Thursday, June 27, 2013

Who are you from God's perspective? #12




A saint defined in the dictionary is this: a person of great holiness, virtue, or benevolence. Read this verse: Ephesians 1:1

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,

To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:



In the eyes of God, whoever puts their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is a Saint! You see it is not by our own works that we become a Saint it is ONLY by the shed blood of Jesus that covers our sins. Thus God does not see our sin anymore but sees Jesus in us! Have you ever thought about being a Saint? Well you are if you are a follower of Jesus! Now go live a life of a Saint!



Tom

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Who are you from God's perspective? #11




Today we see who how God sees us as a part of the church. If one studies the bible it is very simple to see that as a believer in Christ that we are to be in and a servant in the church. Look at these verses:


1 Corinthians 12:12-26

12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.

15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be?

20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.



In God's view, we are a vital part of the church. Jesus established the church and expects us to worship and serve at the church. All are equal, all are important, and when a believer makes a choice to either not to go to church or just to sit in the per and not fulfill what talent, gift, or ability He has given them, then they are disobeying God! The church needs all believers and the believer needs the church!



So be obedient and get to church and serve the King!



Tom

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Who are you from God's perspective? #10




Here is a question for you. Did you know that you don't belong to you if you have been saved by Jesus Christ? That's right! Check these verses out:


1 Corinthians 6:19-20



19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit,



which are God’s.



Did you catch that? "Bought at a price". What was that price? Jesus Christ dying on the cross for your sins and mine! We don't belong to our self, we belong to Jesus! Do you live your life that way? I know this word isn't liked by many but we are slaves! Slaves to Jesus. The difference is though our master has the best intentions for us! He loves us and cares for us. He even forgives us when we do wrong. Oh I love my master this morning and I don't want to escape from Him, I want to live with my master for eternity!!! How about you?



So this morning remember, you are not your own, you belong to Jesus! Live like it! In God's eyes we are HIS!



Tom

Monday, June 24, 2013

Who are you from God's perspective? #9




Alright back to looking at how God views us! Not how we think or feel God sees us but what God's Word says!



Look at these verse:


Romans 5:1

5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,



So what does justified mean? According to the dictionary: to declare innocent or guiltless; absolve; acquit. Oh my friends think on that for a moment. When we have put our faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior of our life, we are considered innocent or guiltless of our sins in God's eyes! Thank you Jesus for dying on that cross for me! Can I get an AMEN?



Now the verse goes on to say we have peace with God because of that justification. Wow, peace with God. What an awesome blessing to have peace with God! Many will wish they had this peace when the wrath of God comes at judgement day and many have never called upon Jesus!



Thank you God for making me justified in your sight through your son Jesus!



Tom

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Think you are pretty wise????




This may be one of our biggest problems, thinking we know more than we do! Read these verses:



Proverbs 3:7-8



7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;Fear the Lord and depart from evil.8 It will be health to your flesh,And strength to your bones.





Speaking for myself, I have had several times in my life where I thought I had the answers only to find out how little I really did know. God makes it so simple for us though, fear Him and stay away from evil(sin), and life will be much more fulfilling. Matter of fact He says in these verse health and strength we will have when we figure out God is the answer to all!!!! I wish I had figured that out much earlier in life!



Thank you God for providing wisdom through your Word, and Holy Spirit show me the evil that tries to creep in today so I may flee from it! I give you praise and honor this morning Lord.



Tom

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Life and peace!




God is clear in His Word that to have life and peace one must understand and keep the Word of God a priority in his life!



Proverbs 3:1-2



3 My son, do not forget my law,But let your heart keep my commands;2 For length of days and long lifeAnd peace they will add to you.



We try all kinds of things in life to bring peace. God says obeying his Word will do just that. Is God's Word something you value, obey, and read everyday? or is it something you rarely ever think about and your bible is covered in dust if you even know where it is at? Peace will elude you if God's Word in not valued in your life!



God also says here long life will be with you when we are keeping His commands. While I believe He is talking about days on earth we also must consider eternity. Eternity is a mighty long time, are you prepared to enter it? If you know God's Word and obey it you are, if you don't then you better get into it! Don't delay start today!



Tom

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Fear God




We live in a day a true fear of God does not seem to exist for if it did this country of ours would be much different! Check these verses out:



Proverbs 1:28-29

28 “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.29 Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the Lord,



Many call upon God when they need something, many seek God for their own selfish gain, and then they forsake God because He does not answer. God is clear here that we must hold Him in the proper position in our life because He is God! He has given us a guide book for life called the bible but most chose not to read it or understand it as the verse says above we hate knowledge because it points out our sin and we want to keep our sinful lives! We think if we don't read our bibles it will somehow make us accountable for our sin because of ignorance! Oh how wrong that is! Then we come to fear of the Lord! Yes their is some of a actual fear because He is God but it is more of a awe and great respect. Worship is not important, we throw God's name around in vain, we disobey His commands, and it shows we have no fear of God!



Oh my brothers and sisters how we need a love for the bible and a fear of the Lord in each of our lives! Until then don't expect God to hear our nations prayers or for that matter the individuals prayer if they are not doing these two aspects of our faith!



Tom

Monday, June 17, 2013

Don't give in to sin!


 
Short devo's this week as we have VBS all this week! I hope to continue the series on How God views us next week. So here we go:

Proverbs 1:10 10 My son, if sinners entice you,Do not consent.

