Salvation For All People

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, - Titus 2:11

so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. - Titus 3:7

23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose,

24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. - Acts 11:23-24

4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,

5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. - Titus 3:4-7

2 that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. 

3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! 

4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Selah  - Psalm 67:2-4

3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,

4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. - 1 Timothy 2:3-6

Jesus Is Who You’re Looking For

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18–20)

The last chapter of Matthew is a window that opens onto the sunrise glory of the risen Christ. Through it you can see at least three massive peaks in the mountain range of Christ’s character: the peak of his power; the peak of his kindness; and the peak of his purposefulness.

All authority is his — the right and the power to do his will. And he uses this power to pursue his unwavering purpose to make disciples from all the nations. And in the process he is personally kind to us, promising to be with us to the end.

We all know in our hearts that if the risen Christ is going to satisfy our desire to admire greatness, that is the way he has to be. Great in power. Great in kindness. Great in purposefulness.

People who are too weak to accomplish their purposes can’t satisfy our desire to admire greatness. We admire people even less who have no purpose in life. And still less those whose purposes are merely selfish and unkind.

What we long to see and know is a Person whose power is unlimited, whose kindness is tender, and whose purpose is single and unflinching.

Novelists and poets and movie-makers and TV writers now and then create a shadow of this Person. But they can no more fill our longing to worship than this month’s National Geographic can satisfy my longing for the Grand Canyon.

We must have the real thing. We must see the Original of all power and kindness and purposefulness. We must see and worship the risen Christ.

John Piper 

What can Satan get you to laugh at?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. Ephesians 5:3-4

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

The most dangerous thing on television in my estimation is the sitcom. They’re getting you to laugh at sin. In fact, a Christian television and film writer attended a producers’ workshop one day. One of the keynote speakers was one of TV’s most successful sitcoms producers. In his address, he stated that in order to have a commercially successful production, the characters in a sitcom must violate at least three of the Ten Commandments. In another workshop, writers were encouraged to submit scripts emphasizing “the occult and sex—that’s what we’re looking for.” How tragic.

What Satan can get you to laugh at, it’s hard to change course and take seriously. “Turn my eyes away from vanity [all those worldly, meaningless things that distract—let Your priorities be mine] And restore me [with renewed energy] in Your ways” (Psalm 119:37, Amplified).

What an opportunity for us to take a stand for the truth and for the glory of God in the film and television industry.

ACTION POINT:

“Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). And pray Joshua 1:7 for those who are in the film and television industries—that they will be strong and courageous.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

The Stigma of Anxiety and Depression

Use of anti anxiety meds have doubled in the past 5 years.

Stress related illness accounts for 300 billion dollars in medical cost and lost productivity.

Anxiety disorder is the most common mental illness affecting 40 million people.

Only 36% people seek treatment for this highly treatable disorder.

So you see, you think you are alone in this struggle but you aren't!

This is a lie of the devil.

In recent society, many people are taking their lives by suicide.

Some are well known and seem to "have it all".

Young and old alike seem to feel hopeless and deem suicide as the answer.

Paul is writing this scripture in prison.

It's telling a story about 2 ladies in church who are having a conflict.

2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.

3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. - Philippians 4:2-3

How should a a Christian handle anxiety?

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. - Philippians 4:4

Have joy in the Lord, this can only come from the Lord.

Happiness based on things or people can be lost. 

Joy of the Lord is based on the promise of God who never lies.

Be gentle.

Let your reasonableness(gentleness) be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; - Philippians 4:5

Strength under control.

God will help you be gentle.

His return is near.

Do not worry.

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. - Philippians 4:6

Worry will steal everything from you, your rest, your happiness, your hope, your health.

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34 "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. - Matthew 6:33-34

Pray with thanksgiving.

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. - Philippians 4:6

Rest in the peace of God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:7

God is faithful.

The peace of God will blow your mind.

There is peace in the midst of chaos.

The peace of God will guard your life.

Control your thoughts.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. - Philippians 4:8

for he is like one who is inwardly calculating. "Eat and drink!" he says to you, but his heart is not with you.  - Proverbs 23:7

When you are in distress your mind will run wild.

You will think the worst.

Live out what you Know to do.

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me-practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. - Philippians 4:9

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

We have to reach those who sit in darkness.

Mental illness is not just a mind thing.

There is a physical side to it.

Headaches, chest pain, stomach problems, bone deep misery just to name a few.

Suicide is not a selfish act.

It is self hate.

Sadness is not the issue, it's never ending exhaustion.

It's not because we don't stay in the word.

No matter how much you pray or study, you feel it's hopeless.

Spirit filled people struggle.

You can't choose joy if you are tortured.

Those thoughts of death make you feel relieved.

We fight to suppress them but to no avail.

We think God has abandoned us.

Get counseling, take meds, pray and fight.

You can live happy in the midst of depression.

Be present in the lives of those who suffer making sure they know how important they are to you.

Hold them, love them, share the love of Christ, be with them!

Know that God is in control!

List His mercies toward you!

Worry and guilt will kill you!

2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. 

3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD. 

4 Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!  - Psalm 40:2-4

Thank you Pastor Kevin!!!

What the Resurrection Means for Us

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. (Romans 10:9)

What does it mean to “believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead”? Satan believes that God raised Jesus from the dead. He saw it happen. To answer this question, we need to ponder what the resurrection means for God’s people.

The meaning of the resurrection is that God is for us. He aims to close ranks with us. He aims to overcome all our sense of abandonment and alienation.

The resurrection of Jesus is God’s declaration to Israel and to the world that we cannot work our way to glory, but that he intends to do the impossible to get us there.

The resurrection is the promise of God that all who trust Jesus will be the beneficiaries of God’s power to lead us in paths of righteousness and through the valley of death.

Therefore, believing in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead is much more than accepting a fact. It means being confident that God is for you, that he has closed ranks with you, that he is transforming your life, and that he will save you for eternal joy.

Believing in the resurrection means trusting in all the promises of life and hope and righteousness for which it stands.

It means being so confident of God’s power and love that no fear of worldly loss or greed for worldly gain will lure us to disobey his will.

That’s the difference between Satan and the saints. Oh, might God circumcise our hearts to love him (Deuteronomy 30:6) and to rest in the resurrection of his Son.

John Piper 

His Peace and Joy in Suffering

“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps.” 1 Peter 2:21

Christ suffered for you.

“But I don’t want to suffer for Him.”

You’re going to suffer anyway—whether you are saved or lost. That is life in a fallen world.

When you submit to Jesus Christ and obey the Word of God, He is going to arch a rainbow of hope over your suffering. He is going to write Romans 8:28 over what you are going through. You will know that your current trial is for your good.

Surrender and submission to God is the only way to get His grace and power over your life. Joy, peace, and worry-free days are ahead for the one who lays his life down for the glory of God. Suffering will come, but joy will follow.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Before The Ages Began

God does not lie.

Christ is His promise that brings eternal life.

This plan was before the ages began.

We are to share this with the lost.

This covenant is unbreakable.

We are justified before God by the grace of His Son, Christ our Lord.

This promise is sure and true.

It will be fulfilled.

He is faithful.

Hold fast to the hope that is found in Christ alone!

2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began

3 and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; - Titus 1:2-3

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, - 2 Timothy 1:1

Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. - Hebrews 9:15

waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, - Titus 2:13

so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. - Titus 3:7

God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?  - Numbers 23:19

if we are faithless, he remains faithful- for he cannot deny himself.  - 2 Timothy 2:13

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. - Hebrews 6:18