Video Bible Lesson - Resolutions and Redemption by Anna Kuta

Resolutions and Redemption 

by Anna Kuta

1/2 Hour of God’s Power with Scott Ralls

12/27/19

#Jesus, #Christian, #Bible, #Salvation, #Heaven, #God, #HolySpirit

Assurance When Life’s Waves Rush In ( Really a Good Read)

Assurance When Life’s Waves Rush In           ( Really a Good Read)
TRACIE BRAYLOCK

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

Once when I was a little girl, my cousin and I walked along the beach hand in hand. It was the first time I’d been to the ocean, and I was enjoying every minute of it.

As we strolled along, taking in the breeze and beautiful day, my cousin turned to talk to someone sitting on the sand.

That’s when it happened. A wave, larger than I was tall, swept me off my feet. I was terrified, the unexpected rush leaving me without a moment to prepare or catch my breath.

I was under the water for what felt like far too long, but thankfully, she never let go of my hand.

My young mind imagined that if she were to let go, I would suddenly be carried away, too weak and inexperienced to survive that powerful wave alone.

She held on tightly. She didn’t let me go.

The water receded, and I stood up, a bit dazed by what had happened.

What I thought was going to be a beautiful, joy-filled experience had completely knocked me off my feet, and I was trying to shake off the horrible feeling of impending doom.

My cousin seemed completely unaware of any danger. She was laughing and joking, and we continued with our stroll.

Deflated, I wondered if other dangers awaited me in this beautiful place, and if she would be able to keep me from more harm.

On the other hand, God is always aware. He’s also unbothered by the waves of life that leave you soaking wet and breathless, seeming to drown out all sense of direction.

So in those moments when the children misbehave, or the feelings of isolation creep in, and you begin to wonder if you even have what it takes to nurture another being? God is right there with you, and He knows exactly what you’re going through. When the diagnosis hits, the relationship starts to crumble or the job you love disappears …? God is right beside you.

As displayed in Isaiah 41:10, God encourages you not to be afraid; instead be assured He will strengthen and help you along your journey:

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

When those waves of responsibility, tantrums or sleepless nights leave you feeling out of breath and grasping for a hand to pull you out of your situation, know that you’re safe, right where you are.

He simply longs for you to trust Him whether the moments are full of beauty or the wind brings battering waves.

You’re being upheld by the righteous right hand of the Father, and there’s no storm strong enough to take you under while you’re in His care.

Dear God, thank You for refuge from the storms life brings and the safety and assurance found in Your presence. May I cling to You, moment by moment, knowing Your hand of power, victory and salvation sustains me in every situation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Psalms 34:7-8, “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” (NIV)

2 Corinthians 12:9, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (NIV)

Clean Feet, Clean Heart

Clean Feet, Clean Heart

Dr. Charles Stanley

John 13:3-15

Israel can be a dusty place, and sandaled feet get filthy walking to and fro. In ancient times, a person entering a home removed his sandals and cleaned his feet. Or if the homeowners were wealthy, servants would do the washing. This distasteful but necessary task fell to the worker of lowest position in the household.

Imagine the disciples' surprise when the Son of God put Himself in the role of a lowly servant and knelt to wash their feet. The need for such a service was great, as they had been traveling for some time. But not one of them offered to do it.

Jesus did more than fill a need; He offered an object lesson. As He explained, "I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you" (John 13:15 nlt). Some churches have incorrectly interpreted this as a command to make foot washing an ordinance. But it's possible to clean someone else's skin without contemplating the significance of Christ's actions.

In fact, the act itself is not the main point; attitude is what counts. Jesus desires that we be willing to humble ourselves to serve others. He is looking for men and women who will ignore pride, position, and power in order to do whatever must be done, wherever it needs doing, and for whoever requires assistance.

Jesus performed His greatest and most humble acts of service within 24 hours of each other. He washed dirty feet using two hands that would be pierced by nails in less than a day. The message here is that every task God gives us is important to His kingdom.

