God Gave

Are you following the truth? God gave us many things to help us discover the truth. Let’s take a look at some of them.

God gave us a brain. He expects us to use it. Isaiah 1:18 NKJV says “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the LORD “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool”. Psalm 34:8 NKJV tells us to taste and see the Lord is good.

God gave us His word. Psalm 68:11 says “The Lord gave the word”. He expects us to study it and discover His truth like the Bereans did in Acts 17:11 NKJV “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” In addition, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV tells us “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

God gave His Son to die for us. Psalm 53:3 NKJV says “Every one of them has turned aside; They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.” Romans 6:23 NKJV says “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Through one man, Adam, sin entered mankind. Another man, the Son of God, paid the price for our sin so we wouldn’t have to (Romans 5:12-17). John 14:6 NKJV says “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

God gave His Holy Spirit to those who believe in Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for their sins. First Corinthians 2:14 tell us the natural man thinks the things of God are foolishness and he can not know them for they are spiritually discerned. John 16:13 NKJV says “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.” The Spirit is given so we might know the things that have been given to us freely by God (1 Corinthians 2:12).

So are you ready? Are you ready to use your brain, receive His Word, accept His sacrifice for your sins and receive His Holy Spirit?

Step into God’s glorious truth today. Today is the day of Salvation. If you haven’t received Jesus as your Savior, pray something like this:

Jesus, I believe the Word of God. I now understand I am not saved by my own goodness. Please come into my life and make my sins as white as wool. Give me your Holy Spirit to lead me in all truth. In your name I pray. Amen.

© Elizabeth Marks, author of ThinkOnIt Devotions and has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word. For more devotions, bible studies and a recommended book store, visit http://www.ThinkOnItDevotions.com today.

Disobedience has a Price

When I was a teenager, my boyfriend had a motorcycle. My mother always warned me not to ride on that motorcycle. She said it was too dangerous. But you know how teenagers can be.

One day when my boyfriend was working on his motorcycle in his garage, I sat on the motorcycle. The engine was on while I was sitting on it. When I reached my leg down to get off the motorcycle, I was shocked to find I couldn’t take my leg away. It turns out my left calf stuck to the exhaust pipe. So as my boyfriend and I tried to peel my leg off of the pipe, I realized I was in big trouble. I didn’t heed my mother’s warning!

Mother Said	What I Did	Consequences
Don’t ride a motorcycle	Sat on the motorcycle	Burned my leg Disappointed my mother

What lesson did I learn? My mother was right about motorcycles been dangerous, even just sitting on them! The burned on my leg would no doubt leave a lasting scar!

Aside from the disappointment my mother must have felt, she knew what to do. Every day we would scrub the dead skin away from the wound. Although it was incredibly painful, after several weeks of this the wound eventually healed. And thanks to my mom, I have no trace of the burn on my left leg.

As I pondered this situation from my past I started to realize there is a spiritual lesson in this. Our spiritual growth is much like this story of disobedience.

God tells us what to do. We do the opposite. We pay the consequences. Yet God still pursues us, works with us, and cleanses us from all on righteousness so there will be no trace of our sinful action remaining when he’s through with us.

Disobedience has a price. Sometimes righting the wrong is painful. But it’s necessary. God calls us to persevere so our character develops. God brings forth good, even from our disobedience. After we have suffered a while, we begin to recognize God was right causing us to yearn for Him. Perhaps faced with their next opportunity to disobey will remember what we went through before and choose to walk in the Spirit rather than satisfy our sinful nature.

What has God told you to do lately? Do you find yourself disobeying God? Remember there are consequences to our disobedience. Even if we disobey, God is good and will help us learn the lessons we should.

Lord thank you for your leading us. Thank you that even in our disobedience you have a way of bringing good out of it. Help us to desire you. Enable us to obey you the first time rather than suffering the consequence for our disobedience. If we can only learn the lesson through disobedience then so be it Lord. In Jesus’ name Amen.

© Elizabeth Marks, author of ThinkOnIt Devotions and has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word. For more devotions, bible studies and a recommended book store, visit http://www.ThinkOnItDevotions.com today

Discipleship and Fellowship

Do you know what discipleship is? A disciple is someone who follows Christ. A disciple is what we call a believer. Discipleship is helping believers follow Christ and grow their relationship with the Lord. It goes hand in hand with fellowship. Let’s look a couple verse that depict discipleship and fellowship.

Acts 14:21-23 NKJV: “And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”

Paul and Barnabas spent time in Lystra preaching the gospel and making many disciples. Notice what they did:

(1) They strengthen souls of the disciples.

(2) They exhorted them to continue in faith.

(3) They reminded them we will always have tribulations.

(4) They prayed for the believers.

How do you strengthen someone’s soul? You come along side them. You share with them the wonderful works God has done that you’ve been privileged to participate in. How do you exhort someone to continue in faith? Again you come along side of them, reminding them of God’s promise found in God’s Word. Meeting together to read, study and apply God’s Word is how we develop our faith, instill God’s values and live a life witnessing God’s mercy and grace.

Acts 2:42 NKJV: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

The early church is our model. In Acts 2, we see what they did when they meet together. Similar to what we saw in Acts 14. The continued steadfastly meaning they came together regularly. They took initiative to stay connected. They were dedicated to one another. When they meet they had common goals.

(1) They studied God’s Word (apostle’s doctrine).

(2) They shared God’s work in each other’s life (fellowship).

(3) The shared communion together (breaking of bread).

(4) The prayed together.

This is what we do in small groups. We come together to read God’s Word and pray for each other. As we do, we strengthen each other’s faith. Our small group acts like a safety net. Each believer walks the tight rope of righteousness, should their feet slip, our group supports and encourages the believer and helps him/her regain their spiritual balance.

Are you in a small group yet? If not, ask God to lead you to one. Do you’re part to join one. Your faith will grow as you experience fellowship in the Lord.

Lord thank you for your word and small groups of believers to help us stay focused on you. In Jesus’ name Amen.

© Elizabeth Marks, author of ThinkOnIt Devotions and has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word. For more devotions, bible studies and a recommended book store, visit http://www.ThinkOnItDevotions.com today.