Do the Word

 A real easy thought as you go about your day today. In my study, Jesus said something very profound, which led me to what James said.

Luke 8:19-21 NIV

[19] Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. [20] Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” [21] He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.” 

As Christians, we are all God's children. So when we hear or read the Word of God, we should "put it into practice" in our lives. 

Jesus teaches this earlier in the book of Luke:

Luke 6:46-48 NIV

[46]  “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? [47] As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. [48] They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 

Sometimes we make light of this with the children's song, "The Wise Man Built His House Upon A Rock." However, Jesus is teaching a serious principle here.

James said it this way:

James 1:22 NKJV

[22] But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 

If we hear the Word through preaching or by Bible Study, whether the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels or the teachings or lessons in the other books of the Bible,  and adopt those teachings and practices into our lives, then when storms of life come through, when things happen in life, then we will not be shaken. We will not fall in our faith. Our relationship with God will be stable and strong in our lives. Because all of God's Word is an anchor for the soul, a solid foundation to build our lives upon. We can always trust God and depend upon His Word. 

So, always be a "doer" of what we learn in the Bible and that foundation will protect us and keep us when life is being life. We will not be shaken. We will not be moved. We will be anchored to God and our relationship with Them (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) will continue to develop and flourish. 

Let's do what's best for us. Let's do the Word!!

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post

In the Family

 If you are"born again," by believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, by believing in His name, (I. John 5:1a. John 1:12,13) then you are adopted as a child of God into His family.  This family is the Kingdom of God, His Church here on Earth. It is not a religious organization, it is not a social club, it is not a business, it is not any other kind of organization that men could come up with. It is the family of God. We are adopted into this family by God when we are born again by the Holy Spirit.  (Romans 8:15,16, I. John 3:1)

First, "flesh gives birth to flesh" we are born in our mother's womb, physically born. Secondly, we are "born again" spiritually by the Holy Spirit, "but the Spirit gives birth to spirit."(John 3:6). God does this by the Holy Spirit.

Born again:

John 3:3-8 NIV

[3] Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” [4] “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” [5] Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. [6] Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. [7] You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ [8] The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

1 John 5:1a. NIV

[1] Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God,..

John 1:12-13 NIV

[12] Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— [13] children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

So, if you have believed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, by believing on His name, you have been born again by the Holy Spirit and have been adopted in the Kingdom of God, the family of God.

Adopted into the family and we are His children, and we are heirs of God and coheirs with Christ:

Romans 8:14-17 NIV

[14] For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. [15] The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” [16] The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. [17] Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 

1 John 3:1-2 NIV

[1] See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. [2] Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 

Most importantly, no one can kick you out of that family ever! Just like you were born into your physical family and will be a member of that family forever, no matter what, so it is with God's family, the Kingdom of God that you were born again into. Christ's blood saved you and the Holy Spirit sealed you into this family when he made you born again.

No one can take you out of this family. No one can snatch you away from Jesus. No one can snatch you away from the Father, because God sealed us into this family by putting the Holy Spirit inside each one of us. We were included "in Christ" when we were born again. We are God's children now, His possession. We belong to Him now. Forever! No matter what! Nothing can separate us from God or His love.

John 10:27-29 NIV

[27] My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. [28] I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. [29] My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 

Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV

[13] And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, [14] who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. 

Romans 8:38-39 NIV

[38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

As Christians, this is our position. We are God's children. This is who we are now and nothing will ever change that. 

So live your life with this confidence. Live your life from this perspective, that you are adopted into the family of God, the Kingdom of God forever and that nothing will ever change that. Let this be the fuel that moves your life forward everyday until we get to heaven. Let this be the mindset that dispells any worries, any fears, in our world motivated by fear.

