Our Hope for Eternity

The Gospel of Christ is a simple plan for the salvation of the whole world. Once we accept the saving grace of Christ for salvation, the Trinity dwells in us by the Holy Spirit of God.

If we reject this free gift of salvation, we condemn our self to hell for eternity. If we deny that Christ is the Son of God, we are a liar and the truth is not in us (Romans 3:23, 6:23; John 3:16-18).

Also, we are not Born Again children of God (1 John 2:22-23). However, if we abide in Him, we have confidence that we will see Him face-to-face (1 John 2:28-29).

Jesus Christ is the living Son of God who died in our place to redeem us to the Father and to Himself. He fills us and leads us with His Spirit while we live on this earth.

God gives us the faith of Christ as a shield to protect us from the fiery temptations and trials of the devil (Ephesians 6:16). He fills us with his peace, which allows us to endure life's issues with joy (Ephesians 6:23).

                                      

The Word of God exhorts us to allow our conversation - our words and behavior - to be an example of the Gospel of Christ to the lost and dying world around us, especially during times of adversity (Philippians 2:17).

God delivers us from irrational, mean-spirited and wicked people who would come against us (2 Thessalonians 3:2). He upholds us in His powerful right hand (Isaiah 41:10).

The Word encourages us to stand strong by the power of God's Spirit and to dwell together in unity with the Body of Christ through our shared faith in the Gospel of Christ (Philippians 1:27; Colossians 1:4).

We do this by accessing by faith the righteousness of Christ within us, clinging to God Spirit and Word, and developing a deeper and more intimate relationship with Christ in us (Philippians 3:9; Colossians 3:3-4).

Prayer:

Father God, thank You for rooting us and maturing us in Christ, establishing our faith and teaching us to abound in gratitude to You for all that You do for us even in the dire circumstances, which we sometimes face during our lifetime (Colossians 2:7; 2 Thessalonians 1:4).

You teach us patience by reminding us of the hope we have in You both now and for eternity; and You spur us on to work in faith, to labor in love and to keep our focus on You (1 Thessalonians 1:3). We love You with our whole heart and we give You all of our self just as You gave all of Yourself to us.

Thought for the Day:

God's Spirit plants and establishes us in the faith of Christ so that we are not moved away from the hope we receive from the Gospel of Christ, which is preached by mankind, by all of nature and in the conscience of every creature ever born under heaven. - Colossians 1:23; Romans 1:20

God's Gardening Laws

If we live an honorable life, God will use our life to silence the foolish accusations, which ignorant people make against Christians (1 Peter 2:15-16). We know the truth that will set them free, but they do not want to hear it. They act as if our words are disgusting to their ears. They label us as intolerant for insisting that Jesus is the only way to heaven. Do you ever get weary of witnessing to people who will not listen? I grew weary and prayed about what to do.

The Lord reminded me that when we plant a seed in a garden, it takes a great deal of work and care before we reap the fruit. We rope off an area, remove the weeds and till the soil into rows. We fertilize the soil and then plant the seeds. It takes weeks for the plants to sprout and then many months before the plants produce any fruit. We continue to water, pull weeds and keep the plants safe from obstacles to their growth. Eventually, the time of the harvest arrives (Genesis 8:22).

Witnessing takes the same care and labor of love as gardening. Sometimes we till the ground, or plant the seed, or water; however, only God gives the increase, and only a few can actually be part in the harvest (1 Corinthians 3:5-9). This gave me the faith to continue sharing Christ with everyone around me. If we do not give up, we will eventually reap a plentiful harvest in God’s timing (Galatians 6:9). God gives us His grace to enter His rest and to allow Jesus to accomplish His work through us (2 Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 2:10).

God calls everyone to take part in His gardening process (Matthew 28:18-20). We are not obligated to share God Truth with anyone; but as a good steward, we cannot help but invest in God’s Kingdom and reap His reward (Matthew 25:14-30). God resists the proud, but has mercy for and gives grace to the humble (Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). If we liberally sow God’s truth in the lives of our friends, relatives, associates and neighbors, we will eventually reap a hearty harvest; however if we sow stingily, we will also reap sparingly (2 Corinthians 9:6).

Prayer:

Father God, remind us not to become weary of working in Your Kingdom, because You promised that we will reap a harvest if we keep on sowing (Galatians 6:7-9). Help us to follow Your gardening laws. We know that You do not desire that anyone should die in their sin, but that everyone should come to know You in an intimate, personal relationship (2 Peter 3:9). Give us the wisdom and strength to continue with patience as we ready the ground, fertilize and water, plant the seeds, and then wait for You to give us the fruit of the harvest.

Thought for the Day:

A wise person reaps what they sow. - Galatians 6:7