Salvation: Not An Attainment, But An Atonement

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Romans 3:25-26

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

When I was a little boy, I thought that God was like Santa Claus with a long beard sitting up in heaven—making a list and checking it twice, trying to find out if I was naughty or nice. Then when my life was over, I would face Him and He would pull out these massive scales and weigh my good works against my bad to see if I made it into heaven.

Do you know what this thinking did? It made me fearful that at the end of my life I would face God and He would say, “Adrian. I’m sorry, but according to My calculations, you didn’t make it.” Then, I would have to turn and ashamedly walk past family and friends.

Friend, maybe you even believe this, but let me set the record straight: Salvation is not an attainment, it is an atonement.

ACTION POINT:

You cannot atone for your sins. Your good works cannot do it. None of us could produce works good-enough and fast enough to atone for sin. Don’t even try. Rest in the finished work of the Cross.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Water From the Wells of Salvation

2 "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation." 

3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

4 And you will say in that day: "Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted.  - Isaiah 12:2-4

13 Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again,

14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." - John 4:13-14

37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.

38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" - John 7:37-38

Oh how beautiful and precious are these words of life.

Bow before His throne of grace, confess with a humble heart the sin that entraps you and receive hope in Christ through His sacrifice.

Know this and this alone, there is no other way for eternal life except through the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus.

His day of vengeance will come!

He will destroy every sinner who is not covered by His blood.

His mercy is great while it is offered.

Receive this eternal gift of joy from Christ.

6 Wail, for the day of the LORD is near; as destruction from the Almighty it will come! 

7 Therefore all hands will be feeble, and every human heart will melt.  - Isaiah 13:6-7

Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to make the land a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it.  - Isaiah 13:9

I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will put an end to the pomp of the arrogant, and lay low the pompous pride of the ruthless.  - Isaiah 13:11

Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken out of its place, at the wrath of the LORD of hosts in the day of his fierce anger.  - Isaiah 13:13

29 But I am afflicted and in pain; let your salvation, O God, set me on high! 

30 I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.  - Psalm 69:29-30

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." - Acts 4:12

8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

11 For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame."

12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.

13 For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?"

17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

18 But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for "Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world."  - Romans 10:8-18

In The Shelter of His Wings

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“For Thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of Thy wings.” Psalm 61:3-4

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Of the 6500 hymns written by Charles Wesley, surely none is considered finer than the one titled “Jesus, Lover Of My Soul.” Many accounts have been shared as to the inspiration behind this song, but whether any are true, indeed the song’s lyrics are a poignant picture of a young man’s journey into discovering the love of his life—Jesus.

The third verse of this great hymn begins, “Thou, O Christ, art all I want, more than all in Thee I find.”

ACTION POINT:

Where is your heart today? Are you suffering from a broken relationship or the loss of a loved one? Run, don’t walk, into His waiting arms of love. He wants to bind up your hurt and bring hope to your heart.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Head-Belief Is One Thing—Action Is Another!

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight.” Colossians 1:21-22

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

A man stretched a tightrope across Niagara Falls and pushed a wheelbarrow across it. Next, he filled the wheelbarrow with 200 lbs. of cement and pushed it across. The onlookers were astounded.

Then the tightrope walker asked the crowd, “How many of you believe I could do this with a man in the wheelbarrow?” The hands flew into the air. He pointed to a man who had his hand up and he said, “All right sir. You get in first.” Well, you couldn’t see the man for the trail of dust he left behind.

ACTION POINT:

It’s not enough for you to say you believe in God. Are you willing to act upon your belief? God is calling you to a relationship with Him. Will you answer His call?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

God Never Takes His Eyes from You

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“O Lord, Thou hast searched me, and known me.” Psalm 139:1

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

God sees everything you do. God knows all about you. God loves you. It is an amazing thing that the Lord would feel this way about any of us, when we are about the size of a grain of sand compared to the universe that He created.

There is no more reason for God to be interested in us than for the President of the United States to be interested in an ant floating on a piece of cheesecake in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. And yet God is interested...very interested.

The sun that stays in the sky and warms the earth will ripen a bunch of bananas like it has nothing better to do. In the same way, Almighty God runs the universe and is concerned about you as though you were His only concern.

