Category: faith

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42

Just as Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit and did what He saw His Father doing and taught what His Father instructed Him to say, so the apostles relied on the same Spirit to teach and do Christ’s mighty works. Just as the Scripture Jesus quoted was from what we call the Old Testament, so the apostles read the same written Word for revelation and understanding.

‘You are My witnesses, and the Holy Spirit will enable you to walk in My steps. You do not need to worry when you are opposed; the Spirit will show you what to say. I am always with You. What I taught, you are to teach; as I healed, you are to heal; as I loved, you are to love. Because I live, you live. I am in My Father; you are in Me; I am in you.’

The early disciples did not always live perfectly or understand fully, but they were faithful. The Holy Spirit empowered several to record their experiences, teachings, struggles, and instructions for holy living. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John recorded the story of Jesus. These inspired writings are what we call the New Testament and they give us revelation and understanding.

Jesus was the Good News of the apostles; He was their ‘first love.’ The Messiah had come; the prophecies had been fulfilled; the Kingdom of God was at hand. The Son of God died for the sins of the world; He was buried in a borrowed tomb; He was raised to life on the third day. God wants all Jews and all Gentiles to be saved by His grace through faith in Christ Jesus.

The Father, Son, and Spirit want all who have found life in Jesus to be ‘one’ as they are ‘One.’ As we live in Christ, the fruit of the Spirit will be apparent in our lives… and ‘love’ is the greatest. Our Master wants His love to rule the day… love for one another, love for our neighbor, love for the broken, love for the foreigner, and even love for our enemies. Jesus wants us to live in fellowship with Him and one another as we trust and obey Him. He wants us to remember and He wants the world to know He is coming again.

Sometimes it is good to remember the basics.

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes to 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

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

“For the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.” Hebrews 4:12-13

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.” John 17:20-21

“My command is this: love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12

“But do not forget one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.” II Peter 3:8-10

“Stand firm in the Lord…” (Philippians 4:1) “Stand firm in the will of God…” (Colossians 4:12) “Stand firm and do not let yourselves be burdened by the yoke of slavery…” (Galatians 5:1) “It is the gospel on which you have taken your stand…” (I Corinthians 15:1) “It is by faith you stand firm…” (II Corinthians 1:24) “Resist the devil, standing firm in the faith…” (I Peter 5:9) “Stand fast in the grace of God…” (I Peter 5:12)

There are more instructions to stand, but here is a passage from Paul that lifts our eyes to the One on the throne: “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” (II Corinthians 1:21-23)

Look what God has done! “It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus…” (I Corinthians 1:21) “Because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus…” (Ephesians 2:4-6)

God wants us to see and believe what He has done, what He is doing, and what He has promised to do. He reveals His truth and we can stand confidently in His Word:

• I make you stand firm in Christ
• I have anointed you
• I have set My seal of ownership on you
• I have put My Spirit in your heart
• I have guaranteed what is to come
• I have made you alive in My Son
• I have saved you by My grace
• I have raised you up with Christ
• I have seated you with Me in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus

‘Praise God from whom all blessings flow…’

“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 stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2

“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!” James 5:7-9

One of the great things about teaching Bible to middle school students is the chance to dispel the myth that God-followers are ‘wimps’ or ‘soft’ individuals. There is no way to read the stories of Abraham, David, Samson, Deborah, Esther, and a host of others without noticing the extraordinary courage in people of faith.

In the New Testament, ‘common’ individuals determined it was worth everything to live for His Majesty. Mary Magdalene, Paul, Peter, and Mary the mother of Jesus are four well-known followers. Though we live in different times with different challenges, we can learn from those who went before us.

In praising Jesus, I think Mary Magdalene and Paul would highlight their deliverance from powerful forces. Mary was possessed by demons. She could not control the evil that owned her. She was a hopeless case… apart from a miracle. Then Jesus of Nazareth appeared and cast out all seven of the evil spirits and brought true freedom to a daughter of Israel. From that moment forward, Mary loved her Teacher and was totally loyal to her Master. Of all people, God chose to let His Son appear first to Mary Magdalene after His resurrection. God makes the best choices…

Paul was delivered from the powerful force of ‘religion.’ With a brilliant mind, the young man Saul was unmatched in his zeal for the God of Israel. The problem was he had rejected Jesus as the One God sent to rescue the world. On the road to Damascus, the Light appeared and spoke directly to a determined Pharisee and changed his life forever. Through hardships of every kind, Paul ran his race like few others. He knew nothing of this world compared to what God has prepared for those who love and serve Him.

While also rescued and delivered from his sin, Peter would praise God that Jesus ‘chose’ him. “Who am I to be called by a King? What does Jesus see in me?” With all his flaws, Peter always remembered he was chosen, though he did not deserve the Lord’s mercy and grace. The same God has chosen to love us… though we don’t deserve such blessing. May we better understand this gift and may we offer ourselves to Him as living sacrifices.

