"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WHAT GOD HAS FOR YOU TO DO"
Eph 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Some explanatory thoughts and application:
1. One blessed thing to realize, right off the bat, is that God has already done something for us that no one else could do. He has saved us. The word "workmanship" and the phrase, "For we are His workmanship" have the idea of that which has been made, or the work of our creator, telling us that as saved people, it's the work of God. He has saved us. Workmanship, comes from a greek word Poiema, which is the same word we get our english word "poem" So, our being saved, from God's perspective, is that we are His poem. He is the artist if you will who has created this beautiful poem, you and I as believers. We are His poem.
2. Another repetition here by Paul, when he says, "Created in Christ Jesus" This seems to be speaking of the fact that we are new creatures as saved people. God has created us as born again people. We have been regenerated, or made alive again, not by our works, but by His Spirit.
Titus 3:5 He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit. NLT
Titus 3:5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, NKJV
Regeneration, literally means, new birth, reproduction, renewal, recreation,
3. But to the theme of this Devo. "What God has for you to do?. It's stated in the Eph verse.
Eph 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Please notice in the last half of the verse, it says 2 things.
(1) For Good works, which God has prepared beforehand.
(2) That we should walk in them.
4. So, we can conclude, that God in times past, beforehand, I believe even before creation, prepared, or planned out good works or the good things He has for us to do, and He wants us to walk in them, or do them. Sometimes, we call this His will for our lives. And, we often say, and rightly so, that God has a will for our lives.
5. What are these good works? It would seem that there is both a general and a personal answer to that question. The general, would be to walk in obedience to His Word. Simply doing the things that God teaches us to do, and commands us to so. The personal would be the specifics of how He is directing each one of His children. What exactly does He have for you to do, in addition to walking and living as a disciple of Christ.
6. It's comforting to know that if we want to know, we can both ask Him for Wisdom, James 1:I5 f you need wisdom--if you want to know what God wants you to do--ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. NLT
A prayer:
Father, first of all, thank You for saving us. We would not do it on our own, You did it for us. By Your grace, so thank You. And, thank You for planning out, preparing a life for us to live, and works to do, and walk in. We would like to say this day, that we want to do what You have planned for us. We love You, and it's the only reasonable thing for us to do, in light of what You have done for us. Rom 12:1-2. So, Lord, please give us wisdom to do what You have for us. Show us Your will. And, in general, may we simply walk in Your ways this day.
In Jesus' name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Friday, November 22, 2013
"HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE WANTING TO KNOW GOD'S WILL"
"HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE WANTING TO KNOW GOD'S WILL"
Mark 3:35 “For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.”
Some explanatory thoughts and application:
1. The phrase "will of God" actually means that which pleases God. Isn't that interesting. God has something that pleases Him, and that's what He wants for our lives.
2. A believer has already done something of God's will when they first placed their faith in Christ to be saved. How do we know that? Because, God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. So, it's pleasing to Him when someone comes to faith, to say the least.
3. As believers, we can pray for the will of God to be done in our lives. Matt 6:10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. What a wonderful prayer to pray.
4. There are also steps to take to find ourselves in the will of God. And, here they are in Rom 12:1-2
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
5. If you take a look at those verses, you will see that being in God's will starts with making ourselves available to God, and continues with our not being conformed to this world, but, calls us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, (and then notice) that you may prove what is that good and acceptable will of God. That means, that you may know God's will personally.
6. Here's how this reads in the NLT
Rom 12:1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-- the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?
Rom 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.
7. Please notice the very last sentence above, starting with "then you will know etc. That says it all.
A prayer:
Father, first of all, thank You for the fact that You are so interested in us, and that You have something that pleases You, for our lives. Your will. And, thank You for Your mercies by which we have been saved. We pray that we might by Your grace, and Your power follow the instruction given to us in Rom 12:1-2 We can attest to anyone who might ask, that there is nothing greater, and more satisfying in life, then to be right in the middle of Your will, walking in it day by day. And, one day, we will take our last step as it were down here on earth in Your will, and the next step will be our first step into heaven, right before Your face. We love You Lord. In Jesus name amen
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
Mark 3:35 “For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.”
Some explanatory thoughts and application:
1. The phrase "will of God" actually means that which pleases God. Isn't that interesting. God has something that pleases Him, and that's what He wants for our lives.
2. A believer has already done something of God's will when they first placed their faith in Christ to be saved. How do we know that? Because, God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. So, it's pleasing to Him when someone comes to faith, to say the least.
