Jesus Christ finished His High Priestly Prayer by expanding his prayer to all believers in the future, even all the way to you today as well. Jesus ever liveth to make intercesssion for us, and He prays for us today the same way he did in this prayer – that we would know God the Father loves us the same way he loves the Son, that Christ ensured that his bride would be with him where he is, and that one day, we will be in perfect unity and behold his glory.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
As we put off the old man, we have to be purposeful to put on and walk as a new man. The child of God must control our tongue, which is a great fire that can cause tremendous destruction in our lives. We must control anger, and not give Satan an advantage by letting our emotions control our actions instead of the Spirit. We must forgive others for Christ’s sake, in light of the great, ten thousand talent debt that we have been forgiven by the Lord.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
One of the most vital applications of the Christian’s interactions with government is how do we vote in accordance with God’s word? We get into practical discussions of how the believer should view the political hot topic issues through a scriptural lens.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
“4) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5) Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” Ephesians 2:4-5
In the midst of the deplorable condition of man by nature, dead in trespasses and sins, and apart from God (Eph. 2:1-3), the Lord intervened in a dramatic way – “But God” – to show his mercy to undeserving sinners. But God did not stop with just showing mercy upon his children and not exacting the fullness of the judgment upon them that they had justly earned, but he went even farther to give them grace – unmerited favor – that they had done nothing to deserve. Mercy is God “not giving” us what we “do deserve”, and grace is God “giving” us what we “do not deserve”. Mercy saved us “from hell”, but grace saved us “to heaven”. We are thankful for “mercy” to escape the damnation of hell, but it’s through the exceeding riches of God’s “grace” that we have been blessed to be raised up to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:6).
God is sovereign over all aspects of this life, and even from the example of Jeremiah, that God made the prison that we might be suffering in at the moment. What might be the prison that you are suffering in right now? Whatever that prison might be in your specific situation, take encouragement that God made all aspects of that prison, and is sovereign over everything in that prison.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
When the Holy Spirit regenerates and borns a man again, we have a new nature, a new man that is created after God in true holiness. However, the old man, our carnal flesh is not eradicated at the new birth. Every day is a warfare and battle to subdue the flesh and the old man, and to put on the new man to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we have been called unto.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Scripture makes it clear that the Christian’s duty is to submit to every ordinance of governmental authority. However, there are times when allegiance to God might conflict with submission to governmental decrees. During those rare times when obedience to God conflicts with obedience to government, it is the Christian’s duty to obey God rather than man.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Unity is a very fragile thing among God’s children, and in this prayer of Jesus, he emphasizes the great need for his 11 apostles to be in unity as they were to lay the foundation of the church. These men were certainly not in unity on this night. The weeks long argument over which of them would be the greatest in the kingdom had finally boiled over into the presence of Jesus. However, there came a time where they were all brought together in unity, instead of being prideful, selfish hot heads that we see exhibited earlier in the upper room.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Jesus Christ as the Great Shepherd has given gifts unto men as pastors – as shepherds – to protect the sheep and to preserve unity in the flock of the church. The sheep are prone to wander from the fold, and it is very hard for the whole flock to move in unison at the direction of the Lord. The Lord gave the church pastors and shepherds after his own heart to help guide his sheep in his word and in his will.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
In scripture, we are given the picture of a baby bird receiving food from his mother. We hope to openly receive what the Lord has for us, not our own preconceived notions. We receive the truth of our salvation by God alone, not by our works or own belief.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén
