Faith in the Making
The word for “confidence” is παρρησία, which means an all-out spokenness or assurance. Thank God, we can have “ASSURANCE”! This is based on what God will do. Payday Someday will be based on our faith in God.
The word “evidence” is ἔλεγχος, which means proof or conviction. In other words, faith is not believing God can but that He will—in His Will—and for His glory! Faith is like having a sixth sense.
Needless to say, JESUS WON the battle over sin and death! Besides that, He loosed us from the handwriting that was against us, having nailed it to His cross. That means that our faith in His finished work should turn into our faith in His return. Do you have faith that He will come again?
Love y’all,
God’s Big Beautiful Plan
First, consider the background of the text. Paul is incarcerated awaiting martyrdom. However, he is not SAD or MAD but GLAD! Why? Because he knows where he is going. But meanwhile, he is being used of God the Holy Spirit to encourage believers while warning unbelievers.
2. God’s Big Beautiful Plan for a prepared life! (Phil. 4:5) – “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.”
Summertime Goals
Introduction: Dog days this summer can be hot, but a time to produce good fruit. What is our Lord up to in your life? Where does He want to take you? How is He preparing you? Who is it that He wants you to reach?
1. Spend some time watching out for CARNALITY! (James 4:4,5) – “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?”
2. Spend some time staying under AUTHORITY! (James 4:6,7) – “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
3. Spend some time appreciating HUMILITY! (James 4:8-10) – “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
Conclusion: What choices will you make this summer?
Grow.
Kindness and Forgiveness
1. Kindness (Eph 4:32) – “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
The word “kind” is χρηστός,(khrase-tos’), which means useful, gentle, pleasant, kind.
The opposite of gentleness is harshness, bitterness, or rudeness. Have you noticed? A bitter person will speak or react harshly. Yet, the Holy Spirit produces the fruit of Kindness. Are you a kind person or a bitter person? Are you jealous? Envious of others? Mad at God? Resentful because of your circumstances? Feel cheated? Angry at the world? Throwing a pity party? Revengeful?
The word “tender hearted” is εὔσπλαγχνος, which means tender-hearted, merciful, compassionate. Admittedly, with so much injustice and bitterness in this world, it is tempting to feel uncompassionate. Do you show compassion? Jesus showed compassion on the multitudes. And at the same time, He rebuked the Pharisees and others in the religious crowd because of their hypocrisy and self-righteousness. They felt that they were alittle “better” (superior – 1 up!) than others.
But listen. Praise His name because He imparts to us His compassion through the power of His Holy Spirit! If He did not, we would not have compassion. It is not in our nature. That is where the transforming GRACE of God changes us.
Forgiving is like releasing a debt. When you are “born again,” Jesus Christ releases the payment (wages Rom 6:23) for sin. This is possible all because Jesus poured out His life’s blood to pay for our sins. As we trust in His sacrificial death and resurrection God the Father releases the debt we owe, which must be paid (either by Jesus or in the lake of fire).
Did you notice “kindness and forgiveness seem to be related?
Spending Quality Time
Distractions are on the rise! It seems like living in this world, we are bombarded daily with INFORMATION OVERLOAD! Between being flooded with text messages, social media, and other responsibilities, it is hard to “KEEP UP”! No wonder we feel separated!! What can we do? Let some of the less important things go! Be decisive. You will be glad in the long run.
Again, due to the mental distresses, emotional digressions, and relational divisions, it becomes very challenging to stay focused while others are talking. Are you finding this to be the case with you? What can you do? Take out the trash!
Putting ourselves to the side while communicating with others will certainly help communicating with others. Furthermore, working deliberately to enhance your relationships will usually result in better connections. In other words, negativity breeds negativity. Are you a negative person?
Building “good relationships” takes a lot of work. Plus, it calls for much prayer. Are you praying about your relationships? Start with Jesus. Then move on to others.
Spiritual Freedom
Whereas the penalty has been paid by the blood of Jesus, yet it must be appropriated.
Having eternal security is an absolute! Do you know that you know?
Happy Birthday, America!
Actually, America is not very old compared to other nations. Yet, the hand of God was clearly on this nation from its beginning. A brief history lesson will confirm this truth.
From Christopher Columbus’s (1400s) discovery, to the landing of the Puritans (Pilgrims) in the 1600s, to the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776—the providential hand of God can be seen in every step.
To summarize, let’s take a look at where we’ve been—drawing a parallel from what the Lord said to Israel.
A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.”
History records the motive of the Puritans—God-fearing Christians—for sailing away to establish a new home. Why did they pack up their families? They did so in order to start a new life in a brand-new land of freedom:
When the leaders of this nation—both political and spiritual—cease to totally depend upon the Word of God for direction, the Holy Spirit for illumination, and the Son of God for salvation, America will ultimately fail.
May we as a people come under the authority of those over us—unless it contradicts clear biblical teaching. Why? Because this is the will of God (Romans 13:1–8).
How to Pray for America
Introduction: God bless America! Lord make America blessable! How should we pray for our country?
Here are some ways we need to pray for America:
1. For Righteousness to reign! (Prov. 14:34) – “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”
Doing those things that please the Lord is mandatory!
2. Don’t forget God! (Psa 9:17) – “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.”
Have we forgotten the God of the Bible? God help us not to forget Your blessings!
3. Check the Foundation for cracks! (Psa 11:3) – “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
Sin erodes the foundation. America’s foundation is cracked.
Conclusion: America is in need of prayer. Will you pray for our nation?
My Country, ’tis of Thee
“My country, ’tis of Thee,
Sweet Land of Liberty,
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims’ pride,
From every mountainside
Let Freedom ring.”
(This song is usually referred to as “America”)
Do you remember the words to this song? Probably you remember singing this as a child in elementary school. Isn’t it amazing how we look back on growing up in America being taught patriotism? In those days, nationalism was prominent over globalism. Whereas both have their proper place, truthfully, today there are those in governmental positions who are more focused on being globalists instead of primarily looking to the national interest of America. Well anyway, let’s take a look at the Book:
In the grand scheme of things, many other NATIONS will fight against the NATION of Israel. However, it will be to no avail. The Lord will intervene to fight against these NATIONS (Ezek. 38–39) and defeat their armies. In the final analysis, the Antichrist’s armies, along with the kings of the East, will attempt to overthrow Jesus Christ and His armies.
NEWSFLASH: It will never happen.
As a matter of fact, when Jesus Christ comes back to this earth as the “KING of KINGS” and “LORD of LORDS,” He will utterly destroy the NATIONS that come against Him and the beloved city called Jerusalem (Rev. 19:11–16).
“My country, ’tis of Thee,
Sweet Land of Liberty,
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims’ pride,
From every mountainside
Let Freedom ring.”
HOME SWEET HOME!!
America the Beautiful
Whereas we are presently in a season of “Religious Freedom” with the current administration, if Jesus tarries, after a few more years, one can presuppose that there will be a renewed surge for men doing what is right in their own eyes. “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25)
If history repeats itself, then truthfully, God must judge America. Someone has well said, “If God does not judge America, then He will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.”
“O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!”