Archive for July, 2020
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16, ESV
We have access to the throne of God through the work of Christ and by the Holy Spirit, so whether we face hardship, persecution, a desire to share the gospel, or want to say thank You: we can speak to God.
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Galatians 5:13, ESV
This life is not about us.
We have been freed to choose to glorify God and love others or remain focused on our own wants and desires.
This life is not about us.
And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Matthew 22:37-39, ESV
Love God.
Love people.
The best way to do both is to fulfill the Great Commission: make disciples who love God.
One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.
Psalm 27:4, ESV
God’s Temple today is the Church: the living, biological, spiritual Body of Christ.
Seek the beauty of God amongst His People, Christians, who point this world to Christ and the eternal life He offers.
I think of the Christians mentioned here. I think of the underground churches all throughout Asia, Africa, the island nations. I think of those in nations where “unofficial” churches are attacked by those in the official religions, even state-sanctioned churches. I think of the rise of hatred toward Chrisitianity even in our Western society.
Keeping historical persecution and currently oppressed Chrisitians in mind also helps us to prepare for when we may/will face persecution, but it also helps keep us focused on God and His Word: “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” (Matthew 5:11, ESV)
There is joy in persecution, but it does not mean it is easy. Let us pray.Daniel
This Sunday at Church I want to encourage you to do the following: Remember Pastors of Persecuted Churches.
View original post 556 more words
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31-32, ESV
Remember: rarely do others attack us, rather they are attacking Christ. He can defend Himself.
Show the love, kindness, and grace to others (even in church) that He has shown through Christ.
See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.
1 Thessalonians 5:15, ESV
We are ambassadors of peace, between each other as Christians and between God and others. Do good to win others to Christ.
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
Hebrews 12:14, ESV
We are set apart for Christ by the Holy Spirit, so we are empowered to seek holiness and to desire peace with everyone, as He has made peace with us.
But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6:6, ESV
Why would we avoid intimacy with our Creator? The more time we spend privately praying, the more we are aware of God at work in us and our world, the more we desire to share the Son with the world, the more joy and contentment we have.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
John 13:34, ESV
God’s love does not change. Love is not always making others happy or comfortable, but sometimes it takes speaking hard truths and turning others away from danger, as fun or kind as it may look.
a simple man of God 