TITLE: THE BASICS – THE BIBLE: PART 3a
INTRODUCTION
In the past two devotionals we have studied about the Bible as: 1. the Word of God; and 2. as the ultimate power in the universe. Now we begin a discussion about the Bible as the road map to salvation (eternal life in heaven praising God). Without salvation, there is only damnation (eternal life in hell separated from God).
We begin this discussion by examining our situation as sinners.
SCRIPTURE
Focus Verse: Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
Additional Verses: Romans 3:10, Romans 6:23, John 3:3, John 14:6
DISCUSSION
After Adam yielded to the temptation of satan in the Garden of Eden (Genesis Chapter 3), a sin nature was passed to all his descendants (Romans 5:12). And as a result of the sin nature inherent in all of us, as Romans 3:23 tells us, we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. Simply stated, we are all sinners.
Sin is rebellion against God’s righteousness and truth. Anything that comes between you and God is sin. So now that we know we are all sinners, what does that mean? Romans 6:23a tells us that the wages of sin is death. However, this is not speaking of physical death. This scripture refers to the spiritual death we suffer as a result of our sin. Spiritual death is separation from God.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus Christ tells us that we cannot see the kingdom of heaven unless we are born again (John 3.3). Christ was speaking of a spiritual rebirth. Christ goes on to tell us in John 14:6 that He is the only way to the Father.
So here is the situation: we are all sinners; as the result of our sin we face spiritual death (eternal separation from God); and the only way to God is through Jesus Christ.
How do you obtain salvation? Why is Christ the only way to God the Father? For the answers to these questions, seek out a Bible believing Christian and ask them. Also, these questions will be answered in the next devotional posted to this site. And if you are really curious, read one of the most famous Bible verses, John 3:16.
PRAYER
Father, I pray that Your Holy Spirit will touch the heart of anyone that reads this devotional and has not found salvation and the hope of eternal life in Heaven. Amen.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
TITLE: THE BASICS – THE BIBLE: PART 2
INTRODUCTION
If I say the word “Power”, what do you think of? Do you think of a powerful person like a president or a king? Do you think of a powerful machine such as a high-performance car engine, a bull dozer, or a train engine? Perhaps you think of a powerful force such as gravity, electricity, hydraulics or even forces of nature (hurricane, tornado, ocean currents, etc.).
The devotional posted on June 23 summarized the belief of Christians that the Bible is the Word of God. This belief is one of the most fundamental aspects of Christian faith. As we continue to study different aspects of the Bible, this devotional will focus on the Word of God as the ultimate power in the universe.
SCRIPTURE
Focus Verse: Genesis 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
Additional Verses: Ephesians 6:17, Matthew 4:4
DISCUSSION
From a human perspective, one of the most amazing attributes of God is that He is eternal (God has always existed and will always exist, Psalm 102:27, Hebrews 13:8, Isaiah 43:10). Yet in our humanity, we can’t quite grasp what eternity really means. Suffice it to say, before there was anything, there was God. And out of nothing, by His Word, God created everything that is (Genesis 1:3-27). Therefore, God’s Word has the power to create. His Word can create something out of nothing (as He did with the stars, the earth, the sea, the land…). And He can create something from another part of His creation (as He did with man, forming us from the dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7)).
And just as His Word can create, His Word can destroy. Referring to God the Farther, Jesus Christ told His disciples to fear him that can destroy both body and soul (Matthew 10:28). And at the battle of Armageddon, after casting the antichrist and false prophet into the lake of fire, Jesus slays the kings of the earth and their armies which had gathered against Him with the sword that came out of His mouth (His Word).
A human soul can be saved from an eternity in hell by the power of God’s Word! We are saved by God’s grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8) and faith comes from hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17).
God’s Word is the most powerful weapon we have to resist the attacks of satan. In Ephesians chapter 6, as Paul describes putting on the whole armour of God to resist the schemes of the devil, at the end of the list of armour, he adds, “…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”. The Word of God, the sword, is the only offensive weapon listed. When tempted in the desert by satan, Jesus Christ defended Himself responding to all three temptations by quoting scripture from the Book of Deuteronomy (Matthew 4:1-11).
God’s Word has the power to change our hearts from rebellion against Him (Luke 6:45) to loving and striving to obey Him (Psalm 119:11).
Through His Word, God gave the Law (Exodus 20:1-17), revealed sin to us by the Law (Romans 7:7), and showed us our need to be freed from the Law by salvation through Jesus Christ as we walk in the Spirit (Romans 8:2-4).
Do you want to experience the power of God’s Word in your life? If yes, then confess your sins and repent, accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Then study the Bible, pray without ceasing, attend Church regularly and watch God work in the world around you. Embrace your weakness as you submit to God (2 Corinthians 12:9-10) so that He can be the source of your strength (Isaiah 40:31).
PRAYER
Father, thank You for Your Word. Thank You for all You have done for me. May the power of Your Word work in my life as I submit to You. As I study Your Word, please continue to reveal Yourself and Your ways to me. My heart is Yours. My life is Yours. I pray that Your Spirit will guide me in Your Will. Thank You Father for the opportunity and resources to share this devotional. May I decrease and You increase as I attempt to share what I believe You have laid on my heart. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.
INTRODUCTION
If I say the word “Power”, what do you think of? Do you think of a powerful person like a president or a king? Do you think of a powerful machine such as a high-performance car engine, a bull dozer, or a train engine? Perhaps you think of a powerful force such as gravity, electricity, hydraulics or even forces of nature (hurricane, tornado, ocean currents, etc.).
The devotional posted on June 23 summarized the belief of Christians that the Bible is the Word of God. This belief is one of the most fundamental aspects of Christian faith. As we continue to study different aspects of the Bible, this devotional will focus on the Word of God as the ultimate power in the universe.
SCRIPTURE
Focus Verse: Genesis 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
Additional Verses: Ephesians 6:17, Matthew 4:4
DISCUSSION
From a human perspective, one of the most amazing attributes of God is that He is eternal (God has always existed and will always exist, Psalm 102:27, Hebrews 13:8, Isaiah 43:10). Yet in our humanity, we can’t quite grasp what eternity really means. Suffice it to say, before there was anything, there was God. And out of nothing, by His Word, God created everything that is (Genesis 1:3-27). Therefore, God’s Word has the power to create. His Word can create something out of nothing (as He did with the stars, the earth, the sea, the land…). And He can create something from another part of His creation (as He did with man, forming us from the dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7)).
And just as His Word can create, His Word can destroy. Referring to God the Farther, Jesus Christ told His disciples to fear him that can destroy both body and soul (Matthew 10:28). And at the battle of Armageddon, after casting the antichrist and false prophet into the lake of fire, Jesus slays the kings of the earth and their armies which had gathered against Him with the sword that came out of His mouth (His Word).
A human soul can be saved from an eternity in hell by the power of God’s Word! We are saved by God’s grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8) and faith comes from hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17).
God’s Word is the most powerful weapon we have to resist the attacks of satan. In Ephesians chapter 6, as Paul describes putting on the whole armour of God to resist the schemes of the devil, at the end of the list of armour, he adds, “…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”. The Word of God, the sword, is the only offensive weapon listed. When tempted in the desert by satan, Jesus Christ defended Himself responding to all three temptations by quoting scripture from the Book of Deuteronomy (Matthew 4:1-11).
God’s Word has the power to change our hearts from rebellion against Him (Luke 6:45) to loving and striving to obey Him (Psalm 119:11).
Through His Word, God gave the Law (Exodus 20:1-17), revealed sin to us by the Law (Romans 7:7), and showed us our need to be freed from the Law by salvation through Jesus Christ as we walk in the Spirit (Romans 8:2-4).
Do you want to experience the power of God’s Word in your life? If yes, then confess your sins and repent, accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Then study the Bible, pray without ceasing, attend Church regularly and watch God work in the world around you. Embrace your weakness as you submit to God (2 Corinthians 12:9-10) so that He can be the source of your strength (Isaiah 40:31).
PRAYER
Father, thank You for Your Word. Thank You for all You have done for me. May the power of Your Word work in my life as I submit to You. As I study Your Word, please continue to reveal Yourself and Your ways to me. My heart is Yours. My life is Yours. I pray that Your Spirit will guide me in Your Will. Thank You Father for the opportunity and resources to share this devotional. May I decrease and You increase as I attempt to share what I believe You have laid on my heart. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.
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