Being rock solid in your mind about your position in the family will bring you peace. You won't get so frustrated.  You will not say, "This is too hard or I can't do this," or "I feel like giving up." What is too hard? What can you not do? What is there to give up from? It's not too hard to be His child. You can be His child, because you are. You don't have to give up in life, because you are His child.  Just accept that you are His child no matter what and that nothing will ever change that!!! No matter how you feel. No matter what you've done or haven't done. No matter what you've said or how you've acted; rest in the knowledge that you are God's child now, forever. Justified freely by God's grace forever by the finished work of Jesus:

Romans 3:23-24 NIV

[23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 

You don't have to worry. You don't have to be afraid. We are FOREVER loved by God. We are FOREVER accepted by God. We are FOREVER His children. We are FOREVER saved by God because of the finished work of Jesus Christ. So continue in this full assurance of faith, in the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ until the end.

We are in His family, the Kingdom of God....

FOREVER.

* Please share this post with others.

Love you all dear readers,

JeffreyPost

The Good Samaritan

Jesus taught the Parable of the Good Samaritan as a result of an expert in the law trying to trap Jesus in His teaching. From that exchange Jesus taught the parable. Let's read that now:

Luke 10:25-29 NIV

[25] On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” [26]  “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” [27] He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” [28]  “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” [29] But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Okay. So Jesus said love God and love people like you love yourself. This sums up everything just like He said in Matt.22:36-40. The expert wanted to know which people was he supposed to love as himself.

Luke 10:30-37 NIV

[30] In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. [31] A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. [32] So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. [33] But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. [34] He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. [35] The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ [36]  “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” [37] The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” 

Instead of answering the man, Jesus told this parable and then flipped the question on him. He asked, "Who WAS a neighbor to the injured man?" And the expert said, "The one who had mercy on him." Then, Jesus said, "Go and do likewise."

Jesus was showing the man and us HOW we were supposed to love people like we love ourselves. Not who but how.

Loving our neighbor as ourselves is showing mercy to all mankind just like this Samaritan man did. The injured man was a perfect stranger to the Samaritan and the Samaritan had mercy on him anyway. He loved him "in deed and in truth," 

1 John 3:18 NIV

[18] Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Jesus was showing the expert in the law HOW to love all mankind as much as he loved himself.

That's the lesson. Love ALL mankind, no matter who they are, by showing mercy to them. Give them the same mercy, grace, and love that God has given you, by helping them, and treating them way you would want to be treated as set forth in I. Cor. 13:4-7:

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV

[4] Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. [5] It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. [6] Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. [7] It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Why? Because we represent Jesus. That's our LIGHT to shine on all mankind.

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post

Knowing the Truth and What To Do With It

 As I continue the study in Luke 8, Jesus continues His teaching after the parable of the Sower and the seeds. Read the previous blog entry for that lesson if you like. Moving forward, Jesus teaches some really awesome truths in the next three verses:

Luke 8:16-18 NIV

[16]  “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.

Jesus taught in parables. According to commentary sources, here He was saying that when His disciples learned the truth of those parables and understood them, then they were to share these truths with other people. 

Jesus also said:

John 8:31-32 NIV

[31] To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. [32] Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Today, as we learn the truth in God's Word and understand it, we should share it with others too, so that they can know the truth and understand it too. Then they too will know the truth and the truth will set them free. Don't hide it or keep it to yourself, but share it so that all can benefit from it.

Next, Jesus said:

[17] For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. 

This means that the truth will not remain hidden. It will come out. So the more you read and study God's Word, the more you will learn and understand the truth. It WILL be revealed to you by the Holy Spirit inside you, as "He teaches us all things." It will be "brought out into the open."

And then His last point:

[18] Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.” 

Jesus was saying here to be careful how you listen, whether listening to sermons or teachings, or by reading and studying God's word. 

As you learn the truth of God's word and understand it, and apply it to your life, then more truth will be given to you. 

But if you learn the truth of God's word but don't understand it and apply it, then you will not remember it. Even what you learned will be lost or "taken away." We have to continually keep renewing our minds with the truths that we have learned or they won't stick with us.

So, let's use God's word to learn and understand the truth. Then He'll show us even more truth. Then let's apply it to our lives, so we can "be set free" in this life. Then share our learning with others so that they can understand it and apply it to their lives too. Then they can "be set free" too. Then keep renewing our minds everyday with God's Word, so that we will remember and benefit from what we have learned and it won't be lost.

