Month: May 2022

Everything Is Possible for a Believer

Everything Is Possible for a Believer

While Jesus was on the earth, He made many bold and challenging statements.  At least, many of His statements challenge human beings in this day and age.  However, His disciples, after being filled with the Holy Spirit, didn’t seem to have any trouble in taking Jesus at His word.

They had listened to the Words of our Savior:

“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”  (Mk 9:23 NIV)  Jesus says that EVERYTHING is possible for the person who believes.  But believes what, exactly?  We need to place our faith in God and in His Word.

And he saith unto them, Because of your little faith: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.  (Mt 17:20 ASV)  We must use the faith that we have.  Remember that faith is a gift from God (Eph 2:8); it’s not something that we need to TRY to have or to whip up.  It is a matter of taking God at His Word, and trusting Him to fulfill His Word.

 I tell all of you with certainty, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ if he doesn’t doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.  (Mk 11:23 ISV)  Here, Jesus has given us an instruction for how to use the faith that we’ve been given. 

Romans 12:3 reminds us that each one of us has been given a measure of faith.

The Lord said, “If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.  (Lk 17:6 MEV)  A grain of mustard seed is a very tiny, round seed.  It would be easy to lose and easy to miss if it was in your hand.  But Jesus says that even so small an amount of faith the size of a mustard seed is enough to uproot, move and plant a mulberry tree in the sea!  What an astonishing image of faith! 

And Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. 22 And whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive it all.”  (Mt 21:21-22 NASB)  In this passage of Scripture, Jesus teaches us that pure, unwavering faith is able to move mountains and cast them into the sea.  And He added that WHATEVER we ask for in prayer, believing that we have already received it, will be done. This demonstrates to us that pure faith that has no doubt or fear mixed into it will bring results that are unstoppable, inevitable, and unalterable.  This faith is the gift of our good, loving and merciful God. Praise God!

The Light Shines in Darkness

The Light Shines in Darkness

We all know that in a dark place, even the tiniest light—say from a lit match—introduces light that is quite CONSPICUOUS.  In John 8:12, Jesus declared that He is the light of the world.  In the dark world that contains death, sin, and evil intentions, Jesus brought light and life and the precious gift of eternal salvation to mankind.  Glory to God!

Let’s see what the Bible says on this topic:

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.  (Joh 1:5 NIV)  Light will always win over darkness, thanks to our Creator God.

And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.  (Joh 3:19-20 RSV)  Notice that a lot of evil deeds are done in the darkness and in the nighttime hours.  Criminals will often break lights on a street or in a hallway in order to hide their cruel activities.

The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.”  (Mt 4:16 NKJV)  Light dawned upon the earth in the form of baby Jesus, born in a manger in a stable.  Jesus brought us the gift of salvation.

For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness.  (Ps 18:28 ESV)  The Lord “lights” the lamp of our soul within us.  When we accept Jesus as our Savior and Redeemer, the Holy Spirit makes His home within each one of us.  Hallelujah!

Once again Jesus spoke to the people. This time he said, “I am the light for the world! Follow me, and you won’t be walking in the dark. You will have the light that gives life.”   (Joh 8:12 CEV)

Here is the same verse as above, but in a different translation:

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”  (John 8:12 NKJV)

As we continue in our relationship with Jesus Christ, our light shines into the world.  Our interactions with every person that we meet, whether loved ones or strangers, makes an impact upon each one. 

When we follow the example of our Lord Jesus, then our interactions will reflect His love, forgiveness, and mercy.  We will extend a loving and helping hand to all who need it, and encouragement to others.  In this way, we shine the light of God’s eternal love into the earth.  Shine brightly, dear brothers and sisters!

Overcomers Acknowledge Jesus

Overcomers Acknowledge Jesus

Overcomers are people who are born of God and have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  We acknowledge Christ—both who He is and what He has accomplished on the earth.  Let’s see what the Bible says.

Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.  (1 Joh 5:5 NIV, emphasis added)

If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.  (1 Joh 4:15 NIV)

So you will be saved, if you honestly say, “Jesus is Lord,” and if you believe with all your heart that God raised him from death.  (Rom 10:9 CEV)

“But I tell you, the Son of Man will acknowledge before God’s angels everyone who acknowledges me before people.”  (Lk 12:8 ISV)

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.  (1 Joh 5:1 NKJV)

Jesus Christ as our Savior and Redeemer has made us overcomers through Him.  We are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19), and His presence is always with us.

As we continue to live in wholehearted faith and in obedience to the Word of God, we have assurance of eternal salvation.  We are therefore, called, the children of God.  (Joh 1:12; Rom 8:16; 1 Joh 3:1; 4:4; 5:2)  Glory to God!

God Will Never Forsake His People

God Will Never Forsake His People

This is one of God’s unshakeable promises to mankind.  Let’s read some of these Bible passages:

For the Lord loves justice, and does not forsake His saints; they are preserved forever,
but the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off.  (Ps 37:28 NKJV)  God NEVER forsakes His saints.  They are preserved (by God) forever. 

The Lord always does right and wants justice done.  Everyone who does right will see his face.  (Ps 11:7 CEV)  Everyone who lives a righteous life in obedience to the Bible will see God’s face.

“For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing.  In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them.”  (Isa 61:8 NIV)  God is faithful to reward His people.  He has made an everlasting covenant with us.

The Lord will not abandon his people; he will not desert those who belong to him.  (Ps 94:14 GNT)  Decide that you belong to the Lord, now, and recognize that He will NEVER abandon you.  Hallelujah!

