Category Archives: Christ and Crisis

Finding Reality Beyond The Image

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Over 6,000 BSF global members are studying the Book of Romans this year. Below is a synopsis of this study. Today’s scripture is from the Bible app.

Paul explained in Galatians 1:10 AMP that our purpose is not to impress or try to please man but rather focus on God.

The NLT.com

In Romans 1:16 he wrote: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” (Romans 1:16)

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What was pertinent then is pertinent today. The methods of people pleasing and popularity changes over time, but very much remains the same. Christ has always been the answer.

The Book of Romans expounds on this subject.

I recently had a conversation with a friend about this scripture and the impact of social media on young people today, especially the influencers who are committing suicide in such substantial numbers. This scripture speaks to their dilemma. Are they seeking to please someone or are they trying to follow Christ? Most of them are trying to be popular with men and in so doing the extreme is losing themselves. Living in a void that only sees the image they have created and not the true image of themselves. This scripture is pertinent to our society today, because it’s not just the influencers that are online, it is the public face that so many people try to project to the point where they really lose the essence of who they are in Christ. I am going to find this to be an interesting study this year and will share more from time to time.

Romans: The World’s Most Influential Letter (Excerpt from the BSF study guide)

Introduction Lesson Notes:

Overview

Focus Verse

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” (Romans 1:16)

Outline

·  The Influence of Romans

·  The Background of Romans

·  An Overview of Romans

Engage

People everywhere long for connection and community, yet division often dominates our world. Differences in political views and theological perspectives often create tension and break relationships. Crime and corruption go unchecked, and tolerance is demanded—but only for what is popular. Those who follow Christ are often mocked and marginalized. 

These challenges are not new. When Paul wrote from Corinth to the early Christians in Rome, they faced similar struggles. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Paul penned one of the most influential letters ever written—the book of Romans. In it, Paul explained the good news of Jesus and how the salvation He offers changes everything. The gospel has the power to bring all people from guilt to grace. As we begin this new year studying God’s Word, we will discover how Romans speaks to life’s biggest questions and deepest difficulties. It teaches us about salvation, grace, and the new life we have in Christ. Romans explains timeless, essential truths for today and eternity.

Abide

Focus on Peace

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LAB PHOTOS

Good morning, day or evening🌞

Focus on the PEACE Christ provides and not the chaos of the day. One empowers and the other steals your strength.

Stolen strength feeds evil. Evil seems to be emboldened days. If we all take back our strength and abide in the peace of Christ, following his laws, we can overcome the evil of the day. We are all part of one body, let us focus on the peace of Christ.

Best and Worst of Times

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The Lord promises to be with us when we are broken-hearted. He may not remove the circumstances, there are lessons in all aspects of life, just as there are consequences to some of the circumstances we experience.

The upside is – we can rest in knowing He will help us navigate the path as we walk through it. He will remain close and show us a way through, a way of escape, and we will continue down the path of righteousness.

The Lord is with us in the best of times and the worst of times. He will never leave us or forsakes us. There is comfort in knowing He is always with you.

STOP-HALT

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In the story of Elijah, Book of 1 Kings 19, we learn that running on empty and making decisions does not bode well. When you are tried, frustrated, hungry, and angry thinking through your options is a distorted and confusing process. The outcome is often disastrous.
~ Lisa Blair

In lesson 5, Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) course entitled, The People of the Promise, Divided Kingdom, God’s prophet, Elijah, had just experienced Gods work. He experienced God’s miracles over and over again in his life. However, when he heard that King Ahab wanted to kill him, instead of thinking back and relying on God to save him as he did earlier, he became crippled with fear and ran for his life. How often do we see God’s hand in our lives only to fall the next moment? One of Charles Stanley’s life lessons encourages us to halt, take a minute, rest, and pray for direction.

“Whenever you are Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or, Tired, HALT, be very careful because you are especially vulnerable to sin and disheartenment. Before giving up or taking a rash course of action, stop and seek God. He will refresh you and give you the strength to continue (1 Kings 19:8).”