Then others will learn and be saved too, as "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."

Wow. So much in those three verses!!! Awesome!!!

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post

Why We Need the Word!!

 I have discussed this subject in previous blog entries about staying in the Word of God. However, the Holy Spirit really zeroed in on one particular aspect of this subject today in my study when Jesus taught the very familar parable about the sower and the seed. Let's read there now in Luke:

Luke 8:5-15 NIV

[5] “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. [6] Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. [7] Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. [8] Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” 

[9] His disciples asked him what this parable meant. [10] He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, “ ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’

 [11]  “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. [12] Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. [13] Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. [14] The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. [15] But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. 

As Jesus explained what the parable meant to the apostles, the Holy Spirit showed me some really cool things.

First of all, the seed is the Word of God, the Bible. God is the Sower.

Now, if you're not a Christian yet, then you can be like the one on the path where the seed was scattered. You have to be aware that whatever Word of God your hear, it can be snatched away from you by the devil, rendering it useless. So be careful that that doesn't happen to you. Write it down, remember it, cling to it. Do not let it get away from you because "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." You will be saved by hearing and then believing in what you have heard. So don't let the devil snatch it out of your mind.

Now as Christians, first things first. We have to allow God to sow the "seed," the Word of God into our lives. How so? By making it a part of our everyday lives at some point throughout each day.

Why? Because Jesus said that man cannot live on bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. 

Matthew 4:4 NIV

[4] Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

He meant that you cannot be complete by just feeding your physical body. You have to feed your spirit also by the Word of God. This will strengthen us in our spirits as we renew our minds to God's Word everyday. So first things first, we have to make the Bible a part of our everyday lives, because that's how we feed our spirit.

Now, having said that, we can return to this parable.

Now, real quick, don't be a person on the rocky path. These people hear the Word and receive it with joy, but "they have no root." The Word doesn't take root and grow in their spirit. So, they believe for awhile, but when hardship comes, when trials, temptations, and testing comes they fall away from God. Don't be that person.

Next is the biggest thing the Holy Spirit revealed to me today, which is within the seed that was scattered among the thorns. Jesus said, "[14] The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature."

These folks get distracted by everything around them. So, they don't grow in the Spirit, don't mature as Christians. Something other than the Word is always grabbing their attention, so, that's what they focus on. So, the Word doesn't have a chance to get down in their hearts and minds. It doesn't have the chance to transform their hearts and minds, so they stay the same. They never mature. The Word never produces a "harvest," in their lives.

What's the main point? God uses His Word to change your inner being. He uses the Word to make you more and more like Jesus, as the Holy Spirit, inside us, teaches us all things. He can't change you from the inside out if you never open the Bible or if you are constantly distracted by everything around you. 

Okay, so, why be more like Jesus? Because we, the Church, now represent Jesus Christ on the Earth. He uses the Church to save people who don't believe yet. We work with the Spirit of God to do God's will on the Earth. His will is that everyone would believe and be saved. So, that's the main purpose of the Church. We live so others can be saved too.

So, the main take away is to fit the Word of God into your life, into your schedule everyday. Read, digest, and meditate on the Word of God as much as you can. Fit it into your life. Apply it to your life. Don't be easily distracted by everything in the world. Then God will transform your inner being, and will produce a "harvest" of good fruit within you, by the Holy Spirit, so that others can be saved too!!

You might ask, "Where should I start?"

In my opinion, it's good to start with the 4 books of the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the New Testament). Start with Jesus and His life and teachings as He is the foundation from which everything is built on. So start there and then continue on in the New Testament.

Please share with others.