3. As believers, we can pray for the will of God to be done in our lives. Matt 6:10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. What a wonderful prayer to pray.
4. There are also steps to take to find ourselves in the will of God. And, here they are in Rom 12:1-2
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
5. If you take a look at those verses, you will see that being in God's will starts with making ourselves available to God, and continues with our not being conformed to this world, but, calls us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, (and then notice) that you may prove what is that good and acceptable will of God. That means, that you may know God's will personally.
6. Here's how this reads in the NLT
Rom 12:1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-- the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?
Rom 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.
7. Please notice the very last sentence above, starting with "then you will know etc. That says it all.
A prayer:
Father, first of all, thank You for the fact that You are so interested in us, and that You have something that pleases You, for our lives. Your will. And, thank You for Your mercies by which we have been saved. We pray that we might by Your grace, and Your power follow the instruction given to us in Rom 12:1-2 We can attest to anyone who might ask, that there is nothing greater, and more satisfying in life, then to be right in the middle of Your will, walking in it day by day. And, one day, we will take our last step as it were down here on earth in Your will, and the next step will be our first step into heaven, right before Your face. We love You Lord. In Jesus name amen
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
Thursday, November 21, 2013
"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE WHO ARE WEEPING"
"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE WHO ARE WEEPING"
Luke 6:21b Blessed are you who weep now, For you shall laugh.
Some explanatory thoughts and application:
1. Blessed and weeping somehow don't seem to go together, but they do as far as believers are concerned.
2. The word blessed, means, to be happy. Simply that happy.
3. Jesus is saying to people who are weeping now, that they will laugh. The word laugh as it's used here, means, joy or satisfaction.
4. The word weep as it's used here means, to mourn, to be weeping as a sign of pain and grief, to bewail.
5. Christians and non Christians weep, but, for the Christian, there is the promise of laughter, or joy, but not so for the non believer. Not at all.
6. The joy does not only come when we get to heaven, but may I say, what joy it will be when we get there, but it can come now, and it does. Let me share a Scripture with you that speaks to this.
Ps 30:5 His anger lasts for a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may go on all night, but joy comes with the morning.
7. The Lord in the above verse speaks clearly about the fact that weeping can go on for along time, "all night" as it were. But, He also says that joy comes in the morning. Maybe not tomorrow morning, but sometime in the future.
8. God promises to work whatever it is that you are going through that may be causing you to weep, to work together for your good. Just like Joseph said in the Bible, Gen 50:20 " As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people."
A prayer:
Father, there is no one like You. You are above all. And, You are all powerful, and all knowing. We pray right now for those who are weeping today, weeping in the quietness of their homes, or places of work, or in their hearts, or before they left home today, or when they come home today, we pray for them, that You O Lord would pour Your Word into their hearts, and bring them comfort.
Send them a email from a friend, that brings encouragement, put it on a friends heart to just call and say hello, and I love you, and we are praying for you. Lord do something, even if it's through a complete stranger, to bring some comfort.
But, most of all Lord, help them to remember, that one day, all the weeping will be over, no more tears, no more paining, only unspeakable joy and gladness in heaven with you. And, Lord help them and us to rejoice right now in the wonderful hope we have in Christ. In Jesus name.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
Luke 6:21b Blessed are you who weep now, For you shall laugh.
Some explanatory thoughts and application:
1. Blessed and weeping somehow don't seem to go together, but they do as far as believers are concerned.
2. The word blessed, means, to be happy. Simply that happy.
3. Jesus is saying to people who are weeping now, that they will laugh. The word laugh as it's used here, means, joy or satisfaction.
4. The word weep as it's used here means, to mourn, to be weeping as a sign of pain and grief, to bewail.
5. Christians and non Christians weep, but, for the Christian, there is the promise of laughter, or joy, but not so for the non believer. Not at all.
6. The joy does not only come when we get to heaven, but may I say, what joy it will be when we get there, but it can come now, and it does. Let me share a Scripture with you that speaks to this.
Ps 30:5 His anger lasts for a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may go on all night, but joy comes with the morning.
7. The Lord in the above verse speaks clearly about the fact that weeping can go on for along time, "all night" as it were. But, He also says that joy comes in the morning. Maybe not tomorrow morning, but sometime in the future.
8. God promises to work whatever it is that you are going through that may be causing you to weep, to work together for your good. Just like Joseph said in the Bible, Gen 50:20 " As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people."
