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Jesus: The Only Way

2010-12-08T14:45:07Z

"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

I just love Christmas time! But one thing about this time of year that always makes me stop and think is the fact that it's the only time when people who want nothing to do with Jesus sing about him being their Savior!

I stopped a friend of mine, who I know isn't a believer in the middle of the second verse of them singing 'Silent Night' and ask them, "Do you really believe all that?" And you know what I heard? "Well, Jesus was a good teacher and a moral leader, but not really God."

I think it was C.S. Lewis who first gave us the trilemma that every person faces concerning Jesus Christ. He said,

Either Jesus was a liar who claimed to be God even though He knew He wasn't, he was some kind of a lunatic who thought he was God but wasn't, or else Jesus Christ was Lord of life. Away with this business of saying that Jesus Christ was just a good man or a great moral teacher; because if Jesus Christ is not God, Jesus Christ is not good! Either Jesus is mad, bad, or he is truly God. And Jesus said he is the only way to God. So if he is just one of many ways, that would make him crazy or a liar!

So as you interact with lost friends and family this Christmas season, ask them what they do with Jesus. Engage them in thoughtful, meaningful conversation about what the Bible says about Jesus and how they can have a relationship with him. And do it all with the love of Christ!

JESUS IS THE ONE TRUE SON OF GOD AND CAME TO DIE FOR THE WORLD. SO TELL OTHERS ABOUT HIM!

The Narrow Path to the Father

2010-12-07T15:43:52Z

"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." Matthew 7:13-14

If we were dividing humanity into classifications, we might divide people based on their socio-economic status, their race, or their country of origin. But when God categorizes humanity, he does it based upon a decision: What you do with Jesus Christ?

There are only two kinds of people in this world: those who know Christ as their Savior and those who don't... those who are on their way to heaven by faith in the Son of God or those who are on their way to destruction by rejecting Christ. Yes, there are two kinds of people today: saved or lost.

You know, that's never a statement that's going to make you popular. But when it comes down to it, you either believe what Jesus said or you don't. And my biggest fear—what keeps me up at night with my eyes wide open—is that there are nice, well-intentioned people who hear a sermon and read their bible and do devotionals but are not saved.

The Scripture says that there is only one path to having a relationship with God and spending eternity with him: Jesus Christ. If you've never come to a point where you trust fully in his death and resurrection for the forgiveness of your sins, pray and tell him that you do today!

JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND RECEIVE ETERNAL LIFE. SO TRUST IN HIM FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF YOUR SINS.

Understanding Where Restoration Begins

2010-12-06T15:46:57Z

"Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved!" Psalm 80:7

We have a great deal of religion in America today. I was reading a report recently that said the United States is one of the most religious developed countries in the world! But there seems to be very little comparison between the profession of religion and the practice of godliness in our country. And in the midst of this, the Church is silent! Instead of changing America by spreading the Gospel, Christians are conforming to society.

Have you ever gone into a theater or a really nice restaurant and the lights are so low that you can't even see your hand in front of your face? But as you're in there a little longer your eyes get adjusted to the darkness and you can see. That's a great picture of the Church in America today. We've gotten so used to the darkness that we don't even notice it anymore!

And just like the Psalmist prayed in today's passage, the Church in America needs to pray for spiritual restoration for our country. But do you know where revival really begins? It begins in you!

So instead of just praying, "Restore them, O God," make your prayer, "Restore us." Only God can create a restoration that lasts, so let him begin in your heart!

ASK GOD TO RESTORE YOU BECAUSE TRUE REVIVAL BEGINS IN THE HEARTS OF GOD'S PEOPLE.

Having Confidence in God

2010-12-03T15:26:43Z

"And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him." 1 John 5:14-15

A well-known brain surgeon was taking a stroll one day when he saw a boy on a scooter crash headfirst into a tree. When he realized that the boy was badly injured, he told a passerby to call an ambulance.

