951 E Dalby Rd,
Union WA 98592
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PO Box 232
Union WA 98592
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New Community Church of Union
New Community Church of Union
Sunday Services: 8:15 AM Online & 10:30 AM in person at the Church building
Children's Sunday School & Adult Fellowship Time - 9:30—10:30 AM
Daily Devotion November 2022
Daily Devotion November 2022
11/30/2022
Good morning!
Only one life ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
--Charles Studd
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/g3w9nvXuVnk
Complete the Verses & Name the Book:
· This is My commandment, that you . . .
· Greater love has no one than this, that . . . (completions at the end)
Yesterday we started a recap of Pastor Del McKenzie’s message titled “The Love of the Father”. So far we have explored three characteristics of God’s love: it’s unmotivated, it’s unconditional, and it’s unfailing.
There’s nothing we can do to offend God so he stops loving us. His love is unfailing. We are the ones who fail God; God never fails us. We can always count on God’s love.
A fourth characteristic of God’s love is it’s an infinite love. His love will never run out. His love is not like a well that eventually could run dry. He will always have enough love no matter how many people there are on the earth. God’s love can never be measured because it’s infinite. There are no limits to God’s love. It will never be in short supply. It will never be exhausted. Heaven will be filled with the love of God.
A fifth characteristic of God’s love is it’s a natural love. God is love. It’s his nature to love. God doesn’t have to conjure it up. He doesn’t have to press himself to extend love to us. Love is who God is.
A sixth characteristic is God’s love is it’s a proven love. Romans 5:8 tells us: But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
A seventh characteristic is it’s a guaranteed love. Romans 8:35-39 tells us: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Jesus said to his disciples in Matthew 28:20b, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” God’s love is guaranteed. He has put his name on an irrevocable contract.
An eighth characteristic is it’s a personal love. God loves us individually. Each one of us is distinctly separate from another. Romans 5:5: And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. His love has been poured out into my heart. God has extended his love to me personally. God knows you. He calls you by name. He knows all about you and still loves you.
A ninth characteristic of God’s love is it’s a sacrificial love. John 3:16 tells us: 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. God loved us so much he sent his only Son, Jesus, to die on a cross in our place. We deserved to be on the cross dying for our own sins, but the love of God said, “No, let me die for you instead. I forgive your sins.” Jesus was the only One qualified to die for the sins of mankind because he lived a sinless life. He didn’t die for his sins; he died for our sins. He sacrificed his life on a cross for us. That’s how much he loves us!
Titus 2:13b-14 tells us: Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
God’s love is so different from most human love. Human love has its limits. It can be there one day and gone the next.
1 John 3:1a tells us: See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! Notice how God has lavished his love on us. Sometimes we lavish praise on people. Sometimes we lavish gratitude on people because they’ve done something for us. We want them to know we appreciate what they’ve done. This is on the positive side of lavishing. The negative side surfaces when we lavish criticism on people.
We sometimes lavish gifts; we give far more gifts than what is expected. God’s love goes far beyond what is expected. It’s difficult for us to conceive or understand that kind of love. Jesus loved us enough to die for us. That’s lavished love. It’s love that moves us from being children of the devil to children of God. God takes sinful human beings and transforms them into his children.
Think for a minute about the fact that you have a heavenly Father. By the work of Christ, we have become a new creation. Jesus adopted us into his family. He transferred us from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. He transferred us from the kingdom of the evil one into the kingdom of the Son.
Tomorrow we will conclude this recap of Pastor Del’s message.
Verse Completions:
· . . . love one another, just as I have loved you.
· . . . one lay down his life for his friends. John 15:12-13 (NASB)
11/29/22
Good morning!
Only one life ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
--Charles Studd
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/w0Y0UXpxtGQ
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: No one who is born of God . . .(completion at the end)
Pastor Del McKenzie is doing a series of messages titled “Del’s Diamonds”. So far we have recapped: “God’s Provision for His People to Be Holy”, “Can a Human Be Righteous before God?”, “The Ability to Learn and Know”, and “God’s Superlatives”. Today we will start a recap of ,“The Love of the Father”.
1 John 3:1-3 tells us: See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
The love of the Father is vast and mysterious. It’s something we can draw on our entire lives. It’s a genuine diamond, a precious jewel, a gem beyond our comprehension. In our lifetime we will never fully grasp the love of the Father. Nevertheless, studying it and contemplating it will thrill our hearts, and it can add beauty and fullness to our lives.
Love as it is used in this passage of Scripture has a simple but profound definition: the desire and effort to want and to do what is good for another person, even at personal cost. The word love is used in many different ways and often misapplied or misinterpreted. Sometimes love is applied to objects. You may have said or heard someone say, “I love a nice, juicy steak” or “I love that car” or “I love to travel.”
Sometimes love is perverted—a person may love sin. A person can love the world and the things in the world.
There’s a great contrast between the Father’s love and our human love. We are to love the Father with all our soul, heart, mind, and strength. That can’t be done using human love; we have to receive the love of God poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. God’s kind of love or manner of love is different from human love. We can’t produce God’s kind of love ourselves, but the Holy Spirit can produce it in us. A fruit of the Spirit is love. The only way we can love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength and love our neighbor as ourselves is to do it with God’s love.
When we explore the characteristics of God’s love, we find it to be an unmotivated love. God doesn’t love us because we give him reasons to love us. God is not motivated to love us because of good things we do. This unmotivated love is foreign to human love. Human love loves because we receive something in return. What we receive could be something physical, financial, emotional, or social.
The prevalent love in our culture is romantic love—loving another person because they do something for us; they make us feel good; they meet a need in our lives.
God doesn’t see something good in us that motivates him to love us. He loves us without motivation.
A second characteristic of God’s love is it’s unconditional love. It isn’t extended to people because of how they live. God doesn’t have conditions on his love so that if we meet those conditions, then he will love us, or if we don’t meet his conditions, then he won’t love us. Divorces often occur because one party feels like their spouse isn’t meeting the conditions that are expected. The consequence for not meeting those conditions is the withdrawal of love. God’s love is not like this. God’s love is unmotivated and unconditional. He loves us because he loves us. He loves us because of who we are—his creation.
A third characteristic of God’s love is it’s unfailing love. Let’s look at a few verses from Scripture that deal with this love:
· 1 Chronicles 16:34: Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
· John 15:13: Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
· Psalm 86:15: But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
· John 10:11: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
· 1 John 4:10: This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Tomorrow we will continue this recap of Pastor McKenzie’s message.
Verse Completion: . . . practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 1 John 3:9 (NASB)
11/28/2022
Good morning!
Only one life ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
--Charles Studd
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/57S_NBOmyx0
Complete the Verses & Name the Book:
· Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather . . .
· For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any . . . (completions at the end)
Today we will conclude a recap of Pastor Michael’s sermon given on November 20 titled “A New Relationship through Faith” based on Galatians 3:19-4:7.
What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship (Galatians 4:1-5).
When a will is written up, one’s underage children may be in the will. However, provision is made so that the children cannot partake of their inheritance until they reach a certain age.
What Paul was getting at is Jewish people are no different from Gentiles when it comes to salvation. The fact that the Jews had the law before the Gentiles does not give them any kind of edge over the Gentiles. The law can’t save. Only faith in Jesus saves. The Jews had to wait until the death of Jesus on the cross and his resurrection in order for their will to become active. It was the same for the Gentiles.
The law points everyone to their need of a Savior, and Jesus is that Savior. He’s the only one able to redeem those under the law (that’s all of us) and adopt them as his very own children. ALL people are able to become sons and daughters of the King of kings, and Lord of lords. It all happens through Jesus.
Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father” (Galatians 4:6).
“Abba, Father” doesn’t necessarily mean Daddy. It’s a term of endearment which could be Papa, Dad, Pa, or any other term of endearment. The point is that there is a family connection; I’m a child of God. I have been adopted into God’s family through my faith in Jesus.
So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir (Galatians 4:7).
You are no longer a slave to the law. A guardian is no longer needed. You are God’s child, and with that relationship comes an inheritance. You now have a relationship with God that the law could not provide.
We become a child of God through the promise of the Holy Spirit that God gave Abraham long before the law. The promise was enacted through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus is the promise of the Holy Spirit—the seed of Abraham. It’s through our faith in Jesus that we are saved. The law points to the promise; the law is not the promise.