A prayer:
Father, there is no one like You. You are above all. And, You are all powerful, and all knowing. We pray right now for those who are weeping today, weeping in the quietness of their homes, or places of work, or in their hearts, or before they left home today, or when they come home today, we pray for them, that You O Lord would pour Your Word into their hearts, and bring them comfort.
Send them a email from a friend, that brings encouragement, put it on a friends heart to just call and say hello, and I love you, and we are praying for you. Lord do something, even if it's through a complete stranger, to bring some comfort.
But, most of all Lord, help them to remember, that one day, all the weeping will be over, no more tears, no more paining, only unspeakable joy and gladness in heaven with you. And, Lord help them and us to rejoice right now in the wonderful hope we have in Christ. In Jesus name.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE CONCERNING GOD'S GRACE"
"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE CONCERNING GOD'S GRACE"
Acts 20:32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Heb 10:29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
1 Peter 5:10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
Some explanatory thoughts and application:
1. Grace of course means, God's unmerited favor. It is as pastor/author Warren Wiersbe said, "God's grace is God's provision for our every need. God's grace is not a mystical substance, that God pours into us when we have a need. Grace, is God's bountiful supply for our every need. Law means that I must do something for God, but grace means, that God does something for me. Grace cannot be deserved. Grace cannot be earned. Grace can only be given"
2. There are several things said here about grace, that is, about the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All for our benefit and help.
3. Jesus is called the Word of His grace. See Acts 20:32 above. And, Paul was commending, or encouraging the Ephesian elders, to be committed to or presented to or set before Jesus, the Word of His grace. He also tells us what the Word of His grace, "Jesus" is able to do. He is able to build us up, and to give us an inheritance among all those who are sanctified, or set apart to God, by faith in Jesus Christ.
4. The Holy Spirit is spoken of in Heb 10:29, and called, "The Spirit of grace" This third person of the Trinity then, is given this wonderful name, "The Spirit of Grace" He is also called the Helper.
5. Notice the wonderful truth and invitation, and promise given to us in Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
6. Finally, we have a beautiful name given to us about God. In 1st Peter 5:10, He is called the God of all grace. And, this name is given in connection with His calling in our lives, He has called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, ( that is, by our faith in Christ for salvation ) Then, the subject of suffering is brought up. That God in His grace, will do a number of things in your life. He will perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you.
7. Here's how the above verse from 1st Peter 5:10 reads in the NLT. In his kindness God called you to his eternal glory by means of Jesus Christ. After you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.
8. So, then, to round it all off, God is indeed the God of grace, the Son is gracious, the Spirit is gracious, and our Father is also.
A prayer:
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we are the blessed recipients of Your favor. We do not deserve the grace you give. We did not earn it, nor could we ever. You have not given us justice, which we deserve, but, You have given us mercy and grace. Thank You.
We will for all eternity be glorifying You for what you do, and what You have done. Thank You.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
Acts 20:32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Heb 10:29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
1 Peter 5:10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
Some explanatory thoughts and application:
1. Grace of course means, God's unmerited favor. It is as pastor/author Warren Wiersbe said, "God's grace is God's provision for our every need. God's grace is not a mystical substance, that God pours into us when we have a need. Grace, is God's bountiful supply for our every need. Law means that I must do something for God, but grace means, that God does something for me. Grace cannot be deserved. Grace cannot be earned. Grace can only be given"
2. There are several things said here about grace, that is, about the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All for our benefit and help.
3. Jesus is called the Word of His grace. See Acts 20:32 above. And, Paul was commending, or encouraging the Ephesian elders, to be committed to or presented to or set before Jesus, the Word of His grace. He also tells us what the Word of His grace, "Jesus" is able to do. He is able to build us up, and to give us an inheritance among all those who are sanctified, or set apart to God, by faith in Jesus Christ.
4. The Holy Spirit is spoken of in Heb 10:29, and called, "The Spirit of grace" This third person of the Trinity then, is given this wonderful name, "The Spirit of Grace" He is also called the Helper.
5. Notice the wonderful truth and invitation, and promise given to us in Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
6. Finally, we have a beautiful name given to us about God. In 1st Peter 5:10, He is called the God of all grace. And, this name is given in connection with His calling in our lives, He has called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, ( that is, by our faith in Christ for salvation ) Then, the subject of suffering is brought up. That God in His grace, will do a number of things in your life. He will perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you.