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post

The "Sinful" Woman

 Hi dear readers. I studied this passage and it rocked me to my core tonight. This is the story about when Jesus was invited to eat dinner with Simon the Pharisee. As they were eating, they were interrupted by a "sinful" woman who thrust herself upon Jesus, at His feet. She was so distraught that she fell at his feet, cried on his feet, poured perfume on his feet, wiped his feet off with her hair, and kissed his feet, the whole time He was there. She was a mess. Why? Maybe because she knew she was so sinful. Maybe she lost all hope. Maybe she knew He was the Son of God, the Savior of the world and fell down to worship Him. I don't know. I think she knew who He was and that He was the only One who could help her. She was a mess because she was expressing her love to Him, while inadvertently begging and pleading with Him to help her. 

Whatever the case, my heart went out to this dear, sweet, precious woman. My heart was literally breaking for this stranger that lived over 2,000 years ago. I found myself tearing up for her, hoping my Lord Jesus would do something for her. While Simon the Pharisee stood in judgement over her for being a"sinner," Jesus loved her because she loved Him. He saved her and forgave ALL her sins right then and there because she loved Him and had faith that He would save her. It didn't matter who she was, what she had done, where she had come from, she put her faith in Jesus and loved Him. She knew He could save her and that's what He did. Let's read the passage. Then we'll continue:

Luke 7:36-50 NIV

[36] When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. [37] A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. [38] As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. [39] When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” [40] Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. [41]  “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. [42] Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” [43] Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. [44] Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. [45] You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. [46] You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. [47] Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” [48] Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” [49] The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” [50] Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

When a person has been beat down by sin and it has overwhelmed and consumed them, they have a desperate need for the Lord Jesus to save them, to help them, to bring their lives out of the muck of life. When they find Him today, hope is rekindled. They know without a doubt that Jesus can help them. They know that He can save them. When they are drawn to Him like this woman was, nothing will keep them apart. By their faith and love, Jesus saves them like He saved this woman. Lives are completely saved, changed, and turned upside down. Jesus said,"Whoever comes to me I will never drive away." We see here that's exactly what He means.

What's the lesson? Don't get in the way of that process like Simon the Pharisee was trying to do. He saw a sinner. He passed judgement over her. He didn't love her or show compassion for her at all. When we see people in their lives, show love. Don't be repulsed by their lives, don't look at them differently, don't treat them differently, etc. Treat all with the same love, respect, dignity, and mercy that God has given you. Why? So they can be saved too. That's the whole point. So they can be saved too. God wants all to be saved and makes His appeal through us, the Church. How? By the way we love people. Thus, "Love never fails!"

As Christians, our love for everyone should draw people to Jesus, never push them away from Him. 

Church? There are countless numbers of people on this planet, who are just like this dear, sweet, woman in the text. They need Jesus. Let's always help them come to Him by our love and actions. He can help them, just like He helped us. He can save them, just like He saved us. 

Please share with others.

Love You All,

Jeffrey Post

Renew Your Mind Everyday

 As Christians, we need to renew our minds everyday as to who we are in Christ, and what we have in Christ. God transforms our hearts and minds like this by the power of the Holy Spirit within us, when we renew our minds by His Word.

We need to renew our minds daily because Satan will try to steal it from you, or make you question or doubt who you are in Christ, so that you will not be a help to those who are not Christians yet. He blinds their eyes so they cannot see. So, he tries to make all the Church ineffective in reaching them by making us question, doubt, or forget who we are in Christ.

So we have to be "sober and alert" by renewing our mind with the Word. Let's do that now. Then you can have these verses handy everyday. 

1. When we were "born again," by the Holy Spirit,  when we received Jesus as Lord by believing in His name, we were forever adopted into His family, the kingdom of God, the Church. We are God's children now.

John 1:12-13 NIV

[12] Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— [13] children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

Romans 8:14-16 NIV

[14] For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. [15] The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” [16] The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 

1 John 3:1a.NIV

[1] See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!...

2.We are saved by God's grace. We have eternal life. We are forever sealed in Christ by the Holy Spirit. No one can snatch us out of the kingdom of God, the Church which is our spiritual family now. We are in the family of God, the kingdom of God forever. We will never be condemned to Hell. Nothing will separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. God protects us until we receive our inheritance of eternal life.

Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

[8] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— [9] not by works, so that no one can boast. 

John 3:16 NIV

[16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV

[13] And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, [14] who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. 