Every time the law is read, it should point us directly to Jesus. We should see our need of forgiveness. The guardian was designed to get us back to our parents. The law works with the promise. The law points us to our need for salvation. We don’t abolish the law. The law is a guardian whose job it is to bring us safely to faith in Jesus. Through faith in Jesus we take our place as God’s children, receiving an inheritance with God. We no longer need the guardianship of the law, so we should not go back to it. A guardian is no longer needed now that we have Jesus. Jesus is our Dad in heaven.
We’re to live as an heir of God since we have been adopted into the family of God. Romans 8:16-17 tells us: The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
The law brings us, points us, and pushes us to the promise of God. Through our faith in Jesus we receive a new relationship with God. We are no longer alienated from God; we are united with God. We have fellowship with him. He’s now our Dad. He’s our Savior. We recognize that the Master and Commander of the universe loves us and has adopted us into his family. As sons and daughters of the King, we have an eternal inheritance.
Read the law. Let it be the guardian that gets you to sonship. Once you are a child of God, you don’t need the law any longer. Live as an inheritor of God’s kingdom. Live as a child of God.
Verse Completions:
· . . . thanksgiving.
· . . . inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Ephesians 5:4-5 (NIV)
11/26/2022
Good morning!
Only one life ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
--Charles Studd
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/PuGJ8LoaUSk
Complete the Verses & Name the Book:
· Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, . . .
· And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, . . . (completions at the end)
Today we will continue a recap of Pastor Michael’s sermon titled “A New Relationship through Faith” based on Galatians 3:19-4:7.
We need the law to show us we are sinners and fall short of the glory of God. The law should never be abolished. It plays an important part in our journey to salvation. Once we realize we are sinners and need help, we can then put our faith in Jesus. It’s that belief that saves us from our sins.
The promise came before the law. Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6). The law doesn’t work against faith; it works with faith.
Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. (Galatians 3:23-25)
In the culture at this time, a guardian was someone who took care of children making sure they got ready for school, got to school, and got home from school safely. Paul is saying the law was our guardian. It brought us to the point where we could receive salvation. The law would show us the path to follow to receive salvation. The purpose of a guardian was to help others, never hurt others. The purpose of the law was to help us, never hurt us. It was to point out our need of a Savior who could give us eternal life.
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:26-28).
It’s the law that made you realize you needed a new relationship with God. The law pointed you to Jesus, the One who saves.
Being baptized into Christ may be referring to 1 Corinthians 12:12-13: Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
We are saved by the Holy Spirit. The promise Abraham received was the promise of the Holy Spirit. The law couldn’t provide a new relationship with God, but it could point to a new relationship. It could show a person their need of a new relationship.
Everyone receives salvation in the same way—through faith in Jesus. The law brings no one to salvation. It simply shows us how we should live. It’s impossible to live that way in our own strength. We must have Jesus in our lives. He’s the only one who can forgive us our sins and provide us with everlasting life. The law shows us our need of a Savior—Jesus.
If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:29).
Abraham’s faith was counted as righteousness. Our faith is counted as righteousness as well. Abraham’s faith in God saved him; our faith in God saves us.
We are made heirs not because of the law but because of the promise.
On Monday we will conclude this recap of Pastor Michael’s message.
Verse Completions:
· . . . “I repent,” forgive him. Luke 17:3-4 (NASB)
11/25/2022
Good morning!
Only one life ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
--Charles Studd
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/Wls05jpIDK0
Complete the Verses & Name the Book:
· Put on the full armor of God so that you can . . .
· For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the . . . (completions at the end)
On Sunday Pastor Michael’s sermon was titled “A New Relationship through Faith” based on Galatians 3:19-4:7. Paul wants the churches in Galatia to know the sufficiency of Christ for salvation. Salvation is through faith in Jesus by the grace of God. The Judaizers were spreading a false teaching that faith in Jesus was not sufficient for salvation; following the law and traditions were also needed. Paul said salvation is found in Jesus alone, not Jesus and. Faith in Jesus is all that is needed for salvation. Works do nothing to earn salvation.
Paul defends the gospel in the book of Galatians. He provides a personal defense by giving his personal testimony. The apostles confirmed the gospel Paul was preaching—salvation is for the Jews as well as the Gentiles. Paul confronted Peter reminding him of the truth that salvation is through faith alone, not works. Paul also provides a theological defense of the gospel. Abraham was declared righteous because of his faith. The law does not bring conversion; it brings a curse. Don’t trust in the law; trust in Jesus.
Paul wanted the Judaizers to know he wasn’t against the law. He’s not trying to abolish the law; he’s trying to show them the purpose of the law. He’s trying to show them how Jesus came to fulfill the law.
Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one (Galatians 3:19-20).
The law was given because of transgressions. It was given so we are able to call sin, sin. The law didn’t make us sinners; we were already sinners. The law simply pointed it out. The law pointed out that we are not right before God. The purpose of the law is to show us that we all fall short of the glory of God.
The law doesn’t leave us helplessly in sin. It also points us to the One who can save us—Jesus. The seed of promise is Jesus. Paul lets the Judaizers know that he knows the law came from God. Paul knows God is one. Paul wants the Judaizers to know he isn’t against the law. It has its purpose. However, he wants the Judaizers to know the law doesn’t provide salvation; it simply points out that we are sinners.
Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe (Galatians 3:21-22).
The law is not in opposition to God. If the law was able to provide salvation, it would be in conflict with God because salvation comes by faith in God and nothing else. If the law could provide salvation, then faith and the law would be in competition with each other; the law and the promise would be opposing each other. Works, traditions, and rituals are never valid ways to salvation. The law simply proves we are sinners. Romans 3:23 says: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 6:23 says: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Everyone has sin, and sin has a consequence. The law points this out and also points us to Jesus where we find eternal life. Those who try to earn salvation through following the law will always fall short . . . for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Jesus died for sinners. He paid the penalty of death for their sins.
Tomorrow we will continue this recap of Pastor Michael’s message.
Verse Completions:
· . . . take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
· . . . powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:11-12 (NIV)
11/24/2022
Good morning! Happy Thanksgiving! We have much to be thankful for!
Only one life ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
--Charles Studd
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/Optrm7lF16s
Complete the Verses & Name the Book:
· For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come . . .
· While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then . . . (completions at the end)
We have been recapping Pastor Del’s message on “God’s Superlatives”. So far we have covered the first two:
· The unsearchable riches of Christ.
· Christ’s incomparably great power for us who believe.
The third superlative is an inexpressible and glorious joy. This is a joy that can’t be put into words. Joy is the inner contentment that’s not produced or taken away by the world around us. It’s an emotion that comes from the soul. It’s inside of us. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30).
We can pray for rest for our physical bodies, and we can pray for rest for our souls—rest that distances ourselves from fear, anxiety, worry, doubt, unbelief, disbelief, pessimism, or negativism. We can pray for a restfulness throughout the day—a restfulness that does not give in to agitation or irritation. This kind of rest and joy is a product of the Holy Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit includes love and joy. The Spirit pours life into us, and that life produces fruit that includes joy. Words will never be adequate to describe the joy that believers have in Jesus. This joy goes beyond human understanding.
Nehemiah 8:10b says: “Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”The joy of the LORD is not something we manufacture. The joy of the LORD is poured into our soul by God. There’s a huge gap between God’s joy and human joy. God’s joy can’t fully be expressed; our vocabulary is too limited. God’s joy is inexpressible; it has no limits. Thankfully, it’s always available—even in the toughest of times.
We find the fourth superlative in 2 Corinthians 9:15: Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! This gift is beyond description even if a person used all the languages of the earth. What’s the gift? It’s Jesus. We can thank the Father for giving us his Son. We can thank Jesus for giving himself. We can thank the Holy Spirit for making it possible for a virgin to conceive. Jesus is the capstone of all of the gifts we have been given. The gift of Jesus is the consummate gift, the supreme gift, the infinite gift, and the absolute gift. No gift is greater or more unique. No matter how much we draw from Jesus, Jesus always has more to give because he is the infinite gift of God’s grace. Jesus comes out of God’s grace. 2 Corinthians 9:10-15 says:
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
The law came by Moses. Grace and truth came by Jesus. The free giving of God fully came in the person of Jesus Christ. God’s giving surpasses all other giving. Nothing will ever compare to the Father’s gift of his Son, Jesus. It’s an indescribable gift. Each day we need to thank God for his gift. The staggering gift of Jesus should drive us to our knees in adoration to God as we contemplate the magnitude of his gift.
