Archive for March, 2019
‘Give us this day our daily bread.’
MATTHEW 6:11, NASB
All we have and receive comes from God.
Ask Him.
Trust Him.
He is our Provider.
For this reason You are great, O Lord God ; for there is none like You, and there is no God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
2 Samuel 7:22, NASB
There is only one God, who reveals the end from the beginning and made a way for sinful humanity to draw near.
How great is our God! Let us tell the world!
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Psalms 23:4, NASB
We will face problems in this life. Sometimes they are inflicted on us by others, and sometimes they are a result of our sinful choices. In all, God is in control and uses them to discipline and lead us to His final, eternal comfort.
Yep. I missed last week. We had family in town, and I never had a long enough, quiet enough stretch of time by myself to record a video. Here is a new one, though! Here is the new Give Me 5:
Out of the Reformation of the 1500’s came what we call “The Five Solas or Solae”, but what do they mean?
The Reformation started as a call to return to a simple faith not dogged down by man-made or superfluous rules and dogmas. (This is not the time for a debate about Catholic versus Protestant and denominational separation.)
It does lead to our first sola: Sola Scriptura – Scripture alone. Basically, this means that all of our traditions and understanding about God, Jesus, and humanity should be based on what the Bible says. There is value in traditions, the various councils, and books/teachings, but they must conform with what Scripture – as a whole – teaches.
This includes the matter of salvation, covered in the next solar: Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Solus Christus, Soli Deo Gloria – By grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, to the glory of God alone.
This was summarized by Paul in Ephesians chapter two, when he said,
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
(vv. 4-9, ESV)
We still need to confess our sins – primarily to God, but also to each other (James 5:16).
We still do works – but as an act of obedience and love for the One who saves us (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).
But it is only by grace through faith in the work Christ to the the glory of the Father as revealed in Scripture that we are saved.
Now, this is only a brief overview. We can continue to discuss this in the comments or through e-mail at Together@asimplemanofgod.com, or even on our Facebook page, a simple man of God. I am sure more videos and articles will be made discussing these.
Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
James 5:16, NASB
We not only share our physical needs, but we share our sins with each other: to have accountability, to get encouragement through the struggle, and to find forgiveness.
Pray for each other.
And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Hebrews 13:16, NASB
God gives us stuff to do good and help others, to share with our brothers and sisters in Christ and those who are suffering and in need. All to His glory.
If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.
John 13:14, ESV
Christ was and is our ultimate example. We are to be humble servants to God by serving others, even when it seems silly, uncomfortable, and demeaning.
It is love. Get over yourself. Love them.
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!
1 Chronicles 16:24, ESV
The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) was not the first time God said to share about Him with the world. As followers and believers, we must share the faith we have.
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
Deuteronomy 6:5, ESV
All of the Law and prophets hinge on this command. Indeed, nothing in this life matters if we do not love and glorify God.
When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.
Psalm 94:19, ESV
Sometimes we encounter difficulties in life that weigh on us.
God’s promises and encouragement can make the burden lighter and bring joy.
a simple man of God 