Day 4 Growing in God

Have you ever wondered how to grow in your faith?

Read: 2 Peter 3:18; Colossians 1:9-10; 1 Peter 2:2

There's more to Paris than the Eiffel Tower. If you walk on the main tourist paths, you'll discover quaint cafe's waiting to be enjoyed, fragrant flower shops tucked away, private bed and breakfasts unlisted in the tourist's guides.
Ironically, visiting Paris has many similarities to the Christian walk. You can't miss salvation. It looms high above the skyline. It's what really makes your trip. But you'll find even more places you can visit to get to know God in a deeper way.
That's what the Bible reveals. Inside are countless passages of insight for you to consider so that you can learn more about God's personality. As you spend time with other Christians, in the Word, in prayer, and in accountability, you can draw from their strengths and experiences and share yours as well. Search the pages of Scripture to discover new places in God's Word.
Most of all, be willing to take the trip and grow in your relationship with God. You'll be surprised at what awaits you around the next corner!

But the truly happy people are those who carefully study God's perfect law that makes people free, and they continue to study it. They do not forget what they heard, but they obey what God's teaching says. Those who do this will be made happy.
(James 1:25)

Day 3 God's Love

Have you ever wondered...
*Just how much God really loves you?
* If you can fall out of God's love?
* Why you deserve to be loved so much?

Read: John 13:1; Ephesians 3:14-19; Romans 8:35-39

God's Word is the most beautiful expression of love ever written. Shakespeare's sonnets pale in comparison to the Bible's descriptions of love. His love transcends every kind of earthly love. His love is stronger than any bond between parent and child or husband and wife. No earthly image can accurately portray God's love for us. Galatians 2:20 explains that Jesus loved you enough to die in your place. He chose to accept your punishment so that you could spend eternity with the father. In his death, Christ committed the greatest act of love ever seen by human eyes.
With a love so devoted, so sacrificial, so extreme--nothing can ever interfere. Nothing can squelch or diminish that love. You cannot fall beyond the reach of his love. You can't lose it. You can't change it, win it, or control it. His love extends before and beyond time, and he loved you before you knew him. When you choose to accept his love, you begin the most amazing relationship of your life.

And from far away the LORD appeared to his people and said, "I love you people with a love that will last forever. That is why I have continued showing you kindness"
(Jeremiah 31:3)

Day 2 Coming Home to Your Father:

Have you ever wondered...

• What it means to be a child of God?

• If you've run too far to come home?

Read: Romans 8:15-16; Luke 15:11-32; 2 Corinthians 6:18

     When you hold up your arms to your heavenly Father, he reaches down to scoop you up. These passages remind us that accepting God's gift of salvation is not a formal business deal. It's the picture of a father welcoming home his rebellious child, just like the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32.
     Just like the ungrateful son, we have run far from God. At some point in our lives, we've tried to live on our own. apart from him. We packed a knapsack, bought a bus ticket, and took off for the lights of the city. Somehow, the plan didn't work out as we expected. But God, your Father, was waiting up for you when you came home.
     With joy in his eyes, God adopted you as soon as you held up your arms to him. He's your Abba Father. It doesn't matter how far you've run or how long you've been gone. His love doesn't change. You are his child.

But when the right time came, God sent his Son who was born of a woman and lived under the law. God did this so he could buy freedom for those who were under the law and so we could be his children.
                                                                                                                                      (Galatians 4:4-5)

Day #1

November 7, 2014 at 7:14pm

Good evening everyone. I hope you all had a blessed day. As stated yesterday, today we will begin our 30-day Bible study program for new believers. Even if you're not a new believer please feel free to join us as we gain knowledge of our heavenly Father and His Son whom he sent forth. Again, I am using the The Devotional Bible New Century Version.

Jesus Our Savior

Have you ever wondered...

• Why Jesus came to earth?

• If there are other ways to get to heaven?

Read: John 10:10; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 1:15

     Many people search for faith like they shop for clothes. They browse the racks of religion, pick an item, and try it on for size. If it doesn't fit, they throw it right back on the rack. If it's comfortable and makes them look good, then they buy it. Besides, it can always be returned.
     Some people claim that Christianity is too narrow. Jesus clearly said that there's only one way to heaven and one narrow path that leads to God--and he is the way. He's not the least bit tolerant or accepting of other methods, sincere as they might be.
     Why is that so hard to accept? In every other area of life, we accept absolutes. When we bake, we put in the exact ingredients. When we drive somewhere, we follow the directions. When we seek God, he requires only one thing--Christ--and that's the only way to God.
     We're not saved by a system of religion. Salvation is beautifully, incredibly simple. Jesus is the one Savior, and he's free for the taking.

