Do Not Believe Everything You Hear

Scripture: 1 John 4: 1-3

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

Scripture Commentary: Do not believe every spirit as all is not from God. Be discerning.

“Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits…” This excerpt warns us against believing everything we hear. Just because someone tells you their message is inspired by God does not mean you should trust them.

There are many impersonators, pretending to be people of God. Question them, question their words, and find the truth. Christians should have faith, but they shouldn’t be gullible. If a message is truly from God, it will be consistent with Christ’s teachings.

We live in a world that increasingly embraces evil because it knows no better.

The antichrist epitomizes all evil, and the increasingly evil world we live in will receive him well. The wickedness around us is frightening, and the problems we face seem insurmountable.

Evil’s strength is greater than ours, but not greater than God’s. God conquers all evil.

His love for us is stronger than the work of evil.

Read the entire chapter:
1 John Chapter 4

Faith Is the Confidence In What We Hope For

Scripture: Hebrews 11: 1, 3, 6

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.(1) By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.(3) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.(6)

Scripture Commentary: What words describe faith?

Faith is certainty. It is surety. But of what are you sure? And of what are you certain? These two qualities have a secure start and end point.

The start point of faith is believing in God’s character. He is who He says.

The end point is believing in God’s promises. He will do what He says.

Do not put your faith in earthly things.

Our faith is in the God who created us and the entire universe. We are here to serve God. Put yourself in His hands and spread His gospel.

God will not settle for a mere acknowledgement of His existence. He wants a personal, dynamic relationship with you. When you tell others the gospel, tell them to be honest and diligent in their search for the truth.

God will give you the strength to do what He asks.

Remember others who obeyed the call: Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses. And if you listen, you too!

Read the Entire Chapter:
Hebrews Chapter 11

Jesus Is the Perfect Forever Sacrifice For Our Sins

Scripture: Hebrews 10: 10-14

And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

Scripture Commentary: There is no sacrifice greater than that of Jesus who saves us all

The high priest would make sacrifices once a year, every year, to God. The sacrifice, a burnt offering, was given to atone for sins committed. The costly offering of an animal’s life impressed upon the sinner the seriousness of his sin before God.

Jesus Christ sacrificed himself by shedding his blood on the cross. This was infinitely greater than any offering in the Old Testament. Jesus’ blood negated the animal sacrifice and negated the system where the priest made intercession on our behalf before God. With Jesus’ death and resurrection, this system was no longer needed.

Jesus makes it possible for us to go directly to God

The priests’ work was never finished in that every year they had to stand and offer sacrifices. Jesus’ sacrifice finished it.

We still sin, but because of Jesus dying on the cross, we can go to God ourselves and ask for forgiveness. He sent the Holy Spirit to help us. If only we will listen.

God is still preparing us; He is not finished with us.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Hebrews Chapter 10

Forgive Me, God, For Not Thanking You

Forgive me for the time in my life when I did not acknowledge you

My God, My Father, My Creator, take my hand. Forgive me for not thanking you for all that you have done. Forgive me for not thanking you for all that you are doing. Forgive me for when I turned away from you, and neither talked nor listened to you.

Thank you, God, for not giving up on me. Thank you for taking my hand and directing me. Thank you for not leaving me – for loving and caring for me.

Thank you for your grace and mercy

Thank you, Jesus, for saying, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Thank you for shedding your blood for my sins.

God, my only God, I am in your hands. I place my life, my burdens with you. Take my hand and lead me for I will obey and follow wherever you lead me.

I surrender to you

I am not without you. From this time forward I am your servant.

This is my promise – my covenant – with you, my God.

Amen.

Other Posts on Mercy and Forgiveness
Have Mercy on My Weakness, O Lord
I Once Was Lost but Now I’m Found
God Is the Root That Supports You
Have Mercy on My, O Lord

A Violator Cannot Forgive His Own Trespasses

Scripture: Colossians 2: 13-14

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.

Scripture Commentary: Jesus is the sacrificial lamb to cleanse us of our trespasses

How foolish for us to think that our good deeds may one day cancel out our trespasses. Our good deeds are defective because we don’t honor God in the way we do them. Are our good deeds done in joyful dependence on God, acknowledging Him as the author of our life? Are we fulfilling the command to serve?

The strength that God supplies is so “that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ.”** Without Jesus’ exalting faith, our deeds signify nothing but rebellion.

God does not save through good deeds.

If we are saved from the consequences of our bad deeds, it will not be because they weigh less than our good ones. It will be because our debt was nailed to the cross of Jesus Christ.

God does not save sinners the way that we think. Jesus, with His suffering, death and resurrection, cancel the record of our trespasses so that they are blotted out. There is no balance, no debt!

The cancellation happened when Jesus was nailed to and died on the cross. God loves us, He will forgive and forget all our sins when we turn to Jesus, who is the light and path to the Father.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Colossians Chapter 2

**Additional Reading:
1 Peter Chapter 4

Content: The State of Peaceful Happiness

Scripture: Philippians 4: 10-13

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Scripture Commentary: Are you content in any circumstance that you face?

