Meditation

10/08/2021

“You are my witnesses, declares the Lord, an my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.” (Isaiah 43:10)

God chose Israel to believe in Him and to bear witness that others might believe in Him as the one true God. That call and mission is extended to Christians also, beloved. Are you His witness to others???

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Precious Abba, You knew so very well that witnesses were critical to bring others to belief in You and Your Son, our Savior. We lift up our prayers to you daily; we tell everyone our love for You and our belief in You; we have taken the commitment to tell as many people as we can the stories of You and the Gospel You can us through Your prophets and disciples, so that others will become witnesses, as well. This we pray. Amen

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“Faith keeps the person, who keeps the faith.”

KNOWING GOD:

“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not sere your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up. Then Nebuchadnezzar said, ‘Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, to has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing o give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.’” (Daniel 4:17-18, 28)

The God who rescued Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace can deliver us from anything. The belief of these three men are examples of the kind of faith God wants persons to have in Him. Faith has such trust in God’s love and power that believes hold to God no matter what happens, no matter who seeks to change their minds, or what threats they face.

I AM:

“He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. This became know all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.” (Acts 9:41-42)

The early Christians were referred to as believers. Raising Dorcas from death gave Peter and the Church opportunity to share the news of Christ’s power and increase the number of believers. Miracles can lead to true belief but do not necessarily do so (John 11:45-46). When Jesus came to Mary following Lazarus’ death and saw what He did, put their faith in him. But some of hem went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. Those of the religious authority (the Sanhedrin) were afraid that should the Romans find out, they would lose their places of authority and all Israel would be lost, and so they decided then, Jesus must be killed.

SECOND THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15)

God’s goal is to rule history. In Jesus His kingdom became real on earth as people through Jesus let God rule their lives. Thus Jesus showed the kingdom of heaven has an earthly foundation and an earthly history. To enter the kingdom is to know the historical existence rather than to escape from history.

Jesus preached that persons should believe the good news about the arrival of God’s kingdom in His own life and ministry. Belief centers on whether we accept Jesus’ coming as the ultimate good news God has from the world. So what is your belief history? Are you simply waiting for the day Christ returns to find out you missed entry into the kingdom or are you living your life looking forward to the day when you enter the kingdom and united with other believers? God loves you too much to force you, you must decide for yourself.