BROUGHT TO LIFE
True life begins when we are born again!
1 Peter 1:23, Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
This past Spring, I killed off a large section of my back yard for a garden. I tilled the soil, fertilized it, and made rows of dirt. I bought some seeds to plant for starter plants. Most of the seeds never came up. But the ones that did, I didn’t do it—God did.
You see, with plants, we can do all the preparation, planting, and watering, but without God bringing forth life of the seeds; they will not grow!
Such as it is with salvation. We can plant the Seed of God’s Word in someone’s dead soul. Someone else may water it with God’s Word. But unless the God of the Seed and the Water brings the soul to life—it will remain dead.
Praise God we have a Saviour that is not willing that any should remain dead! Based on Who He is and what He has done for us, if we believe in His death, burial, and resurrection we are brought to life! Have you been?
LIVE A HOLY LIFE
I believe the holier a man becomes, the more he mourns over the unholiness that remains in him. -Spurgeon
1 Peter 1:13-16, Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Living a holy life involves much more than just attending church. A Christian must bring into captivity their thoughts; keeping their mind focused on the Lord Jesus. They will keep themselves from their former sinful ways; protecting their heart from the fiery darts Satan hurls at them day by day. A Christian’s speech will be above reproach and Christ honoring. Why would a Christian do this? It’s in the name, “Christian.” It means to be Christ like or “Little Christ”. There are no substitutes. We must live a holy life because Christ Himself was holy.
PROMISE OF LIFE
There is the promise of life through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:3-5, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
What a promise we have in the resurrection of Jesus! His Word says, it’s a lively hope! It’s an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away! And look a little closer; it’s reserved in Heaven for you! Hallelujah!
Are you saved friend? If you are, what a blessing God has given you!
If you’re not, you can be! Ask me how!
JESUS BRINGS LIFE
Life is found in Jesus and without it, there is only death.
1 John 5:12, He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
He spoke it at creation and He can speak it into your life as well. No matter what your past is like. No matter where you came from. No matter where you have been. No matter what you may have done. Jesus can and will forgive if you ask Him with a humble, repentant heart.
Have you ever asked Jesus to save you? Did you mean it or were you trying to get someone off your back? Hey friend, there is still time for you to repent and trust Jesus as Saviour! He will bring life into your dead, sin filled life!
DON’T KILL THE BABIES
At the moment of conception, a new human life is created.
Luke 1:41, And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
According to the Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL), there are at least four reasons that we understand that life begins at conception. To start with, this life is distinct. The unborn child has a DNA and body distinct from her mother and father. She develops her own arms, legs, brain, nervous system, heart, and so forth. Secondly, he is living. The unborn baby meets the biological criteria for life. He grows by reproducing cells. He turns nutrients into energy through metabolism. And he can respond to stimuli. Third, the unborn baby is human. The unborn has a human genetic signature. She is also the offspring of human parents, and humans can only beget other humans. Finally, according to MCCL, the unborn is an organism (rather than a mere organ or tissue). He is an individual whose parts work together for the good of the whole. Guided by a complete genetic code, he needs only the proper environment and nutrition to develop himself through the different stages of life, growing all the way to adulthood.
But much more than evidence from organizations like MCCL, the Word of God is the final authority concerning life. In Luke 1:41, we see John leaping in his mother’s womb at the presence of Jesus in His mother’s womb. In this, we see, John, as a babe, had discernment and awareness. Because he did, he gave praise to the Lord!
Hey friend, we shouldn’t kill the babies! Will you stand for life during this American Election?
THE LORD NEEDS YOU
I have now concentrated all my prayers into one, and that one prayer is this, that I may die to self, and live wholly to him. -Spurgeon
Romans 12:1, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
More than anything else, the Lord wants you to give Him your life. While He desires for you to give your tithes and offerings, use your talents, and invest your time for the ministry, He wants you to be saved above it all. That’s why He led Paul to pen down the Words in Romans 12:1.
Have you given your life to the Lord? The Lord wants you to be saved. The Lord desires you to be saved. The Lord needs you to be saved! Will you be saved today?
HIS LIFE FOR MINE
I must die or get somebody to die for me. If the Bible doesn't teach that, it doesn't teach anything. And that is where the atonement of Jesus Christ comes in. -Moody
2 Corinthians 5:21, For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
When Jesus Christ came to earth, he came with a purpose in mind, to redeem lost sinners. He said this when He was at the temple, “I must be about my Father’s business.” He said it when speaking to His disciples, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” He said it when He was on the Cross, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” What you have to do is decide whether Jesus was a liar, a lunatic, or if you will repent of your sins and trust Him as Saviour. He gave His life for mine and yours! Don’t die without His blood being put to your account!
YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Empty handed we came, empty handed we will go.
1 Timothy 6:7, For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
I don’t know about you but I really don’t remember much about my birth. I was there but I don’t know who else was. That’s not exactly true, my mom was there, lol. I wasn’t there when my son was born, so I can’t really tell you much about who was at his birth other than my wife. Anyway, I was there when my oldest daughter was born and you know what, she didn’t have anything when she was born. No cell phone, no bank account, no friend’s list, or anything! And guess what, she will not be taking anything out of this life either!
Friend, there isn’t anything wrong with saving for old age, investing in your future, or taking care of yourself during retirement. However, if that is what you live for, you’re missing the privilege of giving! The blessing in giving is seeing how God uses what you give to bless others! Whether it be giving to missionaries in their God called ministry or if it is being a blessing to someone in need, you will always be blessed in helping others! And just remember, you may chase that almighty dollar throughout life but you can’t take it with you!
HOW’S LIFE GOING?
What a wonderful life I've had! I only wish I realized it sooner. -Colette
James 4:14, Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
This can be a very stressful and gloomy time of year for some. Some are heartbroken over the loss of a loved one. Others, haven’t been able to work as much as they normally would and they can’t give presents like usual. It becomes a little much and you lose the joy of the season.
Hey Friend, is this you? Do you endure the Christmas season instead of enjoying it? Replace your sadness by reminiscing of all the memories made while they were with you. Rejoice for the years you were blessed where you could provide more. Before it’s too late, be reminded of what a wonderful life you have right now!