But as the surgeon began to administer first aid, another young boy pushed through the crowd that had gathered and said, "I'd better take over now, sir. I'm a Boy Scout and I know first aid!"

When it comes to prayer, many Christians often have that same attitude towards God, don't they? It's almost like they say "God, I can tell you're in a little over your head. So let me take over and fix this mess!" But in reality, God is the one who can really fix the messes of life when we are over our heads! So when you pray, ask with confidence for God to lead you and guide you in the right path and surrender completely to his will.

Confidence is easy to have when the stakes are low. But when they are high, that's when you need to trust God the most and be confident that he hears you and has the perfect answer!

WHEN YOU PRAY, PLACE YOUR FULL CONFIDENCE IN GOD KNOWING THAT HE WILL ANSWER EXACTLY ACCORDING TO HIS WILL.

The Price of Your Forgiveness

2010-12-02T15:08:45Z

"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us... so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith."
Galatians 3:13-14

What does 'forgiveness' mean? If someone steals $10 from you and I tell them "I forgive you," that really doesn't mean much now, does it? But if you are the one to say "I forgive you" and allow them to keep the $10, that means so much more!

True forgiveness always costs the forgiver. In the case above, you forgiving the person who stole your money cost you $10. And not only that, the thief gained $10 that he didn't have before and doesn't deserve!

That's just a small picture of the grace of Christ. At the cross that day 2000 years ago, a divine exchange took place. Jesus Christ took on the curse that belonged to us and everything that went with it while we received the righteousness and blessing that belonged to him. What a remarkable example of true forgiveness!

So remember, the righteousness that you now have in Christ, the blessings you enjoy, and the Spirit you received might have been free to you. But they came at a tremendous price to God, who gave up his only son so that we could have eternal life with him.

THANK GOD FOR HIS BLESSINGS WHICH ARE FREE TO YOU BUT CAME AT A TREMENDOUS PRICE TO HIM. 

The Significance of Christ in You

2010-12-01T14:59:32Z

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20

One thing's for sure about people who die... they can't bring themselves back to life. If you don't believe me, go out to a cemetery sometime and tell the people buried there to get up. I don't think you'll hear a response!

That's what makes this verse so counterintuitive, doesn't it? It doesn't make sense in the world's mind that someone can die and then become more alive than they have ever been! But that's exactly what happens to you and me when we place our faith in Jesus Christ!

After we come to know Christ, we are "crucified" with him; we are raised to walk in what the Bible calls "newness of life" (Romans 6:4).

If you have trusted Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins, are you walking with Christ in this newness of life or are you still living like nothing has happened? God doesn't want people who have been saved by the blood of Christ to live as if they are perishing. He wants you to have the abundant resurrection life that a relationship with Jesus Christ can give you.

So commit today to walk in newness of life with Jesus Christ and allow him to live his life through you!

LIVE A RESURRECTION LIFE EACH DAY BY TRUSTING IN CHRIST TO LIVE HIS LIFE THROUGH YOU!

Satisfying Your Spiritual Hunger

2010-11-30T14:52:41Z

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." Matthew 5:6

The past eight years have opened our eyes to the reality of the harshness of war. We've been bombarded with images on TV of suffering men, women, and children who have lost everything. I'll never forget watching the news one day and seeing Army Humvees drive down the main street of a war-torn city to distribute food and water and literally being mobbed for what they were giving out.

I truly believe this is the kind of hunger and thirst Jesus had in mind when he said these words. He desires that we want nothing more than the righteousness only he can provide, and that we would rush to him in our need so that our hunger and thirst would be satisfied!

It can be easy for Christians today to take for granted the righteousness that Jesus provides. But when you and I realize the depth of God's love and the enormity of the sacrifice he gave for us, we begin to get a glimpse of what it truly means for our hunger and our thirst to be fully satisfied in Christ.

Relentlessly following after Christ isn't just a one-time event. It's a lifestyle. So each day you live on this earth, run after Jesus with everything you have because he's the only one who can truly satisfy!