The secret to being content is drawing on Christ’s power for strength. Do you have great needs? And are you discontented because you don’t have what you want? Learn to rely on God’s promise and Christ’s power to help you be content. If you always want more, ask God to remove that desire and teach you contentment.

If you detach yourself from the non-essentials, you can concentrate better on the Lord.

The Lord will take care of all of your needs

Often the desire for more or better possessions is really a longing to fill an empty place in your life. The power we receive in union with Christ is sufficient to do His will and to face the challenges that arise from our commitment to doing it.

Ask yourself, is it need or is it greed? The Lord Jesus Christ fulfills all your needs.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Philippians 4

Call Upon the Lord and He Will Deliver You

Scripture: Isaiah 55: 6-7

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Scripture Commentary: Call upon the Lord; He will answer your cry!

We’ve all said it. “I am going to repent later on.” “I have time. The world won’t end today!” Don’t hold off for there isn’t time to spare. Seek the Lord; call upon him.

Satan places things in this world to misdirect us so that we go about our life knowing that we are doing wrong but thinking that we have time to fix it with God later.

Question: If you were to die right now, is your life “fixed” with God?

Isaiah tells us to call upon the Lord while he is near

God is not moving from us. It is us who are moving from Him. Don’t wait until you have run out of time. Your time began when you were conceived in your mother’s womb, and the clock has been running ever since.

Don’t try to fit God into your mold. His plan and purpose does not conform to yours. The following is from Isaiah 55: 8-9:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Don’t run out of time!

Read the Entire Chapter:
Isaiah Chapter 55

Have Mercy on My Weakness, O Lord

Scripture: Psalms 6: 2, 5, 9

Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.(2) For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?(5) The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.(9)

Scripture Commentary: Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak

David accepted God’s punishment but he begged God, “Have mercy upon me, O LORD.” He asked God not to punish him in anger. David knew that if God truly punished him with His power, he would easily be crushed.

When you really think about all the wrong you have done in your life, you know that if God punished you for it, you wouldn’t be reading this. If God treated you with justice alone without mercy, you would be wiped out by God’s wrath.

God knows your heart; seek His mercy and give Him your very best

David poured out his heart with tears and complete honesty. Be honest when you go to God. He knows your heart, mind and soul. God knows all and He wants the best for you. You, in turn, have to give God your best.

You know what God’s wrath can be like. Just read the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. Even Jeremiah asked God to correct him gently and not in anger (Jeremiah 10: 24).

We don’t know the cause of David’s pain, but whatever the cause, he sought God’s mercy.

You must go to God for everything. He is the healer and a forgiving Father.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 6

Do Not Despair; God Is With You

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4: 8-12

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

Scripture Commentary: God shows us again and again in the Bible not to despair

Paul reminds us that we often feel like we are losing the battle, living in despair, persecuted, abandoned, struck down, and destroyed. But hope and faith in Jesus Christ redeems us. Our flesh is perishable; it is subject to sin and suffering. God never abandons us, and his love and support will never perish.

Christ defeated death and gives us eternal life. All of our obstacles, humiliations, and trials are opportunities for Christ to demonstrate his power and presence in our lives. Paul suffered as he preached the Good News, but he knew that one day his trials would end. He held onto the promise of God’s rest and rewards.

Trust God to lift you out of your despair; He will never fail you

We all face troubles. It is easy to focus on our pain and the things we hate about our day to day lives. We must push through the negative and concentrate on our ultimate goal.

Athletes push themselves to the finish line, even when they’re tired and sore. Push yourself toward Jesus Christ. Let your faith guide you. Let Christ strengthen you. Do not let fatigue, pain, or criticism stop you from reaching the end.

Don’t forsake your eternal life because of the intensity of today’s pain. Your very weakness allows the resurrection power of Christ to strengthen you moment by moment.

Read the Entire Chapter:
2 Corinthians Chapter 4

Be Strong in the Grace That Is Jesus

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2: 1-5

You then my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs – he wants to please his commanding officer. Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules.

Scripture Commentary: The grace of Jesus is with you

Live by the grace that saves you, the grace you don’t deserve. Trust completely in Christ and his power. Do not try to live for Christ in your strength alone.

If the church lived by this advice, it would expand greatly and well taught believers would teach others and commission them, turning them into teachers also. Disciples must train before they pass on their faith. We complete our work when new believers can bring others to Christ and make disciples of them.

Jesus is the power and the glory

Like soldiers, we have to give up worldly security and endure rigorous discipline. Like athletes, we must train hard and follow the rules.

Our suffering is worthwhile. We will reap what we sow when we achieve our goal of glorifying God, bringing people to Christ, and one day living eternally with him. God will supply the strength to endure his mission.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Galatians Chapter 2