HAPPY TUESDAY!
Today’s scriptures are about being followers of Christ. Carrying the title “Christian”, brings so much controversy these days, and I have to admit, there are some good reasons. We have all types of Christians - the money hungry Christians, the backsliders, the bible thumpers, the judgmental Christians, the liberal Christians, and let’s not mention the “mega church” Christian scandals. I believe that people are just that, “people”. We’re all human, and when we lose focus on what’s right, we have the potential to carry any one of the aforementioned titles. I for one am proud to be a Christian, because to be a Christian simply means that I’m a follower of Christ. It means to believe that Christ is the only way to salvation, and that no man can go to the Father except by Him. It also means that you believe that Jesus was a perfect man, who walked this earth preaching the gospel - was killed, resurrected, and now live in Heaven with God, making intercession for us. If you believe all of these things, then you are a Christian (follower of Christ), no matter what title you claim.
The title we carry is nowhere near as important as the life we live. Jesus came so that we could have life more abundantly, and He taught us the way to claim, and live, that life. We can learn valuable life lessons from every Word written, that came out of His mouth, as well as by His actions. He never sacrificed His values, beliefs, or integrity, because of the strong opinions, and sometimes hatred, of the people around Him. He realized how important spreading the gospel was to the life of every human being. Jesus understood that it wasn’t about all Him, but there was a bigger calling on His life. He understood that as a Child of God, His actions would not only affect Him, but every believer that followed Him, for generations to come. He loved God with all of His heart, and loved us He loved Himself, and He went to His grave preaching that.
As Christians, our main focus should be trying to be like Christ from the heart, because Jesus is the only person who truly had life figured out. After all, He was “the Word that became flesh”, so He had a direct connection to Judge and Creator of the law. Jesus was a very humble and meek man, who walked according to the Word of God. He consistently quoted scripture from the biblical scholars, prophets, and men of God, who came before Him. He lived by God’s promises, just as He quoted to the devil, when He was tempted in the wilderness: But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” (Matt 4:4) He understood that we cannot adequately grow without nourishment from God, which can only be found in His Word. Jesus taught every sermon, and based every parable, on the Word of God, to instill in us the importance of following the principles, and Will of God. The only reason that we’re able to have this conversation today is because Jesus followed the principles, as well as God’s Will for His life. He expects the same from us, because He paid a great price to give us that privilege.
Jesus’ greatest lessons that teach us how to live a righteous and bountiful life can be found in the Sermon on the Mount. If you’ve never read these chapters, please take a moment and read them today. I promise they will change your life forever! Ask the Holy Spirit to help you truly “hear” the Word from the Lord, and fashion your life by it. Jesus will never lead us astray. Life is just as simple as He lays it out here: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt 5:3-10) Did you notice that Jesus never said, “blessed are those who are perfect, and without sin”? To sum it up, “Blessed are those who are after God’s own heart”.
Jesus gave His life so that you could have one, because He knows that none of us are perfect. He understands that we’re going to fall short, and He wanted to encourage us to keep pressing towards righteousness anyway. He’ll do His part to make sure that we reach it. Because of His bloodshed, we wear a veil of righteousness, and that’s what God sees when He looks at any believer, regardless of the “status” of our life. However, if you’re not a believer in Christ, then your sins are all that God sees. Take a few moments to take this God Quiz today. Those of us, who are believers, have the precious privilege to repent and be forgiven of our sins, but you don’t – not until you confess Jesus as Lord. My favorite verses today are: For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; ... but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously. (1 Peter 2:21-23)
ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455503&dtype=Scripture
http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/today-on-radio
http://www.intouch.org/magazine/daily-devotional
I love you!
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