East Bakersfield church of Christ

Day Starter: "My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of My lips." (Psalms 89:34) God is reminding us of the surety of His promises a...nd the confidence we can have in His perfect holy word (Hebrews 11:6; James 1:25). The law, covenant, testament, of Jesus Christ came into effect when Jesus died on the cross (Hebrews 9:15-17). That law, the gospel of Christ under which we live today, will endure forever and will be used by the Lord to judge us on the day of the final judgment (1 Peter 1:24-25; John 12:48). On that day it will say the same thing it said almost 2,000 years ago when the writers were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write the very words given to them in the New Testament (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Jeremiah 1:9; Matthew 10:19-20). Therefore, when we study, believe and obey the gospel of Christ we can have faith in the salvation in Jesus Christ offered by God's grace and mercy through the power in the blood of Christ to cleanse us of all our sins (Hebrews 5:8-9; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 John 1:7). Praise God for His faithfulness in keeping all He has said He will do just as He has always kept His promises to man (Hebrews 6:18)! See more

Day Starter: "For they remembered not His hand, nor the day when He delivered them from the enemy." (Psalms 78:42) Through the pen of David, God rehearses to t...he children of Israel their great deliverance from Egyptian bondage and the plagues He brought on Egypt to show His great power (Psalms 78:43-52). These things Israel had forgotten and made themselves idols to worship instead of worshipping the true and living God (Psalms 78:58). The faithful children of God today must always remember our great deliverance from the guilt and bondage of our own sin when we were cleansed by the blood of Jesus in the waters of baptism (Romans 6:3-4 & 16-18; Acts 22:16). This is the wonderful and powerful operation of God He performs when we are baptized into Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:12; Galatians 3:26-27). Remembering this will help encourage us to be faithful to our Lord and not fall back into the ways of sin from which we have been delivered (Romans 6:5-6). It will also enable us to have faith in God's power to give us victory over the temptations we face in our daily lives (James 1:12-16; Philippians 4:13). Praise God for His deliverance from sin (John 8:32)! See more

Day Starter: "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." (Mark 13:31) Jesus makes a remarkable contrast between this temporary physica...l world that will pass away, and His word that will abide forever. This refutes the false teaching of a regenerated, or cleansed, earth that is erroneously proclaimed by some who claim a portion of the saved will live here on earth in eternity. Through the pen of Peter, God clearly states this physical world will be completely burned up with even the elements of the earth being melted (2 Peter 3:10-12). That is in contrast to the ever abiding word of the Lord written in the Bible by inspiration of the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 1:23-25; 2 Timothy 3:16). In fact, all those who claim to be a prophet, or spiritual, are challenged to acknowledge the things written by the inspired writers are the commandments of the Lord by which we will be judged when we stand before the judgment seat of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 14:37; John 12:48; Romans 14:10). Praise God for preserving and providing for us His perfect law of liberty that endures forever with the ability to save our souls when we obey the commands of the Lord to receive His grace and mercy (James 1:21 & 25; Matthew 7:21)! See more

Day Starter: "Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him Whom He hath sent." (John 6:29) This was Jesus' response to the...ir question in the previous verse regarding the works they could do. Thus, we learn believing on Jesus Christ is a work, contrary to popular false doctrine taught in most denominations today. Our personal faith in Jesus Christ being the Son of God must be based on our own study of God's holy word (Romans 10:17; John 20:30-31). Faith is one of the many works God requires in order for us to receive His grace and mercy (Ephesians 2:10). These works do not mean we earn our salvation, rather they simply demonstrate our love for, and faith in, the Lord, without which we cannot be saved by God's grace and mercy (Matthew 22:36-40; Ephesians 2:8). This is also taught by Jesus in the Parable of laborers hired to work in His vineyard and all receiving the same pay regardless how many hours they worked (Matthew 20:8-16). The gospel of Jesus Christ calls us out of darkness into light, and when we leave the works of darkness to do the works of righteousness we receive God's grace and mercy being made free from sin (1 Peter 2:9; Romans 6:16-18). Praise God for His word that shows us the way of righteousness so we can be saved by His grace and mercy (Psalms 119:105)! See more

Day Starter: "Depart from evil and do good; and dwell for evermore." (Psalms 37:27) These are the only two choices we have in life; good or evil. With God and o...ur relationship with Him there is no middle ground for the Lord has taught us if we are not with Him we are against Him (Luke 11:23). Through the pen of Paul the Lord teaches us we truly have the power to make the choice between the two (Romans 6:13). Jesus also said we cannot choose both, but have to make a decision for our own personal life (Matthew 6:24). It is a choice we do not just make daily, but many times each day as we are confronted with temptations to yield to the lusts and desires of our own fleshly bodies (James 1:12-14). On every occasion we must view it as a serious decision because our choice will determine whether we receive God's grace and mercy to be with Him in heaven in eternity, or be eternally separated from Him in the depths of hell (Matthew 7:21). I will strive to continue to study the Bible to be able to distinguish between good and evil so I can choose the path of righteousness that leads to eternal life (Hebrews 5:12-14; Matthew 7:13-14). Praise God for giving me the ability to learn and choose the way to Him through Jesus Christ (John 14:6)! See more

Day Starter: "O, continue Thy lovingkindness unto them that know Thee: and They righteousness to the upright in heart." (Psalms 36:10) Those that know God throu...gh a personal study of His word love Him and labor to express that love by obeying His holy word (1 John 4:4-8; John 14:15). This obedience will cause us to be upright in heart because our heart has been cleansed of sin by the blood of Jesus Christ (James 4:7-10; 1 Peter 1:22-23). Many in the world today claim to know and love the Lord, but their actions do not demonstrate a love for Him as they continue to walk in darkness being disobedient to the commandments of the Lord (1 John 1:5-6; Luke 6:46). The true disciples of Jesus Christ are those who know God as He is revealed in the scripture and continually examine our lives to make sure we are limiting ourselves to those thoughts, words and actions that are acceptable to Him so we can receive the benefits of His lovingkindness and righteousness (Romans 1:16-17; Colossians 3:17; Psalms 19:14; Matthew 25:23). Praise God for His lovingkindness, grace and mercy! See more

Looking forward to another great Inquirer's Class today at 6:30PM at 3500 Bernard St., Bakersfield, CA., the meeting place of the church of Christ of East Baker...sfield. Always very interesting questions answered from the Bible. Everyone is invited to attend and ask any Bible question you may have. It is an open format where we go to the Bible to find the answer to all questions. Hope to see you there! See more

Day Starter: "For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, He gave Me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak." (John 12:49)... The Lord Jesus Christ is emphasizing the strength and power of His words as they came from God, the Father. It is through Jesus the Father now speaks to us today (Hebrews 1:1-2). Jesus is now the One Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). Through the pen of Paul, we are taught that Jesus now speaks to us, giving us commandments to obey, through the written words of inspiration (1 Corinthians 14:37). The written words in the Bible are to be accepted as the word of God and not looked upon as the words of man (1 Thessalonians 2:13). The church is not the source of truth, but, rather the church is to support the truth accepting the authority of God from whom these words came as revealed in the written words of the Bible (1 Timothy 3:15; Titus 2:15). That is why we must accept the Bible as the final authority for everything we say and do (Colossians 3:17). Praise God for revealing He is the source of the truth revealed in the Bible giving us full confidence in the commands and promises made therein (2 Peter 1:3-4)! See more

Day Starter: "For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is My brother, and My sister, and mother." (Mark 3:35) It is wonderful for the faithfully obedien...t disciples of Christ to be recognized as the children of God our Father and members of His spiritual family (2 Corinthians 6:17-18). As the faithful children of God we are establishing relationships as brethren that will go with us into eternity in heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). In describing that familial relationship in His family, the Lord used the present tense, "is". That is so encouraging to know we can now, in this life today, have such a close relationship with our Lord, and we do not have to wait for the judgment to come and our home in heaven (Romans 8:16-17). Jesus Christ is the only begotten of the Father, but we are also the children of God who have been born of the water and the Spirit when we were baptized into Christ (John 1:14; 3:3-5; Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:26-27). Being a child of God affords us many blessings and carries with it a serious responsibility for the way we live our lives (Ephesians 1:3; 4:1-3 & 15-16). I will always praise God for the privilege of being His child and strive to live in the way that will bring glory to the Father through His Son, Jesus Christ (1 John 3:1; Matthew 5:16; 1 Timothy 2:5). See more

Day Starter: "The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands." (Psalms 135:15) It is amazing that some will worship gods they have made t...hemselves, rather than worshipping the true and living God that created man (Genesis 2:7). Lest we think that relates only to the Old Testament, God inspired the apostle Paul to write to the congregation of the church of Christ in Rome about those who worship and serve the creature rather than the creator (Romans 1:25). A person would have to be deceived to worship themselves, or other men, because we know our life on earth is only temporary and we are all fallible humans guilty of sin (James 4:13-14; Romans 3:23). Why not worship the God revealed in the Bible? He is worthy of worship because He is our creator Who loves us and will save us if we will obey His will from the heart (John 3:16-17; Romans 6:17-18). Praise our eternal God for the salvation offered in Jesus Christ by the cleansing power of His blood (Deuteronomy 33:27; Acts 4:12; 1 Peter 1:18-19). See more

