Faith is the Substance of Things Hoped For

Scripture: Hebrews 11: 1,3,6

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.(1) Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.(3) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.(6)

Scripture Commentary: Faith is believing that God is who He says He is

What is the substance of your faith? Do you believe God is the author of everything? Do you have faith in Him? Will you put your life and faith in his hands?

Two words describe faith: sure and certain. These two qualities need a secure beginning and end. The beginning of faith is believing in God’s characteristics; He is who He says He is.

He is the only God, the beginning of everything, the creator of the universe. The end is believing God’s promise; that He will return, and He will do what He says.

When we believe that God will fulfill his promises we demonstrate true faith. God will not settle for mere acknowledgement of His existence. He wants a personal, dynamic relationship with you that will transform your life.

Remember, if God asks you to do something, He will give you the necessary strength to carry it out. Have faith.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Hebrews Chapter 11

Lord, Teach Me Your Ways

Scripture: Psalms 119: 25-32

DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word. I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes. Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works. My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously. I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me. I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame. I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

Scripture Commentary: Teach me, O Lord, and give me understanding and I will keep it in my heart

As we travel through life, The Bible is the map, and it points out safe paths so we can avoid obstacles that may be in our way. This is the map God uses to teach us His word and His ways. If we ignore the map, we will wander aimlessly through life and risk missing our real destination.

Bookstores are filled with rule books and self-help books, but the authors never come and help us follow the rules. But God does. This is the uniqueness of our Bible. God not only provides the rules and guidelines, but He also comes with us personally each day and strengthens us so we can live according to those rules. We must invite Him in and respond to His direction.

We need His guidance. Reach out to Him.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 119

Passions and Pleasures Lead to Addiction

Scripture: Titus 3: 3-8

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

Scripture Commentary: What passions and pleasures derail you?

Slavish Addiction comes when you constantly give yourself over to passions and pleasures. Many believe freedom is doing what they please without consequence. People are addicted to immediate gratification. They are slaves to their own gratification.

Paul summarized what Christ does for us when He saves us. We move from a life full of sin to one where we are led by God’s Holy Spirit. We are no longer slaves to our worldly vices as our sins are washed away. Washing refers to the water of baptism, which is a sign of salvation.

In becoming a Christian, the believer acknowledges Christ as Lord. They recognize his saving work and gain eternal life with all its treasures. The Holy Spirit renews us continually. We don’t earn or deserve salvation; it is all God’s gift. Christ frees us from our desires and the control of sin.

Let yourself be freed!

Read the Entire Chapter:
Titus Chapter 3

Have Mercy on Those Who Doubt

Scripture: Jude 1: 22-23

Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

Scripture Commentary: Unbelievers need mercy and kindess – Your role as a witness is vitally important

We need to show mercy and compassion to those who doubt. Effective witnessing saves people from God’s judgement. Some see us as witnesses through our compassion and kindness. Others experience our witnessing of God when we snatch them from the eternal fire.

Hating “even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh” means we hate the sin, but love the sinner. Unbelievers are lost and need salvation. Do not take your position as witnesses lightly. It is a matter of eternal life and eternal death.

We must be careful not to fall into the quicksand of compromise. When reaching out to others, we must be sure that our own footing in Christ as our Lord and Savior is sound.

Be careful. Don’t become so much like non-Christians that no one can tell who you are or what you believe. Influence them for Christ – don’t allow them to influence you to sin.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Jude Chapter 1 (KJV)

Jesus Didn’t Avoid the Call, He Suffered for Us All

Scripture: 1 Peter 4: 1-5

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

Scripture Commentary: Sin loses its power when we focus on Christ

Some people will do anything to avoid pain. As followers of Christ, however, we should be willing and prepared to do God’s will and to suffer for it if necessary. Sin loses its power to defeat us in our suffering if we focus on Christ and on what He wants us to do.

When our bodies are in pain or our lives are in jeopardy, our real values show up clearly, and sinful pleasures seem less important. If anyone suffers for doing good and still faithfully obeys in spite of suffering, that person has made a clear break with sin.

