I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. Philippians 1:3-5 And you Philippians yourselves know that at the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into a partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment and more. I am well supplied, having received…
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Have A Heart For The World
“for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek since the same Lord of all is rich to all who call on Him, for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on Him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who announce the gospel of good things!” Romans 10: 12-15 Let’s read Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to…
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Loving God
We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 Let’s begin today by reading some scripture. Read the following! But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Joshua 22:5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all…
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The Good Shepherd
. I Am the Good Shepherd. John 10:11 Have you ever had bad guides in your life? Things or people who misdirected your paths? Have you had good guides in your life? A good guide is a person who shepherds. Let’s read John 10:11-39. Do we know who our good shepherd is? The greek word for shepherd is poimen. It describes Christ as our Good shepherd. In order for us to remember and consider Christ as our Shepherd, it needs to be something that we cherish and find comfort in. In Matthew 9:36, 26:31, and 1 Peter 2:25, the early church remembered Jesus as the shepherd. They even applied old…
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A Look At Shepherds: Part 1
I am the Good Shepherd. John 10:11 Read Genesis 4:1-9. Who was the first shepherd mentioned? What word described the animals Abel brought to sacrifice to the Lord in verse 4? Why did God prefer Abel’s sacrifice here in Genesis? Read 2 Samuel 24:24. We need to remember the type of sacrifice that we are bringing to the Lord. Let’s jump to Hebrews 11. Here we learn more about the brothers’ sacrifices. In verse 4, who was mentioned first? Why was his sacrifice acceptable, according to this passage? It was his faith. Abel brought the best part of his animal to the Lord. He did this out of faith. We…
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Love Of God
This is how we have come to know love: He laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has this world’s goods and sees his brother in need but closes his eyes to his need – how can God’s love reside in him? Little children, we must not love with word or speech, but with truth and action. This is how we will know we belong to the truth and will convince our conscience in his presence, … 1 John 3:16-19 How did your grandparents or parents show their love for one another? I was lucky to have grandparents and…
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Frienship Beyond Rules
If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. Romans 10:9-10 Do you struggle with trying to be a good Christian, never making mistakes? Trying each day to never sin? Did you ever think the moment you choose to follow God, you had to be perfect? Read Romans 10:1- 13. According to this portion of scripture who does Paul, wish would be saved? How does He…
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A Changed Heart
For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes- the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” Romans 1:16-17 What is something that you collect, or what paraphernalia for a hobby or interest do you get giddy to purchase? Today we are going to dive into Paul’s teaching that gets at the heart of our faith. Paul helps us to see…
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The Half Hearted Obedience
Samuel also said to Saul, “The Lord sent me to anoint you king over His people, over Israel. Now, therefore, heed the voice of the words of the Lord. Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he ambushed him on the way when he came up from Egypt. Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’ ” 1 Samuel 15:1-3 Are you as obedient as Moses was? Or do you think you can relate to…
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The Heart of the Matter
This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worhsip me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men,’ You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” Mark 7:6b-8 Do you know where your heart truly is? Is it far from God or is it close? In Jesus’ day, the religious leaders were highly respected and were considered holy. They were the experts of the Old Testament law. The religious leaders prided themselves on keeping the law. Their outward behavior could not be critized. The only person that could was Jesus. He did call them out. True…