Focus In Life

~ Is Jesus Christ the Focus of Your Life? ~ 

 

 Look To Jesus  ~  “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus Christ is our example.

Learn From Jesus  ~  “And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word” (Luke 10:39). Jesus Christ is our teacher.

Lean On Jesus  ~  “Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I awakened you under the apple tree. There your mother brought you forth; there she who bore you brought you forth” (Song of Solomon 8:5). Jesus Christ is the source of our strength. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).  

 

 

Look For Jesus  ~  “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). Jesus Christ is the basis for our hope.          

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:1-3). 

 

 the key question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). This is the most important question you will ever answer. If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make! 

 

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Praise Him Even More

I don’t recall ever being asked to explain the importance of breathing. It is pretty well accepted that breathing is a good idea and that we should do it many times every day; a lack of breathing is definitely bad for our physical health! And it is not an exaggeration to say that praise is just as important; it should become as natural, and occur as often as our breathing. For if we choose not to live a life of praise, we will just as surely suffocate and spiritually die.
The life of praise requires only a little instruction and a great deal of application. To begin with, we must learn to ALWAYS praise!
Philippians 4:4
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
Notice that rejoicing is so important that Paul decided to repeat himself. If we are living to love and glorify God, then He has promised to work ALL things together for the good (Romans 8:28); so why do we wait for what appear to be the proper conditions for praise? If we really understood and believed that God is in control, wouldn’t we praise Him regardless of our particular situation? “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). There is never a wrong time to praise God and there are never circumstances which do not deserve our thankfulness.

Job lost absolutely everything he had except his wife. He then developed sores over every part of his body and was so miserable that his wife encouraged him to “Curse God and die!” (Job 2:10). Job was in great pain and heavy sorrow, but he knew all things came from God with a purpose; “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (Job 2:10). God is in the good as well as the trouble; we must learn to praise Him in ALL situations!
Our life can become difficult and painful; we may feel bored and unfulfilled, cheated and abused. But if we look at the reasons which keep us from praising, we will find “self” expectations and pride – we will find a life lived according to the desires of the flesh and not according to the fruit of the Spirit. Every portion of our life is to be offered “as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1). As we fix our eyes on the eternal glory we have through Jesus we will find more and more reasons to praise.
Let’s never allow our earthly circumstances to direct our praise: “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord” (Psalm 150:6). If we are still breathing, we should still be praising! He has given us eternal life, an eternity of worship in His presence…and that is a GREAT gift! Let’s look for the hand of God working around us each and every day. Let’s praise Him with all our heart, and then let’s praise Him even more!

Two Adams

~ Compare Them ~

How is Jesus Christ like Adam?   

 Birth  ~  The first Adam was created from virgin earth; the Last Adam came to earth through a virgin birth. Both the first and the Last Adams were born without a corrupted sin nature. The first Adam was born without a mother; the Second Adam was born without a human father. The first Adam was a creature representing God on earth; the Last Adam was God on earth. The first Adam was created in God’s own image (Genesis 1:27). The Last Adam is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15).

Life  ~  The first Adam appeared on a scene prepared to receive him; the Last Adam entered a world ready to reject Him. The first Adam was to receive the unqualified submission of all creatures on earth—he was to be lord of all. The Last Adam is the Lord of all even though He was rejected!

       

The first Adam’s side was opened and a rib removed to make provision for his bride. The Last Adam’s side was pierced by a Roman soldier’s spear making provision (through our Lord’s death) for His bride—the Church.

Due to the first Adam’s sin, all mankind died. Due to the Last Adam’s sinless life, all mankind is eligible for the forgiveness of their sins and to be made truly alive. When an individual chooses to accept Jesus Christ as Savior, he receives new spiritual life which never ends. This includes resurrection from death and eternal fellowship with the God of the universe.

Death  ~  The first Adam introduced the Book of Death (1 Corinthians 15:22, Romans 5:12) which mankind since the Fall enters through natural birth. The Last Adam provides the opportunity for us to choose to enter the Book of Life through spiritual birth (Revelation 20:15, 21:27). The two Adams represent two distinct families currently on earth and in heaven. The first Adam died spiritually in the Garden of Eden because of his sin. The Last Adam died physically in the Garden of Gethsemane for our sin (John 19:41).

End Result  ~  But the story doesn’t end in the Garden of Gethsemane. The Last Adam rose from the dead victorious over sin on that first Easter morning and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. One day, perhaps very soon, He will return for His Church.

7 Amens

~ Different Nuances of Amen ~

 

Amen is one word that is common to all who have Christian faith. It is not just used at the end of a statement—oftentimes it is embedded in the thought. Do you understand the meanings of the word “amen” and the differences in its meaning? In each of the following situations we are dealing with the same Greek word. 

Affirmation (so it is) ~ “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life” (John 6:47).

Supplication (so let it be) ~ “And she said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table” (Matthew 15:27). 

Expectation (let it be) ~ “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).

Confidence (it shall be) ~ “I tell you the truth, whoever hears My Word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24).

Necessity (it must be) ~ “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God’” (John 3:3).

Certainty (it is) ~ “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us” (2 Corinthians 1:20). 