Mary from Nazareth also knew the blessing of being chosen. Only one mother in the history of mankind would give birth to the Messiah. “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant.” (Luke 1:46-48) From beginning to end, Mary loved, protected, and followed the One who also saved her soul. Her reply to God’s angel teaches us a proper response: “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” (Luke 1:38)

Let our voices join those who have known the goodness of God. He is the faithful One and He beckons us to live in His love.

“This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins… If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” I John 4:9-10,15-16

Our dear friend Anna from Brazil shared some thoughts about the first miracle of Jesus recently. Anna has a way of teaching that makes hearers continue to ponder God’s lessons long after the meeting has concluded.

A realization I reached regarding Jesus turning water into wine at Cana may already be common understanding, but I can’t seem to quit thinking about it. Here’s the thought: If it had not been for Mary, this would not have been the first miracle of Jesus.

Even the Son of God had seasons of life. He was born in Bethlehem and grew up as an obedient child in the small town of Nazareth. “And the Child grew and became strong; He was filled with wisdom and the grace of God was upon Him.” (Luke 2:40) He worked with His father Joseph until He was around thirty years old then was baptized by John the Baptist. Aside from His miraculous conception, no miracles, signs, or wonders were attributed to the carpenter’s son. Jesus was seen as one living an ordinary life.

Luke tells us that Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit after His baptism and after He returned from forty days of fasting in the wilderness, He was full of power. Mother Mary must have noticed a change in her Son. No one knew Jesus on earth better than His mother, who over the years, treasured many things in her heart… including an old man saying: “This Child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel.” (Luke 2:34)

Mary understood that the hosts of the wedding feast would be totally humiliated when the guests learned there was no more wine. Susan and I were responsible for Kinsey’s and Jordan’s wedding. If the director came to us as dinner was being served and said, “I am so sorry, but we miscalculated… only half your guests are going to get to eat,” we might have fainted. In the culture of Jesus’ day, running out of wine was worse.

But her Son did not ‘own’ this problem. When Mary asked Him to get involved, He replied: “What does this have to do with Me? It is not yet My time.” In other words, ‘Mother, this is none of My business. God has plans for Me reveal His power, but this is not the moment.’

Mary would not be dissuaded; she absolutely could not bear the thought of her friends entering a disaster that would shame them for the rest of their lives. She ordered the servants: “Do whatever He tells you.” Did she then give a ‘mother’s look’ to her Son?

So Jesus used water and six huge water pots to produce over one hundred gallons of the finest wine ever tasted on earth. “Who serves the best wine last?” asked the master of the banquet after taking a sip. God let His Son first reveal His power while rescuing parents at a wedding feast. What a story!

So here’s a question for those of us who follow Jesus today: How many people will Jesus rescue and bless if I boldly intercede on their behalf like Mary did at the Cana wedding?

Is the Father waiting for us to knock on His door with the audacity of Mary? Do we know the Son well enough realize nothing is impossible for Him? Do we love people enough to ask and seek and knock? I think I hear Jesus whisper: ‘The sky’s the limit!’

Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Luke 11:5-10

Hello again, my name is Lewis. In the midst of difficulty, I have found Jesus… or maybe, Jesus has found me. Good can come from bad… I say this because I really don’t think I would have pursued God had life not changed so dramatically. Now I am consumed with Him… and I’m asking: What does He expect from me?

Reading His Word, it looks like God has accomplished everything through His Son Jesus Christ and now He asks us to live by faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please God…” seems pretty clear, but what is faith? The Bible says: “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” I think God wants us to be confident in His love and certain that He is with us.

It is tempting to try to figure things out before believing. In the case of Thomas, Jesus said, “Reach out your hand and put it in My side.” Then He said, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” That is us. That is me.

It must work like this: God reveals His truth; I choose to believe (or not); then experience follows. Here’s an example from my brief journey:

The Bible says: “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… Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him… In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (see Romans 6)

While I don’t quite understand how I died when Christ died, by faith I am believing Jesus took my sin and my ‘old self’ to the cross with Him. And when He rose on Sunday morning, He included Me in His resurrection. Because He lives, I live… in Him, as a new creation… no longer a slave to sin.

So here’s my experience: I am a new man. Before Christ, I was a slave to sin, addicted to bad habits I could never conquer. Now I am free. This is a miracle brought about by one event: Jesus Christ came into my life. ‘I once was lost, but now I’m found… I was blind, but now I see.’ I am praising God for His grace and I am giving Him all the credit for saving me. If He rescued me, He can rescue anyone.

I must now tell my friends and family that God is real and that He loves us. I must share this new life I have found in Jesus. “Lord, let me shine Your light! Please help others find You too.”

“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.” II Corinthians 5:17-21

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16