Video Bible Lesson - Jesus Is the Only Way to God By Lynette Kittle

Jesus Is the Only Way to God
By Lynette Kittle

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

1/22/2020

01/22/2020

Jesus Is the Only Way to God
By Lynette Kittle
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” – John 14:6
Are you being tolerant of other’s beliefs to the point of saying nothing? Not even sharing your testimony because you don’t want to offend anyone? Is the message of “tolerance” keeping you quiet?
If so, you may want to consider who is influencing your decision to remain silent.
A well-known biblical teacher recently quoted the phrase, “Preach the Gospel, and if necessary, use words.”
But Scripture states the importance of using words, as Romans 10:17 explains, “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”
Words are essential to use in leading individuals to Salvation. 1 Peter 1:23 emphasizes it stating, “For you have been born again, not of perishable see, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.”
Shutting up is the last thing Christians should be doing because if there are no words, there is no faith that comes from hearing, and consequently leads to no salvations.
Romans 10:14, explains the importance of speaking out, “How, then, can they call on the One they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”
However, cultural pressure is pushing Christians to keep silent on the most important life-and-death issue to ever face mankind. As Acts 4:12 stresses, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
If you’re waiting until you “feel” like it, take into consideration 1 Timothy 4:2’s urging to “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”
Instead of keeping quite, contemplate the eternal consequences of keeping tight lips when it comes to sharing the Gospel because Scripture assures, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).
If you need motivation, think of how God is able to save completely those who come to Him through Jesus (Hebrews 7:25).
Like the blind man healed by Jesus asked, “Who is He sir? Tell me so that I may believe” (John 9:36), ask God to help you tell the Gospel to those around you, so they may believe, too.

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

Evangelism: Every Believer's Calling

Evangelism: Every Believer's Calling

Dr. Charles Stanley

Acts 1:6-8

One Sunday, a man approached me between services to share his story. He'd been addicted to drugs and was leading a hopeless life when he heard a Scripture verse in a sermon. He said that one passage led him to place his trust in Jesus. The man was saved, and God transformed his life.

Every believer has a story. Oftentimes, the more we surrender to God, the greater our ability to see His hand in our life. And the more we watch Him work, the stronger our desire to share with others all that He has done.

The same was true of the early disciples. A small crowd gathered around Jesus before His ascension. They heard His command to spread the gospel around the globe, making disciples and baptizing people from all nations. Surely this seemed like an overwhelming task for a handful of followers, but they obeyed. Their personal experiences with Christ undoubtedly motivated them to share the good news, and they also must have gained confidence from Jesus' promise of His presence and power.

We, too, should be taking Christ's command seriously. One of our highest callings as believers is to tell others about Him. As was true for the early Christians, our own experience with the Savior is the most exciting and convincing story to tell.

Are you passionately telling others about Christ? Loving God involves not just having a personal relationship with Jesus but also sharing Him with others. The world around you needs the power of Christ. Let the Holy Spirit guide and enable you to share effectively with those around you.

Satisfying Your Core Longing

Satisfying Your Core Longing 
BETH MCCORD

“My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” Jeremiah 2:13 (NIV)

Have you ever thought about the true longing of your heart? I’m not talking about a passing craving, intention or goal. I’m  talking about the message your heart is desperately longing to hear.

For years, I suppressed the true longing of my heart — to know my presence matters. As a long-time Christ-follower, I was well-acquainted with the gospel story and knew Jesus loves me and had died for me, bringing me freedom and fullness in Him. But I was struggling to let that truth fully settle into my heart and life.

I kept falling into the same ruts, feeling stuck and ashamed year after year. I couldn't grasp the identity and value I knew I already had, and I couldn’t understand why I didn't feel like I was growing more.

Frustration, sadness and loneliness welled up within me, and I became very sensitive to people's words and actions. I wondered, Is there any sanctification happening within me? Is something wrong with me? Do I have a calling? Can I make any kind of impact on this world?

Though I looked calm and capable on the outside, my inner world was in shambles. I was constantly comparing myself to others, a dangerous game in which I always came up short.

My unwillingness to submit to the Holy Spirit and insistence on going about my life the way I saw fit revealed my idols — the ways in which I tried to satisfy my heart’s core longing apart from Christ.

