Tag Archives: Word

Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ

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Greetings Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Word

Romans 3:23

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 6:1-2

What should we say then? Should we continue to sin so that God’s kindness will increase?  That’s unthinkable! As far as sin is concerned, we have died. So how can we still live under sin’s influence?

Thought:

It can sometimes be confusing knowing sin separates us from God, but at the same time knowing we have a sinful nature. How, then, can we reconcile with Him? Jesus died for our sins and paid the price, so we don’t face its consequences, when we truly believe this, we are His followers, we are no longer followers of sin, and we do not do what our sinful nature asks us to do, but since we believe in the gospel, we strive to imitate Christ’s nature in everything we do. One way we can discern whose followers we are is to see how we respond to sin, are we defeated by it? Are we dragged down by it? depressed because of it? Are we stuck in a cycle of falling to sin again and again, or are we running to God knowing that the grace of God powerfully overcomes the hurt caused by sin?  

Prayer:

Lord, we thank you for your grace and mercies through Jesus Christ who died for us on the cross for our sins, we ask for power and strength to overcome our sinful nature and desires. Amen.

Thanksgiving and Encouragement

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Greetings Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Thought:

Apostle Paul thanks God for the people of Colossae because of their faith and love; it is almost certain that people would be encouraged to see such things written about them. In Paul’s letters, we sometimes see warnings and instructions, but he also shows appreciation wherever apt. Often our minds only see the differences and wrongdoings of a person or a community, but we are completely ignorant of their positive impacts on someone or society. This divisive mindset can only be removed if we understand the love of Christ in the true message of the gospel, the main motive of which is, to reconcile God with man as opposed to causing division.

Word:

Colossians 1:3-5

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people—the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel.

Prayer:

Lord, we thank You for the love you have shown through Jesus Christ, help us to love others by encouraging others. We ask that You remove any divisive thoughts that harbor within us. Amen.

Sharing the Gospel

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Greetings Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Thought:

As believers, we are called upon to share the gospel with others.  Before we share, we should remind ourselves of the reason or motive behind this sharing. It was indeed done to spread the knowledge and love of Christ. Paul is a great person to emulate in sharing the gospel. In Acts 17 v16, he is distressed by seeing people worshipping idols and being ignorant of who God truly is. His response to the distress is to love on them by sharing the gospel Acts 17 v22-31. To understand the extent of his sacrificial and selfless love we can refer to Romans 9 v1-3 where he is willing to cut himself off from Christ so that his people may know Christ.  

Word:

Acts 17:16

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols.

Romans 9:1-3

I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit—I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race.

Prayer:

Lord, we thank you for the love and mercies we receive from you every day. We pray that you lead our hearts to share the gospel with others in love. Amen.

Godly Optimism

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Greetings Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Thought:

As Christians, when our faith is strong, we tend to be optimistic because our hope is in the living God who holds our future. Joshua and Caleb came across a situation where they could have easily been discouraged by the nature of the land and its powerful people or by the bad report of the other spies or by the grumbling of the Israelites. Despite such circumstances, Joshua and Caleb gave a positive report and urged Moses and Aaron to proceed to the promised land. Their confidence was from the fact that God was with them, and in reality, the world will try to bring our hopes down, we also have to be confident in whatever future God holds for us and if He holds it, nothing can change it.

Word:

Numbers 14:8-9

If the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us. This is a land flowing with milk and honey! Don’t rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. We will devour them like bread. They have no protection, and the Lord is with us. So don’t be afraid of them.

Prayer:

Lord, our hope is you, the true and living God. we want to abide in You all the days of our life. Give us the strength and wisdom to live out the plans You have for us. Amen.

Christmas Season. Are our hearts in the right place?

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Dear all,

Greetings in the mighty name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Thought:

With Christmas approaching, where are our thoughts, on our vacations? Gifts? Decorations? Parties? family get together? Sometimes it might overshadow the reason for the season which is Christ. The world may know it as Christ’s birthday, but we can go a step further to explain what it means. Since almost everyone celebrates Christmas, it’s a great opportunity to share the love of Christ with non-believers during this season. We can invite them home or to the church where we can ask God for wisdom and boldness to share the gospel. It’s also a time where we can be radically generous to people who can’t afford to celebrate. Let’s celebrate God’s love for us this season by loving others.

Word:

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Prayer

Lord, help us to remember You as we head into this Christmas season, help us to share Your love with others. We pray that others also open their hearts and come to know you. Amen.

Why suffer for doing good?

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Dear all,

Greetings in the mighty name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Thought: The world teaches the concept of Karma where people get what they deserve based on their deeds. According to the Word, it is considered to be better, if it is God’s will, that we suffer for doing good (verse 17). Is that harsh? No, rather it is by that very principle we have a living hope, Christ went through the ultimate suffering on the cross so that we may be reconciled with God instead of going to hell, which is where we deserve to go. In verse 14, Peter says we are blessed when we suffer for what is right. Let’s be encouraged by the fact that through the suffering, God is always with us, watching and His reward for us is in heaven.

Word:
Peter 3:13-18

13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

Prayer:
Lord, we thank you for the grace and mercies you have showered upon us because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and the defeat of death through His resurrection. Strengthen us to endure sufferings and persecution when we are doing what is right. Amen.

 Communion with God 

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Dear all,

Greetings in the mighty name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Word: You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. Psalms 63:1

Thought: Psalm 63 was written by David when his life was in total shambles. His family was a huge mess but yet, he chose to seek and praise God through this psalm. This shows his closeness to God and his Trust in Him. Through all our circumstances, God is a constant Who is always faithful, not only is that a fact, but that realization is like a victory and thats why David chose to praise God in the midst of his troubles.

Prayer:
LORD, you are worthy of praise. Increase our faith so that we seek and praise You through all situations. In Jesus mighty name. Amen.

Undivided Heart

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Dear all,

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.  II Cor 1: 2

Word: Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. Psalms 86:11

Thought: We learn of doing God’s will as we seek to know him through studying his Word and constant communication with Him through prayers. The more we know about God, the more we know what he expects of us. Let us ask God to give us the “undivided heart” to walk humbly with him.

Be still, and know that I am God!

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Dear all,

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15: 13

Word:

Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted, but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40: 30 – 31

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” – Psalm 46: 10

Thought: 

Have quiet time each day with God and be still before Him, reverently honoring Him for who He is. Never underestimate the resurrected power of Christ Jesus in you. Trusting in the Lord Jesus is the patient expectation that God will fulfill His promises in his Word and strengthen us to rise above life’s difficulties. Retain His promises in your consciousness. This will give you the strength to overcome every challenge you face in your faith Journey.

Jesus – The Good Shepherd

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Dear all,
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15: 13
Word: Psalm 23 – A psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Thought:
The LORD is our shepherd, and He cares for us and knows what we need better than we do. He is our maker, and He wants us to have the best for us. The greatest gift ever mankind received is the Salvation in Christ Jesus. He is the good shepherd, and He will lead us to places of safety. He rescued us through the cross and paid the full price. Trust and obey and He is able to deliver us from sin’s grip.

Have a Victorious walk in Christ

Multiply – Disciples making disciples – Pass it on

Proclaiming Jesus Wherever He Leads us!
To make ready a group of people to meet our LORD Jesus Christ.
The Journey Team