Bible League: Living His Word These children are people with physical bodies. So Jesus himself became like them and had the same experiences they have. Jesus did this so that, by dying, he could destroy the one who has the power of death—the devil.— Hebrews 2:14 ERV A sensitive topics to address is the fear of death. I used to be a field support engineer, travelling from one town to another fixing computers for clients who had called for support. Along the road, there would be hitchhikers, and I would give them a lift. It was an opportunity for me to share the Gospel with strangers. As we drove to our destination, we'd see crosses and flowers along the roadside where people had died in accidents. One day, I asked my passenger the meaning of that cross, and she said it means I must drive carefully. I almost laughed, but it sunk in my heart that she didn't understand. I told her that the cross is laid there because someone had died in an accident and the family had placed that cross with flowers as a memorial for them. It also reminded us and everyone who passes by may reach their journey's end. Then I said, "So, if we die due to an accident, I know where my soul will go—what about you?" My intention with these kinds of remarks was not to scare people; I saw this as an icebreaker to create an atmosphere for the Good News! It often worked. I knew then that it was fertile ground for the Good News, and my focus would be on the cross of Jesus Christ! Most responded to the Good News, and I recommended that they seek a Bible-based church to fellowship with Christians and testify about how they received Christ! Graves often have a cross on top. But did the deceased experience the power of the cross of Christ? My question emanates from what Paul says, "The teaching about the cross seems foolish to those who are lost. But to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18). I would even share with people that they must know this power before they pass on from this corrupt and sinful world we live in! Do not place the cross on your grave without knowing what it meant while you were alive! The cross along the road testifies about Jesus Christ, that He died a terrible death to redeem you. Do not die without Him! Romans 1:16-17 says, "I am proud of the Good News, because it is the power God uses to save everyone who believes—to save the Jews first, and now to save those who are not Jews. The Good News shows how God makes people right with Himself. God's way of making people right begins and ends with faith. As the Scriptures say, 'The one who is right with God by faith will live forever.'" Today's verse tells us that we are humans with flesh, Jesus also had flesh like us and experienced death so that "he could destroy the one who has the power of death—the devil!" Jesus was 100% God and 100% human. He is our High Priest! This calls for celebration! Jesus understands death and that people are in bondage to the fear of death! He came to set us free (Hebrews 2:15)! Trust in the deeds of Christ, the mission to set you free was accomplished 2000 years ago, He wants you to trust Him with your fears and sins! During this Advent season, give Christ your heart, and He will reveal His Kingdom mystery: the law of sin and death does not rule on those who are in Him (Romans 8:1-2)! Those who are in Christ are set free from the enslaving spirit of death! Hallelujah! By Christopher Thetswe, Bible League International staff, South Africa Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingHosea 9, 10, 11 Hosea 9 -- The Distress and Captivity of Israel for Their Sins NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Hosea 10 -- Retribution for Israel's Sin; Exhortation to Repentance NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Hosea 11 -- The Ingratitude of Israel; God's Mercy; Israel's Sin and Judah's Infidelity NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Revelation 2 Revelation 2 -- Messages to the Churches in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum and Thyatira NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don't have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”Insight At first glance, this verse seems to contradict Romans 3:28, “We are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.” Deeper investigation, however, shows that the teachings of James and Paul are not at odds. While it is true that our good deeds can never earn salvation, true faith always results in a changed life and good deeds. Paul speaks against those who try to be saved by deeds instead of true faith; James speaks against those who confuse mere intellectual assent with true faith. After all, even demons know who Jesus is, but they don't obey him. Challenge True faith involves a commitment of your whole self to God. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon 1 Thessalonians 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.Heaven is a place where we shall never sin; where we shall cease our constant watch against an indefatigable enemy, because there will be no tempter to ensnare our feet. There the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest. Heaven is the "undefiled inheritance;" it is the land of perfect holiness, and therefore of complete security. But do not the saints even on earth sometimes taste the joys of blissful security? The doctrine of God's word is, that all who are in union with the Lamb are safe; that all the righteous shall hold on their way; that those who have committed their souls to the keeping of Christ shall find him a faithful and immutable preserver. Sustained by such a doctrine we can enjoy security even on earth; not that high and glorious security which renders us free from every slip, but that holy security which arises from the sure promise of Jesus that none who believe in him shall ever perish, but shall be with him where he is. Believer, let us often reflect with joy on the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints, and honor the faithfulness of our God by a holy confidence in him. May our God bring home to you a sense of your safety in Christ Jesus! May he assure you that your name is graven on his hand; and whisper in your ear the promise, "Fear not, I am with thee." Look upon him, the great Surety of the covenant, as faithful and true, and, therefore, bound and engaged to present you, the weakest of the family, with all the chosen race, before the throne of God; and in such a sweet contemplation you will drink the juice of the spiced wine of the Lord's pomegranate, and taste the dainty fruits of Paradise. You will have an antepast of the enjoyments which ravish the souls of the perfect saints above, if you can believe with unstaggering faith that "faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it." Daily Light on the Daily Path Romans 14:16 Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil;1 Thessalonians 5:22 abstain from every form of evil. 2 Corinthians 8:21 for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. 1 Peter 2:15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. 1 Peter 4:15,16 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; • but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 1 Corinthians 8:9 But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. Matthew 18:6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Matthew 25:40 "The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.' 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. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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