"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT YOUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT YOUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST"

NLT Luke 7:29 When they heard this, all the people, including the unjust tax collectors, agreed that God’s plan was right, for they had been baptized by John.

NLT Luke 7:30 But the Pharisees and experts in religious law had rejected God’s plan for them, for they had refused John’s baptism.

Some explanatory thoughts, some questions, some application, and a prayer:

1. When Jesus was preaching the Gospel in His day, it was really no different then it is today, when preached and shared by pastor's, preachers, and Christian's alike. 

What's the difference, there are some who agree with the Gospel, and their are some who reject God's plan for them. ( For you who have believed, You are in that first group, the one's who believed )

2. Many who were listening to Jesus preach, had also listened to John preach. And, in this group were not just your normal run of the mill people, but, there were the worst of societies worst, the tax collectors. 

They were Jews by birth, but traitors by action, they had sold out to the Roman Government, and were ripping off their own fellow Jews. But, both the common people and the tax collectors agreed with God's message, the need to repent and confess their sins, be baptized, become forgiven, the Messiah was coming. 

3. But, surprising as it may seem, the Pharisees, and the experts in the law had rejected God's plan for themselves. And, we are told that they had refused John's baptism. Rejecting and Refusing, compared to agreeing and accepting. 

The two attitudes of heart and mind, that either keep you where you were, or you become changed now and forever. How important is your faith. 

And, if you have it, You can be thankful to God. ( by the way, He has given every man a measure of faith, See Rom 12, ) but, it's up to the person to use it or not. To believe, or to not believe, which is called unbelief. 

4. So, here are the two groups again. And, You are in one or the other. I assume that most of You reading this are in the first group. But, if by some chance You are in the second, here's the news, You can change today, and become forgiven of your sins, and become a child of God. But, back to the two groups.

(1) Those who agreed that God's plan was right. How did they do this. They were baptized by John. Now that act of Baptism, did not save them, but it did show that they were doing what was right for someone who was agreeing that they were sinners, and needed to repent and be forgiven. 

They were doing what they ought to have done, in light of who and what they were. They were sinners who needed forgiveness from God for their sins. 

(2) But, the Pharisees both rejected God's plan, and they refused John's baptism. It was a double choice on their part. 

Reject and refuse pretty much mean the same thing. To reject is to set aside, to disregard, to nullify, make void. And to refuse, means "Not" to have none of something. To say no. 

5. Some things to think about. Do You have faith in God? And, have You taken the actions that God has called You to take? Then, You are what the Bible says, showing your faith by your works. 

Your Faith is being evidenced by Your actions and lifestyle. On the other hand, if You know what is right, but have not, and will not respond, then You are like these people in the verses, who had made the choice to refuse and to reject God's plan for them.

But, You can change that today. You can accept and act upon God's Word, and give Your life to God. Do you know people who are in both camps? I'm sure you do. You can pray for the one's who reject and refuse, and You can thank God for the ones who have agreed with God's plan for them. 

6. Your faith. What a gift from God. What a blessing that You have put it to use. You have believed God, and I pray that You continue to believe God. 

The Bible says in 1st John 5, that if You have Jesus Christ in your life, then You have eternal life. And, if you do not have Jesus Christ in Your life, then you do not have life. So, for you and I who believe in Jesus, we have so much to be thankful for. 

7. Tomorrow is Sunday. Many of us will be going to church, and sitting right next to you, on either side of you can be people who have agreed with God like You, or refuse and reject like the Pharisees and the experts in the law. Let's pray for the refusers and the rejector's. 

A prayer:

Father, first of all, we are thankful to You that we can even read this Devotional and understand it's meaning, and realize what it means that we have faith in You, and that You have saved us. 

What can we say to truly express our gratitude for saving us. And, Lord, we want to pray for the people who will be in the various sanctuaries with us tomorrow, the Double R's I call them. 