Resource – The Charles Stanley Life Principle Bible. Pp.551.

Image – open source, Google images

Faith Greater a than Life Itself

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Good Day!

The thing with Christianity is that it does not eliminate troubling times, it helps you process through them. Passing the test simply means that you do not give up your hope or your faith when in the midst of uncomfortable situations and circumstances in this life.

The old phrase, “hang in there” means just that, do not give up, do not give in, no matter what life looks in the face of the prevailing circumstances.

HOPE - FAITH VICTORY

A year and a half ago a friend of mine was faced with a life-threatening disease and passed away a few weeks ago. Watching him in his final days was a grand testimony of faith. His hope and faith was not about his life in the here-and-now, it was nestled in the Lord. His love for the Lord did not falter. His hope and faith focused on the promise of everlasting life.

It is my hope that we can all demonstrate such faith, not just during our trials but everyday.

Image – LAB PHOTOS

Scripture – Bible.com

Do You Light the Way?

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When you enter a room, are you the light Christ expects others to see?

~ Lisa Blair

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When you enter a room, are you the light Christ expects others to see?

LAB PHOTOS

We are summoned to be the Lord’s ambassadors, to share the Word, educate non-believers, and love everyone as Christ loves us. This is not an easy task if you fall subject to gossip, anger, spite, and jealousy. 

“The good works that we do in spirit and truth are not our own good works, for of ourselves we can do nothing that is worthy of God’s praise. The good work that we do is the new-life of Christ within us, that is working through us. It is the new, born-again life of Christ that we received when we were born from above, that carries out any good works that we do, so that others may see our good works and glorify our Father Who is in heaven.” 
(Let your light shine. Matt 5:16 @ daily verse.knowing-Jesus.com)

Good works are the attributes we display moment-by-moment, day-by-day. They are the essence of who we are in Christ. These traits harken back to the Fruit of the Spirit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:22-25‬ ‭NLT

Do you reflect love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control throughout the day with everyone you come into contact with? Do you segregate who you will apply the Fruit with? For example, do you apply the Fruit with only family and friends, do you extend it to co-workers and others? Do you exclude people walking past you on the street, or people who are different than you culturally, racially or ethnically? Is it okay to display the traits to some and stereotypical hatred to the poor, beggars, nonbelievers, the elderly?

When Christ was nailed to the Cross, He took on our sin nature. Our passions and desires were nailed and crucified with Him. As Christians, we are now living by, for, and of the Spirit who dwells in us. Logically speaking, we should follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

I ask you, “does your light show through you, or are you veiled/cloaked/bound in your sinful nature”?

“The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Are you willing to live the sort of life that will deny you the Kingdom of God? This brings me back to yesterday’s post, The Lost Year. The world is changing and God is calling us to step out of our comfort zone, analyze who we are, and identify our sins towards others that allow us to set others apart as less equal, less desirable, and less worthy? Do you judge who is worthy to be counted as a brother or sister? Does your sin nature govern your life?

These questions are food for thought. I believe we all struggle to overcome our sin nature. It is the constant battleground we live on until Christ returns. Are you willing to deny your sin nature and be the light, or when Christ does return will He plainly say, 

“I never knew you. Away from me, you evil doers!” Matthew 7:23, NIV

If you plan to become a prayer warrior or want to strengthen how you pray, following is a prayer I am attaching from Prayers That Avail Much, by Germaine Copeland to assist you in establishing prayer time. They just published the 40th Anniversary Copy. This and He Whispers My Name by Cherie Hill are great books to add to your Christian Book library.

One Suggestion – do not allow this opportunity to slip away. God knew we would enter this time, and I am certain His hope is that you will take advantage of it and spend more time with Him strengthening your relationship with Him. Only God knows our beginning and ending and everything in between. Jeremiah 33:3 NLT declares, ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do no know about things to come.

Sources: daily verse.knowing-Jesus.com; biblegateway.com; Prayers That Avail Much. Germaine Copeland; He Whispers My Name. Trusting God’s Love. Cherie Hill.

Images: LAB PHOTOS