In biblical times, a cistern was a man-made reservoir dug in the ground or rock to collect and store water. Cisterns were important in Israel because of the long dry season and very few natural water sources. But a broken cistern was completely worthless. Cracked rock or crumbling stone held little to no water. Collecting and storing water in a broken cistern would be about as effective as trying to drink from a cracked coffee cup!

We’re all wired to feel, think and act in certain ways in order to satisfy our core longing. But we forsake our Creator when we try to fulfill this unending craving in our own strength, and we'll always be left wanting more.

In Jeremiah 2:13, the prophet Jeremiah points out the foolishness of God’s people. The Fall corrupted how we try to satisfy the thirst of our hearts. We look to the broken cisterns of relationships, professional successes, material goods or many other things that can never truly satisfy. These things will never offer true peace to our hearts or relationships.

But there is good news!

Jesus’ life, death and resurrection righted all that is wrong in us so we can bring to life our true longing and purpose. The gospel specifically fulfills each of our hearts’ cries, giving us a spring of Living Water that will never run dry.

When we know, believe and trust that Christ alone can satisfy us, He unlocks deep transformation. Our thirst is quenched, and we are set free to live as His beloved children. We can then use our unique perspectives and amazing qualities to bless others and bring glory to God.

Whatever you’re thirsting for today, may you fully believe and trust you are fully seen and loved by God. He intricately created you and knows your every heart longing. You can find rest and great joy knowing all He has is yours.

Heavenly Father, illuminate my heart with all its motivations and inclinations. I want to break free from the broken cisterns that will always leave me wanting more and move forward in growth and freedom. Help me remember only You can satisfy the true longing of my heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Romans 8:1-2, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” (NIV) 

John 4:14, “But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (NIV)

5 Signs You Are Spiritually Dehydrated

5 Signs You Are Spiritually DehydratedBy Cortney Whiting

"Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” - John 7:37b

Recently, I was at the urgent care for what I thought was just strep throat. I was shocked when the nurse told me I was extremely dehydrated. I did not feel thirsty. However, after two IV bags of fluids, I began feeling like a different person.

I believe that it is possible to become "dehydrated" in our spiritual lives without realizing it. Here are five signs that you may be experiencing spiritual dehydration in your own life.

1. Use of bad language

One of the symptoms of physical dehydration is bad breath. Similarly, I think one characteristic of a lack of living water in someone’s life is unwholesome talk. Luke 6:45 states, “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (ESV). When we are lacking spiritually, our speech lacks intentionality.

2. Lack of service

When someone suffers from dehydration, they often experience fatigue. In Philippians 1:9-11, Paul’s prayer to the Philippians emphasizes the overflow of love that comes because of their growth in Christ. When we feel spiritually drained, our service is often affected.

3. Easily angered

Lack of an adequate amount of water in someone’s body causes their body temperature to overheat. When we are spiritually dehydrated, a possible symptom is a quick temper (Galatians 5:20).

4. Lack of self-control

One of the extreme symptoms of physical dehydration is muscle spasms. When a person experiences this symptom, their muscles involuntarily contract and cause pain. Likewise, when we experience spiritual dehydration and do not allow the Spirit to control our lives, we lose control over our flesh and allow sin to creep into our lives (Galatians 5:23).

5. Unwise choices

When someone suffers from dehydration, they can sometimes experience light-headedness. A spiritual equivalent can be making unwise choices. I find that when I am not engaged in my relationship with Christ, my decision-making ability suffers. Proverbs 18:1-3 illustrates the destruction of foolishness.

How to Recover from Spiritual Dehydration

Jesus calls the spiritually thirsty to come to him. He asks those who are weak, worn, broken, and in need to come to Him just as they are. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” 1 Peter 5:7 instructs us to cast all our anxiety upon the Lord because He cares for us. Considering these verses, I believe that there are several steps we can take when faced with spiritual dehydration.

Come – Jesus wants us to come to Him when we are weary and broken. He does not want us to get our lives back on track before we approach Him. When Jesus ministered on earth, He affected change and then asked that they continue to walk in forgiveness. A perfect life was not a prerequisite to forgiveness.

Drink – Jesus offers us living water through His Word and His Spirit. However, it is up to us to go to the well and drink of the water. There is the saying that states that you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot force it to drink. The same is true for a person’s spiritual walk. Despite others encouragement, it is ultimately up to the one who thirsts to drink from what God offers. As believers, we must continue to remain in relationship with God through prayer, Scripture, worship, service, and fellowship with other Christians.

