Introduction: Mentoring is God’s will. Do you have someone you are discipling? Notice the instructions from Paul to his son in the Lord, Timothy.

1. Be Strong! (2Tim 2:1)

“Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”

It’s all of GRACE! God’s GRACE, which is greater than our sin!! Because of God’s Grace, be strong. Jesus Christ was strong. Though He was God, He was obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. However, after dying for our sins, He conquered the grave! Our strength comes from His resurrection power. If you feel weak, draw strength from Him.

2. Be Teachable! (2Tim 2:2)

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses…”

Once we become unreachable or develop a prideful attitude, then we become no longer useful for the Lord until we confess it as sin. Are you hungry for truth? Are you obeying truth? Stay humble and hungry.

3. Pass it On! (2Tim 2:2)

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”

Our goal from learning truth is first to apply it, and then to pass it on. Are you passing it on?

Introduction: God is not finished with His people, Israel, nor is He finished with the Church. Today, some claim that the Church replaces Israel. Is that true? Where is the solid evidence? Does the New Testament reveal anything about this subject? In this devotion, we will be looking at Paul’s writings. Keep in. Mind he was both a Jew and a Christian.

1. First, take at Israel’s PAST! (Rom 9:1-5)

“1I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, 2That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. 3For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: 4Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; 5Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.”

Paul had a heavy burden for his people-Israel. However, next he explains the problem they had, and that some still have today.

“What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. 31But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; 33As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him.” (Rom 9:30-33)

Did you notice Israel’s problem? Unlike some of the Gentiles, they thought justification came by keeping the law. Well, does it?

2. Next, take a look at Israel’s PRESENT! (Rom 10:1-3)

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”

Sadly, many Jews today are still trying to please God by the works of the flesh. But can they? The answer is NO. Instead of attempting to keep the law, Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection was accomplished to fulfill the law or supersede it in that sense. Therefore, an Israelite must be born again through a personal relationship with Jesus. Have you been born again?

3. Last, take a look at Israel’s FUTURE! (Rom 11:1,2)

“I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew.”

Here is a clear statement that should oppose any question that would insinuate that God was finished with Israel.

Read the following:

“(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.” (Rom 11:8)

Paul explains that the Gentiles who trust Jesus have been grafted in the tree by the grace of God.

Finally, Israel’s hope:

“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.” (Rom 11:25-27)

This is the Word of the Lord! He will fulfill His promises.

Introduction: Are you going to plant a garden? What about a few tomato plants? Where do you start? Are you finished once your seeds are planted? Don’t forget the weeds. 

This devotion will discuss the process of planting a garden.

1. The soil needs to be plowed or prepared! (Hos 10:12)

“…break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.”

Hard dirt needs to be broken up. A hard heart needs to be softened through confession and repentance.

Do you confess your sins regularly?

2. The seed needs to be planted in the plowed soil! (Hos 10:12)

“12Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.”

Once the soil is cultivated then the seed can germinate, albeit it goes through a growing process overcoming the rocks, bugs, and critters. 

Our faith is similar to that process. Once the Word of God is planted (Rom 10:17), then our faith is put to the test. When approved it grows. When failed it shrinks back. 

3. The seed and soil needs rain & sunlight!

“……for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.”

The Holy Spirit brings light! Truth! The Word reveals. Darkness conceals.

Conclusion: In order to produce fruit, a crop, or a garden, there needs to be the minerals. The technical term is PH level. Once it reaches its desired goal then with sunshine and rain the plants grow. And so it is with the Christian life. Believers need to take in the right kind of minerals with plenty of SONSHINE!

The Holy Spirit provides the rain! The end result is fruit.

How are you doing? Are you needing some SONSHINE or RAIN?

1. An Open door Church! (Rev 3:8)

“I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.”

Jesus can open a door that no one can shut. Walk through it!

2. An Open door Church with the Favor of Jesus Christ! (Rev 3:9)

“Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.”

The FAVOR of the Lord is worth more than silver and gold!

3. An Open door Church with the Favor of Jesus and His promises and protection! (Rev 3:10)

“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”

Here is a promise to the Church in general that our Lord will keep His bride from the wrath to come during the tribulation – compare 1Thess 1:9,10; 1Thess 5:9,etc.

4. An Open door Church with the Favor of Jesus and His promises and protection that He will come quickly! (Rev 3:11)

“Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.”

Jesus promised to come quickly. Remember His time table is different than ours. Be patient.

5. An Open door Church with the Favor of Jesus and His promises and protection that He will come quickly and the New Jerusalem awaits in the future! (Rev 3:12)

“Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.”

What a bright future for those who love Jesus! The New Jerusalem will be indescribable, but very enjoyable.

1. The Problem! (1 Sam 7:1-2)

“And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD. 2And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjathjearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.”

2. God’s Solution! (1 Sam 7:3-4)

“And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. 4Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.”

Our Lord is able to take back the “ground” the enemy has taken but notice the prerequisite – “ONLY SERVE the LORD”! Please do not think that God is going to fight our battles if we do not SERVE HIM!

I love what Jesus said:

Conclusion: Here is the bottom line…

Introduction: Are you sharing with your neighbors our God’s great love? Why should we tell the world? Well if Jesus Christ has changed your life, then you ought to go and tell! This devotion will give seven reasons for sharing Jesus.

1. The Credibility of Jesus Christ’s Integrity! (Phil 2:5-11)

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Either Jesus Christ was a liar, a lunatic, a legend or LORD! Now which was he? Everyone must decide either Jesus was a Mad man, a Bad man or the God man. Hopefully, you are convinced that He was the God man. After all, He has changed this writer’s life! Can you testify?

2. The Changeability of the Holy Spirit’s Movability! (Phil 4:6-19)

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus…. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Notice the trend:
* The Peace of God
* The Problems
* The Provisions
In other words, the CARE, the PRAYER, the DARE to SHARE!

3. The Audacity of the Enemy’s Religiosity! (Phil 3:1-9)

“4Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless…. 7But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.”

It is not what is on the outside that matters but what is on the inside! Talk comes easy. But walking the walk is the proof of the pudding.

4. The Accuracy of Bible Prophecy! (Phil 3:20,21)

“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”

We are pilgrims in a strange land. This earth is not our home. We are sojourners in a weary land. Our citizenship is in heaven.

5. The Peace and Security of the Believer’s Destiny! (Phil 1:6)

“6Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

Our God finishes what He starts! As Christians, we are “UNDER CONSTRUCTION”!

6. The Dependability on God’s Sovereignty! (Phil 2:12,13)

“12Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

Do you get it? We work out what God works in!

7. The Urgency of Eternity! (Phil 1:21-24) 

“21For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.”

Do you ever feel like this? Ready to go. But like to stay!

Introduction: Here is a brief study on the subject of resurrections in the Bible – primarily New Testament. 

1. The Resurrection of Lazarus, Jairus’ daughter, and the Widow of Nani’s son! (John 11; Mark 5; Luke 7)

A desperate daddy cried out to Jesus to deliver his daughter from death. Jesus raised her from the dead. 

2. The Saints resurrected when Jesus died on the cross! (Matt 27)

The saints in Jerusalem were resurrected when Jesus took upon our sins as He paid our penalty on the cross. They eventually died again. 

3. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ! (Matt 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 21)

Jesus arose from the dead!

4. The Resurrection of Eutychus! (Acts 20)

Evidently Paul preached a long time, well unto midnight. A young man fell asleep and then plunged to his death. He was resurrected by a miracle in the days of Paul. Wonder if everyone who fell asleep in Church died??

5. The Resurrection of the Church at the Rapture! (1Thess 4:13-18)

Here is the familiar passage that is dealing with the event called the rapture. The dead in Christ will rise first (the Church). Talk about a homecoming!!

6. The Resurrection of the Martyred Saints! (Rev 20)

Those who have not received the mark of the beast nor worshiped his image will be resurrected during the millennium. Rewards await the faithful!

7. The Resurrection of the lost who have died! (Rev 20)

Out of all the resurrections listed this will be the saddest. Why? Because those who die without Jesus Christ will be thrown into the final abode of the dead which is the Lake of fire. 

Conclusion: During this resurrection season, do a Bible study on these supernatural events described in the Scriptures. It will bless you. 

Introduction: Jesus declared He was dead but came back to life! Do we realize the significance of that statement? Because of that affirmation, we are assured of eternal life and the victorious life in Christ.

“Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” (Rev. 1:17-18)

1. The Enemy of Fear! (Rev 1:17, 18)

“Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

Fear paralyzes. Are you fearful? Why? What is it? Is it about tomorrow? Is it about the unchangeable? Why not Allow Jesus to calm your fears?

2. The Friend of Faith! (Rev 1:17, 18)

“Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

Faith is the opposite of fear. Feed your faith. Starve your fear. Jesus came through! He won!! Because He won, we win!

3. The Final Future! (Rev 1:17, 18)

“Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

Death has been defeated. It met its match! Jesus is LORD over death, hell, sin, and the grave. Heaven awaits every believer.

Introduction: Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit after His resurrection. Did He do it? What does that mean?

1. Jesus Promised to Send the Holy Spirit! (Luke 24:49)

“49And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”

These words were spoken by our Lord after His demonstration to the two on the road to Emmaus that He was God. Their blind eyes were opened to see Him. Their dull hearts were quickened to believe Him. And ultimately, their empty lives were filled with His Holy Spirit to serve Him.

Do you keep your promises?

2. Jesus fulfilled His promise to send the Holy Spirit! (Acts 2:1-4)

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

This outpouring of the Holy Spirit was exactly 50 days after Jesus resurrection…10 days after His ascension. But all of it was to fulfill His Word, which was His promise that He would not leave the disciples alone. 

Aren’t you glad we are not alone?

Conclusion: All of this means Jesus keeps His promises! He promised to return. Can we trust Him?

Yes.

Introduction: What are the evidences of Jesus Christ’s resurrection? They are numerous. But for today’s devotion we will only mention a few.

He made at least 10 different appearances before His ascension.

1. To the Two on the road to Emmaus! (Luke 24:13f)

“13And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.”

That day was a gloomy day for the two. That is until they met Jesus. There gloominess was turned into gladness. 

Why? Because they saw Jesus as the Son of God; they believed the Bible as the Word of God; and they were eventually filled with the Holy Spirit of God. 

Are you going to remain gloomy?

2. To Mary! (John 20:11-14)

“But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. 14And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.”

Mary fell at His feet and worshipped. Shouldn’t we do the same?

3. To the Disciples without Thomas! (John 20:19)

“Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.”

The troubled disciples needed PEACE. We need Jesus’s PEACE today!

4. To the Disciples with Thomas! (John 20:24-28)

“24But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 26And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.”

Thomas went from doubting to shouting!! When a person sees Jesus with the eye of faith, he or she will shout as well. 

5. To 500 brethren! (1Cor 15:5-6)

“5And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.”

That is a lot of people. Even Paul saw the risen Lord!

“And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.” (1Cor 15:8)

Jesus is alive! Let’s tell the world!!

Conclusion: These different appearances by our Lord give proof that those who saw Him after His resurrection were not hallucinating! Instead, they were worshipping!

So we should do the same.