ACTION POINT:

Don’t close this page until that sinks deep into your heart.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Our Loss and Gain

Strength through authority!

Adam gave us:

Sinfulness rather than God's standard.

We are weak, ungodly and full of sin.

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person-though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:6-8

Sin is the transgression of the law.

Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. - 1 John 3:4

For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. - James 2:10

Sin is failing to do what we should have done.

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. - James 4:17

Sin is not believing God or a lack of faith.

But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. - Romans 14:23

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. - John 3:18

Sin is human goodness.

Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.  - Proverbs 21:4

Adam brought wrath rather than approval.

Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. - Romans 5:9

Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. - Romans 5:18

For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. - 1 Corinthians 15:22

There is no reincarnation.

There is no chance after death.

Not all will be saved.

Christ is the only way, there is no other.

Sin brought warfare instead of peace.

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. - Romans 5:10

Sin is high treason against the King.

It's a clinched fist shaken toward God.

Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. - Matthew 12:30

All are in sin and death through Adam but all are alive in Christ through salvation.

For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. - 1 Corinthians 15:22

Jesus brought much more than justification.

Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. - Romans 5:9

The cross brought 

Justice-God giving what we deserve 

Mercy-God giving what we don't deserve

Grace-Made righteous through Christ

Jesus brought much more than reconciliation.

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. - Romans 5:10

Jesus brought much more than regeneration.

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. - Romans 5:15

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. - John 10:10

Jesus brought much mote than righteousness.

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. - Romans 5:17

And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, - Romans 4:5

God has put it on your account, you didn't earn it!!!

just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: - Romans 4:6

We are in Christ, He covers our sin!

7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 

8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin."  - Romans 4:7-8

Jesus brought much more of our reign

20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,

21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. - Romans 5:20-21

We have a heavenly kingdom!

Christ was obedient unto the cross, taking our sin, paying our debt and given us eternal life.

You can stay under Adam and sin or you can choose Christ and life!

Thank you Pastor Adrian!!!

The Captain Comes to Take Over

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” James 4:8

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Joshua had an encounter with the pre-incarnate Christ in the Old Testament near Jericho (see Joshua 5). His first words to Him were, “Art Thou for us, or for our adversaries?” (v.13). Joshua was on his guard, not wanting anyone to harm God’s people. Notice the Lord’s response, “Nay; but as Captain of the host of the Lord am I now come” (v. 14). Basically, He didn’t come to take sides, He came to take over.

Jesus is the Captain of the host of heaven, and this Conqueror with the drawn sword came to give Joshua a message of victory.

ACTION POINT:

You will never know victory until you lay your sword at His feet, bow yourself prostrate before His Mighty Throne, and worship Him. Before you can be a conqueror, you must be conquered. I pray you will soon be on the sunny side of Hallelujah Avenue where the glory roads intersect!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rigers

Why I Believe In the Bible

1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! 

2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, 

3 who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! 

4 You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. 

5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! 

6 Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. 

7 I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. 

8 I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me! 

9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 

10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 

11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 

12 Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes! 

13 With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. 

14 In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. 

15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. 

16 I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. Psalm 119

The abundance of God and His word!

Confidence in the word.

God's word is accurate!

We were once taught that the world was flat.

It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in;  - Isaiah 40:22

God's power.

He stretches out the north over the void and hangs the earth on nothing.  - Job 26:7

Over 3200 prophecies have been fulfilled.

Over 400 about Jesus have been fulfilled.

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.  - Micah 5:2

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. - Isaiah 7:14

Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.  - Psalm 41:9

Timeless, tested and true!

God's word is alive!

It's God's heartbeat!

It's supernatural!

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. - Hebrews 4:12

God's word is available!

Are you available to God's word?

God will speak to you!

Will you obey?

Properly align your heart and life to Christ!

Thank you Pastor Kelly Knouse!!!

The Seed

God's seed!

No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. - 1 John 3:9

Eternal seed!

23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;

24 for "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 

25 but the word of the Lord remains forever." And this word is the good news that was preached to you.  - 1 Peter 1:23-25

By God's power!!

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. - 2 Corinthians 9:10

10 "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 

11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.  - Isaiah 55:10-11

God's harvest!

