Posted by: Shirley Choat in Untagged on
Oct 03, 2008
"What has thou that thou did not receive? Now, if thou did receive it, why does thou glory as if thou had not received it?" 1 Cor. 4:7
This is a great verse written under the anointing and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It also serves as a wonderful introduction regarding the doctrine of grace. As believers we've all experienced what is referred to as saving grace. It is the grace of God which allows us to be saved, to be renewed and to be regenerated in the image of God. There is
Posted by: Shirley Choat in Untagged on
Oct 03, 2008
"Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Isaiah 6:8
God has given His children various commands, such as "Go, and teach all nations," Preach the Gospel to every creature," Go and tell" The only way in which the Gospel is spread is through the believers. The angels don't do it, except on extremely rare occasions. The unbelievers don't do it since it would be against their convictions to do so. Certainly the devil won't do it, because he is intent on destroying the works of
Posted by: Shirley Choat in Untagged on
Oct 03, 2008
"LORD, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Till seven times?" Matthew 18:21-35
It may be that the Apostle Peter had been sinned against so often by someone that he felt he had forgiven often enough and that now he was justified in withholding forgiveness. He came to Jesus with this strange question: "LORD, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Seven times?"
We can well sympathize with Peter. If a person offends against us seven
Posted by: Shirley Choat in Untagged on
Oct 03, 2008
"What manner of Man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?" Mark 4:35-41
Jesus and His disciples were in a small boat on the Sea of Galilee, and it was night. A great storm arose, and the disciples were frantic with fear. Moreover, the Master lay in the back part of the ship, sleeping peacefully as though there were no storm and no danger. The disciples woke Him and told Him that without a doubt they would perish in the waves. After chiding them for their weak faith. He calmed the
Posted by: Shirley Choat in Untagged on
Oct 03, 2008
"How can a man be born when he is old?" John 3:1-17
Nicodemus was one of the few Pharisees to be attracted by Jesus' teachings and miracles. During an earnest and intimate conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus made the statement: "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God." Nicodemus could not understand Jesus' meaning and asked, "How can a man be born when he is old?"
But Jesus was speaking of a spiritual rebirth in which the unbeliever becomes a believer. He also
Posted by: Shirley Choat in Untagged on
Oct 03, 2008
"What thinkest Thou? Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not? Matthew 22:15-22
The Pharisees hated Jesus because His teaching of forgiveness by grace was opposed to their own teaching of salvation by works. They determined that He must die to save their own position and doctrine. They took their time, for multitudes of people held with Jesus, and the Pharisee did not dare to oppose them too much. Still, at every opportunity, they tried to entangle Him, both to discredit Him with the
Posted by: Shirley Choat in Untagged on
Oct 03, 2008
"Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? May I not wash in them and be clean?" 2 Kings 5:12
Naaman, the Syrian captain, was a leper. Through a pious Jewish servant girl he was directed to the prophet Elisha in Samaria for a cure of his disease. Elisha ordered Naaman to wash in the Jordan River seven times. This made Naaman angry. Why should he bathe in Jordan? "Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel?
Posted by: Shirley Choat in Untagged on
Oct 03, 2008
TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST This is the day the LORD hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Isa. 5:1-7 also Num. 27:12-23 Phil. 3:12-21 Matthew 21:33-43 Psalm 81:1-10
The autumn harvest has begun. For the third week in a row, our gospel brings us to a vineyard. Jesus brings us to another parable where Jesus is challenging His challengers. What is going to happen to that vineyard and the people in it?
Isaiah had sung a love song about a vineyard. The story Jesus tells is
Posted by: Shirley Choat in Untagged on
Oct 03, 2008
"If you love them which love you, what reward have you? Do not even the publicans the same?"
The test of love is not in loving our friends as that would be too easy. Jesus taught this plainly in His Sermon on the Mount and at other times. He asked pointedly: "If you love them which love you, what reward have you? Do not even the publicans the same?" The publicans were the most despised class of people at the time, but even they loved their friends.
Love your enemies, bless them that
Posted by: Shirley Choat in Untagged on
Sep 24, 2008
"What is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16:26
A Christian cannot carry water on both shoulders. He cannot follow Christ while still clinging with half of his heart to the treasures and pleasures of this world, "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me." As little as we can walk in two directions at once, so little can we belong to both Christ
