Nov. 8, 2008

Good News for All Cultures

Read the Bible through:
AM – Ezekiel 8-10 : PM – Heb. 3

To Whom Christians Go
Acts 8:4-8

4 “They that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.”

When the young Nigerian student completed his B.S. in nursing, he went back to Nigeria. The Nigerian government told him he must work for a year, at a reduced salary, to pay the country back for his education. He was assigned to a hospital in Ilorn, the very city that had refused entry to an early Baptist missionary name Thomas Bowen.

Every Nigerian college graduate was required to give a year of service in their file of study. Christian missions in Nigeria had emphasized education. Early missionaries not only brought the gospel, they also brought the opportunity for young people to study.

Therefore, the majority of Nigeria’s college graduates at that time were Christian men and women. This group of young people were scattered throughout the country by government decree. Like the persecuted Christians in Jerusalem, these men and women not only carried education to pagan villages throughout the country, they also carried their Christian faith. God’s ways are marvelous to behold, and fortunate are the people to whom Christians go.

Father, help me glorify Christ in all circumstances.

Nov. 7, 2008

Essentials of The Good News

Read the Bible through:
AM – Ezekiel 6-7 : PM – Heb. 2

Justification By Faith
Galatians 2:15-16

16 “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified”

No one has ever behaved himself into heaven by keeping God’s law. There is no such thing as performance-based redemption.

Paul’s reminder to the Galatians teaches that no one can stockpile enough merit to allow that person to stand guiltless before God. Actually, no one has ever been made righteous by the law because no one has ever perfectly kept the law.

When Paul released his grip on the law and reached his hand out to receive God’s grace, the midnight of regulations became the sunrise of salvation. Jesus had done for Paul what he could never have done for himself. I hope this is your story also.

Thank You, Father, for justifying me by the faith of Christ.

Nov. 6, 2008

Essentials of The Good News

Read the Bible through:
AM – Ezekiel 3-5 : PM – Heb. 1

The Gospel of Revelation
Galatians 1:11-12

12 “For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ”

Paul never wavered in his conviction that the gospel he preached was not speculation or a secondhand legend handed down from one generation to another, but rather a direct revelation from God. The method of the revelation included the apostle being stricken blind at high noon in the suburbs of Damascus, then having a conversation with God.

The message is universal. Christ provides forgiveness for our sins, hope for each day, and eternal life in heaven, for all who will receive Him as their personal Savior. He came to earth born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, preached and performed miracles. He was falsely tried, innocently condemned, brutally crucified, placed in a borrowed tomb; and three days later he arose from the grave. He instructed His friends, then went home to heaven. One glorious day, as King of kings and Lord of lords, He is coming back for His redeemed. This is the gospel of revelation that is offered to anyone and everyone who will believe.

Thank You, Father, for revealing Yourself to me through Your son.

Nov. 5, 2008

Essentials of The Good News

Read the Bible through:
AM – Ezekiel 1-2 : PM – Philemon

The Gospel of Grace
Galatians 1:6-10

8 “As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.”

“Amazing grace! How sweet the sound, That save a wretch like me!” This was the testimony of John Newton, the slave trader who became God’s witness. We cannot earn God’s grace or merit it. But we can gratefully by faith receive it. When I became a Christian I, too, experienced His saving grace; and Christ became my Redeemer and Lord of my life. It was the best decision I ever made.

Accepting God’s offer of grace and becoming one of His children does not imply, however, that we are “off the hook” and never need to do anything further for Him. To the contrary, as believers we should be willing to invest our time and our lives sharing personal witnesses of His wonderful grace with those who have not received it.

“Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin.”

Help me, Father, to receive your grace which is sufficient to forgive all my sins.

Nov. 4, 2008

Essentials of The Good News

Read the Bible through:
AM – Lamentations 5 : PM – Titus 3

Repentance and Forgiveness
Acts 2:32-41

38 “Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”

Bill had purchased a new car. His younger brother, desperately needing transportation, asked if he could borrow his car. Bill agreed, reminding Keith to be “very careful.”

When Keith started home, he saw that a rear fender had been mashed. Retuning home, he went upstairs and started packing; he was leaving. He then came downstairs to face his brother.

He explained he did not know how the car had been damaged, but he would pay for the repairs. He asked Bill to forgive him and waited for what he believed would be an angry response.

Bill studied the look on his brother’s face, then said: “Keith, I can get another fender; but I can’t get another brother. It’s OK.” It ended there: one son repented, the other son forgave him. Likewise, true repentance brings forgiveness from our Savior.

Lord, I am grateful daily for Your forgiveness of my sins

Nov. 3, 2008

Essentials of The Good News

Read the Bible through:
AM – Lamentations 4 : PM – Titus 2

The Crucified and Risen Savior
Acts 2:22-24

23 “Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it”

That Friday in Jerusalem the city churned with the news: “They’re going to kill the carpenter from Nazareth today.” The cross of Christ is not a part of our salvation, a part of the gospel, or the important part of the gospel; it is the gospel. At the cross, Jesus offered Himself once and for all for our sins.

However, the story is not concluded. It continued on Sunday morning when an angel said, “He is not here: for He is risen as He said” (Matt. 28:6). The resurrection confirms our hopes as believers that there is life after death. It also proves the deity of Christ as the Son of God. Finally, it affirms for all believers that we worship a living Lord. We can weep at the cross or rejoice near the vacant tomb but the one thing we cannot do is walk away with our lives in neutral unchanged.

We rejoice, Father, that You are our living Savior.

Nov. 2, 2008

Essentials of The Good News

Read the Bible through:
AM – Lamentations 3 : PM – Titus 1

Salvation For Those Who Call
Acts 2:14-21

21 “It shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved.”

There are essentially two decisions necessary for an unbeliever to become a Christian. One is asking the Son of God to forgive his sins, and two is trusting and receiving Him as personal Savior.

Why should a person call on the name of the Lord? Good question! If our unforgiven sins remain unforgiven, they separate us from God; we are then destined to spend eternity apart from God in hell. This is a tough statement, but it is absolutely true.

I’m glad we can define this most essential truth about salvation and give direction how to receive it with 13 simple words: “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth” (Isa 45:22). A look can be a non seeing glance or a steady gaze that indicates the beginning of a lifelong focus concentrated on Jesus Christ. It can also be the beginning of a person’s salvation and a glorious life that lasts forever.

Lord, help me to share your message with those who need to experience Your salvation.