John 10:27-30 NIV

[27] My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. [28] I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. [29] My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. [30] I and the Father are one.”

John 3:18 NIV

[18] Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 

John 5:24 NIV

[24]  “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. 

Romans 8:38-39 NIV

[38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Peter 1:3-5 NIV

[3] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, [5] who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 

2 Timothy 4:18 NIV

[18] The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 

3.Being God's children, we belong to Jesus now:

Romans 14:8 NIV

[8] If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 

4. We are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus:

2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV

[21] God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

5. We are made perfect and holy once and for all by the finished work of Jesus:

Hebrews 10:10, 14 NIV

[10] And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

[14] For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

6. We are saved completely forever by our Lord Jesus Christ:

Hebrews 7:24-25 NIV

[24] but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. [25] Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

7. We are holy, unblameable, unreproveable in God's sight. That's how He sees us now because we are in Christ as we continue in our faith:

Colossians 1:21-23 NIV

[21] Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. [22] But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— [23] if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. 

8. We have been given all the fullness of Christ by the Holy Spirit inside us.

Colossians 2:9-10a. NIV

[9] For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, [10] and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. 

9. We are made holy by the blood of Jesus:

Hebrews 13:12 NIV

[12] And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. 

10. Our citzenship is in heaven now:

Philippians 3:20-21 NIV

[20] But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, [21] who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

11. We are seated in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, which is the way God sees us now:

Ephesians 2:6-7 NIV

[6] And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, [7] in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 

12. Our names are written in heaven, as we are the "church of the firstborn."

Hebrews 12:22-24 NIV

[22] But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, [23] to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, [24] to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

13. As we "fall short of the glory of God," we are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by the finished work of Jesus. As we confess our sins, He always forgives us. He is faithful and just in doing so, because of the blood of Jesus 

Romans 3:21-26 NIV

[21] But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. [22] This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. [25] God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— [26] he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

1 John 1:9 NIV

[9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 

Okay. There are so many more passages to tell us who we are in Christ, and what we have in Christ, but this will help you get started on renewing your mind everyday.

"Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God!"

Please share with others!!

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post

Don't Worry!!

We all know the world we live in. The instability of the world is all around us, whether it is in our specific lives, or our communities, or the nation we live in. We can all freak out if we let things get to us. We can worry, be afraid, live in fear, have anxiety, or just whatever if we do not know who to turn to for relief. 

As Christians, God has given us specific instruction on how to live in this world now. Let's explore this. Then you can save this entry and refer to it often when things get crazy in your life.

First, let's start with this verse everyday to set the foundation for our day:

Psalms 118:24 NKJV

[24] This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Let's wake up and praise God for another day and be happy we're alive as we grab that first cup of coffee. Start our day talking to God and giving thanks to Him for everything in our lives. 

As soon as you walk out your door anything can happen. Don't worry. Don't be afraid. As life happens, talk to God about it in prayer throughout the course of your day. This shows that you trust Him and depend upon Him for every little aspect of your life. This how we will have peace and a calm spirit in this crazy world we live in.

Take this instruction and use it in your lives:

Matthew 11:28 NKJV

[28] Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  

Come to Jesus everyday, come to God in prayer everyday!!

God is in control through our Lord Jesus Christ as He holds all things together:

Colossians 1:15-17 NIV

[15] The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. [16] For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. [17] He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 

So we can be confident in God working in our lives everyday, through our Lord Jesus. So we take ALL concerns to God in prayer and that will give us peace and rest. He will calm us. He will sustain us.

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

[6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV

[6] Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. [7] Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Psalms 55:22 NIV

[22] Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

God "will never leave us or forsake us." (Heb.13:5)

He will make it all work out:

Romans 8:28 NIV

[28] And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 

So we do not have to be overwhelmed with fear or worry or anxiety regarding anything that happens in our lives. Talk to God in prayer, tell Him about every concern you have and trust Him to work it all out. He has promised that He will, so we trust in Him to do so, through the power of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I love you all my dear readers,

Jeffrey Post

Attention?

 In our world, we see countless people vying for attention. People work on their "brand" on social media, which is fine. A lot of people promote themselves and what they offer, which is fine. It seems a lot of people's lives are one big marketing campaign. 

However, for the Church we should be different. Jesus Christ is the supreme authority over the Church, the spiritual family of God. Everything we do or say should point to Jesus, not ourselves. Everything that encapsulates our very being should point people to our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Why? So they can believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, be born again and adopted into the family of God, and be saved too.  

They won't do that if we hog the spotlight in our lives all the time. If we always have to be the center of attention, they won't see Jesus living His life through us by the Holy Spirit inside us. This is another aspect of "denying self" that Jesus talked about. 

Deny the spotlight on us, and allow Jesus, by the Holy Spirit, to shine through our lives. Then they will find Him.

How will He shine through us? By the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal.5:22) that He produces through us. Remember He said, "I am the Vine and you are the branches?" The Vine, which is Jesus, produces the fruit on us, the branches, by the Holy Spirit inside of us.

So, take the focus off yourselves, and allow Him to produce His fruit through us. Then folks can eat it and be saved. 

Let our lives be like John the Baptist's words when he said:

John 3:30 NIV

[30] He must become greater; I must become less.”

Have a great week. 

Love You All,

Jeffrey Post

Love and Good Deeds

How do people learn that God is real? Through us, the Church, by our love and good deeds. Jesus was the perfect example for us, as He loved ALL people at all times and He was always helping people with His good deeds. 

Look at this passage in Luke:

Luke 7:11-16 NIV

[11] Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. [12] As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. [13] When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.” [14] Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” [15] The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. [16] They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” 

This a perfect example of how we impact others by our love and good deeds; and how we show the world that God exists.

1. Jesus saw the widow mourning the loss of her son and His heart went out to her. He had compassion for her. He had love for her, a total stranger. 

[13] When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”

2. Then he acted! He raised her son from the dead. He did a good deed for her. 

[14] Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” [15] The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

3. By His love and good deed, the people knew that God was REAL!! 

[16] They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” 

When we care about others, when we show them how much we love them by helping them, then they know God is real and they give thanks to God. Then God might open a door for us to tell them about Jesus and they might be saved. 

God uses all of us so that others may be saved and this is how, by love and good deeds.

( NOTE:

-This is the "good works" God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

[10] For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

-This is how we let our light shine in a dark world, by our good deeds.

Matthew 5:16 NIV

[16] In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.)

This gives great purpose for all of us, everyday.

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post

Just Ask!!

In my study today, I read about the interaction between Jesus and the Centurian. Verse 7b. stuck in my mind and the Holy Spirit just flooded me scriptures in my mind. So let's read that account and then we'll move ahead.

Luke 7:1-10 NIV

[1] When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. [2] There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. [3] The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. [4] When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, [5] because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” [6] So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. [7] That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. [8] For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” [9] When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” [10] Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well. 

The Centurian had such faith, such trust in Jesus to heal his servant at home that was sick, that he said in verse 7b. "But say the word, and my servant will be healed." He KNEW Jesus would heal his servant so much so that Jesus didn't even need to go to the servant. How many of us KNOW that God will do something in our lives, no doubt, no questions asked? How many of us trust God that much? That is faith. Trusting and depending upon our Heavenly Father for whatever we need in this life, through Christ Jesus.

That's why Jesus was amazed at the Centurian because he had a great faith, a great trust in God.

We should have the same faith, the same trust in God, knowing that if we ask Him for whatever, that He will do it!! We have to believe. We have to have faith! We should not limit God because of doubt or unbelief.

Look at what Jesus said:

John 14:13-14 NIV

[13] And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. 

Do you believe that?

Matthew 7:7-11 NIV

[7]  “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [8] For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. [9]  “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? [10] Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? [11] If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 

See? We have to trust that the Heavenly Father will give us good things for our lives.

We have to ask Him for whatever we need in this life in prayer. When we ask, it shows that we are dependent upon Him. It shows we have faith. It shows we trust Him.