For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. - Galatians 6:8

35 But someone will ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?"

36 You foolish person! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.

37 And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. - 1 Corinthians 15:35-37

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. - John 12:24

God's supernatural power!

And he said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" And I answered, "O Lord GOD, you know." - Ezekiel 37:3

4 Then he said to me, "Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.

5 Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.

6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the LORD." - Ezekiel 37:4-6

28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice

29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. - John 5:28-29

The mystery of the seed!!

51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.

53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.

54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." 

55 "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" 

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 Corinthians 15:51-57

From Crimson to Wool, from Scarlet to White

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Have you ever done something so awful that you are serving or have served time in prison? Maybe you murdered someone, abused a child, embezzled money, or raped someone. To many, you are a heinous criminal and the judicial system has declared you have no redeeming value to humanity. Well, I’m here to tell you, God can change all that.

God says, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18b). Every blur, every blemish, every stain that ever came upon your soul can be cleansed by the blood of Jesus.

ACTION POINT:

Jesus said, “All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). Jesus will save you if you ask Him.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Clothed with the Righteousness of Christ

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.” Philippians 3:9

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

A woman worked as a maid in the house of a mean innkeeper. One day God saved her and she could not hide her happiness. What used to be drudgery turned into joy. The innkeeper was furious and began to belittle her. He hated her for being happy.

Finally, he said to her, “You say you’re saved and I can see your happiness. Can you tell me what being saved means?”

And she said, “To me, it feels as though I am standing in Jesus’ shoes, and He is standing in mine.” A theologian couldn’t have said it better.

2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”

ACTION POINT:

Have you come to realize that, in Jesus, you have been made “the righteousness of God”? It is the gift of God, in Him.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

God May

Your direction, questions, sliding into unbelief, then your center changes, no bible reading and finally no longer attending church.

What is this?

Soul-sickness!

Examine your heart!

What is your truth?

Do you even believe in God?

Are you being deceived by Satan?

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. - John 8:44

in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience- - Ephesians 2:2

and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. - 2 Thessalonians 2:10

God can grant repentance!

24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,

25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,

26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. - 2 Timothy 2:24-26

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. - James 3:17

Be humble!

Be hopeful!

Be patient!!!

Thank you Pastor John!!!

Lavish Love

Definition of lavish

Super abundant, without limit

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight

9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ

10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.

13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. - Ephesians 1:7-14

13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,

14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. - Colossians 1:13-14

30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

31 so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." - 1 Corinthians 1:30-31

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. - Acts 20:28

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? - Romans 2:4

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. - 1 John 3:1

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. - 1 John 3:16

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8

Are you with the world, giving yourself over to what the world offers?

Or are you following the Lord, giving yourself over to being obedient to His commands?

If you dismiss this great gift of lavish love, you are foolish!!!

The Picture of Being Holy

Definition of holy

Set apart for God, sacred, dedicated to God

15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

16 since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." - 1 Peter 1:15-16

And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. - 1 John 3:3

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. - 2 Corinthians 7:1

For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. - 1 Thessalonians 4:7

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. - Hebrews 12:14

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. - James 3:13

Definition of pure

Spotless

He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.  - Psalm 24:4

Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright.  - Proverbs 20:11

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. - 1 Timothy 1:5

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. - James 3:17

Jesus set this example.
He was holy and sinless.
We strive for this, we long for this, but in this body we can not attain it.
Some day we will be glorified by His promise.
We will be completed by His blood.
Until then, we have the gift of repentance bestowed on us by way of the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
Will you repent? 
Forgive us Lord according to Your great mercy!!! 

“Wash Me, Savior, Or I Die”

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works.” Romans 4:6

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

The same year America declared its independence from England, Augustus Toplady wrote a song declaring complete dependence upon God. He penned, “Rock of Ages.” The third verse declares, “Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to the cross I cling; Naked, come to Thee for dress; Helpless, look to Thee for grace; Foul, I to the fountain fly; Wash me, Savior, or I die.”

It’s hard sometimes to let go of our sins AND our righteous deeds in order to completely trust in God for our salvation.

