Tag: Gospel
Everlasting destruction
Scripture reading for September 19: 2 Thessalonians 1
“Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, for which you are also suffering–since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of everlasting destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might, when He comes on that day to be glorified in His saints and to be marveled at among all who believed, . .” 2Thessalonians 1:4-10
There is much debate in the world concerning heaven and hell and a loving God. Some professing to believe in Jesus, find that they cannot believe that a God Who loves man made in His image would ever send anyone to a place like hell. But God describes hell as a place of everlasting darkness and weeping and gnashing of teeth. Jesus taught that there was no escape from there once a person dies. (Luke 16:22-26)
Here in this passage, Paul explains that it is God’s prerogative to repay sin and evil. He is just and will give each person exactly what is deserved. All sin and rebellion leads to death and not just physical death. Each person has an eternal existence and God prepared a place for the devil and his angels and for those refusing His offer of forgiveness and deliverance from God’s justice. Paul emphasized that God would repay. People refusing the Gospel of Jesus Christ would suffer ‘everlasting destruction’ shut away from God’s glorious presence and light forever. God Himself has set a day when this final judgment will be rendered to the lost and rewards given to those who have repented and received mercy.
How would you describe your world view regarding God’s justice and love in punishing the disobedient with everlasting destruction? What have you done to insure that you will be marveling at Jesus Christ when He returns? How do you understand God’s heart of love offered to all mankind?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the gift of salvation from everlasting destruction through Jesus Christ. I am resting in Your Word that all who call on Jesus Christ will be saved. Use me today to share the Gospel to those still in darkness and disobedience. Reach my family that all may marvel at Your return. Amen.
The Gospel Mission
Scripture reading for July 3: Romans 15
“In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience–by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God–so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the Gospel of Christ; and thus I make it my ambition to preach the Gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of Him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.”” Romans 15:17-21
Paul was chosen by God to be an apostle, one set apart for a mission. Paul’s mission was given to him by Jesus Christ directly, to reach Gentiles in places where no one else had gone. The means of this mission was supernatural power through the Holy Spirit. Paul preached the ‘whole Gospel of Christ’ by teaching God’s Word, preaching the Gospel, and being led by the Holy Spirit in signs and wonders. Satan’s grip on people was being broken and through the Gospel souls were saved from destruction and glory was brought to Jesus Christ.
Paul did not want to take credit for anyone else’s labor. He had an urgency from Jesus through the Holy Spirit to go where the Gospel had never been preached. He had God’s heart for the lost there who had never heard of Jesus and did not understand even that they were lost. His world view was shaped by Jesus’ calling and the Holy Spirit’s leading in his life. God was leading him and working with Him through the Holy Spirit to reap a harvest in the dark areas of the earth. Treasures of darkness brought glory to God.
Have you ever experienced God calling you to follow Him and reach the lost? How does your view of the world and God’s desire to reach everyone affect your daily activities? Do you rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to use you in preaching, signs and wonders, and reaching lost people?
Prayer: Father God, help me to have vision that gives me motivation and faith to fulfill the mission You have given all believers to go into the world with the Gospel. Teach me how to listen to the Holy Spirit and reach people who have never heard before. May all glory go to You now and forever! Amen.
Satan entered Judas
Scripture reading for April 2: Luke 22
“Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. And the chief priest and the scribes were seeking how to put Him to death, for they feared the people. Then Satan entered into Judas, called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of a crowd.” Luke 22:1-6
If our world view does not give any credence to the spirit world, we lack the discernment of spirits needed to avoid deception. In the natural world, many people believe in Satan and demons and understand that they cause evil. Some have experienced Satan entering them or someone they know and seen the tragic results. Believers in Jesus have God’s Word that explains the clash of the spiritual kingdom of darkness and death with the Spirit of God and Life. We are wrestling against these wicked spiritual entities as we preach the Gospel and are used in spiritual Gifts of healing and deliverance. We recognize that evil, sickness, disease, confusion, strife and hatred are indications of Satan’s work and possible indwelling.
As Jesus was preparing for the Passover with His disciples, Judas Iscariot left the company of disciples and invited Satan to indwell him. We are not told exactly how this happened in Scripture. Judas was the keeper of Jesus’ money bag and had been taking for himself. Judas had participated in the ministry by going out and healing and casting out devils. Judas was not implicated by other disciples when Jesus announced His betrayal at the meal. Judas betrayed his Master by going to the chief priests and bargaining for a price of betrayal. Judas would be directly confronted by Jesus at the Last Supper about his betrayal. (Luke 22:22-23) His tragic end was taking his own life without evident repentance.
How would you rate your understanding of the spirit world and Satan’s power to enter someone? Have you ever experienced Satan’s enticement to evil? What are some steps to preventing Satan from entering you or your family?
Prayer: Father God, I thank You that You are a good Father and a Life-giver and that You are love. Thank You for delivering me from Satan’s grip through the Gospel. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me daily in discernment of spirits and resisting the devil that he would flee from me and my family. Amen.
Sparrows and hairs!
