Posts Tagged ‘ Share ’

A Faith Old Enough to Count in Decades

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, ESV

But 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, ESV

How 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

VerseD: Matthew 1:21

“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:21, ESV

Joseph and Mary were willing servants of God to bring the Savior into the world.

Likewise, we carry Christ to this world to show the world their need for the One who has removed their sins by His sacrifice.

VerseD: Matthew 12:18

“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.”
Matthew 12:18, ESV

Matthew quotes a prophecy about Jesus, fulfilled in His time. However, the Holy Spirit moves today through Hos Body, the Church, to reach the world for the Father’s glory.

VerseD: Romans 10:10

For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Romans 10:10, ESV

Some confess without ever believing. Some believe and are not able to confess.

However, it does take faith, and we are commanded to share (if possible) that Jesus is our Redeemer and Lord. (Matthew 28:18-20)

VerseD: John 7:38

“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'”
John 7:38, ESV

Believing Jesus is Lord comes with the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit empowers and encourages us to share the truth of Christ with others.

VerseD: Psalm 121:1

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
Psalm 121:1, ESV

In a world worried and complaining about all of the problems, we must remember God is in control and can help us.

And we can tell everyone else from where our hope comes.

VerseD: Matthew 28:19

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Matthew 28:19, ESV

The Father begot the Son, and they send the Holy Spirit. Because of Christ’s authority shared with us through the Spirit, let us glorify the Father by bringing in to the faith as many as He gives us to win over.

That means GO OUT and make disciples!

VerseD: Jeremiah 31:3

the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued to extend faithful love to you.
Jeremiah 31:3, CSB

Though we all stray from God, He calls out in love to come home. Today, He uses the Church, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to call to this fallen world.

Be His voice.

VerseD: Ephesians 5:1-2

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1‭-‬2, ESV

Give yourself completely over to God for His will.

Just as the Son lived among us and gave Himself for our good, we likewise should go into our world to share the Gospel in love.

Versed: Joshua 1:8

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Joshua 1:8, ESV

We should be regularly reading, reciting, and ruminating on (thinking about) Scripture. It helps with our day to day life and prepares us for the next life.