It's uplifting for me to realize that as my body is aging and becoming weaker, the Holy Spirit in me is growing stronger.
We do not lose heart, because our inner being is renewed each day even though our body is being destroyed at the same time. 2 Corinthians 4:16
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Four Truths About the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Evidence of God's Love
As humans, we understand love through action. God showed the depth of His love for mankind through the sacrifice of His only Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross. While we were still sinners, Jesus died for us (Romans 5:8). The King of the universe loves us, and He demonstrated that love on the Cross.
Proof of Forgiveness
The Resurrection is God's proof that Christ's sacrifice was sufficient payment for our sins. Romans 4:25 says, ...Jesus who was handed over to death for our sins and raised up for our justification.
When we confess our sins and are sorry for them, God forgives us; not because we are worthy of forgiveness, but because Jesus died to make us worthy.
Restoration of Relationship
When we pray, we often conclude our prayer "in the name of Jesus." We do that because Jesus death and resurrection gives us a relationship with God. Scripture says that Jesus stands before the Father as our advocate: But if anyone should sin, we have, in the presence of the Father, Jesus Christ, an intercessor who is just. He is an offering for our sins, and not for our sins only, but for those of the whole world. (1 John 2:1-2) Why do we need an advocate? Because sin breaks our relationship with God. When we pray in the name of Jesus we are saying: "God, I bring these requests to You. But since I'm not worthy to come before you, I bring them in the name of your Son."
Victory for the Future
The only power the devil has over us is what we give him. He knows he is a defeated enemy, crushed at the Cross and the empty tomb of Christ. There will always be temptations to sin. Even Jesus himself was tempted. But Jesus death and resurrection made it possible for us to receive the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit will give us the power to resist all temptation if we ask. No test has been sent you that does not come to all men. Besides, God keeps His promise. He will not let you be tested beyond your strength. Along with the test He will give you a way out of it so that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13) Christ has already won the victory for us!
(adapted from "Thriving Family" magazine, April/May 2015
As humans, we understand love through action. God showed the depth of His love for mankind through the sacrifice of His only Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross. While we were still sinners, Jesus died for us (Romans 5:8). The King of the universe loves us, and He demonstrated that love on the Cross.
Proof of Forgiveness
The Resurrection is God's proof that Christ's sacrifice was sufficient payment for our sins. Romans 4:25 says, ...Jesus who was handed over to death for our sins and raised up for our justification.
When we confess our sins and are sorry for them, God forgives us; not because we are worthy of forgiveness, but because Jesus died to make us worthy.
Restoration of Relationship
When we pray, we often conclude our prayer "in the name of Jesus." We do that because Jesus death and resurrection gives us a relationship with God. Scripture says that Jesus stands before the Father as our advocate: But if anyone should sin, we have, in the presence of the Father, Jesus Christ, an intercessor who is just. He is an offering for our sins, and not for our sins only, but for those of the whole world. (1 John 2:1-2) Why do we need an advocate? Because sin breaks our relationship with God. When we pray in the name of Jesus we are saying: "God, I bring these requests to You. But since I'm not worthy to come before you, I bring them in the name of your Son."
Victory for the Future
The only power the devil has over us is what we give him. He knows he is a defeated enemy, crushed at the Cross and the empty tomb of Christ. There will always be temptations to sin. Even Jesus himself was tempted. But Jesus death and resurrection made it possible for us to receive the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit will give us the power to resist all temptation if we ask. No test has been sent you that does not come to all men. Besides, God keeps His promise. He will not let you be tested beyond your strength. Along with the test He will give you a way out of it so that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13) Christ has already won the victory for us!
(adapted from "Thriving Family" magazine, April/May 2015
Children of God?
There is a misconception that all people are "children of God". Yes, all people were created by God, but all people are not children of God. A person becomes a child of God by being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
The Bible says in John 1: To His (Jesus) own He came, yet His own did not accept Him. Any who did accept Him He empowered to become children of God. These are they who believe in His name--who were begotten not by blood, nor by carnal desire, nor by man's willing it, but by God.
And in Galatians 3:26-27: Each one of you is a son of God because of your faith in Christ Jesus. All of you who have been baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Him.
The Bible also says: ...God sent forth His Son born of a woman, born under the law, to deliver from the law those who were subjected to it, so that we might receive our status as adopted sons.Galatians 4:4b-5
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