Yes, Paul did have a “captive” audience to preach to…soldiers, guards, and other prisoners. But his example and love of Jesus shone through the dismal and wretched conditions. Paul simply loved people and built bridges of encouragement and trust with anyone he came in contact with.
Tag: jesus christ
Matthew 5:17 ” Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
Jesus Christ came into this world to fulfill every prophecy of the coming Messiah. By His actions and sufferings each prophecy came to fruition. But Jesus also came to perform perfect obedience to the Law of God…thus satisfying the requirements of said Law.
Hebrews 2:18 ” Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.”
The temptations of Satan attempt to entangle us in sin to show that good or evil…weakness or strength exists within. It is not a sin to be tempted…rather, it’s the decision we make with the temptation that matters. For it says in Hebrews 4:15, “Jesus was tempted in every way – yet was without sin.”
Colossians 1:13 ” For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
We have been snatched from darkness into the light…from the power of Satan to the forgiveness of God. We have been pulled from captivity to the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through the redemption of His blood.
Matthew 14: 28-30 ” ‘Lord, if it’s You,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to You on the water.’ ‘Come,’ He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came towards Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘ Lord, save me!’ “
Just like Jesus, Peter walked on the water. Just like Jesus, Peter’s faith was great enough to keep him afloat. But unlike Jesus, Peter took his eyes off his Savior and onto the situation around him and he began to flounder. When the storm is swirling around you…keep your eyes on Jesus. When fear promises to overwhelm you…keep your eyes on Jesus. For as long as Peter stayed focused on the Lord, he walked above the fray.
John 16:7 ” But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.”
The Comforter…the Encourager…the Holy Spirit. Sent by Jesus to witness and glorify Him, and part of the Holy Trinity. He is the Paraclete…the one who comes up along side and guides us in all truth.
Romans 14: 10-12 ” You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: ‘As surely as I live’, says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will confess to God.’ So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.”
We are casual to judge others. We become judge, jury, and executioner with a glance or comment…judging others more harshly than ourselves. But there will come a time when all our judging will cease…for the great Judgment Day will come and it will be God doing the judging. And at that moment…all will recognize and submit to His authority alone. For at the name of Jesus every knee will bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. (Philippians 2: 10-11)
The Tomb’s still empty.
On that Resurrection Sunday they found the stone rolled away and the tomb where they had laid Jesus empty…and somehow we tend to forget the power it took for that miracle to happen. We forget the magnitude of Jesus taking every sin ever committed by mankind on Himself. We downplay the sacrifice He made for us while we were yet sinners. So the next time you’re racked by fear and doubt…remember the tomb’s still empty. When discouragement and anxiety try to take over your life…remember the tomb’s still empty. When the world seems in turmoil and paranoia…remember the tomb’s still empty, and God’s still in control…and if you had been the only person on earth, Jesus would have died for you.
Mark 10: 24-25 ” But Jesus said again, ‘Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.’ “
Jesus gave an exaggerated comparison of attempting to squeeze a huge camel through the tiny eye of a needle…it’s almost impossible to do. But then He took it one step farther, comparing it to those who put their trust in riches rather than the living God…their chances of making it to heaven were just about as slim. So I ask you today – where do you base your trust?
Proverbs 22:6 ” Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
As Job mused in Chapter 12:12, “Is not wisdom found among the aged?” Sometimes it will take until a child has matured to adulthood that they finally grasp all the Godly instruction they’ve received at home. From early on, we try to impress on our children the importance of living a life for Jesus…but many times it seems like it falls on deaf ears. But don’t give up, for this is a scripture with a promise for all parents. Keep pouring good into your children…and good will come out.
Safetypinlove 