Bible League: Living His Word Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. — 2 Corinthians 13:5 NKJV Imagine being in a remote village surrounded by natural beauty and no access to TVs, radios, or the internet. Shut yourself out from all the preaching, teaching, and evangelism you get from the television, crusades, conferences, and seminars. If you started with reading this book, The Bible, and then compared what you read with what you see in Christianity today, would it thrill you or disturb you? Do you see similarity in the faith of the early Christians and today's Christians? Are we more like Christ today or were the disciples in the Bible more like Christ than us? I hope you see a committed people who got so excited when they knew that their sins were forgiven, that they were now reconciled to God and made citizens of heaven. They were so excited to experience a brand-new life that was totally free from the power of sin, and they eagerly wanted to get this Good News out into all the world. This world's idea of success, position, possessions, and pleasures didn't matter so much anymore. They encouraged one another, teaching people to have faith in Christ; they shared all things with each other so that nobody lacked anything, and nobody had an excess of anything and called such a gathering "a church." There was a noticeable difference between the people who professed to be Christians and the people of the world. This is the ideal. Unfortunately, today, people prefer "listening" and "watching" rather than reading the Word of God and meditating on it for themselves. Today, it's easy to be swayed by popular preachers and their interpretations, but Paul reminds us not to idolize them. Instead, we should rely on the same source they do: the Word of God. When Christ returns, titles and positions won't matter; we'll all stand as equals before Him. In a church, when believers get together, the one thing that should really stand out is love for one another. Jesus said, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). The early believers were marked by their humility and commitment to one another, sharing everything and spreading the Gospel fervently. They lived lives distinct from the world, attracting attention for their radical love and unity. But today, there's often little difference between the church and the world. If we, proclaiming to be Christ-followers, blend into the darkness, how can we expect to dispel it? Yet, amidst this, there are still genuine believers—the true Church—who shine brightly in the darkness. Believing in Christ is not only an "intellectual" understanding of Jesus as the son of God who came and died on the cross for our sins, and who rose again. On the contrary, it is fully understanding the purpose of His death and resurrection, and wholly relying on His finished work for our peace, provision, spiritual health, abundant life here, and eternal life ahead. It is about walking in the newness of life. "Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:4). So, let us examine ourselves. Are we truly walking in faith? Are our beliefs and actions aligned with the Word of God? Let's prioritize personal time with God, diving into His Word daily and communing with Him in prayer. This intimate relationship with Christ is paramount—far more needful than attending church events or programs. I encourage you to strive for holiness and run as if to win the race, so that we may approach His throne of grace with boldness and confidence. By Santosh Chandran, Bible League International staff, New Zealand Bible in a Year Old Testament Reading1 Chronicles 17, 18, 19 1 Chronicles 17 -- God's Promise and David's Prayer in Response NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 1 Chronicles 18 -- David Strengthens His Kingdom NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 1 Chronicles 19 -- The Battle against Ammon and Aram NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading John 10:1-21 John 10 -- Parable of the Good Shepherd; Belief and Unbelief of the Jews NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion This vision is for a future time.It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. Insight Evil and injustice seem to have the upper hand in the world. Like Habakkuk, Christians often feel angry and discouraged as they see what goes on. Habakkuk complained vigorously to God about the situation. God's answer to Habakkuk is the same answer he would give us: “Be patient! I will work out my plans in my perfect timing.” Challenge It isn't easy to be patient, but it helps to remember that God hates sin even more than we do. Punishment of sin will certainly come. As God told Habakkuk, “Wait patiently.” To trust God fully means to trust him even when we don't understand why events occur as they do. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Acts 14:22 Continue in the faith.Perseverance is the badge of true saints. The Christian life is not a beginning only in the ways of God, but also a continuance in the same as long as life lasts. It is with a Christian as it was with the great Napoleon: he said, "Conquest has made me what I am, and conquest must maintain me." So, under God, dear brother in the Lord, conquest has made you what you are, and conquest must sustain you. Your motto must be, "Excelsior." He only is a true conqueror, and shall be crowned at the last, who continueth till war's trumpet is blown no more. Perseverance is, therefore, the target of all our spiritual enemies. The world does not object to your being a Christian for a time, if she can but tempt you to cease your pilgrimage, and settle down to buy and sell with her in Vanity Fair. The flesh will seek to ensnare you, and to prevent your pressing on to glory. "It is weary work being a pilgrim; come, give it up. Am I always to be mortified? Am I never to be indulged? Give me at least a furlough from this constant warfare." Satan will make many a fierce attack on your perseverance; it will be the mark for all his arrows. He will strive to hinder you in service: he will insinuate that you are doing no good; and that you want rest. He will endeavour to make you weary of suffering, he will whisper, "Curse God, and die." Or he will attack your steadfastness: "What is the good of being so zealous? Be quiet like the rest; sleep as do others, and let your lamp go out as the other virgins do." Or he will assail your doctrinal sentiments: "Why do you hold to these denominational creeds? Sensible men are getting more liberal; they are removing the old landmarks: fall in with the times." Wear your shield, Christian, therefore, close upon your armour, and cry mightily unto God, that by his Spirit you may endure to the end. Daily Light on the Daily Path Revelation 21:23 And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb.Acts 26:13,15 at midday, O King, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining all around me and those who were journeying with me. • "And I said, 'Who are You, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. Matthew 17:1,2 Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. • And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. Isaiah 60:19,20 "No longer will you have the sun for light by day, Nor for brightness will the moon give you light; But you will have the LORD for an everlasting light, And your God for your glory. • "Your sun will no longer set, Nor will your moon wane; For you will have the LORD for an everlasting light, And the days of your mourning will be over. 1 Peter 5:10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. 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