Acquiescence (let it be) ~ “At that time Jesus answered and said, ‘I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight’” (Matthew 11:25-26).

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Our Leader

~ Jesus Christ Leads Us ~

He Leads Us In The Right Way  ~  “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their distresses. And He led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city for a dwelling place” (Psalm 107:6-7). 

He Leads Us Into Storms  ~  “Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’ But He said to them, ‘Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?’  Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying,  ‘Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?’” (Matthew 8:23-27). 

He Leads Us Through Depths  ~  “He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it dried up; so He led them through the depths, as through the wilderness” (Psalm 106:9).

He Gently Leads Us  ~  “He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young” (Isaiah 40:11). 

He Leads Us To Safety  ~  “But He made His own people go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock; and He led them on safely, so that they did not fear; but the sea overwhelmed their enemies” (Psalm 78:52-53).

He Leads Us Into Green pastures  ~  “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters” (Psalm 23:1-2).

the key question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). This is the most important question you will ever answer. If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make! 

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The Gospel in a Nutshell

 

The person who first noticed the following acrostic is unknown to me.

G  ~  for God so loved the world,

O  ~  that He gave His Only begotten

S  ~  Son, that whosoever believeth

P  ~  in Him should not Perish

E  ~  but have Everlasting

L  ~  Life.

~~~~~~~~~  

 This well-known verse contains a summary of the entire Bible. It contains the entire Gospel—the Good News! The good news is that salvation of mankind has been provided at the Cross of Calvary. Because of the Cross all who trust in the substitutionary death (Christ’s death to pay the penalty of our sin which is our death) are redeemed (bought back). We were created by our Creator. Sin entered and separated us from our rightful owner. Our owner/Creator bought us back / redeemed us.

Consider what is presented in just 25 words.

The Target of Redemption  ~  All who truly believe / trust Jesus Christ.

The Source of Our Redemption  ~  God’s love!

The Cost of Our Redemption  ~  God’s Son.

The Process of Our Redemption  ~  The sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

The Acceptance of Our Redemption  ~  Belief in Jesus Christ and His atoning work on our behalf.

The Result of Our Redemption  ~  Escape eternal punishment and gain eternal life with Jesus Christ.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is that…

God’s Only Son Perished that you might have Eternal Life! 

 

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~ The Exaltation of Jesus Christ ~

  “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).

“Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently; He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high. Just as many were astonished at you, so His visage was marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men; so shall He sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths at Him; for what had not been told them they shall see, and what they had not heard they shall consider” (Isaiah 52:13-15).

The Hebrew words translated as “exalted,” “extolled,” and “very high” all signify majesty and power.

“Exalted” at His Ascension  ~  “Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear” (Acts 2:33). “Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins” (Acts 5:31). 

“Extolled” in His Glory  ~  “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created” (Revelation 4:11). “Saying with a loud voice: ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!’ And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: ‘Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!’ Then the four living creatures said, ‘Amen!’ And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever” (Revelation 5:12-14). 

“Very High” in His Kingdom  ~  “And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: ‘KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS’” (Revelation 19:16).

the key question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). This is the most important question you will ever answer. If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make! 

 

For more information, Prayers and counseling you can contact,

 

Obedience

~ Do You Believe Enough to Obey? ~

 “Only he who believes is obedient, only he who is obedient believes.”  ~ Deitrich Bonehoeffer

God asks us to walk in obedience. He does not hold us accountable for results! Obedience is God-oriented. Results are self-oriented. Results can be the by-product of obedience. Obedience can be present without results.

“When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen” (Matthew 28:17-20).

From this portion of Scripture we find a key principle.  It is “devotion before discipleship.”  It is “worship before work.” 

Obedience is proof of conversion  ~  “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:15-23)

Obedience recognizes God  ~  “But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him’” (Acts 5:29-32). 

Obedience is a mark of children  ~ “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’ And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God” (1 Peter 1:13-21). 

Obedience is a manifestation of love – John 14:15  ~  Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.  And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever — the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:15-18).

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7 Keys to Consistency

 Many today are searching for stability in their chaotic lives. In seven short verses of 1 Thessalonians 5 we are provided a straightforward seven-part formula for consistency and stability in our lives on earth. 

Consistent Prayer  ~ “Pray continually” (5:17).  Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said, “Men always ought to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1). 

Consistent Thanksgiving  ~ “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus” (5:18). “Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20-21). 

Consistent Response  ~  “Do not put out the Spirit's fire” (5:19). “Don't cause the Holy Spirit sorrow by the way you live. Remember, He is the one who marks you to be present on that day when salvation from sin will be complete” (Ephesians 4:30).

Consistent Learning  ~  “Don't stifle those who have a word from the Master” (5:20, The Message). “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15-16).

Consistent Evaluation  ~  “Test everything. Hold on to the good”(5:21). This is the secret to spiritual maturity, “The mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14b). 

Consistent Purity  ~  “Avoid every kind of evil” (5:22). Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8). “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word” (Psalm 119:9).

Consistent Joy  ~  “Be joyful always” (5:16). In the future this will be possible to the ultimate degree. “God will wipe every tear from our eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4).  

 

Summary  ~  “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it” (5:16-24).

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