Scripture reading for January 14: Matthew 10
“”And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him Who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges Me before men, I also will acknowledge before My Father Who is in heaven, but anyone who denies Me before men, I also will deny before My Father Who is in heaven.”” Matthew 10:28-33
There are things in life that we think are unimportant and would be a waste of God’s time and attention. Jesus brought up two of these in this discussion about what is really of value. Jesus warned His disciples not to fear those who could kill them physically but had no power over their eternal souls. He brought their attention to the common sparrow of His time. This was one of the cheaper meats on the market of Jesus’ day. Two sparrows were sold for a ‘penny,’ a very small price. Yet Jesus said that His Father would notice each fallen sparrow! Personally, Jesus pointed to the hairs on our head being numbered by our Father in heaven! Jesus’ point was that we are of greater worth than sparrows or hairs!
Jesus was encouraging His disciples to stand up and testify about Him before men. Their call was to testify to the lost world of His amazing love for mankind and His personal knowledge of each person’s life and destiny. As they obeyed their calling to affirm Jesus before men, Jesus, in turn, would also affirm them before the Father in heaven. This is not righteousness by works, however. It is by faith in Jesus that we live and our testimony of Him flows by love through relationship.
Do you struggle to give public testimony of your relationship with Jesus Christ? Do you fear what others might think of you and less about what God might think about you living in fear? What do you think Jesus will say about you before the Father? Take time to talk to Jesus about your concerns.
Prayer: Thank You for Your amazing care for creation revealed in the sparrows and hairs of our head. Forgive me for shrinking back in fear before those who might not receive testimony of Your love for them in Jesus. Fill me with such love and power by Your Spirit that I testify before all men. Amen.
Almost persuaded
Scripture reading for November 14: Acts 24-26
Are you focused on your mission of taking Jesus Christ with you today wherever you go? Are you ready to share your testimony and share the Gospel? Like Paul of old, we are to bring close encounters with Jesus to a lost world through our testimony and the Gospel!
The Apostle Paul visited Jerusalem and ended up in jail as he had been warned. (Acts 21:10-14) Nothing takes God by surprise and He prepares His people for the troubles ahead. Angry Jews falsely accused Paul and he was put in jail in Caesarea under the Roman governor Felix. Jews from Jerusalem came there to present their case against Paul with a lawyer named Tertullus. Their charges had no proof and Paul, with the help of the Holy Spirit, spoke convincingly. Felix was well acquainted with those of the “Way”. Later, seeking a bribe, he and his wife asked to have Paul brought before him for a private audience. Paul preached the Gospel and sought to convince Felix that Jesus was the “Way” for him as well. (Acts 24:24-26) Scripture records that Felix came under conviction and cut Paul off. Money blinded Felix and his wife from finding the true treasure of eternal life in Jesus Christ!
Two years passed and a new governor, Porcius Festus, was appointed. The Jews came before him to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem for trial. They planned to kill him as he was being transferred. (Acts 25:3) Again, Paul spoke by the Holy Spirit and appealed to Caesar. He was granted his request! (Acts 25:10-12)
Royal visitors, King Herod Agrippa and his wife Bernice, arrived to pay respects to Porcius Festus. They stayed a few days and Festus told Agrippa about Paul’s case. Agrippa asked to hear from Paul. The leading men of the city, high-ranking officers, and King Agrippa and his wife held a meeting and had Paul brought in chained as a prisoner. Paul was invited to speak to the King in front of all these! Paul again shared his testimony of his encounter with Jesus! He passionately appealed to the King, preaching Jesus as the Christ! The King listened carefully, but in the end stopped the discussion with a question to Paul: “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” (Acts 26:28)
What a heart to share the Gospel! What patience and courage Paul presented before those with authority! He did not bribe or seek to escape but continued his appointed mission of reaching the Gentiles! May we keep our focus this day on bringing people close encounters with Jesus!
Confidence in God’s keeping power
Scripture reading for September 19th: 2nd Timothy 1, Psalm 37, Proverbs 1
2nd Timothy 1: 8-12 “Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share in suffering for the Gospel by the power of God, Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, Who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know Whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.”
Paul was suffering in prison in Rome and writing what was to be his last letter that we have in Scripture. He believed that God had sent him to Rome to preach the Gospel, even to those who imprisoned him. He urged Timothy, who was also facing persecution, not to be ashamed of his own testimony of faith in Jesus or of him as His prisoner. Paul’s own example was one of confession of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as God’s Son and Savior through His atoning death and powerful resurrection to life eternal. Paul knew Jesus Christ and was fully convinced of Christ’s ability and power to keep his life and soul eternally, no matter what might happen to him! God’s grace was sufficient and His Holy Spirit would uphold him.
Psalm 37:23-25 “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when He delights in his way; Though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand. I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not see the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the confidence that I have through these Holy Scriptures and the records of Paul and Timothy’s life and faith. Forgive me for sometimes shrinking back from boldly sharing my faith in Jesus Christ. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and boldness to live victoriously, even in suffering, and proclaim Your faithfulness to all who will hear and see. May the wise hear and understand!