Did you know there is something about human nature that doesn’t want to do this? We want to somehow help God with our good deeds. And yet “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6b).

ACTION POINT:

Lay your knapsack of righteous works at His feet. Pray, “God makes us righteous. Wash me, Savior, or I die.”

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

The Only Thing That Will Save You

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” Titus 3:5

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Paul said, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” (Philippians 3:7-8).

What does Paul mean by loss? He means that even good things are bad things if they become a substitute for the best thing. Suppose you are on a plane trip. The plane is going down and you grab your knapsack instead of your parachute and jump out. Is the knapsack bad? No, it’s just not the best choice to save your life!

The worst form of badness may be human goodness when that human goodness becomes a substitute for the new birth.

ACTION POINT:

No knapsack full of “works of righteousness” will save you. Cast yourself completely upon the work of redemption—the work of the cross. You cannot add to what Jesus did.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

“Nothing In My Hands I Bring”

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Have you ever laid your head on the pillow at the end of a long day and satisfyingly said, “Well, I was a good person today, so if I died tonight I will go to heaven”?

If you have, you’re not alone. I would venture to say that most people believe if you go to church, tithe your money, and do good to others, that God is going to let you into heaven.

If being religious could get you to heaven, then why was a religious man like Paul struck down on the Road to Damascus and asked by the Lord, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?” (Acts 9:4b).

More importantly, if we could save ourselves with our good deeds, God did not need to send His only Son into the world as a sacrifice for the likes of you and me. No, it is Jesus’ righteousness that saves us. And Him alone.

ACTION POINT:

Take stock: What “religious” things are you doing, hoping to score a few more “brownie points” with God? This is “works doctrine.” Abandon it. Come to Jesus and say, “Nothing in my hands I bring. Simply to Thy cross I cling.”

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

How Far Does His Forgiveness Reach?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind. Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

People have the idea today that it is okay to live in immorality and that God is going to overlook their little indiscretions. Is that so?

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). God doesn’t miss a beat of our lives. He is the righteous judge and will judge accordingly (see Hebrews 13:4).

“Well Pastor, does that mean that if I have done any of these things, I can’t be saved?”

 No! 1 Corinthians 6:11 promises: “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” Hallelujah! There is no sin so awful that the blood of Christ cannot cleanse. He makes the vilest sinner clean.

ACTION POINT:

Nothing—not your worst offense—stands between you and the Cross. . .between you and forgiveness. . .between you and a loving Heavenly Father—nothing but your hesitation. Come to Him. He longs to receive you.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

When It’s a Good Thing to Turn and Run

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is outside the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

The sin of immorality is not a sin we are told to fight in the Bible. It is a sin we are told to flee! (See 2 Timothy 2:22.) God tells us to get out of a compromising situation. Read what Joseph did when he was approached by Potiphar’s wife in Genesis 39:7-18. In a word, he fled!

If there is a person who works in your office and that person is immorally flirting with you, it would be better for you to quit your job than to stay in that office.

“But—my job!”

But—your purity!

ACTION POINT:

Perhaps you are fighting a pornography addiction and you are alone in your motel room with free X-rated movies. Do you sneak a peak? Don’t see how far you can come to the edge without falling over. See how far you can stay away!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

When You Are Tempted To Argue

21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it-

22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. - Romans 3:21-25

For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life. - Leviticus 17:11

13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,

14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. - Colossians 1:13-14

Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. - Hebrews 9:22

27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

28 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. - Hebrews 9:27-28

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.

17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.

18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." - Matthew 28:16-20

18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.

19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.

20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!-

21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus,

22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,

23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,

24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. - Ephesians 4:18-25

1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.

2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.

3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.

4 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.

5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.

6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. - 2 Corinthians 4:1-6

3 Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."

4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"

5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'

8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

9 Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?"

10 Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?

11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony.

12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,

15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. - John 3:3-15

When we present the gospel and are met with an argument of disbelief, let us be careful of our response.

We are assuming that our point has been explained well, the facts are laid out clearly!

We think "what is the problem"?

This puts us in the mode to argue our point. 

Is that really the thing to do?

What is God's command given to man about the spread of the gospel?

It's to make disciples of all nations. 

Are we so foolish to think we have that power to make a disciple? 