The fourth superlative is the indescribable gift of Jesus. We need to thank Jesus for the gift of himself so we could be redeemed from all our sins.
The Holy Spirit affirmed Jesus. When Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit descended on him. Matthew 3:16 says: As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.
1 Timothy 3:16 tells us that the Holy Spirit vindicated Jesus: Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. The Holy Spirit gave authenticity to the gift of Jesus.
Romans 8:11 says: And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. The Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead.
My prayer is that you will discover and continue to peel away the infinite layers of the indescribable gift of Jesus and thereby know him more and more each day.
Verse Completions:
· . . . just like a thief in the night.
· . . . destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 (NASB)
11/23/2022
Good morning!
Only one life ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
--Charles Studd
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/nBP8Nhb4bHU
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather . . . (completion at the end)
Yesterday we started a recap of Pastor Del McKenzie’s message titled “God’s Superlatives”. The first superlative is: The unsearchable riches of Christ.
One of the things we can be rich in is forgiveness. God has forgiven all our sins. We can forgive others all their sins. We can be rich in the peace of God which passes all understanding. There’s no end to the unsearchable riches of Christ; the more that we search the more that we find to search. There is still more peace that we haven’t experienced. There’s more joy that we haven’t experienced. There’s more love that we haven’t experienced.
We find the second superlative of God in Ephesians 1:18-21:
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
The second superlative is Christ’s incomparably great power for us who believe. God’s power has no limits. There’s nothing that can be compared to God’s power. Power is the ability to do something. It’s more than force. Force probably fits better under strength than power. God gives us the power to be something—a child of God. God’s incomparably great power is for us who believe. God’s people are powerful people in Jesus.
Paul prayed that their eyes would be opened so they could understand the hope they were called to. We have been called to a hope, an assurance, a confidence. We’ve been called to be confident people, assured that we are children of God; assured of heaven and eternity with Christ. We are called to be people of hope, not discouragement, despair, or negativity. We have a blessed hope in the glorious appearing of Jesus.
Paul prayed that they would know the riches of God’s glorious inheritance in his holy people. We will be inherited by God when we go to live with him for eternity. God will inherit all he has deposited in us—his life, his power, his strength, and his wisdom. He pours these things into us by the Holy Spirit. There is beauty in the life of the saint, and Paul is praying that we will see that and begin to understand it.
There’s power for believers—those who believe the word of God; those who believe in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. It’s the same power that raised Christ from the dead. That’s truly mighty power! God has unlimited power.
We are saved when we believe in Jesus. We become children of God when we believe in Jesus. Our sins are forgiven when be believe in Jesus. Believing in Jesus is the start of establishing a relationship with Jesus. We are saved because of our faith in Jesus. Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life” (John 6:47).
There’s initial faith when we initiate our faith in Jesus, and there is continual growing faith when we continue to exercise faith in Jesus. We learn to put our trust in Jesus. We learn to lean into him and draw close to him. Through the eyes of faith we can begin to understand the power that is without comparison. Nothing can be compared to this power. It’s a power we can experience. We can exercise this power by our faith in Jesus. It’s power we can count on.
We find the third superlative in 1 Peter 1:8-9: Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Tomorrow we will continue this recap of Pastor Del’s message.
Verse Completion: . . . division; Luke 12:51 (NASB)
11/22/2022
Good morning!
Only one life ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
--Charles Studd
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/kDYjn-YdnD4
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in . . . (completion at the end)
Pastor Del McKenzie is doing a series of messages titled “Del’s Diamonds”. So far we have recapped: “God’s Provision for his People to Be Holy”, “Can a Human Be Righteous before God?” and “The Ability to Learn and Know”. Today we will start a recap of “God’s Superlatives”.
God calls his people to be truthful people. Ephesians 4:15 tells us: Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. We’re to teach truth. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
Sometimes we use the wrong word to describe what we are talking about. For example, we use the word incredible which means that which cannot be believed. We shouldn’t use the word to describe the love of God. We may not understand the love of God, but we can believe it. The word incredible shouldn’t be used to describe the miracles we find in the book of Acts. Those miracles may not be understood, but they can be believed.
Another word that is misused is most which means nothing greater. People refer to people or things as the biggest, the best, the fastest, the smartest, or the greatest. Today, extremisms and superlatives are often used in an effort to impress people. They can indicate a tendency for us to be untruthful. Exaggerating can be a form of being untruthful.
As we read the Scriptures, we find the use of superlatives. However, God is never untruthful. God’s use of superlatives can be a rich way to equip us and show us that we are people approved by God.
There are four of God’s superlatives that I’d like us to ponder today. They all have to do with the greatness of God—the absolute, unlimited person that God is along with his unlimited abilities and powers. The first superlative is: The unsearchable riches of Christ.
Ephesians 3:8 says: Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ(NIV). Some translations say the unsearchable riches of Christ. These are riches that cannot be fully discovered or understood. Will we fully grasp and understand those riches when we get to heaven? We’ll find out when we get there.
Just because something is unsearchable doesn’t mean we shouldn’t search. The unsearchable riches of Christ are to be searched for! They are found in the gospel. Ephesians 3:7 tells us: I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s gracegiven me through the working of his power. God’s free giving is what gave Paul the good news of the gospel: Christ died for our sins, was buried, raised from the dead on the third day, and was witnessed by hundreds to be alive. 1 Corinthians 15:3-10 says:
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
Believers in Christ are rich people. We have riches that are unsearchable. You can and should search for them as long and hard as you can, but there will always be more to find. We are to search in an attempt to better understand, experience, and apply these wonderful riches of Christ. They are all in Jesus.
Hebrews 12:1-2a tells us: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. We fix our eyes on Jesus when we believe in him, receive him, trust him, and love him.
Tomorrow we will continue this recap of Pastor McKenzie’s message.
Verse Completion: . . . all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. Acts 1:8 (NASB)
11/21/2022
Good morning!
Only one life ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
--Charles Studd
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/ax_NMWLEb6U
Complete the Verses & Name the Book:
· This poor widow has put more into the treasury than . . .
· They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, . . . (completions at the end)
On Sunday, November 13, Pastor Michael answered questions people had written to him based on his sermons in Galatians. We will begin today with a continuation of the answer to the sixth question: What language is used when a person speaks in tongues? Is it a human language or a heavenly language? Who speaks in tongues—pastors or regular people?
Is it just pastors who receive the gift? No, any believer can be given the gift. It’s completely up to the Holy Spirit. Occupations have nothing to do with determining who will receive the gift.
1 Corinthians 14:1-12 says: Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.
Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.
Paul observed that people were seeking to speak in tongues. They didn’t seem to understand that it is a gift of the Holy Spirit, and he is the one who determines who will receive the gift.
Speaking in tonguescan be a language that is not understood by anyone present where it is spoken. It can be some sort of heavenly language. It can also be a language spoken by humans and understood by those who speak the language.
When a person hears a language being spoken that is not understood, it does nothing to build up the church. Paul says to try and excel in gifts that build up the church. Don’t make speaking in tongues the main event of your life. Make knowing Jesus and helping others to know Jesus the main event of your life.
We see here that Paul values clear communication. Speaking in tongues is never to be used for personal gain. A person should never say, “Look at me! I’m an amazing and awesome disciple of Christ because I speak in tongues. I feel sorry for you since you are unable to do it.” Those who speak in tongues are not more spiritual than those who don’t. Those who have the gift of healing are not more spiritual than those who don’t.
1 Corinthians 14:39-40 says: Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
Prophesy is pointing out what God has said. It is helping people understand the words of God. Prophesy is not predicting the future. We are to eagerly desire the gift that expounds the word of God so people can clearly understand it.
We are not to forbid speaking in tongues, but we are to understand what speaking in tongues is all about. All gifts are to be used in a fitting and orderly way.
Our goal should not be to speak in tongues. Our goal should be to proclaim and promote the kingdom of God in a clear and concise way so people can know and understand the ways of God coming to the conclusion that Jesus is Lord and Savior. Jesus is knocking at the door of every person’s heart, waiting to be invited in and become Lord and Savior of their life. Do you think speaking in tongues will help you reach this goal?
Verse Completions:
· . . . put in everything—all she had to live on. Mark 12:43b-44 (NIV)
11/19/2022
Good morning!
