Born of the Spirit

  In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit."
John 3:3,5

What did Nicodemus know about the kingdom? From the Bible, he knew it would be ruled by God, it would be restored on earth, and it would incorporate God's people. Jesus revealed to this devout Pharisee that the kingdom would come to the whole world, not just the Jews, and that Nicodemus would not be a part of it unless he was personally born-again. This was a revolutionary concept: the kingdom is personal, not national or ethnic, and its entrance requirements are repentance and spiritual rebirth. Jesus later taught that God's kingdom has already begun in the hearts of believers. It will be fully realized when Jesus returns again to judge the world and abolish evil forever. It is impossible for man to have a new life without a new birth. Being a Christian is a great deal more than joining a church and making resolutions. It is experiencing a regeneration through a crucified Redeemer.
God Bless you,
JH

Love in Action

  Elijah was a man, just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for 3 1/2 years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth, and someone should bring him back, remember this: whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.   James 5:17-20

The book of James emphasizes faith in action. Right living is the evidence and result of faith. The church must serve with compassion, speak lovingly and truthfully, live in obedience to God's Word, and love one another. The body of believers ought to be an example of heaven on earth, drawing people to Christ through love for God and each other. If we truly believe God's Word, we will live it day by day. God's word is not merely something we read or think about, but something we do. Believe, faith, and trust must have hands and feet - ours! The only way a difference will be made here on earth in our decrepit society is by becoming one body through Christ, which is the church. The church needs to come together as never before in order to do God's will. Don't you think that it is long enough we have sat on the sidelines in the name of political correctness? We are so careful not to offend anyone, or to push our religion onto another. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, but by me." He didn't say, "Don't offend anyone. Be nice. Be careful of other people's feelings. Show tolerance." Indeed, "They will hate you because of Me." It seems to me that we are playing by the world's rules. Let's see what God will do once we begin playing by His.
Share you faith today like you mean it,
God Bless you,

J.H

Keep Close

I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing. But you, oh Lord, be not far off; oh my Strength, come quickly to help me. I will declare Your Name to my Brothers; in the congregation, I will praise you.
Psalm 22:17-19, 22
     It is a great insult to human dignity to rob a person of everything, even his clothing, leaving him naked and destitute. Jesus would suffer this humiliating experience on the cross. Most of us will never know the shame and suffering of being penniless and virtually naked in a public place, as many of the Jews experienced during the Nazi Holocaust or even the homeless on the streets of our cities today. But most of us would feel equally exposed and naked when some sin, secret or not, would be uncovered. At that time, we will need to cry out with David, "oh my Strength, come quickly to help me." David would praise God in the congregation, because his private deliverance deserved public testimony. God wonderfully delivers us in the quiet moments when we are hurting, and we must be prepared to offer public praise for His Love.
God Bless you,
J.H.

Pray for Unity

 "Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you have sent me and have loved them, even as you have loved me."
John 17:21-23

Jesus' great desire for His disciples was that they would become one. He wanted them unified as a powerful witness to the reality of God's love. Are you helping to unify the body of Christ, the church? You can pray for the Christians, you can avoid gossip, you can build others up, you can work together in humility, you can give your time and your money, you can exalt Christ with your life, and you can refuse to get sidetracked by arguing over divisive matters. When are we going to stop waving church labels in each other's face and just worship the Lord? This is what Jesus prayed for long ago. He is the way, the truth, and the life - He is the answer, the difference; He is everything. Let us follow Him together.
God Bless you,
J.H.

Give Thanks

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:19-20

When you feel down, you may find it difficult to give thanks. Take heart - in all things God works for our good if we love Him and are called according to His purpose. Thank God, not for your problems, but for the strength He is building in you through the difficult experiences of your life. You can be sure that God's perfect love will see you through. There's a lot to be said about talking to yourself, and then there is a great deal more to be said about talking to God. Every day will be a better one if we do both.
God Bless you, J.H.

Thankfulness

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so - those He redeemed from the hand of the foe, those He gathered from the lands, from East and West, from North and South.
Psalm 107:1-3
Thankfulness to God should constantly be on the lips of those whom He has saved. "Let the redeemed of the Lord say . . ." God has done so much for us, and we have so much for which to thank Him. He wants us to tell everyone all that He has done. These verses are not so much a mandate to witness as a declaration that when we live in God's presence, we will not be able to keep His glorious experience to ourselves. Give him thanks today for what even seem to be times of going backward. Tomorrow, you may discover that in His wisdom, these moments were actually advancements. "All things work together for good to them that love the Lord." What has God done for you? Share it with someone today.
God Bless you,
J.H.

Sing a New Song

  Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise His name; proclaim His salvation, day after day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples.
Psalm 96:1-3

 The psalmist sings out his praises to God, overwhelmed by all that God has done. If we believe that God is great, we cannot help but tell others about Him. The best witnessing happens when our hearts are full of appreciation for what He has done. God has chosen to use us to "declare his marvelous deeds among all peoples." Praise for our great God overflows from His creation and should overflow from our lips. How well are you doing at telling others about God's greatness? Don't let your religion be a weekend matter for a weekend religion is a weak one. But every day, by work and by life, show forth his salvation. Heavenly Father, I thank you Lord for this day, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Thank you for Your grace and Your mercy. Allow us to recognize everything that You have done for us that we may not boast of ourselves, but reveal to others Your greatness and the necessity of Your presence in our lives. Allow our witness to be strong and clear. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen