"Through Christ"

" I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."  Philippians 4:13

Perhaps you have wondered why you keeping failing and falling in your attempts to accomplish even the smallest of task?  It is because you are trying to do it in your own ability, strength and effort. 

Israel tried to go against Ai in their own strength and wound up fleeing in defeat from the enemy.  Abraham and Sarah tried to produce the promise in their own ability and wound up with Ishmael, which brought conflict into their home.  David tried to handle the lust of his heart by himself when he looked at Bathsheba.  But he not only wound up giving into it, but also started on a path that led from one sin to another.

There is a reason why the verse this morning doesn't read-- "I can do all things (period)" It is because we can't.  We can't do it through our own strength, through education, through our skills, through our talents, etc.  The key is "through Christ".  He is our ability.  It is only through Him that we can do anything.  The outcome in each of the examples that we used this morning would have been a lot different had they done it "through Christ".  The outcome of what we are trying to do will be a lot better, and perfect, if we will do whatever it is we are trying to do through Christ.

Have a great day.  Trying to do anything in our own ability will only cause us to fail.  Success comes "through Christ".

For further reading:
Proverbs 16:25; 3:5,6
Jeremiah 10:23

"What To Do With The Cross"

"And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:" Ephesians 2:16

I purchased a small ornamental cross with the names of Jesus engraved on it the other day to hang on a wall in my house.  I came home with it and went from room to room looking for a place to hang it.  I tried to find a place in each room, but I just don't know where to hang it.  I can't find a spot.  I don't know what I will do with it. 

As I was looking for a place, not knowing what to do with it, the Lord spoke to me.  He said, "There are a lot of people who don't know what to do with the cross". 

The cross is an offense to many.  They see it as an insult.  They stumble over the simplicity and power of it.  Therefore, they stay away from the cross and have nothing to do with it least it brings conviction to their hearts and draw them to itself.  "And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased." Galatians 5:11

The cross and its power to save is foolishness to some.  It makes no sense.  They see no logic in it, so they refuse it.  "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18)

The cross is a place of conflict.  It is a place where you either embrace it or you fight against it and become an enemy of it.  "(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:" (Philippians 3:18) 

The cross is a place of glory and victory.  It is the place where sin and death were defeated.  It is where the victory over the enemy of our soul was won.  To those who accept the cross and take it up and follow Jesus, it is a place of personal freedom.  "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." (Galatians 6:14)

So, what about you?  What is the cross to you?  A stumbling block?  An offense?  Foolishness?  Or victory and glory?  What you decide to do with the cross determines your eternal destiny.  For those who accept it, love it and embrace it, it is the power of God that brings salvation.

Have a great day.  What will you do with the cross?

"It Wasn't In Vain"

"I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain."  Galatians 2:21

If our good deeds, good works, and religious service could save us; if joining a church, if being baptized in water, if getting a Christian education could save us, then what Jesus went through at the cross was needless and pointless.  That means He went through the suffering, the agony, the pain and the shame for nothing.  It means He subjected Himself to life on earth and crucifixion at the hands of evil men needlessly.  It means it was all in vain.

But it wasn't in vain.  It wasn't pointless.  It was necessary.  Although we like to think that our goodness is good enough to get us to heaven; although we believe that going to church and doing religious disciplines makes us saved, we are not only sadly mistaken, but we are wrong and deceived.  We have believed a lie.  We have made the goodness of God of none affect.  We are frustrating the grace of God.  For if indeed we could save ourselves by our own merits Jesus would not have come to earth and died on the cross.  The fact that He did speaks loudly and clearly.... we can't save ourselves! 

Just because you live in a so called "Christian nation", just because you grew up in the "Bible Belt", just because your grandfather was a preacher, just because you joined a particular church, just because you go to church on Sunday doesn't mean you are truly saved or have eternal life.  There is only One Way to be saved.  There is only One Name given under heaven that can save us.  Consider what Jesus said to the Pharisees, the religious leaders of His day.  He called them blind leaders of the blind.  White-washed tombs, full of death.  "But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.' (Matthew 23:13) He let them know they weren't saved and weren't going to heaven even though they were religious.

Being religious makes you nothing!!! It just deceives you and leads you further away from God if you are putting your trust in it to save you.  The only hope we have of eternal life is in Jesus Christ and His grace that saves us through faith in Him.  "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8,9)    

Have a great day.  Jesus' death was not in vain... it is the only way that we can be saved.

For further reading:
Matthew 15:14; 23:27
Acts 4:12

"Talking About Him"

"Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works."  Psalm 119:27

What do you talk about?  What do most of your conversations consist of?  Do you spend them talking about self?  About the weather?  Politics?  Your job, family, some hobby that interest you?  There is nothing wrong with talking about these, but is that all you talk about? 

Do you talk about the "wondrous works of the Lord"?  When was the last time He was the subject of your conversation?  When was the last time you testified of what He has done in your life?  When was the last time you talked of His praises?  When was the last time you told someone else about Him? 

Why is it as Christians that we are at no loss for words when it comes to certain subjects, but when it comes to the Grand Subject of our lives-- Jesus-- we can't find anything to say or we "clam up"?  If we don't tell others about Him and His goodness, His saving grace, His salvation, His wondrous works, who will or how will they know?

Have you been quiet about your faith in Jesus?  Have you been quiet too long?  The gospel of Jesus is Good News.  Don't keep the good news from them any longer.  If we don't tell, they won't hear.  We need to open our mouths and speak up more than we do and tell of His wondrous works.  They talk about anything and everything.  Can't we talk about the One who is glorious and worthy to be talked about?  Or are we ashamed to say anything?  Let's pray not.

Have a great day.  When was the last time your conversation was about the Lord and what He has done in your life?

For further reading:
Psalm 89:1; 109:30
1 Corinthians 1:21
Revelation 12:11
Mark 8:38

"Work Or Relationship?"

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."  John 1:12

We think living for the Lord is all about service-- working for Him.  True we have received the commission to reach the world and preach the gospel.  We are to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and those in prison.  And, yes, we are to let our lights shine before men that they may see our good works.  But if serving God is all that you believe it is to it, then you have missed it.

Jesus died on the cross to reconcile our relationship with God the Father.  He died so that we could become the sons and daughters of God.  He desires a relationship with you more than He desires your service for Him. 

God could do the work that needs to be done by Himself without us.  All He has to do is speak it and it would be done.  But the far greater thing that He wants took more than commanding words, it took a demonstration.... it took the death of His Son Jesus.  "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8- NIV)

God the Father loves you.  Jesus loves you.  This is not just a song the children sing; it is the truth.  Do you have that relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ the Son?  Or are you just a worker, a church attender, a religious person?

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God." (1 John 3:1a) 

Have a great day.  God the Father wants a relationship with you more than He wants your work for Him.

For further reading:
1 John 3:2
Romans 8:14
Matthew 5:9
Galatians 3:26