Be very careful of who your friends are and who you hang out with. When they sin do not follow their lead! Sin is all around us and we must keep a watch out for the devil and his demons tempting us! Stand strong in the faith my brothers and sisters!

Tom

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Who are you from God's perspective? #8




Today as we continue to look at who we are from God's view we see something that should comfort us in a great way...read this verse:



John 1:12

12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:



If you have received Jesus as Lord and Savior then you are a child of God! We are adopted into the family of God! Wow!



Ephesians 1:5-6

5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.



Stop and think about that for a while. You are child of God. Nothing we have done for this honor. Jesus did it all on the cross! God loves us so much and we are His children!



Now maybe you have a great dad or maybe you don't but one thing is for sure.....you have a heavenly Father who loves you more than you can comprehend! Rejoice in that fact today!



Tom

Monday, June 10, 2013

Who are you from God's perspective? #7



I hope you have been letting these ways that God sees you sink in! It should make you feel great about yourself and life to know that God sees you in the most loving, awesome ways. So lets continue this morning.

Ephesians 1:3-63 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

What I want you to see in these verse is God sees those who have put their faith in Christ as holy and without blame! Wow! I don't know about you but most days I don't see my self as very holy but you know what? It don't matter how I view myself because God views me as holy because I am covered by the blood of Jesus! God's opinion rules! So live a holy life! God also sees us as blameless. All the blame we deserve for our sin is gone! Again removed by the blood of Jesus upon that cross at Calvary! So we have no reason to live under guilt or shame because God does not blame His Children who have received His forgiveness! That makes me smile this Monday morning!

So praise God this morning for His grace, mercy, and love! You are loved, blameless and holy!

Tom

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Who are you from God's perspective? #6



OH my brothers and sisters! As we continue to look at who you are from God's view, this morning you are going to want to shout, sing, dance, flip, smile, hop, jump, run around the house, hug someone, and praise the Lord when you see view today! Here it is:

1 Corinthians 15:55-57

55 “O Death, where is your sting?O Hades, where is your victory?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

YOU ARE VICTORIOUS! Through Jesus we have defeated sin, we have defeated death! YESSSSSSSS! Their is no such thing as a loser when covered by the blood of Jesus! The devil can try to beat us down, but He has been defeated! Death and hell are nothing and of no concern to those who have placed their faith in Christ! If that don't make you smile I don't know what will!

Praise be to God, I am a winner for eternity! How does that feel????? AWESOME!

Tom

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Who are you from God's perspective? #5




Living by the way God sees us is so refreshing! As we continue to look at how God sees us I want you to ask yourself, "Do I live like I am free, or am I in bondage to something, or someone? Look at these verses:



Galatians 5:1 5 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.



John 8:32

32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”



John 8:36

36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.



Do you see why I asked that question above? Jesus made us free to live in Him and from bondage to anything! That is awesome news. In Christ we have the power to overcome anything....a relationship that is not God honoring, a sinful habit, a habit that may be hurting our bodies, hobbies that keep us from the best relationship that we can have with God and the list goes on. Don't be in bondage to anything but Jesus! You can not live the life God desires for you if you are enslaved by people or things of this world. Thank God He has provided the answer...His Son Jesus. Don't you want to be free, really free??? Come to Jesus, and you can have that victorious, joyful, life that can only be had in truth, Jesus!



Tom

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Who are you from God's perspective? #4




I sure an enjoying seeing how God sees me, for that is most important. My view and others view are of no value as we see how God sees us! His view rules. So let's look at another way God sees us this morning:


Romans 8:35-39

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written:“For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.



Two main points we need to grab this morning from God's perspective:



1. There is NOTHING that can separate us from the love of Jesus! Did you catch that? NOTHING! Life's trials...no, distress is that which causes anxiety, pain, or suffering....no, persecution......no, famine.....no, nakedness....no, peril means exposed to danger....no, or even the sword or death.....no, no, no!!!!! You are loved by Jesus and NOTHING can take that away!



2. You are a conqueror in Jesus! Do you see your self as a conqueror? You should because if have given your life to Jesus and are a follower of Him you are victorious! Live like it. The devil and his tactics have lost, you have won through Jesus!!!! There are no powers anywhere that can separate us from the love of God through Jesus today or any other day!!!



Praise the Lord, shout, dance....God says you are loved and a conqueror! That makes it fact!



Tom

Monday, June 3, 2013

Who are you from God's perspective? #3




Ok let's continue on looking at how God views us, not how we view ourselves! Today we see we are free from the hold sin has on us look at this verse:


Romans 6:18

18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness



Oh yeah! We are free from sin. It no longer has a hold on us, because now we are slaves to righteousness in Christ. God does not see our sin anymore! He sees the righteousness of Christ in us! So why oh why do we let past sin come back to haunt us and burden us? The devil is good at this trick of bring our past sin up to try and beat us down with it....don't allow it! It is a lie! You are righteous in God's eyes!



So if we are free from sin than we are free from it's condemnation! Look here:



Romans 8:1-4

8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the

flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but

according to the Spirit.



God no longer sees our sin so we are no longer convicted by God for our sin because it has been covered by Jesus! Makes me want to shout! Thank you Jesus! Jesus fulfilled the the law, all the requirements of God for us so that we no longer walk in our sinful fleshly desires but according to the Holy Spirit who dwells in each child of God!



So today we see that God sees us....sin free, righteous in Christ, and free from the convictions that sin brings upon us! Are you living this way or are you allowing the devil to warp your view? Don't! You are victorious through Christ Jesus...live like it!



Tom