If you don't ask, you limit God from working in your life. He wants to help. He wants to give good gifts. He loves you and will do anything for His children. 

So, we have to ask:

James 4:2 NIV

[2] You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 

We have to ask God to get the ball rolling.

However, ask with the right motives:

James 4:3 NIV

[3] When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

So ask God for whatever, for the right reasons, and then believe that He will do it. Believe you have already received it and it will come to pass.

Mark 11:24 NIV

[24] Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 

Jesus said to the man after the Transfiguration: 

Mark 9:23b. NIV

[23]...“Everything is possible for one who believes.”

With God all things are possible. Everything is possible for one who believes.

So pray. Don't doubt. Don't limit God with unbelief. Trust in Him. Depend upon Him. 

JUST ASK! 

Then wait for Him to work it out in your life.

NOTE: A cool thing to do is keep a journal about things you ask for. Put the date, the request. Then wait for Him to work. So cool to go back and fill in the date when He worked it out.

Share with others!!

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post

God Promises, Getting Started.

 As Christians, we all need encouragement. "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." This says we build our faith, our trust in God when we hear His Word and believe what He says. Just like Abraham "believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness." Abraham just believed Him at His word. Our trust in God grows when we read His word and believe it. So lets look at some of God's promises and build our trust, our faith!!

God has so many promises for us in His Word that can help us walk in happiness everyday. We just have to search them out in His Word. We have to renew our minds with them and trust Him at His Word. Claim these promises over your life, knowing God will do it.

God loves us, His children. All His promises are "yes and amen" in Christ. We can count on Him!! He will never let us down!!

Psalms and Proverbs are chock full of His promises. Let's look at a few from Psalms. Let them speak to you!!!

Psalms 1:6a NIV [6] For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,

Psalms 3:3 NIV [3] But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.

Psalms 3:5 NIV [5] I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.

Psalms 3:8a NIV [8] From the Lord comes deliverance. 

Psalms 4:8 NIV [8] In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Psalms 5:12 NIV [12] Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

Psalms 7:10 NIV [10] My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart.

Psalms 9:9 NIV [9] The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

Psalms 9:10 NIV [10] Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Psalms 10:17-18 NIV [17] You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, [18] defending the fatherless and the oppressed, so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror.

Psalms 12:5 NIV [5] “Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord. “I will protect them from those who malign them.”

Psalms 12:7 NIV [7] You, Lord, will keep the needy safe and will protect us forever from the wicked,

Psalms 14:5b NIV [5]...God is present in the company of the righteous.

Psalms 17:8 NIV [8] Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings

Psalms 18:25-27 NIV [25] To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, [26] to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the devious you show yourself shrewd. [27] You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.

Psalms 18:30-32, 35-36 NIV [30] As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. [31] For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? [32] It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure., [35] You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great. [36] You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way.

Psalms 20:4 NIV [4] May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

Psalms 20:6-8 NIV [6] Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. [7] Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. [8] They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.

Psalms 22:26 NIV [26] The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the Lord will praise him— may your hearts live forever!

Psalms 23:6 NIV [6] Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalms 24:1-5 NIV [1] The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; [2] for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. [3] Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? [4] The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. [5] They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior.

Psalms 25:3a NIV [3] No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame,...

Psalms 25:8-10, 12-14 NIV [8] Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. [9] He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. [10] All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant; [12] Who, then, are those who fear the Lord? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose. [13] They will spend their days in prosperity, and their descendants will inherit the land. [14] The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.

Psalms 26:3a.- for your love is ever before me.

Psalms 27:1, 4-5 NIV [1] The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

[4] One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. [5] For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.

Psalms 27:13 NIV [13] I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

That's just the start of Psalms!!! Awesome stuff, right? So great. Have a great day dear readers!!

Share this with others!

Love you all, 

Jeffrey Post

It's All About Jesus!!

The gospel of Jesus Christ, the GOOD NEWS for all humanity everywhere is Jesus Christ the Son of God. 

What is the "good news?"

