Matthew 6:32b-34

For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Encouraging Words…

I do not need to be consumed by worries about the earthly things that I want or even need. god knows what my needs are and He will take care of them. Since my heart and mind are to focus on Him and the heavenly realm I can let go of my concerns of this world and live freely in Christ. If I put all of my energy toward Christ the rest will follow. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Matthew 7:24-25

Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

Encouraging Words…

“for it was grounded on the rock.” Having built homes in Thailand, Mexico, and Haiti after disasters I know all too well the true value of building on solid ground. What a blessing it is to have the Rock of Jesus to build my life on. He will never falter…even when I do. Glory be to God.

Matthew 18:15-18

“Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. ’ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.”

“Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Encouraging Words…

Jesus established for us a very clear and effective model; for discipline and reconciliation in His body, His church. There is no room for gossip and slander, which only destroys the fellowship of the community, but there are dire consequences for not recognizing our sins against each other and repenting from them. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Encouraging Words…

Wages…that which I earn for the labor I have performed. Gift…that which is freely given to me without my doing anything to earn it. What a contrast. Since sin dwells within me, within my flesh, I have committed, and will continue to commit, sin. Therefore, I have earned the wages of that sin, which is eternal death. However, Jesus, who never sinned, and who broke the grip of both sin and death, has become that free gift offered by God to me. Through Jesus’ life and work, and God’s grace and love, I have been given the gift of eternal life. What a blessing. What an incredible act of love by our God the Father. Glory be to God!

Romans 8:1-2

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

Encouraging Words…

Prior to the coming of Christ we were all condemned under the law. Christ, however, fulfilled the law and therefore freed us from this condemnation…if we walk in His power and authority. Not only did He do all of this work because I could not, but He also sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within me and to help me walk in Christ. Glory be to God!

Romans 7:17 & 20

But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

Encouraging Words…

I am not depraved! I am created in the image of God! I am not sinful by nature, but sin which is distinctly separate from me still dwells within my fleshly body. The early church fathers taught that because I am created in the image of God, there is an indelible goodness in my nature that can never be undone. Yes, I can become immersed in sin, but I can know that it is not part of my nature, but a foreign force that dwells within me. Sin is what I do, not what I am. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner! Lord Jesus Christ, Master of my life, give me the power and the desire to say “No!” to sin and “Yes!” to Your will in my life. Glory be to God!

Romans 3:10-12

As it is written:
“There is none righteous, no, not one;
There is none who understands;
There is none who seeks after God.
They have all turned aside;
They have together become unprofitable;
There is none who does good, no, not one.”

Encouraging Words…

If I read this passage through the filter that God is a wrathful, judging God, then there is no hope for mankind. If I read this through the filter that God is love and in the context of the entire scriptures, then I can see that God has provided total and complete hope for mankind through the work of His Son, Jesus Christ. The law’s purpose was not to condemn mankind, but to point us to Christ and our need for Him. Through Christ the law has been justified and put to death.

Romans 2:11

For there is no partiality with God.

Personal Challenge…

Don’t we often as Christians show partiality when we label someone as not being a “true” Christian because they practice their Christianity different that us? If God shows no partiality then why do I think that I can?

No posting.

Luke 6:20-23

Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said:

“Blessed are you poor,
For yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who hunger now,
For you shall be filled.
Blessed are you who weep now,
For you shall laugh.
Blessed are you when men hate you,
And when they exclude you,
And revile you, and cast out your name as evil,
For the Son of Man’s sake.
Rejoice in that day and leap for joy!
For indeed your reward is great in heaven,
For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.”

Encouraging Words and Personal Challenge…

How easy is it to confuse Jesus’ blessings of the “bad” things (poverty, hunger, weeping, being hated) with the things of this world when He is referring to the things of the heavenly realm, which also exists in the present. Am I poor in hour I hold on to the possessions that I have and have a heart for the poor around me (both economically and spiritually)? Am I totally dependent upon God? Do I weep over the sufferings of this physical life and the suffering of those around me as well as those far off in such great need? Do I get persecuted because I uphold the truth, refuse to compromise with the ways of the world and give myself to none other than God? Here is where the blessings of God will pour into my life. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.