The Bible has much to say about worldly desires. It gives us warnings about submitting to those desires and instructions on how to battle them. It also shows us how God views us if we choose to pursue worldly desires or if we choose to deny them. The Bible says it is a matter of love. Who or what do you love most—the Lord or the world? The Apostle John said it best in 1 John 2:15-17,” Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” Let’s look together at some of the warnings and instructions the Bible gives us.
READ MOREStarting a relationship with Jesus easy. Why? Because He has already done the work. All you have to do is accept the free gift of His salvation and the best relationship you could ever experience begins. It’s as simple as A, B, C: Admit, Believe, and Confess. A—admit that you are a sinner and that you need a Savior. B—believe that Jesus is that Savior, that there is no other way to receive salvation that through Him, that He is the Son of God who willingly sacrificed His life for you on the cross, that He rose from the dead, and that He walked out of the grave three days later. C—confess Him as Lord (Master) of your life. Jesus offers this gift to everyone; no one is excluded!!
For a clear view of this in the Bible, keep reading.
READ MOREThe phrase “born-again Christian” is kind of a redundant phrase. To be born again is to be a Christian just as to be a Christian is to be born again. Jesus spoke about being born again twice in John chapter 3 and Peter also spoke of it in 1 Peter chapter 1. The term “born again” refers to the transformation that occurs in our spirits, by the work of the Holy Spirit, when we accept Jesus as Savior. That transformation happens immediately upon acceptance of Jesus as Savior and is called salvation. In John 3, Jesus tells us we must be born again to see/enter the kingdom of God. First Peter chapter 1 tells us that we are born again by the incorruptible seed and that the seed is the Word of God. Let’s look at what Jesus and Peter had to say about it.
READ MORETo know how to have closer fellowship with Jesus we need to understand what fellowship is. The word for fellowship in the Greek is koinonia, and its meaning has several facets such as intimacy, communion, joint participation, and contribution. These definitions fit perfectly with our walk as believers in Christ Jesus. So, how do we involve ourselves in these facets to have closer fellowship with Jesus? Read more and discover your role.
READ MOREFellowship in Scripture is much deeper than just having a meal with someone, or even with a group of people. The word for fellowship in the Bible is defined as: (Greek-koinonia) to commune, to communicate, distribution, contribution, partnership. However, biblical fellowship adds to that spiritual intimacy and a oneness of purpose focused on Jesus. The best fellowship we can have is the fellowship we can have with Jesus. 1 Corinthians 1:9 says, “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
READ MOREJesus made this promise in John 10:10, “The thief does not come except to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” Three things about this promise need to be understood: 1) This promise is meant for all but not all will partake in it. 2) This promise does not describe material possessions, wealth, or the things of the world, but instead reveals the abundant working of the Holy Spirit in various ways in and through the life of the believer. 3) This promise does not, in any way, exclude one form difficulties in life. When these things are understood and lived out through the leadership of the Holy Spirit, the abundant life Jesus refers to here is the best life to be lived!
READ MORETo abide in Christ is to be fully surrendered to Him in all facets of your life. Abiding in Jesus involves giving Him access to, and control over, every thought, word, and deed in every moment of every day. To fully abide in Christ, we don’t take days off or go on vacation from Him. Abiding is, daily, a total dependence on Him for everything. On our own, we can accomplish nothing; John 15:5 says, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” Abiding in Christ requires that we be a people of prayer, a people of the Word, a people of worship, and a people of service to others.
READ MORETrue joy can only be possessed by an authentic follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. Why is that? It’s because true joy stems from the relationship a believer has with Jesus. Joy does not come from external possessions, life events, or worldly circumstances. For instance, people may claim to feel joy when falling in love with someone, but they are feeling happiness. Let that same relationship experience hardship without Christ as the center, and they will quickly change their minds on the “joy” they once had. The reason for that change is because the original emotion was based on the circumstances of that relationship.
READ MOREThe Ark of the Covenant was one of the artifacts of the Jewish tabernacle and temple. After God delivered the children of Israel from Egyptian slavery, He gave them specific instructions on how they were to worship. So, they built the tabernacle as instructed by God, and included each artifact that would go into it for worship. The Ark of the Covenant was to be put into the innermost part of the tabernacle called the Holy of Holies. It would act as the seat for God when He would come down and visit the people. Because of God’s holiness, no one was allowed to touch the Ark of the Covenant as they wandered in the wilderness. The Israelites would move it by running long poles down each side and holding onto only those poles. Along the way, God had them put three items of significance inside the Ark. The Ark and its contents pointed to the coming Messiah, Jesus.
READ MOREFirst, we want to be clear that there is NO other way to have an abundant life except through Jesus. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the LIFE” (emphasis added). In John 11:25 He said, “I am the resurrection and the LIFE (emphasis added)” Jesus is life, so the only way to live the best, or abundant life, is to live your life through Him. The starting point to this life begins by establishing a personal relationship with Jesus. Once we accept His gift of salvation, making Him our Savior and Lord, we then have full access to the abundant life. As we grow in this relationship and align ourselves with His will, our desires for, and views of, life begin to change.
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