Only one life ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
--Charles Studd
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/xMcG0JclK-A
Complete the Verses & Name the Book:
· I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was . . . (completions at the end)
On Sunday Pastor Michael answered questions people had written to him based on his sermons in Galatians. We will begin today with a continuation of the answer to the fifth question: When we say Jesus saves us, are we saying he saves us from going to hell?
Fifth, we are saved unto eternal life. 1 John 5:11-12 says: And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
God has given us eternal life through the life of his Son. If you have received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you have eternal life.
Revelation 20:11-15 says: Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
Yes, we are saved from hell and so much more.
The sixth question is: What language is used when a person speaks in tongues? Is it a human language or a heavenly language? Who speaks in tongues—pastors or regular people?
Acts 2:1-12 says: When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
Jesus had said earlier, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Speaking in other languages was the sign that the Holy Spirit had come. There were thousands of Jews in Jerusalem gathered together to celebrate Pentecost at the end of the harvest season. It was celebrated fifty days after Passover. They had come from many nations where different languages were spoken. At this gathering people heard their own language being spoken by those who were not from that nation. It was truly amazing! It was by the power of the Holy Spirit that this happened. The languages that were being spoken were human languages.
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 says: Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
The Holy Spirit gives gifts. The Holy Spirit himself is a gift that is given to believers. Believers are filled with the Holy Spirit .
Speaking in tongues in one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It’s not something a person can develop on their own. It’s not something that a person works at in order to become proficient in speaking in tongues. It’s not something that is practiced over and over until finally it happens. It’s a gift. The Holy Spirit determines who will receive the gift of speaking in different languages. We do not make that determination. It makes sense that not every person will receive the gift of speaking in other languages just as it makes sense that not every person will receive the gift of healing or any other gift.
On Monday we will conclude this recap of Pastor Michael’s second Q&A sermon on Galatians and more.
Verse Completions:
· . . . a stranger and you invited me in,
· . . . in prison and you came to visit me. Matthew 25:35-36 (NIV)
11/18/2022
Good morning!
Only one life ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
--Charles Studd
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/Vuocb_ulr94
Complete the Verses & Name the Book:
· For indeed Jews ask for signs, and Greeks . . .
· but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews . . . (completions at the end)
On Sunday Pastor Michael answered questions people had written to him based on his sermons in Galatians.
The fifth question submitted to Pastor Michael was: When we say Jesus saves us, are we saying he saves us from going to hell?
Yes, but there’s more to it. First, Jesus saved us from the curse of sin. Romans 6:23 says: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus saves us from the curse of sin that brought death into the world.
1 Corinthians 15:54-57 says: When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The power of sin and death is done away with because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus gives us victory.
Second, we are saved from eternal separation from God. Genesis 3:17-24 says: To Adam [God] said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’
“Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”
Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living.
The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. And the LORD God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.
God didn’t kick them out of the garden because he was angry with them and didn’t like them any longer. He sent them out of the garden out of love for them. God knew that if they ate from the tree of life after sinning, they would forever separate themselves from God. God did not want that to happen. 1 Timothy 4:10 tells us: That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe. 2 Peter 3:9 says: The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
God saved us from eternal separation from himself.
Third, we are saved from our own sin. Romans 3:23 says: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. All of us have sinned. Romans 5:8 says: But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. God wants us to someday be able to eat again from the tree of life when the new heaven and new earth come. John 3:16 says: 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. God has saved us from our own personal sins. He doesn’t want us to perish and be banished to hell; he wants us to have eternal life and be able to spend eternity with him.
Fourth, we are saved so we can have peace with God. Romans 5:1-2 says: Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
Romans 8:1-2 tells us: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. We are saved from condemnation so we can have peace with God.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 says: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
When we are reconciled, we are put at peace with one another. When we are reconciled to God, we are put at peace with God. Being right with God brings us peace.
Tomorrow we will continue this recap of Pastor Michael’s answer to the fifth question.
Verse Completions:
· . . . search for wisdom;
· . . . a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness. 1 Corinthians 1:22-23 (NASB)
11/17/2022
Good morning!
Only one life ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
--Charles Studd
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/6UKbyjY1vqk
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone; but . . . (completion at the end)
On Sunday Pastor Michael answered questions people had written to him based on his sermons in Galatians. Today we will continue a recap of the third question: In what Scriptures does Paul give us tools of spiritual strength to trust God with our whole being?
James 4:7-10 says: Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
We submit to God because we are right before God through Jesus. We live for Jesus by submitting to him. All of our desires, words, wills, and ways we submit to Jesus. At the same time we resist the evil one. It’s a continual choice; it’s a continual submission to God and a continual resistance to Satan.
Colossians 2:20-3:11 says: Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
The fourth question is:Are there other instances of Paul living out his trust and faith in God?
Acts 20:18-24 says: When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.
“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
This last verse could be Paul’s life verse. This is how he lived his life—a life given to Jesus. He would do anything in the power of the Holy Spirit to promote and proclaim Jesus to anyone, anywhere, and at any time. Knowing there would be trouble and persecution did not slow Paul down. Paul said, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). Knowing and experiencing the love of God through Jesus was all Paul needed in his life.
Acts 21:10-14 says: After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’ ”
When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”
Paul was going to do whatever God called him to do. He would go wherever God called him to go. He knew he was in God’s hands regardless of what happened to him. Difficulties and persecution did not make his faith waver. He was not willing to save his life knowing that by doing so he would be walking away from Jesus. Paul believed Jesus when he said, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it” (Matthew 16:25). Paul knew salvation was in Jesus alone.
Tomorrow we will continue this recap of Pastor Michael’s answer to the fourth question.
Verse Completion: . . . if it dies, it bears much fruit. John 12:24 (NASB)
11/16/2022
Good morning!
Only one life ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
--Charles Studd
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/CUBBIddm_rM
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in . . . (completion at the end)
On Sunday Pastor Michael answered questions people had written to him based on his sermons on Galatians. Yesterday we recapped two of the questions. Today we will start a recap of the third question: In what Scriptures does Paul give us tools of spiritual strength to trust God with our whole being?
Romans 6:1-14 says: What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.
We are no longer slaves to sin. We don’t have to sin. We are not chained to sin because those chains have been broken by our faith in Christ. When we are tempted, we don’t have to say, “I can’t help it. I just have to sin. I have no other choice.” Through our faith in Jesus we have the power to say no to sin. We are dead to sin and alive to Christ. We have been raised to a new life that we can live freely in Christ. We need to make it a point to say, “I am dead to sin, but I am alive to God.” Give yourself this reminder. Maybe you could put a sticky note on your mirror. Let this truth soak in to your innermost being.
Reckon yourself dead to sin. Sin is no longer our master because we are under grace, not the law. Therefore we will choose things that are for Christ and turn away from things that are against Christ.
Romans 8:1-8 tells us: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
We are free from the law of sin and death. That’s a handle by which we follow Jesus—we know we have been set free from the law of sin and death. We have knowledge that we no longer have to sin; we no longer have to follow wicked desires. We are dead to sin because Jesus paid the penalty for sin. Jesus overcame sin and death. Because Jesus rose from the grave, he has victory over sin and death. When we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, by faith we have victory over sin and death. We can choose to follow Jesus. We know who we are in Christ. We know what Christ did for us. We purposely and willingly follow Jesus by choice. We submit our will to his will.
Tomorrow we will continue this recap of Pastor Michael’s answer to the third question.
Verse Completion: . . . the abundance of his possessions. Luke 12:15 (NIV)
11/15/2022
Good morning!
Only one life ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
--Charles Studd
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/nWmjpF613y4
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s . . . (completion at the end)
On Sunday Pastor Michael answered questions people had written to him based on his sermons on Galatians. There were some questions not related to Galatians that were answered as well. Here is a recap of the questions and answers:
1. You taught us that salvation is by faith in God, and this is taught in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament. What are some verses from Scripture that teach this?
There are many other places in the Bible where this truth is taught. Romans 1:16-17 says: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” From beginning to end, righteousness is by faith. Paul quoted from Habakkuk 2:4: “See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright— but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness — This is the NIV translation. Other translations, such as the NASB say: But the righteous will live by his faith.
Galatians 3:10-11 says: For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” Again we see another reference to Habakkuk 2:4. Salvation has never been anything different than by faith. It has never been by works, the Law, rituals, or anything else. It has never been by faith and something else. Salvation is only by faith.
