I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7 The end is coming for Paul. He knows death is right around the corner, therefore, he is reviewing his life. Paul describes his life in a few phrases. Paul saw his Christian life as a good fight, the only fight worth fighting for. What was he fighting? Paul was fighting Satan, all behaviors that went against God, religious hypocrisy, immoral behavior, Abuse a spiritual freedom in the church, false teachers, distortion of Christ message, worldliness, and every kind of sin. When we look at this list, does it make you…
-
-
Power of the Gospel
because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 1 Thessalonians 1:5 The gospel is powerful. The power of the Bible comes from the Holy Spirit. The apostles that were commissioned by Christ to share the gospel. First, the apostles proclaimed “the gospel of God, and Christ, and to others. They not only were changed in the mind, but they were changed for the heart. The apostles were convinced of its truth. The Holy Spirit is accompanied by God, the…
-
Faith and Obedience
and was declared to be the son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace adn apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all nations. Romans 1: 4-5 Let’s look at the phrase “Spirit of Holiness”! This phrase is referring to the Holy Spirit. The third person in the Trinity. The Holy Spirit’s holiness seperates him from the spirit of humanity, sin, and the world. It describes both his characteristic and his work. Holiness is purity, perfection, completeness, and seperation from evil. The closer…
-
The Fig Tree
and Jesus answered them, “ truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘ be taken up and then thrown into the sea; it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith. ‘. Matthew 21:21-22 Jesus teaches that direct relationship between Fayth and the answers to prayer. When God desires and purposes are in line everything is possible for those who don’t doubt. Doubt is a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction. Doubt question is the truth.…
-
Faith and Doubt
And Jesus said to him, “If you can! All things are possible for one who believes. Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief.” Mark 9:23-24 The statement ‘all things are possible’ must not be taken as an unconditional promise. “All things” doesn’t mean that what comes to our minds or our desires are under God’s will. Our prayers and faith must be with God’s will, his desires, plans, and purposes. We must know and expect God to answer our prayers for something that is not foolish, selfish, or wrongly motivated. The faith required for powerful and miraculous acts must be received and…
-
Faith Like The Mustard Seed
He said to them, Because of your little faith. For Truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 Jesus speaks of a faith that can move mountains, miracles, and healings, and accomplish great things for God. True faith is an effective faith that produces a faith that will move mountains. True faith is not a belief in faith, as a power of its own, but as faith in God. God is the object and focus of our faith in…
-
Great Faith
. When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “ truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. “ Jesus marveled at the centurions Faith. He was a heathen Roman soldier, yet A godly man. No one’s calling or place will be excused for unbelief and sin. We should concern ourselves for others souls. We need to bring them to Christ by faith and prayer. Not that we save them, but Christ does. Humble souls will be made more humble in Christ graciousness towards them. Look at The centurions great faith. The more modest we are about ourselves,…
-
Rejoice In The Lord
Though the fig tree should not blossom nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fruit and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God my salvation. God, the Lord, Is my strength; he makes my feet like the deers; he makes me tread on my high places. Habbakkuk 3:17-19 I will rejoice in the Lord! Habakkuk did not serve God because of what God could give him. He personally served God because he personally knew who God is. The sovereign…
-
Still I Will Have Hope In God
Though he slays me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face. Job 13:15 Job! Poor, pathetic Job. A man who lost everything in his life. Yet he kept his faith. Job knew God’s goodness. Whatever God allowed to happen to Job, whatever suffering he endured, even if God slew him (end his life), Job believed that God wouldn’t fail him. Now that is faith. It might not look like faith to us. Job had so many things taken from him. His livestock, his children, sickness. He went through a lot of affliction. His own wife told him to end his life. How many of us…
-
For A Time Such As This
For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Esther 4:14-15 Read Esther 4:14-5:2 for context Mordecai was being truthful to Esther in her role in God’s plan. God did place her to be the Queen at the right moment in time. Her purpose at this time was to save Israel. Mordecai was telling Esther that she has to help, if not she to will perish. She won’t escape because she is queen. God has…