God and Treadmills

God and Treadmills
By Ryan Duncan

May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance. - 2 Thessalonians 3:5

Ever since I moved to Richmond I’ve acquired a taste for working out. There’s just something addicting about going to the gym after a long day at the office and pounding a treadmill until you feel the moisture on your forehead. If I don’t get my usual workouts, I tend to go stir crazy. That’s why I can’t stand January. After every New Year’s celebration, like clockwork, the gyms become crowded with people who have resolved to become healthier.

Because of the crowds, it becomes harder to get equipment, find parking spaces, or do any of my usual exercises. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m glad people are trying to get healthier and I encourage anyone who wants to start working out to give it a try, but I still get frustrated because I know that within a month most of these people will be gone. Exercise requires a lot of commitment and perseverance, and while a lot of people have resolved to live better, when the hard part comes they give up. You could say the same thing applies to faith. I cannot tell you how many times God has revealed himself in my life through his grace, his power, or even his sense of humor. But despite all these moments, it’s still so easy for me to doubt, to get angry with God and wonder if he has a plan, or if he’s even there at all.

The book of James is useful in moments like this, and even offers some encouragement for when we’re tempted to doubt.    

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.” – James 1:2-8

Spiritual workouts are no different from our physical ones. If you want to run a marathon, you first have to run a mile, and if you want to become a tool for Christ, you have to trust him first. So don’t be afraid of trials and challenges, but instead embrace them as opportunities to mature in your faith. It won’t be easy, and odds are you’ll probably have to endure some difficult and painful experiences, but in the end you’ll look back and know you’re stronger because of it.

Intersecting Faith and Life: Apply God to your daily life through the excercise of prayer and service.

4 Ways Joy Enriches Our Lives

4 Ways Joy Enriches Our Lives
By Lynette Kittle

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.’”- Luke 2:10

Growing up I loved singing the song, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy down in my heart” and shouting “where” after each stanza. It was a favorite song choice in Sunday school and Wednesday night services because it’s just fun to sing.

Psalm 100:1 encourages us to “make a joyful noise to the Lord” and singing it really did bring joy to my heart. Although just a simple child’s song, it conveys the kind of deep joy that comes from the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Below are 4 ways this joy enriches our lives 

1. Joy Overtakes Sorrow

Joy has the power to overtake mourning and groaning as written in Isaiah 35:1, “Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighting will flee away.”

The Bible is full of stories of individuals who faced hardships, suffering, and loss. Yet Scripture tells us how God gives everlasting joy to crown our heads and wipe away grief and sadness (Isaiah 51:11). And Psalm 126:5 assures that, “those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.”

The joy God brings is able to take away the deepest sorrow.

2. Joy Gives Strength

Nehemiah 8:10 tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength. As we rejoice before God, joy comes (Psalm 68:3) strengthening, uplifting, and refreshing us.

Scripture describes, too, how God takes great delight in us, how He shouts for joy and rejoices with singing over us (Zephaniah 3:17).

3. Joy Cultivates Growth

James 1:1-2 encourages us to consider it pure joy when we encounter various trials.

However, like me, I’m guessing most individuals don’t look at dealing with difficulties as a source of joy. Still, God urges us to take on a joyful attitude in facing challenges because when we do, we will grow in perseverance, which will lead us to maturity, completeness, and a confidence of being complete in Christ (James 1:3,4).

Choosing joy during trying times produces benefits far more valuable than the wear and tear experienced.

4. Joy Produces Generosity

2 Corinthians 8:2 describes how in the midst of a very severe trial, the churches in Macedonia experienced “overflowing joy.” Scriptures describes how even in an atmosphere of extreme poverty, this joy produced a rich generosity among them.

The theme of many Christmas movies is the story of a hardened, stingy heart being softened and changed to a generous heart.

And it’s true! The joy God brings through His Good News changes hearts and lives during the holiday season and all year long.