The woman said, "I know that the Messiah is coming." (Messiah is the One called Christ.) "When the Messiah comes, he will explain everything to us."

Then Jesus said, "I am he--I, the one talking to you"          (John 4:25-26).

Some personal applications:

• Do you believe that Jesus is the only way to the Father?

• Why do some people struggle with this concept?

For a more in-depth study, read: Hebrews 5:7-9

"Let us ask our Father humbly, yet confidently in the name of Jesus, to remind us of the empty tomb. Let us see the victorious Jesus: the conqueror of the tomb, the one who defied death. And let us be reminded that we, too, will be granted that same victory!"
                                                                                                                                         -----Max Lucado

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People Know You by Your Words

People Know You by Your Words: (Matthew 12:33-37)

"If you want good fruit, you must make the tree good. If your tree is not good, it will have bad fruit. A tree is known by the kind of fruit it produces. You snakes! You are evil people, so how can you say anything good? The mouth speaks the things that are in the heart. Good people have good things in their hearts, and so they say good things. But evil people have evil things in their hearts, so they say evil things. And I tell you that on the Judgement Day people will be responsible for every careless thing they have said. The words you have said will be used to judge you. Some of your words will prove you right, but some of your words will prove you guilty."

(San Mateo 12:33-37)

O haced el arbol bueno, y su fruto bueno, o haced el arbol malo, y su fruto malo; porque por el fruto se conoce el arbol. Generacion de viboras! Como podeis hablar lo bueno, siendo malos? Porque de la abundancia del corazon habla la boca. El hombre bueno, del buen tesoro del corazon saca buenas cosas; y el hombre malo, del mal tesoro saca malas cosas. Mas yo os digo que de toda palabra ociosa que hablan los hombres, de ella daran cuenta en el dia del juicio. Porque por tus palabras seras justificado, y por tus palabras seras condenado.

Anger (A True Story)

Anger. What does it mean? It means a strong feeling of displeasure or hostility. I know all too well about anger. I get angry more than I care to think about. I get angry when my kids don't do their chores, when I have to work 8 days straight, when I don't have enough money for something that I want, and especially when people test my patience. For example, last night while I was at work, a young man wanted to buy some cigarillos. I sold them to him and he was about 6 cents short. He told me that he was going to his car to get the change and that he would be right back. That was fine with me. I wasn't sweating the change. When he comes back to the window, I was helping another customer, so he throws a dime at me. He really threw a dime at me! I was like, "Oh no this nigga didn't just throw a dime at me!" I was ready to go off on him like nobody's business, but instead I kept my mouth shut. It killed me a little inside to do that. I wanted to tear into his behind and just shred him. But I chilled. I started thinking... WWGD? What would God do? He wouldn't go off on someone all kind of ways. That isn't what He does. So, I just continued doing my job. I know some people think that was a punk move on my part. But I am slowly, very slowly, learning that sometimes it's best to keep your mouth shut and keep it moving. God does not want us to be angry with each other or to seek revenge when we feel we have been slighted. We are to leave those matters up to Him. He will do what is right by us if we just trust and believe in Him. It isn't easy though. I have to stop myself every single day from going off on people. I know I have a nasty temper. I am stubborn and I always have to let you know how I feel. Now, I'm not saying to just let people walk all over you. I'm saying that we don't always have to be on the defensive. I have to learn to choose my battles wisely. Some things just aren't as important as we think they are. We need to be slow to speak and slow to anger. Let God deal with our battles. Like I said before, it's not an easy thing to do. But, it is the right thing to do. With God's help and His mercy, I will be able to conquer that weakness. The weakness of always having to give you the business. I know everyone gets angry at some point in their lives, but let God handle things for you. Listening and obeying His word will help rid us of all the unnecessary stress in our lives. Let's all try to lead the kind of life that He wants us to. God bless you all.

(James 1:19-20) My dear brothers and sisters, always be willing to listen and slow to speak. Do not become angry easily, because anger will not help you live the right kind of life God wants.

(Ephesians 4:26-27) When you are angry, do not sin, and be sure to stop being angry before the end of the day. Do not give the devil a way to defeat you.

(Proverbs 12:16) Fools quickly show that they are upset, but the wise ignore insults.

(Romans 12:19) My friends, do not try to punish others when they wrong you, but wait for God to punish them with his anger. It is written: "I will punish those who do wrong; I will repay them," says the Lord.

(Colossians 3:8) But now also put these things out of your life: anger, bad temper, doing or saying things to hurt others, and using evil words when you talk.