Behold, God will not cast away the blameless, nor will He uphold the evildoers.  (Job 8:20 NKJV)  God will not reject the righteous (virtuous, innocent).

For the Lord will not abandon His people, nor will He abandon His inheritance.  (Ps 94:14 NASB)  Again and again the Lord promises that He will never leave us, discard us, or forsake us.  He cannot lie.  (Tit 1:2) 

God is faithful to His promises forever.  (Ps 71:22 NLT; 1 Cor 1:8-9; 1 Thes 5:24)  You can safely trust in Him and in His Word. Oh joy!

Guard Your Words & Emotions

Guard Your Words & Emotions

It is important for us to guard our words and our emotions.  Words are very important in life, and the Bible attests to that.  Let’s see what the Scriptures tell us.

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.  (Jam 1:19 NIV) 

Those who guard their mouths and their tongues guard themselves from trouble.  (Prov 21:23 CEB)

When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.  (Prov 10:19 ESV)

Whoever controls his temper is better than a warrior, and anyone who has control of his spirit is better than someone who captures a city.  (Pro 16:32 ISV)

But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.  (Col 3:8 NKJV)

We’re taught by the Word of God to be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to become angry.  Do you notice that the only thing we should be QUICK about is listening?  Isn’t that opposite to what usually happens?

The wisdom that we can glean from God’s Word is that:

  • Restricting our words keeps us away from trouble;
  • We should control and limit our words;
  • Curtailing our lips is sensible and discreet;
  • Being able to control our own spirit is better than conquering an entire city; and
  • We should put away anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy and all filthy language.

As we live in harmony with and obedience to the Word of God, we invite God’s blessings upon our lives.  Hallelujah!

The Lord Saves His Servants

The Lord Saves His Servants

The Lord is committed to those of us who follow Him and serve Him.  His Word testifies to this truth repeatedly.

The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.  (Ps 34:22 NKJV)  This is just one of the Lord’s promises to His people.  NONE who trust in Him shall be condemned.

The poor can run to you because you are a fortress in times of trouble.  10 Everyone who honors your name can trust you, because you are faithful to all who depend on you.  (Ps 9:9-10 CEV)  Our God is a fortress in times of trouble.  He is faithful to ALL who depend upon Him.  God cannot lie.  (Tit 1:2)

. . . who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion . . .  (Ps 103:4 NIV)  Not only does the Lord redeem our lives from hell but He also crowns us with His love and compassion.  Praise the Lord!

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?  (Rom 8:31-32 ESV)  If God is on our side, but no one can succeed or gain victory over the Lord.  Since the Lord didn’t spare His own Son, it is certain that along with our salvation He freely gives us all that we need. 

We are blessed to serve a faithful and loving God. 

How to Give Joy to Your Parents

How to Give Joy to Your Parents

Most children would like to give joy to their parents.  Not only small children, but adult children also wish to give enjoyment to their mother and father.

I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are living according to the truth.  (3 Joh 1:4 CEB)

The father of a righteous child will celebrate greatly.  One who fathers a wise son will find joy in him.  (Pro 23:24 EHV)

The proverbs of Solomon:  A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is the grief of his mother.  (Pro 10:1 NKJV)

A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.  (Pro 29:3 NIV)

These various Scriptures all refer to the subject of giving joy or gladness to our parents.  These are the ways, according to the Word, that we can give true gladness to our mom and dad:

  • To live according to the truth (of the Word of God);
  • To live a righteous life with wisdom;
  • To gain wisdom (the best source of wisdom is the Bible); and
  • To love wisdom and embrace it in all of your ways.

Not only will these acts bring joy to your parents, but God will bless you as you obey His Word.  Glory to God!

Be Merciful

Be Merciful

What does merciful mean?  It means:  kindhearted, compassionate, sympathetic, and forgiving.

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.  (Lk 6:36 EHV)  As our Father forgives our sins repeatedly, we should also forgive and forget the sins of others against us.

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.  (Eph 5:1 NKJV)  In every way, as much as we have the grace to do so, we should imitate the mercy of God in our dealings with other people.  Let us be kindhearted and compassionate in imitation of our Father in heaven.

Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.  (Heb 2:17 NKJV)  Jesus was a merciful and faithful High Priest in that He became the sacrifice upon the altar to reconcile mankind to God the Father.

For I will be merciful in regard to their unrighteousness, and I will not remember their sins any longer.  (Heb 8:12 EHV)  Thanks to Jesus, our Father forgives our sins and does not remember them against us.  What a gift of love and mercy we have been given! 

In obedience to the Word, may each of us strive to be sympathetic to others and to be faithful representatives of Jesus and His love in a dark and hurting world.

We Know Love, Thanks to Jesus

We Know Love, Thanks to Jesus

The Scriptures teach us that humanity knows love and is acquainted with love because Jesus gave up His own life to reconcile us back to our Father God.

By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.  (1 Joh 3:16 NKJV)

 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  (Rom 5:8 NIV)

 Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it . . . (Eph 5:25 NCV)

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  (Eph 5:2 ESV)

All of these Bible passages refer to the fact that Jesus’ redeeming sacrifice was an ACT OF LOVE.  The Lord tells us through the Word that we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Husbands are admonished to love their wives even as Christ loved the Church and sacrificed Himself on behalf of the Church. Husbands should want to protect their wives and children even as the Lord did.

And we’re encouraged to follow the example of Christ, and to become (as He did) a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  This gives us a reason to examine ourselves and to ask ourselves if we are demonstrating our love in ways that are spiritually and relationally significant to our nearest and dearest.  God bless you as you allow the Holy Spirit to lead you and guide you in showing love to everyone in your life!