A Prayer for Conviction from the Holy Spirit

A Prayer for Conviction from the Holy Spirit
 By Greg Laurie

“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

Some people say that guilt is a horrible thing. In reality, guilt is a design God has put in our souls. It is similar to the pain we feel in our bodies when something is wrong. If I’m walking down the street barefoot and step on a piece of broken glass, a signal goes through my body, saying, “Red alert! Don’t step any further!” The pain effectively warns me that more pain is coming unless I stop.

In the same way, when we experience guilt, our conscience says, “Warning! Don’t do that.” That is the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

When someone who claims to be a Christian can live in sin without sensing it, then something is seriously wrong. I know we aren’t perfect. I know we all fall short of the glory of God. But there is a difference between stumbling unintentionally and being sorry for it and living in habitual, continual sin without any pangs of conscience, guilt, or remorse.

If this is happening in your life, then it means your conscience is being “seared with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:2). As the Bible says in Hebrews 12, “If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?” (verse 7). In other words, if you are a child of God, when you begin to cross the line, the Holy Spirit will be there to say, “No, don’t do that.”

That very conviction is a reminder that you are a child of God. So rejoice when you feel guilt. Thank God for guilt.

If you can live in sin without any guilt or remorse, then one must question whether you are a child of God. Throw on the brakes if this is happening to you.

Righteous Lord, you are the King of our hearts, but the heart is deceitful above all else. Help us to discern your will, and teach us to walk forever in your ways. Heavenly Father, teach us to be sensitive to the prodding of your Spirit. When we have strayed, return us to your path, just as a shepherd does with his sheep. Amen.

NEVER THE SAME AGAIN

NEVER THE SAME AGAIN

And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their own country by another way.
Matthew 2:12 

When I was 17 years old, I heard the true message of Christmas.  It finally made sense to me, and God showed me that I needed His Son - not just to know facts about Him in my head, but to really know Him personally in my heart.  You see, Jesus was born in Bethlehem so that you and I could be born again. 

On a Monday night in January of 1980, I got down on my knees and asked Jesus to save me.  I gave all I knew of me to all I knew of Him.  And do you know what?  He saved me.  He forgave all my sins and came to live in my heart... and my life has never been the same since.

A CHANGE OF COURSE

The wise men from the east traveled a great distance (as much as 1000 miles) to worship Jesus, the new born King of the Jews.  They brought expensive gifts and fell down in worship before the Christ child.  When they went home, they did not go back through Jerusalem for fear of Herod.  They returned "by another way."  They changed course.  Did you catch the spiritual significance of that phrase?

It is impossible to truly meet Jesus and not go "another way."  It is impossible to receive the King of Glory into your life and not be changed as a result.  Many times people will struggle with and agonize over the issue of assurance.  They will ask themselves, "Am I really a Christian?"  The acid test to know if you are truly His is this: have you been changed?  Has something happened inside of you, calling you to go in a new direction?  It is inconceivable to think that the Almighty, Most Holy God of the Universe would come to live inside of a person and that person not know it... and that person not be changed.

My life changed greatly after I received Christ.  My friends and family noticed a difference in the way I acted and reacted.  Although far from perfect, there was a change, a noticeable change.  I had gone "by another way."  I had a desire for God that I never had before... and I had a sorrow in sin that I never had before.  As Adrian Rogers used to say, "The difference between a Christian and a non-Christian is this: A non-Christian leaps into sin and he loves it.  A Christian lapses into sin and he loathes it."  That has been true of me from the day I surrendered my life to Jesus.  

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Have you really met Jesus?  Has there been a genuine change?  Is your life going His way now... or are you still going your way? 

Christmas is a great time to rejoice... and to reflect: what change of course does He want to make in you?  What adjustments are needed so that you can be all He wants you to be in your family... in your career... in your priorities?   

I hope you have/had a great Christmas.  May the King of the universe truly be King in you as you do like those wise men and bow your life before Him!

Love, 

Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries