Posts with the tag “believers”

"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 5:16 Whether we realize it or not, there is always someone observing how we live our lives. The question is, will we choose to be obedient to God and reflect His character as examples to others? Matthew 5:16 encourages us to let our light shine before others. This means living in such a way that our actions and attitudes point others to Jesus.  Read More

"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17   In the journey of faith, the company we keep plays a significant role in shaping our spiritual growth and development. Just as iron sharpens iron, surrounding ourselves with fellow believers can sharpen and strengthen us in our walk with God. Friendships are a precious gift from the Lord, but their significance goes beyond...  Read More

 "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" - 2 Corinthians 6:14   In matters of the heart, it's essential to heed the wisdom of Scripture, especially when it comes to being unequally yoked. This term refers to the imbalance that arises when believers enter into relationships with unbeliever...  Read More

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." - Philippians 2:3-4    As believers, our identity is rooted in being different from the world around us. This distinctiveness is most evident in the call to selflessness, a trait exemplified by Jesus Christ himsel...  Read More

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." - Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)   As you embark on your faith journey, remember that our God is not limited by human understanding or expectations. He can do immeasurably more than you could ever ask or imagine. His power knows no bounds, and His love for you is beyond comprehensio...  Read More

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." - James 5:16   Today I want to bring to your attention the importance of confessing our sins. We all make mistakes and fall short of God's standards, but what sets us apart is our willingness to confess our sins and ask for forgiveness. James 5:...  Read More

"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." - James 1:19 (NIV)   Have you ever found yourself in a conversation where you're not really listening but just waiting for your turn to talk? Or have you ever interrupted someone because you thought you knew what they were going to say? I know I have, but as believers in C...  Read More

“Another of the disciples said to him, ‘Lord, let me first go and bury my father.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.’” - Matthew 8:21-22  When you choose to wait and delay obeying God, you risk the chance of losing an opportunity of a lifetime. Now, that might sound dramatic, but it is that important. Whatever plan, purpose, or mission God gives you, tha...  Read More

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” - Proverbs 27:17  As you walk faithfully on your faith journey, obediently pursuing and chasing after the life God created you to live, you are going to need people. This isn’t just a spiritual concept. Anyone who has ever done something great in life will always refer back to “their people,” those that stuck closer than a brother. As you go thro...  Read More

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” - Luke 2:11  If you are a believer, you need to understand something. The God you serve IS ALL ABOUT YOU. Sometimes, in a world with 8 billion people, it is easy to think that God doesn’t have time for us.  Unfortunately, so many believers do not share what is actually on their hearts because they don’t think it...  Read More

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9  If you really want to be different and show others the love of Christ, you should put them above yourselves. That is what God has commanded us to do. Yet, unfortunately, so few people actually follow through with that command. We live ...  Read More

“But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, ‘Where are you?’” - Genesis 3:9  Over the last few days, we have talked about why we should turn to God even when we are unclean. As I have mentioned, far too many believers and nonbelievers think they have to clean their lives up on their own before they turn to God. But that is just not true. God wants you just as you are. But sometimes, we do...  Read More

“Fear not, For I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10  I want you to imagine for a second that you’re a gym owner. You own the nicest gym in town. It’s got all the bells and whistles. Any piece of equipment you could ever need, your gym has it. Now, you are talking to a friend who...  Read More

“And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and are partners with those called to heaven, think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God’s messenger and High Priest.” - Hebrews 3:1  As you go through life, are you living in a way that points others to Jesus? Or are you just going through the motions? As we start a new year, it is easy to think that nothing has actually changed...  Read More

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.” - Hebrews 10:24-25  Do you have a community that can come alongside you when life hits you hard? Is there a group of people that you know, no matter what happens, will be ...  Read More

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.” - Hebrews 10:24-25  As followers of Christ, we all need community. This can be in the form of a small group at church, or it could be like-minded people from the office. T...  Read More

“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” - 2 Chronicles 7:14 Over the last couple of days, we have discussed how God’s door is always open. It does not matter the time, day, week, or month. His door is open, and He is ready for you to wa...  Read More

“When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers. Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves?” - 1 Corinthians 6:1-2  When you find yourself in an argument ...  Read More

“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess the perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly...  Read More

 “For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” - Matthew 12:40   I’ll never forget when I got upgraded on a flight several years ago before I became the pastor of Community Bible Church. I was in basketball shorts and a tank top, had long hair down to my shoulders, and had a flat ...  Read More

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” - 2 Timothy 1:7   As we continue to look at 2 Timothy 1:7, we now know that it is not God who has given us a spirit of fear. Instead, He gives us a spirit of POWER, LOVE, and SELF-DISCIPLINE. Yesterday, we looked at the spirit of power that we can claim as His children.   Today, we look at another gi...  Read More

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:9   As a believer, I want to encourage you today that your sin does NOT define you. The church has gained a reputation of being hypocritical. And this is not to say that isn’t for good reason. But one of the first points you will hear is when a nonbeliever sees one of C...  Read More

 “He answered me, ‘I am all you need. I give you My loving-favor. My power works best in weak people.’ I am happy to be weak and have troubles so I can have Christ’s power in me.” - 2 Corinthians 12:9   We have spent time the last two days referencing that Jesus is both the SINGULAR WAY and the SPECIFIC WAY to heaven. He confirms this for us in John 14:6. “Jesus said, ‘I am the Way and the Truth a...  Read More

“The angel said to me, ‘These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.’” (Revelation 21:6)As we near the conclusion of our series on Revelation, we see many important things that are still to come. What is interesting in Revelation 21:6, is not what, but when. The verse says, “These words ...  Read More