When you have turned to Jesus, you may be scorned for not participating in activities that you know are against Jesus’ teachings. But know this: your priorities have changed, and you are now heading in the opposite (and the right) direction.

Believers have nothing to fear – Jesus will be the final judge over all!

Read the Entire Chapter:
1 Peter Chapter 4

God Knows All Your Ways – He Is With You

Scripture: Psalms 139: 1-8

O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

Scripture Commentary: No matter where you go or what you do, God knows all your ways

God is omnipresent. He knew you before you knew ourselves. His Holy Spirit dwells in you. When you do wrong, He knew you would do it before you did it.

Although He has the knowledge beforehand, God will let you make mistakes – He gives you the chance to correct yourself. Because of this, you can never be lost to His Spirit. This is good news to those who know and love God. No matter where you go or what you do, you can never be far from God’s comforting presence.

God is with you even if we aren’t with Him at that time. He knows and loves you completely. When you feel worthless or even begin to hate yourself, remember that God’s Spirit is ready and willing to work within you.

Have as much love and respect for yourself as your Maker has for you!

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 139

Jesus, When Did I Deny You?

Scripture: Matthew 26: 34-35, 73-75

Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.(34) Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.(35)

And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech betrayeth thee.(73) Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.(74) And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.(75)

Scripture Commentary: To deny Jesus is to disown Him

When we reject Jesus’ teachings, we are being like Peter. At times we reject our faith. We don’t know Jesus in these moments. Also, we do not know Jesus in moments when we knowingly do wrong.

If you do any of the above, you are on the road to disowning Jesus. We declare death unto ourselves before disowning Jesus, similar to the disciples. Yet, we still do it. If we live in opposition to him we will scatter like the disciples.

It is easy to say we are devoted to Christ, but our actions need to back our claims. If you live in the way Jesus teaches, you will never deny him and he will never deny you.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Matthew Chapter 26

You Can’t Afford the Gift of God

Scripture: Acts 8:18-22

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

Commentary: The Savior is God’s gift to us

As with Simon, are you not right with God? Are you praying for things and living a life focused on yourself? When people see others doing well in their lives, they wish the same for themselves.

We want without having to do anything for it. Simon was willing to pay for something he had already had. We have the Holy Spirit in us. We have to pray and study God’s Word. When we live the life God has for us, we will receive the Holy Spirit for it is a gift from God to us.

As Peter told Simon, money and earthly possessions will perish, but our Lord Jesus Christ is forever. This is the gift we have if we repent and believe in Christ as our Savior.

Learn a lesson from Simon and do what Peter told him. Pray to the Lord and live the life God intended for you. When you live for Jesus Christ, you begin to truly live.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Acts Chapter 8

Love Comes From God Because God Is Love

Scripture: 1 John 4: 7-12

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Commentary: God is love – He is the source of love

Everyone believes that love is important, but love is usually thought of as a feeling. In reality, love is a choice and an action. God is the source of our love: God is love. He loved us enough to sacrifice his Son for us.

Jesus is our example of what it means to love; everything he did in life and death was supremely loving. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to love. He lives in our hearts and makes us more like Christ.

God’s love always involves a choice and action. All love should be like his. How well do you display your love for God in the choices you make and the actions you take? Can you look in the mirror and say to yourself, “I love everything you do?”

Read the Entire Chapter:
1 John Chapter 4

Not Everyone Has a Relationship with God. What About You?

Scripture: Matthew 7: 21-23

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Scripture Commentary: Not everyone will enter the kingdom of heaven

People often talk more about themselves than about how Jesus took on their sins and restored them. Not everyone wants to do what is right – they’d rather talk the talk than walk the walk.

Jesus is more concerned with our walk than our talk. He wants us to do right, not just say the right words.

Your house will withstand the storms of life if you do what is right instead of just talking about it. Beliefs and actions aren’t separable. Jesus exposed those people who sounded religious but had no personal relationship with him. Many people think if they are “good” and say religious things, they will be rewarded with eternal life.

Faith in Christ is what will count at judgement. On “that day” only our relationship with Christ and our acceptance of him as Savior will matter.

The final day of reckoning is when God will settle all accounts and reward faith to those who truly deserve it.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Matthew Chapter 7