2. Not adding to faith for our salvation is still a struggle for many believers. Why is that?
We are still tempted today to add to our salvation by faith alone by adding works, traditions, or rituals. The churches in Galatia were admonished by Paul for dong exactly this. Galatians 3:1-6 says: You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?
So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Here at the end Paul quotes from Genesis 15:6: Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
Galatians 2:15-16 says: “We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
We are never declared right before God because of the works we do. We are declared right before God because of our faith in him.
Galatians 2:19-21 says: “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”
Galatians 4:9 says: But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces ? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?
They were doing works just to make sure they were right before God. We need to learn to take God at his word. We cannot add anything to his plan of salvation for us. Jesus is sufficient for our salvation.
Tomorrow we will continue this recap of Pastor Michael’s message.
Verse Completion: . . . love will grow cold. Matthew 24:12 (NASB)
11/14/2022
Good morning!
Only one life ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
--Charles Studd
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/TLU9gERpnJY
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: Consequently they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God . . . (completion at the end)
Today we will continue a recap of Pastor Del McKenzie’s third diamond: The Ability to Learn and Know. So far we have looked at two of the four statements:
· We can learn and know.
· We must learn and know.
Psalm 27:11 tells us: Teach me your way, LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. We are taught God’s way as we study his word. It takes mental energy to study. Ecclesiastes 12:11-12 says: The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd. Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. Studying can be tiring. One reason it can be tiring is learning requires change. If we don’t change, we haven’t learned. When there are difficulties in a marriage, learning needs to take place. With that learning comes change. With the change, hopefully, the marriage will improve.
We can commit ourselves to becoming lifelong learners. As we learn we change.
The third statement is: We can love to learn and know. It can be something that burns in our hearts. We can choose what we love. We can ask God for a hunger for truth and knowledge. We can come to the place where we love learning about God as we read and meditate on his word.
Have you ever met someone who thinks they know it all and don’t have to learn anything more? Those who “know it all” are only unaware of how much they don’t know. Their “know it all” attitude leads to pride, and pride never apologizes for anything. Do you know a person who never apologizes? None of us know it all. We all need to learn to love to learn. We need to invest in the opportunities God brings our way. One way to learn more is find a mentor who will help guide you.
Usually it’s better to ask questions than offer advice.
The fourth statement is: There is ultimate knowledge for us to find. Knowing God better is the key to ultimate knowledge. We need to understand what is important in life and eternity. We need to be careful not to minor on the majors, and we need to be careful not to major on the minors. Don’t allow yourself to get all wrapped up in the less important things in life and end up missing the big things.
Choose that which is important—knowing God. God can be known. People on the earth can know God in heaven! What a privilege and what an honor to be a child of God and be able to call the Creator of the earth and heavens our Father! We can have a relationship with God while we are here on the earth.
1 John 5:13 says: I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. We can know God better. We can know his will and ways. Ephesians 1:17-21 tells us:
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
We can ask God for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. We can pray that the eyes of our heart will be enlightened. Paul wrote in Philippians 3:10-12: I want toknow Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
It’s truly a valuable diamond to realize that God has created us to know him and learn from him. Let’s commit to be learning people desiring to know God and his ways.
NCCU Prayer:
God, we pray that the gospel would spread rapidly and be honored. We pray against all wickedness and evil that would attempt to stand against the gospel. We pray that God would strengthen our faith in Jesus by His Holy Spirit. Amen.
Verse Completion: . . . has joined together, let no man separate. Matthew 19:6 (NASB) See also Mark 10:9.
11/12/2022
Good morning!
Only one life ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
--Charles Studd
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/0MtdyRDy4fU
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to . . . (completion at the end)
Pastor Del McKenzie is doing a series of messages titled “Del’s Diamonds”. The first diamond we recapped was: A holy God has provided for his people to be holy. The second was: Can a human be righteous before God? Today we will start a recap of: The Ability to Learn and Know.
A person learns a lot in a lifetime. Some of the things we learn are essential; other things we learn are insignificant—they don’t matter now, and they won’t matter in eternity.
The ability to learn and know is a gem found in Scripture. Ephesians 1:17 says: I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. An assumption is being made: Those Paul is praying for already know God the Father. It’s an amazing fact that we can know God. It’s a huge gift from God. It’s a privilege.
Sometimes we are slow learners of that which God is trying to teach us. Sometimes we find ourselves in situations where forced learning is necessary.
Let’s explore four statements. The first is: We can learn and know. God has created us this way. It’s a wonderful kindness on God’s part. Can you imagine life if you were not able to learn and know? We need to be grateful for the privilege of learning what we are taught.
Animals have the ability to learn and know, but humans have a higher ability. We are able to figure things out. We are often able to figure out why things happen.
Humans are capable of learning spiritual truths. We can learn to know God. We can learn God’s word and ways. We can also learn social things like how to live in a human culture. We can learn how to get along with people and help them. We can learn how to deal with harsh and difficult people.
The second statement is: We must learn and know. Learning and knowing is essential. We start out ignorant as babies, and it’s crucial that we learn. Our learning can be a matter of life or death. Unfortunately, some people choose to stay ignorant. It’s a choice they make. We have laws that require children to receive an education. We don’t want people in our country to stay ignorant. We want people to use logic and reason things out.
Sometimes people are satisfied with little knowledge. Sometimes people have distorted knowledge. Sometimes people aren’t interested in researching to determine truth. They don’t search for truth; truth isn’t that important to them. We live in a culture that says there is no such thing as absolute truth. They reject the Bible, and they reject Jesus as being the way, the truth, and the life. Sometimes people feel they have enough knowledge, so they don’t seek further knowledge. Sometimes people say, “Don’t confuse me with facts; my mind is made up.”
In some cases people gain enough knowledge to become Christians, but they don’t have a desire to learn more about Christ and his ways. They may go to church to be spoon fed, but they don’t go beyond that to learn about God on their own. Sometimes people come to church to be stroked. They don’t want to hear anything negative; they want to hear positive things that will make them feel better about themselves. Sometimes people go to church to be entertained. They don’t want to think deeply.
God wants us to learn. 2 Timothy 2:15 says: Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
We aren’t approved by God unless we study his words. How can we correctly handle God’s word if we don’t study it? We are called by God to work.
On Monday we will conclude this recap of Pastor Del’s message.
Verse Completion: . . . speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19 (NIV)
11/11/2022
Good morning! It’s Veterans’ Day. Thanks to all Veterans who served in the military! Your service is appreciated! We are indebted to you!
Only one life ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
--Charles Studd
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/UPcMsV5WQbM
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: It is appointed for men to die once, . . .(completion at the end)
Today we will conclude the recap of Pastor Michael’s message “What Are we Getting Into?”
We want to be more purposely involved in missions. We want to cultivate relationships with missionaries who are on assignment. We want to get to personally know the missionaries. We want to invite them to our church. We want to partner with them. We want to be a part of supplying what they need as they build the kingdom of God where they are. We want to find out what the missionaries want us to pray about. Perhaps we’ll be able to physically go where they are and lend a helping hand. We want the youth in our church to be able to travel and help build God’s kingdom not just here but other places, too.
We want to be more intentional about our youth experiencing youth camps and youth conferences. We want them to get together with hundreds, or maybe even thousands, of other kids their age praising God and praying to God. We want to see lives change because of a deeper relationship with Christ. This is something we want to get into.
We have people in our church who do mission work using their RVs. We want to become more intentional about being missions-minded as a church.
We desire to have more opportunities for leadership development. We’d like to offer internships to those who are interested in going into full-time pastoral ministry or missionary work. We want to build into their lives so they can be sent out from our church as church planters, pastors, or missionaries.
We desire to be more intentional about sending people to discipleship events such as conferences for youth, women, and men. We want people in our church to have the opportunity to grow in their relationship with Christ.
Currently, our church is involved with RTI, Reach Training Institute, where students who attend already have God’s calling on their life to enter full-time ministry. Half of the students there are in their thirties or older. Pastor Michael teaches there and has a part in sending them into full-time ministry where they work to build God’s kingdom. We want to be involved more with RTI whereby we invite some of the interns to our church to put into practice what they have learned prior to heading into full-time ministry on their own.
We’d like to do more events that focus on spiritual growth. We had a “Bondage Breaker” event a while back, but we’d like to do more. In the spring, a “Peacemaking” event is being planned. We’d like to have “Deeper Life” conferences, “Prayer” conferences, and provide other opportunities for people to draw closer to Christ and know him more.
Right now our “Scholarship Fund” is being used by those who desire to further their education beyond high school. Perhaps part of that fund could be used to send our youth to camps and conferences. Maybe part of it could be used to send governing board members or ministry leaders to conferences where they will be taught how to do their job in a more efficient way to the glory of God.
This vision we have for our church will take commitment, finances, and time. It will take people saying, “Yes, God, build your kingdom, and use me to do it.” We want to get into church planting, missions, and leadership development more than we ever have before. How do we do that? We form a relationship with a group of churches that are already doing those things. How do we form that relationship? We affiliate with a group called the Christian and Missionary Alliance (CMA).
CMA has camps, conferences, and colleges for our youth. They have missions and missionaries in place. They are able to provide training. They already have everything in place to help us reach our goals. It would not mean that we have to change the name of our church, our governing system, or our church structure.
You may not be aware of it, but we’re already part of CMA now. On Mondays, Pastor Del McKenzie has been zooming with our church for several years. He has been with CMA for sixty years and was a district superintendent for many years. Bryce McFadden has come to our church and preached in my absence. He is with CMA. RTi is a college run by CMA. Pastor Michael is currently licensed with the CMA and was ordained by CMA. Rick and Tammy Romano, missionaries in the Dominican Republic, are with CMA. They were the ones we were planning to work with on a missions trip prior to COVID. A lot of what we do is already in association with the C&MA. We’d like to make the partnership official and have it recognized by both sides.
Let’s take the step of affiliation with CMA, a group of like-minded people, and say, “Yes, God, build your kingdom.” We have the opportunity. Let’s not let it pass us by. Let’s be part of something that is greater than ourselves. Let’s affiliate and be able to do more than we’d ever be able to do alone. We can have a part in the salvation of many more people if we’d join this group of like-minded people in CMA. Wouldn’t it be great to hear someone in heaven say, “Because of NCCU and their vision for missions, I’m here today”?
Verse Completion: . . . and after this comes judgment. Hebrews 9:27b (NASB)
11/10/2022
Good morning!
Only one life ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
--Charles Studd
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/0ZkmDqk2ivs
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over . . . (completion at the end)
Today we will continue a recap of Pastor Michael’s message “What Are we Getting Into?” using Numbers 13 and Numbers 14 as his text.
Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”
But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. (Numbers 14:6-10a)
Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the LORD fills the whole earth, not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times—not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it. But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.” (Numbers 14:21-24)
Because the majority of people weren’t ready to be dependent upon God, God saw to it that they never set foot in the promised land. Verse 37 says, “. . . these men who were responsible for spreading the bad report about the land were struck down and died of a plague before the LORD.” They didn’t value God’s word. They didn’t value dependence upon God. They didn’t trust God to show up. God kept his promise to take the Israelites to the promised land, but it was with the next generation.
Our church has written out what we value: We believe in the truth of God’s Word for the salvation of all people unto transformational living which is for all peoples in all places accomplished by working together under the headship of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.
We value the word of God, evangelism, discipleship, missions, unity, the lordship of Christ, and dependence on the Holy Spirit through prayer. As a church we want to say, “Yes, God, build your kingdom, and build it through us.” We want to head into an area where we have to have a greater dependence upon God, and that probably won’t be easy. We will have obstacles. We may become fearful. We may have to face giants.
Matthew 10:28-33 has the following words of Jesus:
We are to fear God, not in the sense of being afraid of him, but revering him for who he is—acknowledging him as God and humbling ourselves before him knowing we are not God. When we fear God, we answer when he calls; when he says, “Follow me,” we follow him. When God says, “Trust me,” we trust him. When we fear God, we have faith in God. When God says, “It’s time to move,” we move.
God knows we are susceptible to fear. God knows we have a tendency to not trust him when we can’t clearly see the path in front of us. God knows our tendency to doubt.
The Israelites had the opportunity to acknowledge God. They had a chance to be part of something much greater than themselves, but they said no to God. They disowned God. They didn’t value his words. They didn’t value a relationship with God.
Jesus wants to be acknowledged, and we have an opportunity as a church to acknowledge Jesus. We have an opportunity to trust God and follow God in greater dependence than ever before. We want God to show up not only for us but for those around us as well. We want to be part of something that is greater than us, something that will allow us to have a Kingdom impact on this world, not just our community. The Kingdom of God will not fail. We want to be able to look back and say, “Wow! Isn’t God amazing?!” We want to look forward in anticipation of the great things God can do through our church. We know an amazing God! Let’s see what he can do.
What can we do to learn to depend upon God in a greater measure? We want to be a church-planting church that has a part in building the kingdom of God in a place other than Union. We want to partner with other churches in building God’s kingdom. It may involve building or renovating a church. A group of pastors are currently asking God if planting a church in the Centralia/Chehalis area is his desire at this time. Our church has the opportunity to be a part of seeking God’s will for this particular church plant.
Tomorrow we will continue this recap of Pastor Michael’s message.
Verse Completion: . . . the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3 (NASB)
11/9/2022
Good morning!
Only one life ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
--Charles Studd
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/12NMGC5YjYY
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and . . . (completion at the end)
Yesterday we started a recap of Pastor Michael’s message “What Are we Getting Into?” using Numbers 13 and Numbers 14 as his text.
Numbers 13 and 14 tell a story of opportunity. The Israelites were invited by God to enter the promised land and make it their new home.
The LORD said to Moses, “Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders.”(Numbers 13:1-2)
These are the names of the men Moses sent to explore the land. (Moses gave Hoshea son of Nun the name Joshua.)
When Moses sent them to explore Canaan, he said, “Go up through the Negev and on into the hill country. See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many. What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad? What kind of towns do they live in? Are they unwalled or fortified? How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there trees in it or not? Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land.” (It was the season for the first ripe grapes.)
So they went up and explored the land from the Desert of Zin as far as Rehob, toward Lebo Hamath. They went up through the Negev and came to Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, lived. (Hebron had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) When they reached the Valley of Eshkol, they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole between them, along with some pomegranates and figs. That place was called the Valley of Eshkol because of the cluster of grapes the Israelites cut off there. At the end of forty days they returned from exploring the land.
They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite community at Kadesh in the Desert of Paran. There they reported to them and to the whole assembly and showed them the fruit of the land. They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites live in the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live near the sea and along the Jordan.”
Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”
But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.” (Numbers 13:16-33)
It was more difficult for Israel to get into something than get out of something. They had an opportunity to trust God, believe in God, follow God, and say yes to God, but instead they said no.
Numbers 14:
That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” (verses 1-4)
The people are no longer interested in saying, “Yes, God, we will follow where you lead.” God had just told Moses, “Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites.” God had promised them the land. All they had to do was trust God and be faithful to him. However, instead of trusting God, they wanted to quit God and return to Egypt. They knew following God would mean difficult times ahead. They could see it wasn’t going to be easy. They wanted to return to the “easy life” of being slaves in Egypt. They’d already forgotten about all the difficult times in Egypt. All they could think about was facing the giants in Egypt, and there were a lot of them.
They didn’t want to enter a place where they would have to depend on God to show up or they’d be in serious trouble. The bottom line was they didn’t think God would show up for them, even though he’d shown up for them many times before (the plagues, crossing the Red Sea, the cloud above the tabernacle, providing food and water).
Tomorrow we will continue this recap of Pastor Michael’s message.
Verse Completion: . . . take up his cross, and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24 (NASB) See also Mark 8:34.
11/8/2022
Good morning!
Only one life ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
--Charles Studd
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/otmBLQJ7IUQ
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: We live by faith, not . . . (completion at the end)
On Sunday Pastor Michael preached a sermon titled “What Are we Getting Into?” using Numbers 13 and Numbers 14 as his text.
You may have asked yourself from time to time, “What have I got myself into?” Maybe it was when you decided to attend college. Perhaps it was when you were invited to attend a meeting, and now you find yourself the head of the organization. It could be the time you went to make a small home repair and before long were into a major renovation project.
Our church is about to get into something. Sometimes we get ourselves into things unintentionally; they just seem to happen. That’s not the case with our church. We want to purposefully enter into something God is leading us to do. The governing board has been praying about it and discussing it for about a year.