The Rejecting Refusers. We were once like them, and look what You have done in our lives. Do it in them Lord, do it in them. 

In Jesus name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD'S GRACE AND WILL IN YOUR LIFE"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD'S GRACE AND WILL IN YOUR LIFE"

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

Ephesians 2:9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Ephesians 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 explanation, application, reflection, and prayer:

1. On a personal note, these are some of my favorite verses in the Bible. They say so much, in just a few words. They take us back before time, to the cross, to the now of our lives, and even into the eternal future. All centered in and around the Lord Jesus Christ, our wonderful savior.

2. Paul lays out a great number of wonderful truths here about God's grace and His will in our lives.

(1) We are saved by His grace, His unmerited, undeserved favor.

(2) We are saved by grace through faith. Our trusting in God's Son Jesus Christ.

(3) Even our faith is not of ourselves, it is the gift of God. I.E He gave us the faith to believe in His Son Jesus Christ.

(4) We are saved, "not of works" It's not our good works that have saved us, but rather our faith in Jesus Christ.

(5) We have nothing to boast of, as far as why we are saved. Because, our salvation is a gift of God, by His grace.

(6) We are "His Workmanship" The word workmanship, is the greek word "poeima" from which we get our word poem. Thus, every saved person is God's poem if you will. He has given you life. What you are as a saved person is the work of God.

(7) You have been created in Christ Jesus for good works. God has good things for you to do.

(8) These good works were prepared before the world began, and God wants us to walk in them, or do them.

3. Let's just think for a moment about all of these wonderful truths. It might help to look at them again in the NLT, thus, here are those verses agains.

Ephesians 2:8 God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

Ephesians 2:9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

4. So, He saved us, by His grace, it happened when we believed, and we cannot take any credit for it. Being saved is not a reward for our having done good things, but rather, He created us, we are His masterpiece, and He has an entire life planned out for us to live out, day by day.

For Reflection and application:

Take a moment to think about the truth of what God has done for you, and then ask Yourself, what does He want you to do at this time in my life? And, are you walking in His will for your life at this time?

Take another moment to thank Him for what He has done for you. He is so great.

A prayer:

Father, if it were not for Your grace, we could not be saved. We could not earn our way to heaven. You are the one who has made salvation possible, and You have given it to us as a gift, that we have freely received by faith.

We also want to say thank You for giving us a plan to live out here on earth, as we wait to see You in heaven. Lord, may this new year find us fully engaged with what You have for each of us.

It's the greatest joy we have, to know You, and to serve You by serving others, both the saved and the lost. Lead us Oh God to share Christ, and use us Lord to draw others to You. How valuable is a soul. We love You.

In Jesus name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT YOUR FAITH, AND GOD'S JOY IN YOUR LIFE"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT YOUR FAITH, AND GOD'S JOY IN YOUR LIFE"

2nd Cor 1:23 Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth.
2nd Cor 1:24 Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.

Some explanation, application, and a prayer:

1. In Paul's ministry, like with many people, he fell victim to false accusations, and lies being spread about him, his authority as an apostle, and his character in general. Thus, much of this 2nd Letter to the Corinthians, deals with his defense, and explanations about the real facts of the case at hand. 

2. One thing Paul took great comfort in, and you can also, is that God is a witness of our souls. Notice, what Paul said in verse 23,
"Moreover I call God as witness against my soul," You see, while others may say untruths, and others may believe untruths, their is always one who knows the absolute, true truth. And, that of course is God. So, in actuality, Paul was "Swearing to God" as we often say, that he was telling them the truth in all that he had been saying to them. 

3. He also goes on to express the real reason why he did not come to Corinth for a visit as planned. ( He was being accused of saying he would come there, and then did not, and thus he was a liar and so on, and on. ) But, here, he tells them what really happened. It was actually his love for them, he did not want to have to come and rebuke them. He was being patient and long suffering, and trusting that perhaps God might work out the problem, and he would not have to come and bring a severe rebuke to the church there. 

