April Bible Reading

Date                      Old Testament                New Testament

April 1                   Judges 6, 7                     Luke 8:1-21

April 2                   Judges 8, 9                     Luke 8:22-56

April 3                   Judges 10, 11                 Luke 9:1-36

April 4                   Judges 12, 13, 14           Luke 9:37-62

April 5                   Judges 15, 16, 17           Luke 10:1-24

April 6                   Judges 18, 19                 Luke 10:25-42

April 7                   Judges 20, 21                 Luke 11:1-28

April 8                   Ruth 1, 2, 3, 4                Luke 11:29-54

April 9                   1 Samuel 1, 2, 3             Luke 12:1-34

April 10                 1 Samuel 4, 5, 6             Luke 12:35-59

April 11                  1 Samuel 7, 8, 9            Luke 13:1-21

April 12                  1 Samuel 10, 11, 12      Luke 13:22-35

April 13                  1 Samuel 13, 14            Luke 14:1-24

April 14                  1 Samuel 15, 16            Luke 14:25-35

April 15                  1 Samuel 17, 18            Luke 15:1-10

April 16                  1 Samuel 19, 20, 21      Luke 15:11-32

April 17                  1 Samuel 22, 23, 24      Luke 16:1-18

April 18                  1 Samuel 25, 26            Luke 16:19-31

April 19                  1 Samuel 27, 28, 29      Luke 17:1-19

April 20                  1 Samuel 30, 31            Luke 17:20-37

April 21                   2 Samuel 1, 2, 3           Luke 18:1-17

April 22                   2 Samuel 4, 5, 6           Luke 18:18-43

April 23                   2 Samuel 7, 8, 9           Luke 19:1-28

April 24                   2 Samuel 10, 11, 12     Luke 19:29-48

April 25                   2 Samuel 13, 14           Luke 20:1-26

April 26                   2 Samuel 15, 16           Luke 20:27-47

April 27                   2 Samuel 17, 18           Luke 21:1-19

April 28                   2 Samuel 19, 20           Luke 21:20-38

April 29                   2 Samuel 21, 22           Luke 22:1-30

April 30                   2 Samuel 23, 24           Luke 22:31-53

Lord, Open Our Mouth!

Speak! Someone will listen! God is working in hearts as we think about sharing the Gospel! He prepares the way, for us to reach the lost, as we try to reason within ourselves what to say about His mercy. We know! We read His Word! In our hearts, His good news is there! Spit it out! Share the Word, show the Word, teach the Word! My pastor preached about this Sunday after returning from missions in foreign lands. The Gospel is not just for America, it is for the nations! God is preparing the way for us to share His Word! Tell of God's character, how man is sinful and lost and the sufficiency of Christ.
God's character:
God alone is good: Matt.19:17 And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments."
Luke 18:19 And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.
God is spirit and light: John 4:24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
1 John 1:5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
God is love: 1 John 4:8-10 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
God is eternal: Rev.4:8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!"
God is immortal: 1 Tim.6:16 who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
God is holy: Ps.99:9 Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the LORD our God is holy!
God is just, true, righteous, upright: Deut.32:4 NAS  "The Rock ! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just ; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.
God is faithful: 1 Cor.10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Sinful man in need of a Savior: Romans 5:12-19 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned-- for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.  For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. 1 John 3:4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 1 Tim.4:10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
Sufficiency of Christ:
Heb.9:22-28 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.  For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own,  for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Col. 2:10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 2 Cor.:12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Heb.10:14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
The necessity of faith: Heb.11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
James 2:14-26 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.  But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe--and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?  Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"--and he was called a friend of God.  You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. Heb.11:1-3  Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Eph.4:4-6 There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call-- one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Faithful Lord, only You have the power to save! Your Word is true and will change the hardest heart!
Make the blind see Your glory! Open their eyes to Your mercy! Give them a clear understanding of Your Word! Open our mouths wide to share Your Word today! Break our hearts for the lost! Amen 

When Will You Die? And Where Will You Go?