Proverbs 1:5-6 “Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.”
Sharing Gospel blessings!
Scripture reading for August 11th: 1st Corinthians 9, Psalm 10, Proverbs 5
1st Corinthians 9:19-23 “For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.”
After finding Jesus Christ as Lord, Paul was a free man from the law of God. Jesus had taken the penalty for his (and our) sins and given him the Holy Spirit and the law of Christ which is love. Paul became a willing bond-servant of God, offering his own self as a witness and preacher of the Good News to win lost people to God. He sought to find a way to relate to each person in order to share the Good News. His focus was their salvation, regardless of their background or religious upbringing. He knew God’s heart of compassion for hurting and oppressed people and for the sake of the Gospel allowed the Holy Spirit to use him for their healing and deliverance through faith in Jesus.
Psalm 10:17-18 “O Lord, You hear the desire of the afflicted; You will strengthen their heart; You will incline Your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may not strike terror no more.”
Prayer: Father, thank You for hearing the cries of the afflicted and hurting, the fatherless and oppressed and acting for them by sending Your Son. Thank You that You see all of our ways and ponder all our paths that You might win us to You by sending servants like Paul. Fill me with Your compassion and love and send me today to those in need of Your grace. Pour out Your blessings through the Gospel!
Proverbs 5:21 “For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and He ponders all his paths.”
“Follow Me”
Scripture reading for April 11th: Matthew 4, Psalm 72, Proverbs 10
Matthew 4: 17-23 “From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” While walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. And going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and He called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him. And He went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the Gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.”
Jesus came back in the power of the Holy Spirit from His forty-day encounter with Satan in the wilderness. He immediately began to preach repentance and call people to enter the kingdom of heaven. He began calling disciples from among the fishermen working at the Sea of Galilee. This was the area of Israel where a trade route brought many Gentiles through the area and the area Isaiah had prophesied about a “great light” appearing! Those called to follow Jesus, responded immediately! They were promised by Jesus a new type of ‘fishing’! Jesus then went throughout that area teaching and proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom of heaven and healing and miracles were being done among the people in need of His kingdom! Praise the Lord! The whole earth was being filled with His glory!
Psalm 72:18-19 “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, Who alone has done wondrous things. Blessed be His glorious Name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His glory! Amen and Amen!”
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for Your amazing call to those first fishermen to follow You and become fishers of men. The amazing love of King Jesus was and is being demonstrated by the covering of sins and offenses against You and the healing of hearts, bodies and souls damaged by sickness and sin. Through Jesus, I have found the fountain of Life! Use me to share the Gospel and Your glory to all! Amen!
Proverbs 10:11-12 “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.”
Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit
Scripture reading for February 6th: Acts 10, Psalm 26, Proverbs 26
Acts 10: 44-48 “While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the Word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the Gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in other tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.”
Peter was a devout Jew, trained in the Old Testament Scriptures and the traditions of Judaism. He was also a man of prayer, and while praying God gave him a vision that challenged his understanding of Old Testament laws. In a vision, God called Peter first to eat what was lowered from heaven–foods the law declared unclean. But this was to prepare Peter to go to the home of a Gentile, Cornelius, without hesitation. Cornelius was a God-fearing man who loved God and gave alms to the poor. His heart of love got God’s attention and God sent Peter to share the Gospel. While sharing, the Holy Spirit was poured out from Heaven and Cornelius and his household spoke in tongues and glorified God. Peter then understood that God wanted the Gentiles to enjoy salvation and baptized them.
Psalm 26:8 “O Lord, I love the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for showing no partiality between Jew and Gentile! Thank You for freely pouring out the Holy Spirit and the gifts on all people. Help me, as You helped Peter, to understand Your ways when my own prejudices and past religious training blocks me from knowing or doing Your will. Pour out Your Spirit as I share the Word of God with those who are hungry for truth.
Proverbs 26:28 “A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”
The Gospel of first importance!
Scripture reading for September 14th: Isaiah 53-55, Psalm 128, 1st Corinthians 15
1st Corinthians 15: 1-8 “Now I want to remind you, brothers, of the Gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the Word I preached to you–unless you have believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures; that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some who have fallen asleep.
Paul gave the church at Corinth a simple summary of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel covers the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ in accordance with the Scriptures of the Old Testament. Paul had received this Gospel from Jesus Christ Himself and that was the basis of all his preaching. Christ confirmed His resurrection from the dead by appearing in His resurrection body to Peter and all His disciples plus a crowd of five hundred and even to Paul. The Gospel message is God’s message of love to lost mankind. Through the Gospel, God reveals His righteousness as well as His justice in Jesus Christ. It is the power of God for salvation to the Jew and Gentile.
Isaiah 55:10-11 “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, 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.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Your Word, first through the holy prophets of the Old Testament and then in the person of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You for the Gospel message of Jesus’ virgin birth, obedient life, sacrificial death and glorious resurrection. Thank You for accomplishing this mission of salvation for us, lost sinners living in darkness. Multiply fruit through my submitted life.
Psalm 128:1-2 “Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways! Your shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.”