JESUS IS THE ONLY SOLUTION TO YOUR DEEP SPIRITUAL HUNGER AND THIRST, SO RUN AFTER HIM DAILY.

Are You Afraid of the Holy Spirit?

2010-11-29T15:37:26Z

"Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit..." Ephesians 5:17-18

I remember when I was growing up in a small church in West Viriginia always hearing about that "other church" across town. I heard adults whispering about all the things that went on in that little church. People were rolling in the aisles, shouting, and speaking in strange languages. There were even rumors that they were handling snakes in there!

And nobody wanted anything to do with that little church and the kind of people that went in there! Because of that, people built up a resistance to anything that had to do with the Holy Spirit. We talked about God the Father, we talked about God the Son, but we didn't talk about God the Spirit because we were scared of being associated with those crazy people on the other side of town!

Our church was a classic example of being so afraid of going overboard that you never even got in the boat. I think it's that fear that has led so many Christians through the generations to miss the blessing of walking in the Spirit.

When it comes to walking in the Spirit, we don't have to be fanatics or formalists. Jesus Christ was clearly the most Spirit-filled individual who ever walked on the face of this earth, yet he was not out of control. And the true Spirit-filled life will make you more like him!

So don't avoid the Spirit, be filled with the Spirit and watch what God will do through you!

DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, BUT LIVE A SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE BY ALLOWING HIM TO CONTROL EVERYTHING YOU DO. 

Embracing the Gift of Eternal Life

2010-11-28T05:22:19Z

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life." John 3:14-15

When the children of Israel were wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, many were killed by poisonous snakes sent by God because of their rebellion. But in the midst of all of the death and agony, God proposed a solution. He told Moses to take a pole, put a brass serpent on that pole, and lift it up. He said everyone who looked at the brazen serpent upon that pole by faith would live. And so those who were bitten and looked in faith lived (Numbers 21).

That instance from the Old Testament is an amazing picture of what happened when Christ was lifted up on the cross. And today, everyone who looks and believes that Jesus' death atones for his or her sin will be saved and receive eternal life!

Jesus Christ was lifted up in shame before the world. But while the people of Moses' time only had glimpses of God's future plans to send His Messiah to die on the cross, we today are blessed to be able to look back at that remarkable act of love!

God sent Jesus to die on the cross and give you life with Him. So we should continue to look to him as God's gift of eternal life each day!

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE CROSS OF CHRIST AND THANK GOD FOR THE WONDERFUL GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE! 

Putting 'Thanks' Back In Thanksgiving

2010-11-26T03:52:02Z

"Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!" Psalm 118:1

An old pastor and his wife invited a new young couple in the church over for Thanksgiving dinner. As the couple entered the home, they smelled the wonderful turkey and all the trimmings in the kitchen. As the four made their way to the dining room table, there was a great feast before them!

But as the young wife scanned the table, she noticed something out of place. Among the turkey, dressing, casseroles, and pies were three Chinese takeout cartons and a plate of egg rolls!

"I know what you're thinking," the old pastor said. "Why is there Chinese takeout on the table?"

"You see," he continued, "23 years ago on Thanksgiving Day, my dear wife burned the turkey and started a fire in our kitchen! In fact, our entire kitchen nearly caught fire and the whole Thanksgiving meal was charred black!"

"So after the fire department left," he chuckled, "we ordered Chinese takeout and that was our Thanksgiving meal! And every year since, we've had Chinese takeout as a part of our meal to remind us to be thankful for what we have!"

This year, I hope Thanksgiving isn't just a holiday for you. It should be a way of life for every Christian. We serve a wonderful God who sent his Son to die for you. So as you reflect on what you are thankful for this year, remember God's blessings in your life!

GIVE THANKS TO GOD FOR HOW HE HAS BLESSED YOU IN YOUR LIFE AND ESPECIALLY FOR SENDING CHRIST TO DIE FOR YOU! 