Bible Study Time Radio Program: How did Noah find grace in the evil world in which he lived? The answer shown in the Bible may surprise many today. Even more su...rprising to some, it is the same way we can find grace today. "Noah Found Grace", is the title of this week's lesson on Bible Study Time broadcast in accordance with the schedule shown below. In our lesson we will investigate how Noah received God's grace, and how we can receive His grace today. Everyone is invited to tune in a local broadcast and enjoy studying with us. If you are not in a local broadcast area, you can go to Wilkins Radio Website and click on "Listen Live" at the day and station shown correcting the time to your local Time Zone. We hope you enjoy the Bible study and contact us with any questions, or comments, you may have. BIBLE STUDY TIME BROADCAST SCHEDULE Sunday Shreveport, LA 11:00AM KIOU 1480AM & 94.9FM Scranton, PA 12:30PM WITK 1550AM & 94,7FM Greenville, SC 2:00PM WELP 1360AM & 104.3FM Bakersfield, CA 4:00PM KERI 1410AM Tuesday Tupelo, MS 9:30AM WCPC 940AM Chattanooga, TN 6:00PM WLMR 1450AM & 103.3FM Wednesday Mobile, AL 3:00PM WIJD 1270AM & 97.9FM Thursday Omaha, NE 5:30PM KLNG 1560AM Friday Pensacola, FL 5:30PM WNVY 1070AM Richmond, VA 8:30PM WDZY 1290AM & 103.3FM Saturday Asheville, NC 9:30AM WSKY 1230AM York, PA 8:00PM WYYC 1250AM & 98.1FM

Hi DSRs, in our readings Moses has passed away and Joshua is now the leader of Israel ordained by God. We see it is not long until some of the Israelites sin in... disobedience to the word of the Lord delivered to them by Joshua, and how this sin was troublesome to the whole nation. So it is with the church today, when those wearing the name of Christ, Christian, sin, it reflects on all wearing that name that God intended to identify them as disciples of Christ (Acts 11:26). Here are the readings for this week: March 28 - Joshua 15 - 17 29 - Joshua 18 - 19 30 - Joshua 20 - 22 31 - Joshua 23 - Judges 1 April 1 - Judges 2 - 5 2 - Judges 6 - 8 3 - Judges 9 "What Mean These Rocks", will be the title of our sermon this Sunday at the 4:00PM assembly to worship of the church of Christ meeting at 3500 Bernard St., Bakersfield, CA. "Details Matter to God", will be the title of our sermon at the 10:30AM assembly to worship. Everyone is invited to attend and study with us from God's holy word with a heart set on learning more about His will for us today. See more

Day Starter: "Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet Thy commandments are my delights." (Psalms 119:143) Some people will abandon God and His word in ti...mes of trouble, when they should really be turning to Jesus and His commandments and promises in His word for guidance, strength and comfort of the scriptures (1 Thessalonians 4:18; John 6:66-69). Studying the word of God should always be a delight to those who truly love the Lord (Psalms 1:1-2; 2 Timothy 2:15). Through our study of the Bible and application to our own personal lives, the Holy Spirit leads us in our daily lives through the good and bad times of this life (Romans 8:13-14; Philippians 4:11-13). All mankind has difficulties and problems we must face, but we must respond to these problems times with a greater resolve to remain faithful to our God who is our Deliverer and Comforter (Job 14:1-2; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 2 Timothy 4:18). Thus, regardless of the present circumstances in life, I will strive every day to look to God and His word to delight in the guidance and hope found therein (Psalms 119:165). See more

Day Starter: "He that is not with Me is against Me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad." (Matthew 12:30) The words of Christ are recorded here ...to teach us there is no middle ground with regard to our commitment to be disciples of Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:24). If we are not gathering together with Him, we are scattering abroad! It must be all or it counts for nothing. Jesus also taught us He will not accept lip service but demands full obedience from the heart (Matthew 15:8-9; Romans 6:17-18). This is emphasized again in the instructions regarding our priorities in life, God will not accept second place to anyone or anything (Matthew 6:33; 22:37-40). Jesus gave His life for us as a demonstration of His love, and He will not accept anything less than a living sacrifice of our lives in obedience to His will as a demonstration of our love for Him (John 15:13-14; Hebrews 12:1-2). Remember, we love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). Praise God for blessing us with the ability to be laborers together with Him in the greatest work in the world, spreading the gospel that is His power to save the souls of man (1 Corinthians 3:6-9; Romans 1:16). I will strive everyday to "preach the word" in my words and works (2 Timothy 4:1-2). See more

