by David Long
"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full" (John 15:11).
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith" (Gal. 5:22).
Nothing is going to take away my joy that I have in Christ. Not poverty (2 Cor. 8:2). Not persecution (Matt. 5:10-12; Acts 20:24). Not trials or temptations (James 1:2). Not covid-19! I'm gonna "Rejoice evermore" (1 Thess. 5:16).
Thursday, April 30, 2020
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Why are you afraid?
by David Long
"And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!" (Matt. 8:23-27). Seems kinda strange that Jesus would ask "Why are you fearful?" Wasn't it obvious, the boat was covered with the waves? But Jesus didn't ask for information, He asked for contemplation. We can't let fear control our lives. Walk by faith not by fear.
"And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!" (Matt. 8:23-27). Seems kinda strange that Jesus would ask "Why are you fearful?" Wasn't it obvious, the boat was covered with the waves? But Jesus didn't ask for information, He asked for contemplation. We can't let fear control our lives. Walk by faith not by fear.
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Peace
by David Long
Among the things I have learned during this covid-19 pandemic is that the world doesn't have real peace. We live in a scared society and a society that's full of anxieties. One of the things I love about being a Christian is having the peace that Christ gives. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27). Having that peace that passes all understanding is a great way to live. "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:7). The Christian life is the best life and it's the only life that will get one to heaven!
Among the things I have learned during this covid-19 pandemic is that the world doesn't have real peace. We live in a scared society and a society that's full of anxieties. One of the things I love about being a Christian is having the peace that Christ gives. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27). Having that peace that passes all understanding is a great way to live. "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:7). The Christian life is the best life and it's the only life that will get one to heaven!
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Such were some of you
by David Long
"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor. 6:9-11).
You can change, they did.
"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor. 6:9-11).
You can change, they did.
Why I am a member of the church of Christ
by David Long
1. Because it has the right builder (Matt. 16:18).
2. Because it has the right foundation (1 Cor. 3:11; Eph. 2:20).
3. Because it begin at the right place (Isa. 2:2-3; Micah 4:1-2; Lk. 24:46-49; Acts 1-2).
4. Because it was established at the right time (Isa. 2:2-3; Joel 2:28; Acts 2).
5. Because it has the right name (Rom. 16:16).
6. Because it has the right organization (Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23).
7. Because it has the right worship (John 4:23-24).
8. Because it has the right plan of salvation.
a. Hearing (Rom. 10:17).
b. Believing (John 8:24).
c. Repenting (Acts 17:30).
d. Confessing (Acts 8:37).
e. Being immersed in water for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16).
f. Living faithfully (Rev. 2:10).
1. Because it has the right builder (Matt. 16:18).
2. Because it has the right foundation (1 Cor. 3:11; Eph. 2:20).
3. Because it begin at the right place (Isa. 2:2-3; Micah 4:1-2; Lk. 24:46-49; Acts 1-2).
4. Because it was established at the right time (Isa. 2:2-3; Joel 2:28; Acts 2).
5. Because it has the right name (Rom. 16:16).
6. Because it has the right organization (Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23).
7. Because it has the right worship (John 4:23-24).
8. Because it has the right plan of salvation.
a. Hearing (Rom. 10:17).
b. Believing (John 8:24).
c. Repenting (Acts 17:30).
d. Confessing (Acts 8:37).
e. Being immersed in water for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16).
f. Living faithfully (Rev. 2:10).
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
Don't live the way they live
by David Long
"This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness" (Eph. 4:17-19). Christians must always give diligence to not give over to the way of the world because look what happens when we do. Notice the description of the Gentiles minds and hearts and lifestyles. The sad part is: this describes most people today.
"This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness" (Eph. 4:17-19). Christians must always give diligence to not give over to the way of the world because look what happens when we do. Notice the description of the Gentiles minds and hearts and lifestyles. The sad part is: this describes most people today.
Monday, April 20, 2020
Being a Christian during the pandemic
by David Long
What do we do when the devil gives us difficult circumstances? The covid-19 pandemic is difficult circumstances. What's a child of God supposed to do? (1) Follow the rules, as long as those rules don't violate God's rules (Rom. 13; Acts 5:29). (2) Follow the golden rule (Matt. 7:12). (3) Let your light shine (Matt. 5:13-16). (4) Look out not only for your own interests but also for the interests of others (Phil. 2:4). (5) Don't worry, trust God (Matt. 6).
What do we do when the devil gives us difficult circumstances? The covid-19 pandemic is difficult circumstances. What's a child of God supposed to do? (1) Follow the rules, as long as those rules don't violate God's rules (Rom. 13; Acts 5:29). (2) Follow the golden rule (Matt. 7:12). (3) Let your light shine (Matt. 5:13-16). (4) Look out not only for your own interests but also for the interests of others (Phil. 2:4). (5) Don't worry, trust God (Matt. 6).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)