From Chris -
Galatians 3:26-28 – So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
1. Nothing can, except my own choice.
2. Of course not. We are all idividually, fearfully and wonderfully made in His image. Unique through all time.
From Chris -
John 1:12-13 – Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
John 3:3-8 – Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
John 3:16-17 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
1. By believing in Jesus Christ, and accepting Him and His truth.
2. Yes.
From Chris -
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 – For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
1. To me, it is a time of deep confession, conviction and thanksgiving. I thank God for what He did for me, and then I reflect and confess upon my sins. I try to acknowledge and catch every evil within me, and offer it to my Lord. And then, I can thank Him all over again… constantly in reminder of how much grace I have been given, and how incredible is the love of God for me.
2. Lord, I confess that I am truly a sinner, that only You can use for good. I thank You that You can still use a sinner like me, for Your glory. You have given me life and eternal hope, grace, forgiveness and peace, and yet I still turn away, I curse You, I betray You, I hurt You and I forget You. And yet You love me still, enough to die for me right here, right now, as I am. Such is Your great ad holy love. Help me to remember all that You have done, and are doing for me, that I would be accountable to Your mercy and grace, and serve You always.
From Chris -
Matthew 28:19-20 – Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
1. We welcome another brother or sister into the family of God publicly!
2. Means I have taken one of my first steps in obedience to Christ.
From Chris -
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
1. It’s God’s Word to us. It is perfect and holy and true. Not man-made nor circumstantial… but rather eternal.
2. Today, I was reflecting on Matthew 7:21-23 and actually, the whole chapter. When we think of the harsh reality of hell, we forget, that in context, Jesus spends a great deal of time, warning those who already profess belief in God. He warns us that “MANY” will not be recognized by Him at the time of judgment, even though many will claim they follow Him. It is our actions, that are based on our faith, that show who and what we really are. Is what I do and say at all times, especially when I am alone, show that I am a Christ follower? Show that I believe in an eternal Savior who died for every sin I have ever done and ever will do, and rose again to conquer death taht I may have the opportunity to claim salvation and eternal life? Do I show that I truly believe that God is with me everywhere I go? Sadly… I feel unworthy.
From Chris -
1 Peter 2:9 – But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1. I firmly believe that all the world can be helped by and through the church, empowered by the Holy Spirit in glory to God.
2. Because Jesus tells us that whatever we do for the least of these, we do it for Him. To me, it is the one thing that we can do to repay Christ for what He has done for us. Something we can do in thanksgiving and obedience.
From Chris -
John 15:26 – “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.”
1. Through each of us. We are empowered and unified through the Holy Spirit.
2. Father God, thank You for loving me and giving me faith in You. Thank you for sharing Your heart with me, Your words with me… may I never be ungrateful and always acknowledging You.