7. Here's how the above verse from 1st Peter 5:10 reads in the NLT. In his kindness God called you to his eternal glory by means of Jesus Christ. After you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.
8. So, then, to round it all off, God is indeed the God of grace, the Son is gracious, the Spirit is gracious, and our Father is also.
A prayer:
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we are the blessed recipients of Your favor. We do not deserve the grace you give. We did not earn it, nor could we ever. You have not given us justice, which we deserve, but, You have given us mercy and grace. Thank You.
We will for all eternity be glorifying You for what you do, and what You have done. Thank You.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE WHO NEED A HEALING"
"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE WHO NEED A HEALING"
Luke 6:6 Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered.
Luke 6:7 So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him.
Luke 6:8 But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, “Arise and stand here.” And he arose and stood.
Luke 6:9 Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?”
Luke 6:10 And when He had looked around at them all, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.
Luke 6:11 But they were filled with rage, and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.
Some explanatory thoughts and application:
1. When Jesus came into the synagogue, there was a man with a withered, or paralyzed hand.
2. It's interesting to note that the haters of Jesus were watching Him, to see if He would heal the man on the Sabbath. This tells us that they knew Jesus would generally be drawn to people in need, and would heal them, or teach them, or help them in some way. He is the same today by the way. He is drawn to weakness and need.
3. Jesus wound up healing the man, to the dislike of the Jesus haters as I like to call them. (they needed salvation but did not realize it) There are many, many people like that today.
4. Jesus spoke to the man and actually asked him to do something he could not do. "Stretch out your hand" That was an impossible thing for him to do, given that he was paralyzed. But, in a sense, a very real sense, the Lord was calling the man to exercise faith. And, the result was that Jesus healed Him.
5. It's certainly true that God does not choose to heal everyone, that's very clear. We don't need to wonder or question Him about it, that's all within His prerogative. But, what we can do, is ask Him to heal us. We can ask Him to heal others. And, we can exercise faith, and encourage others to exercise their faith, and then we can leave the results up to Him.
6. Do you need healing? Do you desire healing from God? Do you know someone who needs healing? Let's remember, that Jesus knows about the need, and as mentioned, He is drawn to the need as it were. He was and is known to be the healer, of both bodies, and of course souls. Let's pray right now.
Our prayer for healing:
Lord, as we pray this prayer, we may have ourselves in mind, a spouse, a child, a family member, a friend, a relative, a co-worker, a fellow church member, a neighbor, or some other person. You know them, You know their condition, and we ask You to extend Your power and Your grace into their lives to bring healing to them. They have a measure of faith, just as the man in the story did. We have a measure of faith. You have given that to each one of us. And, right now, we are exercising that faith by praying and asking You to heal. We ask it of You, in Your own name, Amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
Luke 6:6 Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered.
Luke 6:7 So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him.
Luke 6:8 But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, “Arise and stand here.” And he arose and stood.
Luke 6:9 Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?”
Luke 6:10 And when He had looked around at them all, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.
Luke 6:11 But they were filled with rage, and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.
Some explanatory thoughts and application:
1. When Jesus came into the synagogue, there was a man with a withered, or paralyzed hand.
2. It's interesting to note that the haters of Jesus were watching Him, to see if He would heal the man on the Sabbath. This tells us that they knew Jesus would generally be drawn to people in need, and would heal them, or teach them, or help them in some way. He is the same today by the way. He is drawn to weakness and need.
3. Jesus wound up healing the man, to the dislike of the Jesus haters as I like to call them. (they needed salvation but did not realize it) There are many, many people like that today.
4. Jesus spoke to the man and actually asked him to do something he could not do. "Stretch out your hand" That was an impossible thing for him to do, given that he was paralyzed. But, in a sense, a very real sense, the Lord was calling the man to exercise faith. And, the result was that Jesus healed Him.
5. It's certainly true that God does not choose to heal everyone, that's very clear. We don't need to wonder or question Him about it, that's all within His prerogative. But, what we can do, is ask Him to heal us. We can ask Him to heal others. And, we can exercise faith, and encourage others to exercise their faith, and then we can leave the results up to Him.
6. Do you need healing? Do you desire healing from God? Do you know someone who needs healing? Let's remember, that Jesus knows about the need, and as mentioned, He is drawn to the need as it were. He was and is known to be the healer, of both bodies, and of course souls. Let's pray right now.
Our prayer for healing:
Lord, as we pray this prayer, we may have ourselves in mind, a spouse, a child, a family member, a friend, a relative, a co-worker, a fellow church member, a neighbor, or some other person. You know them, You know their condition, and we ask You to extend Your power and Your grace into their lives to bring healing to them. They have a measure of faith, just as the man in the story did. We have a measure of faith. You have given that to each one of us. And, right now, we are exercising that faith by praying and asking You to heal. We ask it of You, in Your own name, Amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
Monday, November 18, 2013
"HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE FACING CRITICISM BY OTHERS"
"HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE FACING CRITICISM BY OTHERS"
Luke 6:1 Now it happened on the second Sabbath after the first that He went through the grainfields. And His disciples plucked the heads of grain and ate them, rubbing them in their hands.
Luke 6:2 And some of the Pharisees said to them, “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?”
Luke 6:3 But Jesus answering them said, “Have you not even read this, what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him:
Luke 6:4 “how he went into the house of God, took and ate the showbread, and also gave some to those with him, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat?”
Luke 6:5 And He said to them, “The Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”
Some explanatory thoughts and application:
1. It's comforting to know that Jesus faced the same things, time and time again. The Scriptures above are a classic example of a particular time when He was being criticized.
2. The critics of Jesus, and the critics of God's people are generally of the same mind set. They are people who self righteous, and not walking in the grace and love of God. Thus you have the Pharisees as a classic example.
3. They were fault finders. Always looking for faults in Jesus and His disciples. On the other hand, Jesus is the fault forgiver, and the fault fixer.
4. One other thing about Jesus is that He always stood up for His disciples, and He will stand up for you as well if you let Him.
5. The way that Jesus stands up for You is through the truth of His Word. He will show You just as He did in the verses above, what is true and what is not. Ask Him to help you the next time (or maybe at this time if you are the object of some critic’s.)
6. Essentially what Jesus was saying to His critics, is that He, Himself was the Lord over all, and that the things of God have been given to man, for man's blessing and encouragement, not to make His life a burden.
7. So, remember, You have Jesus in your life. He is Lord of all. He if for You, He will help You, He will defend You, He will keep You, and He will protect You.
Pray for your critics, and ask God to help them see the Love God has for them, and the love that God calls them and all of us to walk in.
He is the judge, we are not called to condemn others. We are called to encourage, and love others, to build them up and help them know and walk with God.
A prayer:
Lord, we ourselves have no doubt been critics many, many times. We pray for You to forgive us of our being fault finders. Help us to be fault helpers, to point people to You the one who fixes lives, and fixes faults. May we be more like You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
Luke 6:1 Now it happened on the second Sabbath after the first that He went through the grainfields. And His disciples plucked the heads of grain and ate them, rubbing them in their hands.
Luke 6:2 And some of the Pharisees said to them, “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?”
Luke 6:3 But Jesus answering them said, “Have you not even read this, what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him:
Luke 6:4 “how he went into the house of God, took and ate the showbread, and also gave some to those with him, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat?”
Luke 6:5 And He said to them, “The Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”
Some explanatory thoughts and application:
1. It's comforting to know that Jesus faced the same things, time and time again. The Scriptures above are a classic example of a particular time when He was being criticized.
2. The critics of Jesus, and the critics of God's people are generally of the same mind set. They are people who self righteous, and not walking in the grace and love of God. Thus you have the Pharisees as a classic example.
3. They were fault finders. Always looking for faults in Jesus and His disciples. On the other hand, Jesus is the fault forgiver, and the fault fixer.
4. One other thing about Jesus is that He always stood up for His disciples, and He will stand up for you as well if you let Him.
5. The way that Jesus stands up for You is through the truth of His Word. He will show You just as He did in the verses above, what is true and what is not. Ask Him to help you the next time (or maybe at this time if you are the object of some critic’s.)
6. Essentially what Jesus was saying to His critics, is that He, Himself was the Lord over all, and that the things of God have been given to man, for man's blessing and encouragement, not to make His life a burden.
7. So, remember, You have Jesus in your life. He is Lord of all. He if for You, He will help You, He will defend You, He will keep You, and He will protect You.
Pray for your critics, and ask God to help them see the Love God has for them, and the love that God calls them and all of us to walk in.
He is the judge, we are not called to condemn others. We are called to encourage, and love others, to build them up and help them know and walk with God.
A prayer:
Lord, we ourselves have no doubt been critics many, many times. We pray for You to forgive us of our being fault finders. Help us to be fault helpers, to point people to You the one who fixes lives, and fixes faults. May we be more like You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.