We have asked questions: How do we get there? What does it look like? What’s the outcome going to be? If we knew all the details, there wouldn’t be any reason for God to show up. We want God to show up, because we want to be doing God’s will. We want to be doing that which will further his kingdom. We’re not seeking something which will lead us to greater independence; we are seeking something which will lead us to greater dependence on God. We want God to be more and us to be less. We want to be doing God’s work, not our own work. We want to be building God’s kingdom, not our own kingdom.
We want to continue to say, “Yes, God, build your kingdom.” We’re not going to be doing this by having another campaign to pay down the church’s mortgage. Jesus said in Matthew 6:24: “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Being a part of building God’s kingdom doesn’t guarantee an easy life. It’s often more difficult to get into something than to get out of it. For example, it’s often a lot more difficult to get into college and stay there than it is to quit college. That will likely be the case with our church. It may be a struggle getting there, but getting ourselves out would be easy.
Ancient Israel was brought out of Egypt by God. When God said it was time to leave Egypt, they left Egypt. After they crossed the Red Sea on dry ground, they celebrated the occasion by singing songs and praising God. It was amazing! Just like that they were out from under the control of Egypt—no longer slaves. However, after they were out in the desert and became hungry and thirsty, they asked: “Where do we go from here? Where’s the promised land? How long is it going to take to get there?” They began to realize it was easier getting out of Egypt than it was entering the promised land. As life became difficult, they began to grumble and complain.
Notice that the opportunity to get into something was made possible only after they had come out of something. There were those who determined that getting into the promised land was too difficult. They wanted to quit and go back to Egypt.
Tomorrow we will continue this recap of Pastor Michael’s message.
Verse Completion: . . . by sight. Colossians 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)
11/7/2022
Good morning!
Only one life ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
--Charles Studd
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/lK80AdFdmCM
Complete the Verses & Name the Book:
· Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall . . .
· For everyone who asks, receives, and he who seeks . . . (completion at the end)
Today we are concluding a recap of Pastor Michael’s Q&A sermon from the book of Galatians.
Works give us the opportunity to live out the righteousness of Christ that is already made ours through grace, by faith. No celebration of religious days, the following of sabbath rules, festivals, ceremonies, rituals, creeds, long prayers said to impress others, can make a person right before God. They do nothing to move a person closer to being right before God.
Going back to working for righteousness is saying that the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross was not enough for the forgiveness of our sins. It’s saying the death of Jesus was not sufficient for salvation. It’s saying that we are so important that our contribution of works is needed to complete salvation. Pride is involved, not humility. We are not justified by our works; we are justified, or declared right, by our faith in Jesus. Nothing else is needed. Nothing else can be added. Faith in Jesus is sufficient.
The reason followers of Jesus do the works of God is because they want to experience right living. They want to become experientially right. They want to be people of integrity. What they do aligns with what has taken place inside of them. The inward and the outward match; they complement each other.
Aren’t we supposed to keep the commandments? Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). Was he referring to the Ten Commandments?
No, Jesus was not referring to the Ten Commandments. Galatians 6:2 says: Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Romans 8:1-17 says:
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
We learn about the law of Christ by reading the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5-7. The law of Christ is differentiated from the Mosaic law. We don’t follow the Ten Commandments; we follow the teachings of Christ. The sixth commandment tells us: “You shall not murder.” Jesus tells us: “Anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.” The seventh commandment tells us: “You shall not commit adultery.” Jesus tells us: “Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
When Jesus was asked, “Which is the greatest commandment in the Law, he replied, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40).
We are new creations meant for a new way of living.
Verse Completions:
· . . . find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.
· . . . finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 10 (NASB) See also Luke 11:9-10.
11/5/2022
Good morning!
Only one life ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
--Charles Studd
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/xn84k3fcb2Q
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: Draw near to God and He will . . .(completion at the end)
Today we are continuing a recap of Pastor Michael’s Q&A sermon from the book of Galatians.
Jesus did not sin even once. He never broke a command. He fulfilled everything to perfection. He brought the Old Testament to completion by doing everything that it required. By fulfilling the old covenant, Jesus was able to make a new covenant.
What does it mean to be declared righteous? How do we live out righteousness? Sin required a payment. In the Old Testament, that payment was the sacrifice of an animal—a bull, ram, goat, or dove—that occurred daily, monthly, or yearly. Through faith the Israelites placed their sins upon the animal. By faith they trusted that God accepted the blood of the animal in their place as a sacrifice for their sin. God agreed to accept the sacrifice as a temporary sacrifice.
The Old Testament sacrifices were imperfect, and they were temporary. The sacrifices did not give the person salvation or forgiveness. The sacrifices did not declare the person right before God. The outward action of obeying God demonstrated that they believed God’s words. It demonstrated that they trusted God; their faith was in him. They were already right before God, and by offering the sacrifices, they were living out their faith in God.
Jesus became the perfect sacrifice. He shed his blood as a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. He did not shed his blood as a sacrifice for his own sins, because he had no sins. By offering his own blood as a sacrifice, he made a new covenant between God and mankind. Jesus said to his disciples, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:25b).
The new covenant is contrasted with the old in Hebrews 10:1-18 and 8:3:
The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, my God.’ ” First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.
Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer.
The first covenant is set aside for the second covenant. The old covenant has been replaced by the new covenant. Galatians 4:9 says:
But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces ? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?
We have been saved by the grace of God through faith. Why would we want to return to working for salvation? Our works do not secure us a place in heaven. Our works do not make us more righteous before God.
On Monday we will conclude this recap of Pastor Michael’s sermon.
Verse Completion: . . . draw near to you. James 4:8a (NASB)
11/4/2022
Good morning!
Only one life ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
--Charles Studd
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/_eJUqY_6tqo
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with . . . (completion at the end)
Today we are continuing a recap of Pastor Michael’s Q&A sermon from the book of Galatians.
God had saved the Israelites and delivered them out of bondage in Egypt where they were slaves. God established a relationship with the Israelites. How would they respond? Would they follow God? Would they believe God? Would they take him at his word? Would they receive him? Would they live by faith in God and show that faith by living according to the law—doing the works of the law?
This leads into the next question: Don’t works mean something? Works are important. Read what is written in James 2:14-26:
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless ?
Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
Deeds came as a result of faith in God. They came as a result of trusting in God. The deeds Abraham did gave him a chance to follow God, because Abraham trusted God. The obedience Abraham showed by placing his only son on the altar came as a result of the trust Abraham already had in God. Abraham’s works did not declare him right; they proved he trusted God. It was his faith that moved him to act.
James is telling us that our faith in Jesus must move us to act. Our actions will show others that we are following Christ—we obey Christ. There’s a difference between being declared right by God and living right before God. A person who has been declared righteous by God will pursue living rightly before God. When Abraham went to sacrifice his son, his action did not declare him right before God. His action showed he wanted to live rightly before God.
In the same way, obedience to the Mosaic law did not declare the Israelites right before God; obedience to the law showed they were living rightly before God.
Obedience to the law does not declare us right before God. We are declared right before God because of our faith in Jesus. Because we are right before God, we take actions to do works because we desire to live rightly before God. We are declared right through faith; we live right because of our faith. All the works we do arise because we want to live right before God as a result of being declared right before God.
The Law that Jesus fulfilled is the Mosaic law. It was given to ancient Israel. The Law showed how to live rightly before God and others.
Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” To abolish means to stop, end, eliminate, or get rid of. A covenant cannot be ended, gotten rid of, or eliminated without both sides agreeing to it. The more powerful party has to agree or else they will fulfill the consequences of trying to end the covenant agreement. If the weaker party tries to stop it, or abolish it, or declare it completed, the more powerful party will wipe them out. The weaker party will not get out of the covenant unless the more powerful party agrees to allow the weaker to get out of it.
Jesus is not saying we, the weaker party, is going to end the covenant between God and us and declare it over. That would be sinful! Instead, Jesus is saying he came to fulfill the Law. He followed every law and did not break a single one. He, through his life, become the perfect Israelite—having perfect faith and perfect works of faith.
Tomorrow we will continue this recap of Pastor Michael’s sermon.
Verse Completion: . . . humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5 (NIV)
11/3/2022
Good morning!
Only one life ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
--Charles Studd
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/_UglO7SGUWk
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, . . . (completion at the end)
Today we are continuing a recap of Pastor Michael’s Q&A sermon from the book of Galatians.
