Who Am I?
1. This Is Who We Are And This Is What We Do
Several days ago a jingle came to mind that I have not heard in many years. I searched the internet but have not been able to find any information about it. I believe that it was a television commercial, and it went like this... "This is who we are, and this is what we do." Does anyone else remember this little song and what ad it was for? With these words going over and over in my head, I decided to take a look at Christians and say, "This is who we are, and this is what we do!" I think that many people have a misconception about what Christians are, and what they do. The word, "Christians" is found only once in the Bible. The people at Antioch thought the disciples were so much like Christ, that they called them "Christians". "And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." (Acts 11:26)
2. "Who Am I?"
Three people in the Bible asked, "Who am I?" It was asked in humbleness and meekness. Do you know who they were? The first one was described as the meekest man of all the earth. "(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)" (Numbers 12:3) God spoke to Moses from the burning bush and told him that He wanted him to bring the Children of Israel out of bondage in the land of Egypt. "And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?" (Exodus 3:11) I believe that many Christians feel this way when God calls them to do a work for Him. The first response may be, "Who am I?", or we may say, "You mean me? I can't do that." Sometimes the world sees Christians as prideful people who live boastful lives in what they do for God, when many times the opposite is true. We are humbled in the presence of God, and don't feel worthy to be called to do His work. We often feel like we are not able to do the task God has given us, but He gives us the strength and courage that we need.
3. A Prayerful "Who Am I?"
Sometimes we want to do a big work for the Lord, and it is not in His time or will. King David wanted to build a house for the Lord, but God told him, "No." God told David that he could not build God a house, but He would build David a house that would be established forever. "And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever." (II Samuel 7:16)
"18 Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
19 And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD?
20 And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant.
21 For thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them.
22 Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears." (II Samuel 7:18-22)
How many times have we had a similar experience? We see something that we want to do for God to be a blessing to others, and He turns it around and blesses us. He opens the windows of heaven and pours a Spiritual blessing on our lives with such mercy and grace that we say like David, "Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?" We were nothing until Jesus found us, and now He has promised us everlasting life and an eternal home in heaven. "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah." (Psalm 68:19)
4. A Thankful "Who Am I?"
(Looking at all the destruction caused by Hurricane Michael makes me even more thankful for God's protection through the storm. My prayers are with those who have suffered loss. Praying also for family and friends that are still without power this morning.)
Today we have another "Who am I?" from King David. God told him that he would not build the house of the Lord, but his son would. So the king gathered gold and silver and precious stones that Solomon would need, and the people rejoiced. In I Chronicles 29:13 David said, "Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name." And he added, "But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee." This was a thankful "Who am I?" because King David knew that all things come from God. This is another part of who we are as Christians. We are thankful because we know that everything we have comes from God. And we are happy in our giving, because we know that we are giving back to the Lord, that which He has given to us to begin with.
"9 Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.
10 Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.
11 Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.
12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.
14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.
15 For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.
16 O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own." (I Chronicles 29:9-16)
5. A Respectful "Who Am I?"
Do you know who the third Bible person is that asked, "Who am I?" I will give you a hint. It also has to do with the building of the temple. It was King Solomon, David's son. He was getting everything ready to begin building the house of God and he realized that "the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?"
"3 And Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying, As thou didst deal with David my father, and didst send him cedars to build him an house to dwell therein, even so deal with me.
4 Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.
5 And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods.
6 But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?" (II Chronicles 2:3-6)
Today we see a respectful "Who am I?" because we serve a holy, living, God. David says it well in Psalm 8. "O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens... When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" (Psalm 8:1 & 3-4) Our God deserves all our glory, honor, praise, and worship because He is the "God above all gods" and who are we that God should be mindful of us?
6. "Who Am I?" by Rusty Goodman
We have looked at the words in the Bible, "Who am I?", spoken by Moses, King David, and King Solomon in our quest to look at Christians. We are taking the old phrase, "This is who we are, and this is what we do" to examine who Christians really are, and what they do. Michael and I often sing an old song written by Rusty Goodman in 1965, titled "Who Am I?" The Lord often speaks to my heart as I sing this song and I am greatly humbled by the words. God is so good to me, and I can't help but wonder, "Who am I?" to receive His mercy and grace, and wonderful blessings.
"Who Am I?"
"When I think of how He came so far from glory
Came and dwelt among the lowly such as I
To suffer shame and such disgrace
On Mount Calvary take my place
Then I ask myself a question
Who am I?
Chorus
Who am I that a King would bleed and die for
Who am I that He would pray not my will, thine for
The answer I may never know
Why He ever loved me so
That to an old rugged cross He'd go
For who am I?