Jesus Christ, the Son of God came to Earth over 2000 years ago to make a way for all mankind to live forever. God gives the FREE gift of eternal life to all who believe in His Son, Jesus Christ.

John 3:16-18 NIV

[16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. [18] Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 

All we have to do is believe in Jesus Christ and His finished work and we will be saved from being eternally separated from God. Just believe in Jesus and you will be saved!! 

It is all about Jesus Christ!!!

Jesus Christ and all that He did on the Earth was to save mankind from the sin we are born into. Sin separates mankind from God naturally because God cannot sin, so He cannot be around sin. We are physically born into sin when we are physically born, so we are already separated from God on the day we were born. 

He made a way for us to have access to God through Him. He took sin out of the way, giving us access to God. 

By dying on the cross, laying down His life freely, shedding His blood, having His body broken and beaten, He took our punishment for sin upon himself. He took sin and the penalty for sin upon Himself for all mankind, making a way for us to get to God. Now, we don't have to be separated from God.

2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV

[21] God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

So the good news that stands forever is that we can have access to God now because of what Jesus did for us. Jesus took away the sins of the world, the penalty for our sins. So He is the only way to get to God. That's why He said:

John 14:6 NIV

[6] Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Jesus is the only one in human history who ever took the penalty of sin out of the way by His death on the cross. He is the only person who was raised from the dead and lifted up to heaven. He is the only One who sits at the Father's right hand now. He is the only One who has ALL power and supremacy in the seen and unseen realms. No one is above Him. Jesus Christ is Lord of all!!

Jesus Christ is good news for all of us. We can be saved through Him!!

Believe in His name!!

Romans 10:9-11 NIV

[9] If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. [11] As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 

It's all about Jesus!! It's all because of Jesus!!!

Praise Jesus!! Thank you Jesus!!!

Please share with others.

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post

You Are Important! You Have A Work To Do!

Text:

1 Corinthians 12:12-27 NIV

[12] Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. [13] For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. [14] Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. [15] Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. [16] And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. [17] If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? [18] But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. [19] If they were all one part, where would the body be? [20] As it is, there are many parts, but one body. [21] The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” [22] On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, [23] and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, [24] while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, [25] so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. [26] If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. [27] Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 

If you are a Christian, you are born again, added to the kingdom of God, adopted into the family of God. The family of God is His Church. We are all members of the body of Christ, His Church. Jesus Christ is the head of the Church. 

Now, let's illustrate this like Paul did. Envision a human body. Jesus is the head, which houses the brain. The brain controls everything in the body. So Jesus is the supreme authority in the body of Christ, His Church. 

Just like the human body has all kinds of different parts, each with specific purposes, and is controlled by the brain, the Church has many different parts (people), each with specific purposes, and are controlled by Jesus Christ. He is the brain of the body, His Church.

So we are all different parts of the body, the Church. We all have different functions and purposes. Jesus is over all of it. By the Holy Spirit, who lives in each one of us, He oversees and guides the whole body, just like the brain oversees and guides all the functions of the human body.

God made each one of us with specific characteristics, personality traits, temperaments, dispositions, talents, strengths, and weaknesses. We are uniquely made by God, in our mother's womb. We were not born to just live on Earth for no reason. We were born to find God, believe in Jesus, be born again, and adopted into the family of God, His Church. We were born to serve a unique purpose or function in the body of Christ with our varying unique characteristics. 

Everyone is different for this reason. So everyone is important in the Church. You are important in the Church and have a work to do, specific to you, so that the Body functions properly. No one else in all of humanity can do what you do, because there is only one you. So if you don't do it, it will not get done, and the Church will not function properly. So everyone in the Church is important and has something to do, something to offer, to make the Church the healthy and vibrant Body of Christ that it is today. 

Think to yourself about who you are and what you offer in this life. Then use it in the Body of Christ. You are important and we need what only you can provide. 

Why? So that the love of God will be spread throughout the world by all of us, and others will be saved and get to go to heaven too. 

Note: This is in your life and not just church service.

Share this with others!!!

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post