Israel had never been a nation before. They needed a health system, an economic system, a justice system, and a religious system. The health laws that were given to them dealt with mold and mildew, skin rashes and diseases, as well as eating properly—no pork, shellfish, most insects, and birds of the vulture species. Pork was prohibited because it often had worms. Shellfish could be contaminated with red tides. Vultures feasted on dead animals that often had diseases. God’s health rules were designed to keep them healthy.
Economic laws involved working six days a week and resting on the seventh. The land was worked six years and then allowed to lie dormant for the seventh year. The Year of Jubilee allowed land to be returned to the original owner. There were laws regulating charging interest. Farmers were to leave some of their harvest for the poor to glean.
The justice system differentiated between intentional and unintentional killing. Cities of refuge protected people for a period of time. A court system was implemented. Life was valued including the life of a baby in the womb. Exodus 21:22-25 says:
“If people are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows. But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.”
We find more of the justice system in Leviticus 24:17-22:
“ ‘Anyone who takes the life of a human being is to be put to death.
Anyone who takes the life of someone’s animal must make restitution—life for life.
Anyone who injures their neighbor is to be injured in the same manner: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. The one who has inflicted the injury must suffer the same injury.
Whoever kills an animal must make restitution, but whoever kills a human being is to be put to death.
You are to have the same law for the foreigner and the native-born. I am the LORD your God.’ ”
The religious laws set up a sacrificial system that dealt with guilt, sin, thanksgiving, wave offerings, and so forth.
The Mosaic law was given specifically to Israel so they could function as a nation. If Israel followed the laws, God would protect them, provide for them, and grant them his presence. The Israelites would be his people, and he would be their one and only God—Jehovah. However, if Israel decided not to follow the laws God had given them, then God would be against them. He would take away his protection, provision, and presence. They would be on their own.
The laws of the Mosaic covenant were given by God to help Israel live in a right relationship with God and with others. It was meant primarily for their blessing. God was saying to Israel: “Because I am your God, live this way. Do these things. Respond to me in this manner.”
The Mosaic law was never meant to bring the Israelites into a saving relationship with God. It was not a condition of their salvation; it was a result of their salvation. Following the law did not grant a person salvation. Following the law did not declare the Israelites right before God.
God had saved the Israelites and delivered them out of bondage in Egypt where they were slaves. God established a relationship with the Israelites. How would they respond? Would they follow God? Would they believe God? Would they take him at his word? Would they receive him? Would they live by faith in God and show that faith by living according to the law—doing the works of the law?
Tomorrow we will continue this recap of Pastor Michael’s sermon.
Verse Completion: . . . to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:27 (NASB)
11/2/2022
Good morning! Welcome to November!
Only one life ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
--Charles Studd
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/u0j8cf7bBJY
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to . . . (completion at the end)
After preaching a portion of Galatians, Pastor Michael asked for questions from people in the congregation. He wanted to clarify anything that was still confusing.
One of the questions that came in was based on Matthew 5:17 where Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” What is the Law and the Prophets? If they have not been abolished, shouldn’t we still be following them? What did Jesus mean by fulfilling them?
Jesus came to fulfill what the prophets prophesied. The prophets pointed to the coming of the Messiah, and Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus fulfilled their prophecies concerning his birth, life, death, and resurrection. The prophecies made by the prophets have come true. They have been completed. They have been fulfilled. Their prophecies are done. They don’t need to be repeated.
The Law, as used in the New Testament, generally referred to the Mosaic law that was given to ancient Israel by God. It was the body of rules and regulations on how Israel was to live rightly before God and others. The Law was given to Moses by God, and it was for Israel as part of God’s covenant with them.
A covenant was an agreement made between two parties that prescribed how they were going to interact with each other. They always included blessings and curses. The covenant involved rules that governed their relationship: “If you do this, I will do this, but if you do that, I will do that.”
The more powerful of the two parties always determined the terms of the covenant. When the Assyrians took over Northern Israel, they made Israel enter into a covenant with them, and the Assyrians told Israel how it was going to go. Being the more powerful nation, they dictated the terms of the covenant. Israel was told, “If you don’t like the terms, you don’t have to enter into a covenant with us, but the alternative is we will wipe you out completely.” A covenant allowed a nation to continue to exist while being in a relationship with a more powerful nation.
After every war between nations, covenants were written and signed. For example, the more powerful nation might say: “You will pay tribute to me. You will give me sheep, cattle, wood, gold, silver, and goods. You will recognize my authority over you.”
In return for the weaker nation keeping the covenant of the more powerful nation, the more powerful nation might say: “I will not wipe you out completely. I will allow you to live. I will protect you from other enemies. I will wage war against anyone who wages war against you. I will provide for you. You will be able to live in the land and take some of the produce for yourselves. I will give you my presence. You will be part of my kingdom and share in my name as my people. Good things will happen to you when you obey the terms of the covenant.”
There were terms for disobedience to the covenant that might go something like this: “Bad things will happen to you if you do not obey the terms of the covenant. I will come against you. I will take what little you have. I may or may not let you live, depending on your response to my coming.”
The weaker nation was told: “If you want to live and live fairly well, live with me, not against me.”
When God made a covenant with Israel, Israel was familiar with covenants. They understood how they worked. God was clearly the more powerful of the two parties. God would dictate the terms of the covenant. However, God’s covenant was different, because God had not conquered Israel; God had rescued Israel. The covenant resulted because of a rescue, not a war.
The terms of this unusual covenant were as follows: I will be your God. There will be no other gods. You will recognize my uniqueness as being holy. You will live in a right relationship with me.
Tomorrow we will continue a recap of the Q&A time regarding Galatians.
Verse Completion: . . . speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:4 (NIV)
11/1/2022
Good morning! Welcome to November!
Only one life ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
--Charles Studd
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/bJj_IJapJLE
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: Where your treasure is, . . . (completion at the end)
Today we will conclude a recap of Pastor Del McKenzie’s diamond Can a human be righteous before God? The first two statement we considered were:
· Sinful people can become righteous
· Righteousness and justification go together.
In addition to imputed righteousness, there’s another kind of righteousness that’s an experiential, personal, or practical righteousness. When we get right with God, God is invited to work in our lives and mold our thinking which results in right living: right thinking, right speaking, right actions, right in our responses to people. 1 Timothy 6:11 says: But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. We are told to pursue righteousness here and in 2 Timothy 2:22: Flee the evil desires of youth andpursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
We need to be trained in how to speak, act, think, and respond. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. This training can happen through the reading and studying of Scripture followed by applying and obeying it. Scripture will train us in righteousness.
Ephesians 6:14 says: Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place. A breastplate protects vital organs. By wearing the breastplate of righteousness, we quench the fiery darts of the devil; we quench the temptations he throws at us. We are able to push aside the accusations and evil that he throws at us. The breastplate of righteousness prevents the fiery darts of the devil from reaching our hearts.
Galatians 3:26-27 says: So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. We can be right with God, right with ourselves, and right with others.
Righteousness is a huge topic in the Bible. Over and over the Bible points out that God is righteous. He never does wrong. He never thinks wrongly. He always does what is right. He always thinks what is right.
Jesus is a righteous Savior. Philippians 1:9-11 tells us: And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
The third statement we will consider is: All righteousness comes through Jesus. Romans 3:22a says: This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. Jesus loves righteousness and hates sin. Our prayer needs to be: “Lord, make me more like you—may I love righteousness and hate sin.”
Heaven will be a place of pure righteousness. 2 Peter 3:13 says: But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. Heaven is the home of God. It’s a place where there is no sin; there is only rightness.
We can grow in righteousness as we pursue it. If your faith is in Jesus, you have a right standing of rightness with God, and God is calling you to live rightly.
We need to ask ourselves: Do I have any unrighteousness in my life? Is my relationship with God right? Am I resisting God in some way? Am I disobeying God in some way? Do I have rightness with myself? Is there some dishonesty in me? Is there a lack of integrity in me? Am I wrapped up in fear, doubt, unbelief, disbelief, pessimism, negativism, or double mindedness? Do I need to apply this righteousness to my own personal life? Am I right with other people? Do I have any kind of discord with somebody else? Is there anything that I need to make right with a friend or neighbor? Do I need to apologize to someone? Is there something I need to correct?
There are three truths to the diamond we’ve explored:
1. We can be right with God by faith in Jesus and obedience to him.
2. We can be made right with ourselves.
3. We can be made right with other people.
Take a while to ponder 2 Corinthians 5:21: God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God—both positionally and experientially.
Verse Completion: . . . there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:21 (NASB)