WHICH

There are a lot of people running around these days “modifying” the Bible. Some do it in the name of PC (political correctness) as with the “degenderization” of the scriptures (him = people; her = people, etc.). Still others change God’s Word to suit their fleshly desires (I want to do ________, the bible says it’s wrong, so I’ll re-interpret it to fit my desires).

Paul tells the Corinthians…

⁴For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it! 2 Corinthians 11:4 (NKJV) (see also Galatians 1:6-10)

Notice it doesn’t say “receive a different Spirit.” The “s” is in lower case. The Nelson Study Bible (Copyright © 1997 by Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville) has this to say about verse 4:

Another Jesus would be one who was a man but not God, or crucified but not risen. A different spirit would be one of fear, not faith (4:13)—of bondage, not freedom (3:17; see Gal. 5:1). A different gospel would be one of law and not grace, one of works and not faith.

There will be smooth talking preachers who try to lead us down a different path, but it is still our responsibility to stay close to the One True Jesus. His Spirit lives in us and warns us when things are against the Truth. There are no “new revelations.” God’s Word has been around a long time and does not change.

If fear gets in your face…remember

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) ⁷For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

If bondage comes into your life…remember

Romans 6:6 - 7 (NKJV) ⁶knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. ⁷For he who has died has been freed from sin.

If people try to tell you that you have to follow the “law”…remember

Romans 6:14 (NKJV) ¹⁴For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Galatians 2:21 (NKJV) ²¹I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

The Gospel is simple…

¹⁶For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

Which Jesus will you believe in, the One in God’s Word, or the one that lets you do whatever you want?

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HOME

Home on the range…

Home is where the heart is…

There’s no place like home…

Home has always been important in our society. That’s where our family lives, where we were brought up and where we feel most comfortable. There is a home I haven’t mentioned that’s even more important…

¹ Lord, through all the generations

you have been our home!

² Before the mountains were born,

before you gave birth to the earth and the world,

from beginning to end, you are God.

Psalms 90:1 - 2 (NLT)

That’s the “home” where our heart should be centered. The Lord God Almighty.

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HE

Today’s WORD is for me and all that have partnered with me in the project that God has set before us called, The SPRING Student Center. It is also for you because God sets projects before us all.

We can all become bogged down in the details of the work or discouraged because something didn’t go the way we thought it should. In the following passage from First Chronicles, David is warning his son Solomon about that discouragement…

Then David continued, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the LORD is finished correctly. 1 Chronicles 28:20 (NLT)

God is with you and me as we go about His work. Notice, David says, HE will not fail you...that He is God almighty. HE will not forsake you…that He is God almighty. HE will see that the work is finished, and may I point out the word correctly. God will see to it that His plans, His projects are completed correctly.

So how can any of us get discouraged when it is God working through us that is not only the planner or architect of the project, but the general contractor and building inspector!

I think that when we get discouraged we need to go back to verse 28 in this same chapter where David was telling his son the background and requirements for success and encouragement.

“And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the LORD sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. ¹⁰So take this seriously. The LORD has chosen you to build a Temple as his sanctuary. Be strong, and do the work.” 1 Chronicles 28:9 - 10 (NLT)

1. Know God intimately

2. Worship God

3. Serve God

4. Seek God

We are to do these things with a willing mind and all of our heart or inner desire. So, what’s the answer?

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and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33

CERTAIN

Not too many things in life are guaranteed. Special sales can disappoint. New cars may break and need repair. That new computer may not even start up when you take it out of the box. You’ve heard people talk about a “sure thing” in regards to horse races and that does not always work out.

One thing is certain though, God loves us. Because of this love, all the other things that God has shared with us in His Word are a certainty. For example, He has promised us eternal life if we believe in His Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16). Look at the following and see how Paul put it in his letter to the church at Rome:

¹⁶So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe.

¹Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Romans 4:16, 5:1 (NLT)

If you want a “sure thing,” trust in God. Look at His Word and see what other promises and certainties that you can count on.

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FAITH

We want to believe we can accomplish something on our own that is worthy, that we are good because we try hard. The reality is the only “good” thing we can do is trust in God.

But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. Romans 4:5 (NLT)

The problem is if someone does not believe in God, we have to love them, understanding that they cannot hear or understand the things of God. Only then, as we love them, will they “see” Jesus in us and, by His grace, believe.

“Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight. ⁸ Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of sin.” Romans 4:7 - 8 (NLT) (Greek version of Psalms 32:1-2; Hebrew says, “cleared of guilt”)

We need to realize that we owe it ALL to Jesus. Perhaps then we won’t be so judgmental, harsh or even cruel to non-Christians. If someone trusts us, they may take a serious look at what we believe and come to know Christ for them.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; ⁹ not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8 - 9 (NASB)

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RIGHT

How simple the gospel (which means “good news) is. It is for all people that will hear it and…

1. Accept the fact that they aren’t perfect

2. Accept the fact that God made man

3. Accept the fact that God, in His perfection, created a way to commune with sinful, imperfect man.

²²We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

²³For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

²⁴Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. ²⁵For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin.

People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, ²⁶for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time.

God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. Romans 3:22 - 26 (NLT)

Tell someone about this incredible gift today.

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LORD

We are so blessed to be loved by God. Though we are not perfect, we can dwell in the perfection of His Son Jesus Christ. He has given us everything we need, both here and in the heavenly realm. He is the One True God, the Almighty, King of all the earth…praise Him, and worship Him today.

⁷ The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;

The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

⁸ The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;

The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

⁹ The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;

The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.

Psalms 19:7 - 9 (NASB)

Are you holding anything back from Him? If so, turn it over to Him; give Him control of everything in your life. Allow Him to be Lord of who you are.

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