The minute you were born, you began to die! God created this body we call home as a temporary place for our spirit to live. The spirit is eternal and will either go back to it's Creator or go to hell. There is no place in between! A sobering thought, is it not? For those of us who believe Christ is our salvation, death is just another part of life. To the others who believe the lie, that this is all there is, there is still time to call upon the living God for His saving Grace! John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
2 Cor.5:1 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
There will be a judgement for all:
Heb.9:27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment
Eternal life in Christ:
1 John 5:11And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
Hell is real and you can not escape:
Luke 16:26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.'
Demons acknowledge Christ as God's Son: Luke 4:41 And demons also came out of many, crying, "You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.
James2:19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe--and shudder!
Acts 19:15 But the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?"
The bible is not a fictional book but it is the inspired word of God, given to man, to study God's plan for us and to teach others about God's love, power, judgement and wisdom. 2 Tim.3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
John 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 5:22-23 The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.
1 Cor.1:18-25 18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."  Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.  For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,  but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,  but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Most High God, the more I read Your Word, I am astounded by the truth of it! It does pierce to the soul and, and discern the thoughts and the intentions of the heart. Lord, create a clean heart in Your people. Forgive us! Only You have the power to save the soul and we pray in Jesus' precious name for the lost. Somone needs to hear Your word today. Open their heart to new life in Your Son. Amen

A Sure and Steadfast Anchor of the Soul

Heb.6:16-20  For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is true and sure! He intercedes for us before God, He is our Savior, our hope and our Redeemer! 1 Tim.4:7-11 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;  for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things.
God's promise!Titus 1:2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began,
Gal.3:22-26 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.
1 John 2:23-26 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made to us--eternal life.  I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. Lord, I pray for this knowledge of truth to be opened to the lost. Lord, reap Your harvest! Amen

I Will Be Exalted Among the Nations

For our brothers and sisters all over the world who are making disciples!
Ps.46:1010 "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"
My church has teams spreading the gospel all other the world. They have left family, jobs, friends and the comfort of home because there is nothing more important to them than sharing the love of Christ to the lost. Some are on short term missions, others are moving to other countries to live with native people who need to know the power of salvation in Christ. Some are in danger, some are received with open arms! God is in control of our lives. He holds our safety and our death in His hands. What are people of other religions afraid of? Why is there so much opposition for people to have the freedom to choose Jesus over false religions? The answer is Satan! He has this world in his grip and wants to take as many souls to hell, his kingdom, as possible. 2 Corinthians 4:4-5 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.”
Do you want freedom? It is found in Christ! We have been freed by His blood! Rev.1:5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood.
2 Cor.3:17  Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Until you are saved, you are in bondage to sin! Ps.146:1-8 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.  Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry.The LORD sets the prisoners free;  the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous.
Romans 6:6-7 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.
Definition of exalted: to elevate by praise or in estimation : glorify
Glorify God in your life by making disciples! John 8:31-32 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,  and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Lord God Most High, open hearts to Your word and the freedom found only in Jesus. Amen

The Greatest Lie

This blog post is a based on a sermon from Michael Youssef, Leading the Way.Org
The fall from Grace by Adam and Eve: Gen.3:12-15 The man said, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate." Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." The LORD God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."
Now, I am sure we think we are different from Adam and Eve. We would never do what God has warned us not to do. But, God in His wisdom knew better. Even though Adam and Eve were the first humans to disobey God's commands, we are still committing the same sin of rebellion. And that brings us to the greatest lie, Jesus is not the only way to Heaven. This is the ultimate form of rebellion, our disbelief in the Grace of Christ! We have become indifferent toward God. We think Grace is boring. Amazing Grace is not boring! It is all that keeps us from going to Hell! Grace is not free or cheap! Jesus paid the price for Grace by being nailed to the cross! You and I should have been there on that cross because we are guilty! We refuse to see ourselves as fallen creatures rebelling against God. We refuse to believe in the judgement that is coming from God. Our culture teaches us that we can do all things. We view God as a politician whom we put in office and can remove. We think God owes us a favor. God can give and take at anytime with no warning! Romans 9:14-16 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. God is waiting for you! He wants you! He will not hold your past sin over you. This brings to mind two parables in the Bible. The Prodigal Son: Luke 15:11-24 And he said, "There was a man who had two sons.  And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.' And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.  So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.  "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants,'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.  And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.  For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate.
The Lost Sheep: Luke 15:1-7 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." So he told them this parable: "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.  And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Adam attempted to blame God for his sin: Gen.3:12 The woman You gave to be with me, she gave me the fruit of the tree and I ate. Eve just as good as said the devil made me do it! Neither one takes responsibility for their sin and asks for forgiveness. Take responsibility for your sin. God wants us to confess sin and to repent. Cry out to God that you are spiritually lost and in need of a Savior. His word will change the worst offender. Father God, I pray this for us. Forgive us. Let Your word cleanse our heart. Amen