Archive for the ‘ Jesus ’ Category
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”
John 15:4, ESV
Works can never save us, nor can we do truly good works apart from Christ.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
1 Corinthians 13:1 ESV
Everything we do and say should glorify God and draw others to Him. If what we say and do only scares people away and/or distracts from God, we may not be acting in love.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16, ESV
Our works will never save us, but Christ’s work and light shine through us to glorify the Father by leading others to Christ.
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Galatians 5:14, ESV
Loving others includes helping in times of need; sacrificing time, money, energy, and comfort; leading from sin to repentance and Christ; and merely being present and attentive.
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, ESV
As God’s faithful, we are to help and encourage each other in all things, as He helps and encourages us, especially through Christ.
Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
John 15:2, ESV
Those who refuse to change, God removes from His presence.
His faithful, He molds to be more like Christ, and it sometimes hurts but will be worth the eternal joy to come.
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
Matthew 7:24, ESV
If our worldview, our way of thinking and knowing what is true, is not grounded in Christ and the Bible, we will be deceived by many things and wander aimlessly through life (or in the wrong direction!)
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
Matthew 16:24, ESV
We must put to death our sinful desires and actions and let Christ change us ever more to think and act like Him through the power of the Holy Spirit.
He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
Matthew 11:15, ESV
Do you listen to Christ and His followers, or do you listen to what sounds best to you?
Do you seek the truth found in the Bible or, like Thomas Jefferson, pick your favorite parts only?
Many years on this blog I mark a very important date in my own life: January 9. And not just because it is my wonderful mother-in-law’s birthday.
Two of my more favorite passages from the Bible are these:
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:7-8, ESV
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12, ESV
What wisdom do we gain by considering our lives and drawing near to God?
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:3, ESV
So, every January 9, I celebrate my Re-Birthday, the day I was born again by faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
And on January 9, 2020, (specifically, at 6:47 pm CST), I am celebrating 20 years as a Christian.
And I think people should celebrate their salvation much more than we do, to show the world the joy of the world to bring others to glorify the Lord.
Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord, exulting in his salvation.
Psalm 35:9, ESVBut may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the Lord!”
Psalms 40:16 ESV
Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.
Jude 1:3, ESV“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16, ESVHow then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Romans 10:14, 17, ESV
a simple man of God 