When I'm reminded of His words, I'll leave thee never
Just be true, I'll give to you a life forever.
I wonder what I could have done to deserve
God's only Son to fight my battles 'til they're won
For who am I?"
7. The Brevity Of Man
Today I want to look at the brevity of man. There is a very poetic Psalm that tells us, "... we spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away." (Psalm 90:9-10) We also read in the New Testament of our brief encounter with life on earth. "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." (James 4:14) "For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:" (I Peter 1:24) If you don't know the Lord Jesus as your Savior, please call on Him to save you before it is too late. Life is short and God is eternal. That alone should be enough to make us ask, "Who am I?" I want to share another "Who Am I?" song that was written by Mark Hall. Even on my darkest days, God is still the Light of my life.
"Who Am I?" by Mark Hall
Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt?
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart?
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done.
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are.
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean.
A vapor in the wind.
Still You hear me when I'm calling.
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling.
And You've told me who I am.
I am Yours, I am Yours.
Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again?
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me?
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done.
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are.
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean.
A vapor in the wind.
Still You hear me when I'm calling.
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling.
And You've told me who I am.
I am Yours.
Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
'Cause I am Yours, I am Yours.
8. This Is What We Are To Be
Our power was off for over 5 hours and I feel for those who were without power for 5 days. In an unrelated cause, I am having some internet issues and so that I don't miss the devotionals this coming week I am going to share some from my archives. We are talking about who we are and what we do, so I am pulling up some devotions on what we are to be, as Christians.
9. Ye Must Be Born Again
"Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." John 3:7
Many things on earth can be relative to a certain situation. I would look big standing beside a small child. But I would look small standing beside a professional football player. Size can be relative. Time can also be relative. Four years may seem like a very long time when you first go away to college. But compared to a lifetime of 70 years, it is not long at all. Jesus told Nicodemus, "Ye must be born again." You may think your life has been too sinful to be saved. No sin is too big for Jesus to forgive. You may think you are too insignificant to matter to God. But no person is too small for Christ to love. Salvation is not relative to certain people, or a certain race, or nationality. These five simple words apply to everyone, "Ye must be born again." And there is no better time than the present to accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. II Corinthians 6:2 says in part, "...now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." We have no promise of tomorrow. Make sure you are born again today.
10. Be In Christ, A New Creature
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." II Corinthians 5:17
I have seen this verse on many types of artwork with a butterfly. The caterpillar encloses itself is a chrysalis and is trapped inside for many days. At the appointed time, it emerges as a beautiful butterfly. As a lost soul, one is trapped in a life of sin. When things become so bad that the person decides to turn to Christ, then Christ forgives and saves, and sets the person free. The new Christian emerges as a new person, with new freedom and liberty. Sin can entrap a person with many bad habits, but through the power of Christ, those habits can be broken. The old things are passed away, and you can have a new life.
11. Be Witnesses
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Acts 1:8
When Christ appeared to the disciples after His resurrection, He gave them this commission and was then taken up into the cloud. He told them to be witnesses, starting at home, and spreading out to the whole world. Ask God to show you who He wants you to witness to this week. We may not know exactly what to say to others, but God can show us who to speak to and give us the right words to say. The disciples were standing and looking up to heaven after Jesus went up and two men in white apparel said, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11) It seems like they were saying, "OK, go on... He told you what to do... now do it because He is coming back." We have a reason to witness for Him. He saved us and is preparing a place in heaven for us. (John 14:1-3) We need to be witnesses for Him so that others can go with us.
12. Be An Example Of The Believers
"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." I Timothy 4:12
Paul was giving young Timothy advice and encouragement. Maybe some of the Christian believers didn't have confidence in Timothy because of his young age. But Paul told him, "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers..." Some folks in older generations look down on young people. Don't give older Christians a reason to despise you. Be a true example of a believer in your words. Young generations seem to pick up a language of their own. Older adults can't always understand their new sayings and slang terms. Watch your words. Don't let words come out of your mouth that would be a poor reflection on your Christian testimony. The next phrase, in conversation, means your way of living. The places you go and the things you do should never bring a reproach to the name of Christ. Show charity and love to those around you. Show forth the right spirit, faith, and purity in your daily living. Don't let people despise your youth. Be an example of a Christian believer and let God use you.
13. Be Strong In The Lord
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." Ephesians 6:10
We all want to be strong. There are many factors in how strong we can become. We can eat the right foods. We can get enough sleep and rest. We can get the right amount of exercise. And we can lift weights to strengthen our bodies. Then we can try to be strong in our minds. We can go to school and college. We can read and study and be strong mentally. But here we are told to be strong in the Lord. To do that, we must let God talk to us through His Word and we must talk to God through prayer. We can increase our strength in God by fully trusting Him and letting Him lead us in our daily lives. We can fellowship with other Christians and strengthen each other. When we become strong in the Lord, we can go in "the power of His might." Then we can claim Philippians 4:13 as our verse, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
14. Be Separate
"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord..." II Corinthians 6:17
Why does God want us to be separate? The previous verse states, "for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." We are the temple of God. God lives in us and through us. Think about all the people you come in contact with everyday. Can they see Christ in you? Are you any different than those around you that don't know Him? We should be a light shining for our Lord. We need to witness to the world around us, but most of all, we should live a separated life. Our lives are more of a witness than our words. It's easy to be a Christian at church on Sunday, but we need to live it during the week and live in such a way that the world will see a difference in our lives.
15. We Believe
I have been looking for ideas that I could use for Christmas decorations using my Silhouette cutter. There are several that say, "Believe". I always wonder when I see the word, "Believe", randomly placed among other words, what are they telling us to believe? I have seen some Christmas movies that tell us to believe in the Spirit of Christmas. Others stress that we believe in Santa Claus. It is good to believe that Jesus was born in a stable and laid in a manger, but to be a Christian we must believe more than this. Jesus told Nicodemus, "Ye must be born again." (John 3:7)
"16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:16-18)
We also read in Romans 10:9-10, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." We believe Jesus is the Son of God, sent down from heaven, to become our sacrifice and pay for our sin. He died and was buried and rose again on the third day. Now He is at the right hand of God making intercession for us. We believe the Bible, from the beginning of creation as recorded in Genesis 1 to the end of time as told in Revelation. We believe that we serve the only true and living God and that believing on His Son Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation. Christians believe, and what they believe is what separates us from every other religion.
16. We Give Thanks
I went shopping today with my daughter and her three children and we had a good time together. I saw some plates and napkins and I had to buy them for Thanksgiving. They said, "LET OUR LIVES BE FULL OF BOTH THANKS & GIVING". That is a great message for all of us, especially as the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons are approaching. I am constantly asking God in my prayers to watch over my grandchildren and keep them safe, and today I saw my prayers answered, and I have been in a mindset of thankfulness ever since. It is easy for us to pray and ask God for things, but we also need to offer up prayers of thanks. God's Word tells us to give thanks for all things. So, just as you give thanks for the big things that come into your life, don't forget to also thank God for all the little things. Everything we have comes from Him! "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;" (Ephesians 5:20) "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." (Colossians 3:17)
17. We Worship
"Come and worship, Come and worship, Worship Christ the newborn King" so goes the chorus to "Angels From The Realms Of Glory". That great old Christmas song was written in 1816 by James Montgomery. We read of the worship of the Christ child in Matthew 2:11. "And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." But we can look back farther than that and see that Abel brought an offering to the Lord in Genesis 3:3. Noah built an altar and worshipped God after the great flood. Abraham worshipped and was willing to give his only son to God. Moses worshipped and gave us God's Law. "For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:" (Exodus 34:14) Jesus became our sacrifice and we don't offer animals on an altar, but we do bow before God in worship. Even those who refuse to accept God and His sacrificial Lamb will fall on their knees and worship God one day. "For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." (Romans 14:11) "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;" (Philippians 2:10) One way you can worship the Lord is through song. Remember that as you sing the old Christmas carols and "Come and worship!" "Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." (Psalm 29:2)
18. We Talk To God... And He Listens
I want to repeat my title for those who may have skipped over it. We Talk To God... And He Listens! Have you ever really thought about that? God wants to have communion with us. God walked and talked with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. He talked to Abraham. God spoke with Moses on the mountain top. God spoke through the prophets in the Old Testament. Then, He sent His Son, Jesus who walked and talked with people on earth before He gave His life to save us. Today we can talk to God because we have His promise. "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." (John 14:16-17) The Holy Spirit lives in us, and prays for us when we don't know how to pray. "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." (Romans 8:26) Jesus also makes intercession for us. What a wonderful, comforting thought. We can go to the Lord in prayer and He also prays for us! The Word of the Lord is filled with scriptures that remind us that He hears and answers our prayers. "The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry." (Psalm 34:15) "But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me." (Psalm 66:19-20) I would not want to walk through life without my God.
19. We Trust In The Lord
Michael and I voted! I am glad that we have the opportunity to vote early. I can remember many times that we had to stand in long lines with our small children on election day. We voted for the candidates that we think want what is best for our country. With that said, I must also say that I don't put my trust in the politicians or government. We should pray for our leaders as we read in I Timothy 2:1-4.
"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."
As a Christian, all my trust in in the Lord! He created this earth, and even though we cringe at the sinfulness we see, our God is still in control. He will guide us and lead us when we trust in Him. "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6) "The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him." (Nahum 1:7) Our day of trouble may be coming, but we can still trust in the Lord. "The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower." (Psalm 18:2)
20. We Praise Our Lord
I know that there are some bad sites out on the internet and we have to be careful what we look at, but I am so glad that there are also some good things online. I stroll down through Facebook and I see post after post of friends giving praise to our Lord. Many share Bible verses that have a special meaning to them. Some are praising God for answered prayers. Many share stories of Christians who have expressed their kindness to others. When we enter the month of November I believe that many will share their praise to God in things they are thankful for as we "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name." (Psalm 100:4) We even see recordings of church services and those singing songs of praise to our God. I enjoy these segments of praise to our Lord from others that give a ray of sunshine on a cold, rainy day. True Christians are not boasting of themselves in their outward praise of God, but they are using their voice to praise God, for He alone is worthy. "In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah." (Psalm 44:8) Psalms 63:3 tells us one reason why we praise Him. "Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee." The Bible is filled with scriptures that encourage us to praise the Lord. The book of Revelation tells us that our voices will rise like thunder as we lift them up in praise to our Lord. "And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." (Revelation 19:5-6)
All of this is great, but we can also praise God in the stillness of the night, or when we are alone with Him in prayer. "I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore." (Psalm 86:12)
21. We Fellowship
When I was in high school a girl came and sat down beside me and told me all the reasons her family didn't go to church. They would go out into the woods on pretty Sundays and have their own worship in the midst of nature. They didn't want to be in a church with hypocrites. There were several more reasons but I don't remember them. I am surprised that I remember the incident at all because I didn't even know the girl and that was the only time she ever talked to me. You may have your own reasons for not attending a local church. You can worship God in your home. You can pray and read your Bible at home. You can hear preaching on the radio or television. But the church was established in the New Testament and I believe that God still uses the church today for worship and fellowship of Christian believers. "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25) Church is more than a place to meet. Church is more like an organism than an organization. Look at this reference to the early church in Acts 2:44-47. The Lord added to the church.
"44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."
Another reason we should be in church is that it is a witness to others that we want to serve the Lord. Today is the Lord's day. I hope that you had fellowship with your Christian brothers and sisters in the Lord's house.
22. We Want To See Others Saved
We are winding down our series on "Christians - This is who we are, and this is what we do." We have looked at several different things we do and they are all good, but I think one of the most sincere, and yet hardest things we do is, we want to see others saved. I have had some very critical responses when I asked friends if they were saved. I remember one that told me, "You must think I am a very bad person." He went on to tell me all the bad things that he didn't do. People think that we are judging them if we try to tell them how to be saved. They often think that we are lifting ourselves up above them and that we are putting them down. Others say that we are close minded because we believe that our way of salvation is the only way to get to heaven. (I don't apologize because believing that Jesus is God's Son, and accepting His gift of salvation that He gave when He died on the cross to pay for our sin, is the only way.) "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) The little book of Jude gives us two approaches that we can take in witnessing to the lost.
"21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh."
I once heard a preacher explain that for those who think they are good enough to make it to heaven on their own we need to explain that God is a God of judgment and righteousness. And for those who think they are too bad to be saved, explain that God is a God of love and mercy. I find it hard to talk to some people about salvation, but I pray that God will use these devotionals that He puts in my heart to speak to others. Please feel free to share any of the devotionals or other information on the web site to help share God's precious Word and pray that God will use it to save the lost.
23. We Enjoy The Fruit Of The Spirit
I had planned to say that we have love for this devotional, but the more I thought about it the more I realized that we have so much more than love. I remembered Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." I have heard some say that the fruit of the Spirit is love, and all the rest are flavors of love. And love is the greatest commandment of all.
"35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matthew 22:35-40)
As Christians we can bask in the love of God, and let His love flow through us to those around us. And the Holy Spirit can fill our lives till they overflow with love, joy, and peace, and our hearts can overflow in the longsuffering, gentleness, and goodness of God and we can grow in faith, meekness, and temperance as we grow in the Lord.
24. We Anticipate The Lord's Return
To close up this segment of devotionals I am turning to the last verses in the Bible. "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." (Revelation 22:20-21) The Lord is coming back again. The last time He came as a baby, born in a stable. The next time He will come as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is preparing us a home in glory. Christians have a hope that is sure and stedfast that no other religion can offer.
"1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:1-6)
Only Jesus can change your life today and give you everlasting life. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) Will you not believe in Him today?
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:23 and 10:9, 10, & 13)