4. Funny isn't it, when the truth finally comes out, that it's far different then what liars and rumors have done with it. Paul wanted to spare them, not hurt them. How opposite are these two things. He did not want to have to hurt them with hard words, but, chose to spare them, by not visiting them. 

5. Now, in verse 24, he makes a very, very important statement. Here it is for your reflection in the NLT version. "But that does not mean we want to tell you exactly how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy as you stand firm in your faith." Some things to point out here.

(1) Paul, though an apostle, did not have dominion over their faith. Nor does anyone have dominion over your faith, you that are reading this devotional. 

(2) Paul did not want to tell them how to put their faith into practice. That was not his job. He could teach them, he could encourage them, he could pray for them, he could be a living example to them, he could show them from the Scriptures all that Jesus had taught him, and he could show them all he knew from the Old Testament. But, He did not have the God given assignment of being in charge of their faith. That right, and rightfully so, belongs only to the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the head of every man. 

(3) What Paul really wanted to do, was to be a help to them. Just as we ought to want to be to each and every person we meet and know. Especially Christian brothers and sisters in Christ. We like Paul, ought to try and work together with them, to help them be as full of joy as possible, and to help them stand as firm as possible in the Lord. Helping one another, not lording it over one another. 

(4) Your faith is in God not in man. God may use men to help you in your faith, but, you only have one Lord and Master, and, that is the Master Himself, Jesus Christ. 

A prayer:

Father, first of all, may we say thank You for giving us faith. You have given each one of us a measure of faith. And, thank You that You not only want us to stand firm in our faith, but, You make it possible to do so through being rooted and grounded in Your Word. And, we also want to say thank You for Joy. The Joy of the Lord is our strength. No question about it. Thank You for the Holy Spirit, who produces Love in our lives, and joy is really a part of, and come from that love. This must be why You want us to love one another, because it's just plain joyful. Thank You Lord Jesus.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WHAT GOD DOES AND HAS DONE"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WHAT GOD DOES AND HAS DONE"
2nd Cor 1:21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God,
2nd Cor 1:22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

Some explanatory thoughts, application, and a prayer:

1. In these two verses, Paul tells us 3 things about God. One of them has to do with the on-going work of God in our lives, and the other things have to do with what He has done already, (in the past tense) but a blessing to us in the present.

2. See if you can pick them out as you read these verses in the New Living Translation, or as it's often called, the NLT

2nd Cor 1:21 It is God who gives us, along with you, the ability to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us,
2nd Cor 1:22 and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment of everything he will give us.

3. Before we look at them, it's interesting to note, that Paul in the previous verses had been not only began to defend himself against the false accusations against his apostleship and character, but had also been talking about the fact that God is truthful, that God is true, and that when God makes a promise you can count on it. All of His Promises are yes and amen. God is faithful, truthful and does all that He promises to do. 

4. But, here's what said in detail. There are five specific truths here. 

(1) He establishes us, or He gives us the ability to stand firm for Christ. I.E to not waver, but be steady and firm. 

(2) God also has anointed us. What does this mean? Literally, it carries the idea of contract; to smear or rub with oil, i.e by implication, to consecrate to an office or religious service. It's used of the consecrating of Jesus to the office of Messiah, and furnishing Him with the necessary powers for it's administration. And, for us, it's the Lord's giving us, or enduing us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. 

(3) God has sealed us. In Paul's culture, when you sealed something, it meant two things. It indicates possession, and security.
Or to put it another way, the fact of the Holy Spirit being in the Christians life, or the seal, is the believers guarantee of the security of his or her salvation. It's proof if you will that you belong to God, and can rest assured that You are saved. 

(4) To go on with the idea of guarantee. As it's stated in 1:22, Paul says the Holy Spirit is in our hearts as a guarantee. Or a deposit, a down payment. The presence of the Spirit is God's pledge that our salvation will be consummated one day. 

(5) In Paul's day, official seals pressed in wax secured information or property and authenticated ownership. God's seal of ownership for His people is the Holy Spirit, placed in believers hearts as a guarantee of their future riches in Christ. They are securely His, that's the idea here. 

5. Lets' take one more quick look at these verses, and just read then over slowly, and enjoy seeing what God does in your life, and has done in your life. 

2nd Cor 1:21 It is God who gives us, along with you, the ability to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us,
2nd Cor 1:22 and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment of everything he will give us.

A prayer:

Father, thank You for giving us the many, many blessings that You have. And, thank You that You by Your Holy Spirit, help us to stand firm in Christ. We need the Holy Spirit's help to stand firm, and we want to stand firm in Christ. We do not want to be wabble about, and be blown about by every wind of doctrine, and moved about by our own sinful desires. We want to stand strong in Jesus.
And, thank You for sealing us, and making, showing us that we not only belong to You, but, we are promised safe delivery in heaven. We are securely in Christ. Thank You for that. Finally, Lord, help us now to not just read these blessings, but to really let them sink into our hearts, and to live our lives in light of these truths. 

We are saved, we belong to You, You help us to stand firm in Christ, ( go with Him, follow Him, stay with Him, obey Him, etc ) and we are heading for heaven, it's a guarantee, You have already made the first installment on what You intend to complete. 

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD'S FAITHFULNESS AND PROMISES"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD'S FAITHFULNESS AND PROMISES"

2nd Cor 1:18 But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No.

2nd Cor 1:19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us--by me, Silvanus, and Timothy--was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes.

2nd Cor 1:20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

Some explanation, application, and a prayer:

1. The background to these verses, actually have to do with Paul being attacked and falsely accused of not being a man of his word, and of being a deceiver.

2. In defending himself, Paul points the Corinthians and us to truths about God. Let's look at the wonderful things that he says about God, ( and then himself )

(1) But as God is faithful. Or dependable. Or, as surely as God is true is the idea.

(2) Our word to you was not Yes and No. In other words, just like God is true, so are we. We were not telling you one thing, and then another about the plans we had. Paul is telling them, that just as God's Word is true, so is his, and his yes, means a yes.

(3) The Son of God was preached by Paul among the Corinthians, along with Paul's co-workers. When we preached Jesus, the truth of Jesus is not yes, and then no, but rather the truth of Jesus Christ is Yes. There is no back and forth about who He is, and or what He has done. Jesus is the way the truth and the life period.

(4) All of God's promises in Jesus Christ are Yes. They are are true. God does not waver between a yes and a no. God is true, and we affirmed that to you.

(5) All of God's promises have come to pass in Christ. When God promises something, you can bank on it being not only true, but ultimately in God's perfect timing, coming to pass, just as God has said it would. This is why we affirm the Word of God as being true. And, this is why we give glory to God, for who He is. Is there anyone like Him?

3. With all of the above in mind then, we can not only find great comfort in knowing that what God says is true, but, what God has said will take place. Sometimes, much of the time in fact, we need to just be patient, and wait on Him.

4. With God being the truth teller and the truth doer, He becomes our example of being the same in our lives day to day. Truth tellers, and truth doers, (in love I might add, as Paul did in Ephesians 4)

5. When we read the Bible may we pray for eyes to see, and a heart to understand God's Word, and the personal resolve to obey it.

A prayer:

Father, Thank You for being truthful, and faithful, and always on time, that is Your time. Our part is to believe, receive, trust, and rejoice in You as we watch You work out Your wonderful plan for our lives in this world.

One day, the great promise You have given us of our being with You will come to pass. My, My. what a day and a moment that will be. As far as we know, it could be today. We really don't know when we will see You face to face, but You do.

What a day of rejoicing that will be. In the meantime, may we be those those who walk in the truth, and tell the truth. Make us so Lord, make us so.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.