Rest – So often, Christians try to earn their way into God’s favor by working as hard as they possibly can. However, Jesus reminds us that we can simply rest in Him. Spiritual renewal is often found through learning to be still and recognizing God’s presence in our lives. Brother Lawrence in The Practice of the Presence of God states, “We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.”

Trade – Jesus came to earth to trade our sins and sorrows for His glory and grace. Ultimate spiritual renewal is found when we can cast our burdens at the foot of the cross. The resurrection gives us hope that through Christ, we can be more than conquerors. Though the initial step of faith may seem difficult, the freedom and life gained is well worth the trade.

God’s desire for His children is that we have abundant life. In this life, it is easy for us to become spiritually lacking in zeal. Yet, through God’s grace, we can be renewed by coming to Christ, resting in God’s grace, engaging in spiritual disciplines, and trading our sin and sorrow for God’s glory and grace.

A Prayer for Victory

A Prayer for Victory
 by Debbie Przybylski

“For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” - Deuteronomy 20:4

Do not look at your prayer life as a small ministry of no importance. The enemy knows full well how mighty you are in pulling down his strongholds, and he will try to intimidate, discourage, divide, or defeat you. Don't accept his lies.

"Doubt. Deception. Discouragement. Division. It's time for the church to stop accepting these enemy strikes as natural. Spiritual warfare is a reality that the church must face. It won't go away on its own - but it can be dealt with through prayer."

Love God with all your heart, and abide in Him - Loving and abiding in God is so important in order to see answered prayer. I am personally, by nature, a warrior but my relationship with God is the best antidote against the enemy’s flaming missiles. We must know God intimately, and abide in that intimacy daily.

"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you" - (John 15:7).

Speak out the attributes of God, and praise him daily in prayer - Worship is a powerful form of warfare. Praying and singing out loud about the greatness of God during moments when you are emotionally down makes a huge difference. Your heart begins to rise up, your feelings change, and you see the sovereignty and greatness of God.

Here is a prayer you can pray for victory over the enemy’s schemes:

Lord, thank you for your greatness. Thank you that when I am weak, you are strong. Lord, the Devil is scheming and I know he desires to keep me from spending time with you. Don’t let him win! Give me a measure of your strength so that I might not give into discouragement, deception and doubt! Help me honor you in all my ways. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The 3 Things We Can Give to God This Year

The 3 Things We Can Give to God This Year

Greg Laurie

As we enter into a new year, here is something to remember: When it’s all said and done, we have three things we can offer God—our treasure, our talent, and our time. Each of these is given to us by God, and each of them should be given back in generous portions.

First, there is our treasure. I urge you to commit yourself to give faithfully and generously to the Lord in this coming year. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21 NKJV). Whenever we put our money into something, we develop a vested interest in it. It makes sense to us that we would place our treasures where our hearts are. If we love reading books, or being entertained, or the latest technology, we spend our treasure on those things. And if our heart’s desires change, that changes where we put our treasure.

But it works the other way too: Where we put our treasures, our heart will follow. Do you want your heart to be in the things of God? Then put your treasures in the things of God! Develop a vested interest in God’s kingdom.

The second thing we can give to God is our talent. God has gifted each believer in different ways. Everyone has something to offer for the work of the kingdom. Romans 12 says, “Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us different work to do” (NLT).

Finally, there is our time. Let’s say that one day your phone rang and it was the president of the bank that you use. He told you that an anonymous donor who loved you very much had decided to deposit 86,400 pennies into your bank account each and every morning. At first, maybe that didn’t seem like a lot. But then you figured out that it was $864 a day. At seven days a week and 52 weeks a year, those pennies add up to almost $315,000 each year! But the bank president added one thing: “The anonymous giver said you must spend all of the money on the day you receive it! No balance will be carried over to the next day. Each evening the bank must cancel whatever sum you failed to use! Remember, what you don’t spend is lost.”

That may sound like fantasy, but here’s the reality: Every morning, Someone who loves you very much deposits into your “bank of time” 86,400 seconds, which represent 1,440 minutes, which of course equals 24 hours each and every day. God gives you that much to use each day. Nothing is ever carried over on credit to the next day. There is no such thing as a 27-hour day. It’s called time, and you can’t escape it. Time is ticking away right now. The Bible tells us to “redeem the time”—to make sacred and wise use of every opportunity.

Offer God your treasure, your talent, and your time. Live this next year as if it were your last, because it could be. Make those minutes count!