Our witness of God's word is to share it.

It is the work of the Holy Spirit to awaken hearts, give clear understanding to the gospel, open blind eyes and bring lost souls to their knees.

The gospel convicts of sin which leads man to repentance which leads to forgiveness in Christ Jesus which leads to salvation by atonement through His blood!

When sharing the gospel we must remember, we are speaking to those who are are spiritually blind. 

We will only be sharing the gospel to their mind, but the Holy Spirit will working on their heart and their blindness!!

The Authority Of The Holy Spirit

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,

4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,

5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. - Romans 5:1-5

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. - Romans 5:17

Nothing is settled until the matter of authority is settled.

The church must operate under kingdom authority.

Christians must bow before kingdom authority.

Being a rebel is high treason, submit to God.

The King is supreme.

His word is authority.

The Holy Spirit works to give us understanding of the things of God.

One

One Man's sin

15 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.

16 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.

17 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.

18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.

19 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. - Romans 5:15-19

Reign

To rule with kingdom authority

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. - Romans 5:14

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. - Romans 5:17

so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. - Romans 5:21

Much more

Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. - Romans 5:9

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. - Romans 5:10

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. - Romans 5:15

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. - Romans 5:17

Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, - Romans 5:20

Two kingdoms

God's and Satan's

One kingdom is light in Jesus.

One kingdom is darkness in Adam.

You belong to one.

Adam brought sin and death.

Christ brought forgiveness and life.

What did we receive from Adam?

He became a servant to Satan.

We lost our power due to sin.

Spiritual weakness rather than power.

Unholiness rather than godliness.

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. - Romans 5:6

Our thinking 

Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.  - Proverbs 26:12

The truth

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, - Romans 3:23

Thank you Pastor Adrian!!!

The Power of the Lord's Supper

Communion should stir a fire in your soul.

Communion reminds us of Christ death, burial and resurrection.

Ordinances for the remembrance of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

Baptism- a demonstration and representation of Christ and the gospel.

Going down into water-Jesus lived

Emerged into the water-Jesus burial

Coming out of the water-He is risen

Lord's Supper

Bread-Jesus body

Wine-Jesus blood

Passover

"You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified." - Matthew 26:2

18 He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, 'The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.'"

19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover. - Matthew 26:18-19

Communion brings the body of Christ together.

The Lord's supper supernaturally brings us together.

When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. - Matthew 26:20

How the body of Christ should act:

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.

12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.

17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. - Romans 12:9-18

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,  - 1 Corinthians 14:33

1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,

2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. - Ephesians 4:1-3

4 There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call-

5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. - Ephesians 4:4-6

The Lord's supper cleans us up.

Sin must be confronted!

Sin is poison!

And as they were eating, he said, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me." - Matthew 26:21

if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. - 2 Chronicles 7:14

You must be in a constant state of repentance.

Examine yourself!

27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord.

28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.

30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. - 1 Corinthians 11:27-30

There is power in the blood of Jesus!!!

8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. - 1 John 1:8-10

The Lord's supper keeps the main thing the main thing!!

Jesus served!

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body."

27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you,

28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. - Matthew 26:26-28

33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you discussing on the way?"

34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest.

35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, "If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all." - Mark 9:33-35

Jesus saves!!!

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. - 1 John 3:16

Our response!

Get saved!

Get right!!

Thanks Pastor Kevin!!

Are You Searching for a Church?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Any great church is built on these four things that begin with the letter B. 

The Book - the inspired, infallible Word of God. 

The Blood – the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

The Birth – the new birth.

The Blessed Hope – the coming again of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

God tells us in Hebrews 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” He wants us to find a Bible-believing church and connect with the people there.

ACTION POINT:

If you’re looking for a church, find out if they take a stand on the Book, the Blood, the Birth, and the Blessed Hope. If they don’t, saturate that place with your absence. Look for one that does.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

It’s Just Not Enough

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Verily, verily I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” Nicodemus saith unto Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?” Jesus answered, “Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again.” John 3:3-6

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

If you know someone who’s not a Christian, don’t try to argue with them. Nobody was ever argued into the kingdom of heaven. Anything someone can argue you into, you can be argued out of. The problem is, they cannot see.  Would you scold a blind man for not seeing? But a blind man would be foolish to say there’s no light just because he cannot see it.

There is light, but man needs more than light. He needs sight. “...Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of heaven.” They may have 20/20 sight, but spiritually they are blind. “Having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart” (Ephesians 4:18). The eyes may be fine, but the heart is blind.

There are people you have shared the Gospel with—perhaps even members of your own family—but they haven’t a clue as to what it’s all about, and they never will, until the Holy Spirit opens their understanding.

ACTION POINT:

It takes more than preaching to get somebody saved; it takes the work of the Holy Spirit of God. Pray, “O God, open the eyes of those who have been blinded, that the light of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, who is the image of God, might shine unto them.” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Before I ever preach, I get on my knees and pray, “O, God, for those who need Jesus Christ, give them sight.”

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Is It Written All Over Your Face?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Somewhere in California during the gold rush of 1849, the story is told of two gold miners who struck a particularly rich vein of gold one day. They decided not to tell anyone else, so they could keep it for themselves. They went into town to get better equipment to mine the gold, but when they left, scores of people followed. Their jubilation was written all over their faces.

ACTION POINT:

Is what is in your heart written all over your face? Oh, how I pray that each person reading this today will not hide what they have found in Jesus Christ. I want people who see you today to say, “I don’t know what is going on with her, but I want what she has. I want what he has.” The gift of salvation is for you, but it is also for others to behold and desire in you.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Jesus Above All Other Gods

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 6:68-69

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Have you ever wondered why Christians were so persecuted in the days of the liberal Roman government? The Romans didn’t persecute other religious people, only Christians. Why did they pick on the Christians? Because the Christians proclaimed Jesus as Lord, and not Caesar.

The Romans were a polytheistic nation—they even built the Pantheon, which was a temple for all the gods that were worshiped in ancient Rome. When they subjugated and conquered a people, they let them keep their gods—on one condition—that they remember that Caesar was Lord.

ACTION POINT:

As the world becomes more and more syncretized and headed toward a “One World” order, men and women who say that Jesus is the only true Lord are going to be persecuted. Will you stand and proclaim Jesus as Lord no matter what?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

No Hands But Our Hands

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath He recompensed me.” Psalm 18:20

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

During WWII, a beautiful cathedral in Europe was destroyed by the Nazis. When the people came together to rebuild the temple, they found a statue of Christ with His hands outstretched. They repaired the statue as best they could, but they could not recover the hands. Because they loved the statue as it was, they put a plaque underneath that reads: “He has no hands but our hands.”

Remember this—Jesus Christ is the invisible part of the Christian. The Christian is the visible part of Christ. He is seen in us and through us. We are the visible part of the invisible Christ.

ACTION POINT:

What we do in His name is representative of Him to the world. What are you doing with your hands today that is a testimony of Jesus Christ to a watching and lost world?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

When Tempted, You Have a Choice

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” 1 John 5:18

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Do you know why the devil couldn’t get to Jesus in the midst of a 40-day fast when He was starving? He was already satisfied. You see, Jesus didn’t have an itch that the devil could scratch.

Temptation really comes down to this: A temptation is an inducement by the devil to satisfy a legitimate desire in an illegitimate way. That’s all there is to it. Take a God-given desire and satisfy it in a God-forbidden way. The devil says, “Hey you’ve got a need, and I can satisfy it.”

When tempted, you are given a choice. Do you get that need satisfied by the devil, or by the Lord? You see, the devil is a pervert. He has no raw material. All he can do is take what God has created and pervert it.

ACTION POINT:

Do you want to overcome temptation? Find out the legitimate way to satisfy that desire, and then you will not need the illegitimate way.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Our Way of Escape

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.” Psalm 63:1

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

The devil tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread. I have been to Palestine and seen stones that looked amazingly like little loaves of bread. I can just see the devil looking on the ground, knowing that Jesus had been fasting for 40 days, and saying, “Well, look here. Just turn this into bread!”

Now, there’s nothing wrong with eating bread. In fact, Jesus taught us to pray for our daily bread. Yet Jesus had been led into the wilderness to fast and pray and seek the face of God. The devil was trying to put the bread above the will of God, saying “Pamper your flesh.” But what he was really saying was, “Commit spiritual suicide.” Jesus refused.

ACTION POINT:

Jesus overcame the flesh, and you can, too. He overcame by the Word of God. Take this verse and make every effort to commit it to your memory this week:

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

God Loves The World Including Me

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16

For The God loves 

Greek word -Theos - God (The One and Only True God)

He is the only, there is no other!

The Father

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. - James 1:17

God created

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. - Genesis 1:1

God is, was and will be!

No beginning-no end!

Greek words for love

Philia - brotherly love; between friends

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. - 1 Peter 3:8

Storga - the love of a spouse, child or parent ( natural affection)

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. - Romans 12:10

Agape - strongest word for selfless love, God's unconditional love, covenant love, amazing love

Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him." - John 14:21

God will never forsake you!

He knows your every sin!

God loves you like no other!

The world

Every tribe, every nation

Jesus loves!

Jesus atones!

You share the gospel of Christ!

1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. - 1 John 2:1-2

God's love is action

He gave!

His Son!

What will you do?

Will you praise Him?

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.

19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23 "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us). 

24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife,

25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. - Matthew 1:18-25

Whoever believes

Greek - Pisteuo - faith

Greek - Pistis- belief, trust, faithfulness 

Faithing in Him - with all you have, believe with your heart, belief that brings about change

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. - John 3:36

Heaven is real!

Hell is real!

Your tomorrow is not certain!

Believes in Him should not perish

21 Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.

22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you."

23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."

24 Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day."

25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,

26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"

27 She said to him, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world." - John 11:21-27

But you shall have eternal life!

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. - Genesis 50:20

But Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." - Matthew 19:26

7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person-though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:7-8

and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. - Acts 3:15

Eternal - life that never ends

11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. - 1 John 5:11-12

13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,

14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. - Colossians 2:13-14

He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. - Colossians 2:15

You are forgiven!!

God is stronger than the enemy!

Greek John 3:16

For so loved The God the world, that His Son the only begotten He gave, that whoever believes on Him may not perish but may have life eternal.

Celebrate and share the good news!!

4 "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?

5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6 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.'

7 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. - Luke 15:4-7

Repent!

19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,

20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, - Acts 3:19-20

Thanks Pastor Kevin!!!

Tempted? Jesus Has Already Been There

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

When some people read that Jesus “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin,” some eyebrows raise. You may not say anything out loud, but you think, “Was He really tempted in every way? Has He ever been tempted to run a red light? Or smoke pot? Or have immoral sex?” We don’t know, and yet the Bible is very clear that He was tempted in all points.

ACTION POINT:

There are only three temptations, and Jesus was tempted in all three. 1 John 2:16 lists them: the lust of the flesh (temptation for us to do something—our passions), the lust of the eyes (temptation for us to have something—our possessions), and the pride of life (the temptation for us to be something—our pride). If you doubt it, then read about the temptation He faced in Luke 4:1-13.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Taste Death for Everyone

God's grace and mercy!

But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. - Hebrews 2:9

Power!

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." - John 12:32

The promise!

51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death."

52 The Jews said to him, "Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, 'If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.' - John 8:51-52

God giving Jesus authority!

17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.

18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father." - John 10:17-18

9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,

10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. - Colossians 2:9-10

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.

15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'")

16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. - John 1:14-18

Jesus supremacy!! 

1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,

2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. - Hebrews 1:1-4

The greatest sacrifice and His reward!!

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,

7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. - Philippians 2:5-11

Your debt, your life, His precious blood!!

16 since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,

18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,

19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you

21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,

23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;

24 for "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 

25 but the word of the Lord remains forever." And this word is the good news that was preached to you.  - 1 Peter 1:16-25

God's authority!

23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, 'To the unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.

24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,

25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.

26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,

27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, - Acts 17:23-27

The Preeminence of Christ!!! 

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things were created through him and for him.

17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,

20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,

22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,

23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. - Colossians 1:15-23 

Christ died for you!!

1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand,

2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you-unless you believed in vain.

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,

4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. - 1 Corinthians 15:1-5

How will you respond?