picture of who you are and what you are about. You know what is appropriate and what is not; you know right from wrong. When in conversation, expressing yourself in a godly manner is respectful to God.

Be careful not only about what you say but also how you say it. Chose your words as you would chose your friends. Bad friends can lure you into doing the wrong thing.

Young people are quick to want acceptance, and as a result, they would never want to confront or criticize a friend for wrong actions, plans, or language. Remember this: it is easy to get opinions from people who will tell you only what they think will please you but such advice is not helpful.

Instead look to those who will speak the Godly truth, even when it hurts. These words, said in love, have the most value.

Think about the people from whom you get your advice. What do you expect to hear from them?

Think about the words you chose and the advice you give. Chose those words prayerfully!

Read the Entire Chapter:
Proverbs Chapter 4
Proverbs Chapter 10

Jesus Suffered for Us and Redeemed Us

Scripture: 1 Peter 2: 21-25

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Scripture Commentary: Where would you be now if not for Jesus?

We are not lost if we have Jesus Christ in our lives. We cannot go astray as long as we walk with Him. He suffered for us and gave His life for our sins, and as a result He has redeemed us and we have been set free.

O what a day it was for you and for me when we chose to take Jesus into our lives! Jesus didn’t sin – there was no guilt in Him. We cannot say the same about ourselves but it doesn’t matter because when we ask Jesus to forgive us our sins, we are washed clean.

The stripes they beat into Jesus are our stripes, but He took them for us! When Jesus leads us to His Father, He keeps us from going astray. Where would you be now if not for Jesus? You may have suffered some but it was the direct result of your own sin.

Christ has set us free. He died in our place for our sins so that we wouldn’t suffer the punishment we deserve. This is called substitutionary atonement.

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1 Peter Chapter 2

Christ’s Life Is an Example of How to Live

Scripture: 1 Peter 2: 17-22

Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

Scripture Commentary: Free yourself from sin using Christ’s life as an example of how to live

A person is a slave to whatever controls him or her. Many believe that freedom means doing anything you want. But no one is ever completely free in that sense. If you refuse to follow God, you will follow your own sinful desires and become enslaved to what your body wants. But Christ, with did no sin, provided us with an example of how to live.

If you submit your life to Christ, He will free you from slavery to sin. Christ frees you to serve Him, which is a freedom that results in our ultimate good.

When we reject Christ and return to our sinful ways we are worse off than before because we are rejecting the only way to salvation. The one who turns away from Christ casts aside his or her only means of escape.

Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation.

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1 Peter Chapter 2

All You Have Is a Gift of God

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5: 18-20

Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

Scripture Commentary: Rejoice – every good thing you have is a gift of God

How did you get your job, or home, or your family? Do you think it was luck? Or do you see it as a gift of God?

Look around you. What do you see? If you’re honest about it, you’ll see the hand of God at work in your life. We are drawn into the falsehood of thinking that we are running on our own steam. You can do nothing by yourself.

Did you get here by yourself? God has placed you here at this time for a reason. God wants you to see that what you have – whether it is much or it is little – with the correct perspective. Your possessions are a gift from God. Although they are not the source of joy, they are a reason to rejoice because everything good thing comes from God.

Focus more on the giver than the gift. Be content with what you have and realize that you have everything you need with God.

Live as God wants you to live. Be content!

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Ecclesiastes Chapter 5

Praise Ye the Lord, Place Your Trust in Him

Scripture: Psalms 146: 1-4

Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul. While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being. Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.

Scripture Commentary: Praise Ye the Lord for his splendor and majesty

Praise ye the Lord, for God lasts forever. We, on the other hand, are here for a moment only. Think about it – we may have known our parents, grandparents, and maybe our great grandparents, but chances are we don’t personally know our family further back.

We are but a moment, but Our Lord is forever. That said, we have his Holy Spirit within us. When we praise God, we see His power and His love. Praising God takes our mind off our problems and shortcomings and focuses us on Him.

Praises cause us to consider and appreciate God’s character. Praise lifts our perspective from the earthly to the heavenly. God is able to lift us up because His greatness is unfathomable. The Lord is full of glorious splendor and majesty. He is righteous, gracious, compassionate, patient and loving. He is our source in this life.

Jesus is ready to lift us up and bear our burdens if only we will let Him. What will you do?

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 146

Jesus Is the Lamb of God Without Blemish

Scripture: 1 Peter 1: 17-24

And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away.

Scripture Commentary: God gave us His Son who was without blemish and without spot as a sacrifice for our sins

“Reverent fear” is not the fear of a slave for a ruthless master, but the healthy respect of a believer for the all-powerful God. God is the judge of all the earth and we dare not ignore Him or treat Him casually. It is vitally important to place your faith and hope in Jesus Christ who is the only one without blemish or spot.

We should not assume that our privileged status as God’s children gives us freedom to do whatever we want. We should not be spoiled children, but grateful children who love to show respect for our heavenly Father.

During slavery, a slave was redeemed when someone paid money to buy his or her freedom. God redeemed us from the tyranny of sin, not with money but with the precious blood of His own Son. We cannot escape from sin on our own, only the life of God’s Son Jesus Christ can free us.

God’s love and forgiveness frees you to take your eyes off yourselves, so you can truly help others. Everything in this life – possessions, accomplishments, people, and more will eventually fade away. Only God’s will, word, and work are permanent.

Let God prepare you and give you His gift of everlasting life.

Read the Entire Chapter:
1 Peter Chapter 1