Day Starter: "Moreover by them is Thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward." (Psalms 19:11) The things we are warned about are sins that... will deprive us of the rewards of being disciples of Jesus Christ because they separate us from God and His storehouse of blessings (Malachi 3:10; Ephesians 1:3). The rewards, blessings, that are granted to those who diligently seek the Lord are for this life as well as eternity (John 10:9-10). Many of the promises God made to His faithful children are being fulfilled in those living in this world today (Hebrews 13:5-6). Faith in receiving these blessings is necessary to please God (Hebrews 11:6). He promised those who set His commandments and the church as priorities in their lives the things necessary to sustain our physical lives (Matthew 6:33). He promised to watch over the temptations we face and provide a way of escape for each problem that comes our way (1 Corinthians 10:13). God is faithful to keep His promises to all who heed His warnings to stay away from sin and abide in the doctrine of His Son, Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:9; 2 John 9-11). Praise God that we can trust in the fulfillment of all His promises IF we walk in the light of His word (1 John 1:7)! See more

Day Starter: "And He withdrew Himself into the wilderness, and prayed." (Luke 5:16) This describes the actions of Jesus as His fame and popularity among the com...mon Jews increased and multitudes were beginning to follow Him (Luke 5:15). He is our perfect example living His entire life without committing sin (1 Peter 2:21; Hebrews 4:15). As He set the example for us in our verse for today, we need to take time to separate ourselves from the world and spend time alone with our Father in prayer to Him through His Son, Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:17; 1 Timothy 2:5). Communication with the Father is a two way street; He not only wants us to hear Him by studying, believing and obeying His word, He also wants us to pray to Him from our heart (Matthew 7:24-27; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; James 5:13-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18). It is a wonderful joy to develop such a personal relationship with our heavenly Father as we speak to Him. one to One with confidence He will hear us and answer our prayers in accordance with His will, love and wisdom (2 Corinthians 6:17-18; James 1:5-7; 4:3). I will take time out of every day to converse with God as I listen to Him by studying His word and talk to Him in prayer. Praise God for having an ear that is ready to receive my prayer offered through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:12)! See more

Day Starter: "Teach me Thy way, O Lord; I will walk in Thy truth: unite my heart to fear Thy name." (Psalms 86:11) Our pure minds need to be stirred up by bring...ing into remembrance the most important thing in our lives is to remain faithful to God regardless what happens in this world (2 Peter 3:1-2). We are to be good citizens subject to the laws of the land as long as those laws do not go against the word of God (Romans 13:1-4; Acts 4:19-20). The truth, God's inspired word, is not dependent on the type or form of government in the nation in which we reside. The law of Christ is universal and does not change with governmental changes (Acts 10:34-35; 1 Peter 1:24-25). The Lord Jesus Christ instructed us to live and teach that same gospel to all nations and every person for it is the one gospel that is His power to save the souls of men (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Romans 1:16; James 1:21). I will strive every day to walk in the pathway of truth revealed by God's word and teach His word by my words and my example (John 17:17; 1 Timothy 4:12)! See more

What is the true solution to all the problems of evil, hatred and violence we are witnessing in this world today? It is the same answer that it has been for al...most 2000 years. The answer is Jesus and His word! The lesson on this week's Bible Study Time Radio Program, "Jesus is the Answer", will be studying the Bible to learn how we can take advantage of this answer given by God's inspired word. The lesson will be broadcast in accordance with the schedule below and all are encouraged to tune in any of the local broadcasts. If you are not in a local broadcast area, you can go to Wilkins Radio web site and click on, "Listen Live" at the day and station shown correcting the time for your local Time Zone. We hope you enjoy the lesson and contact us with any comments or questions you may have. BIBLE STUDY TIME BROADCAST SCHEDULE Sunday Shreveport, LA 11:00AM KIOU 1480AM & 94.9FM Scranton, PA 12:30PM WITK 1550AM & 94,7FM Greenville, SC 2:00PM WELP 1360AM & 104.3FM Bakersfield, CA 4:00PM KERI 1410AM Tuesday Tupelo, MS 9:30AM WCPC 940AM Chattanooga, TN 6:00PM WLMR 1450AM & 103.3FM Wednesday Mobile, AL 3:00PM WIJD 1270AM & 97.9FM Thursday Omaha, NE 5:30PM KLNG 1560AM Friday Pensacola, FL 5:30PM WNVY 1070AM Richmond, VA 8:30PM WDZY 1290AM & 103.3FM Saturday Asheville, NC 9:30AM WSKY 1230AM York, PA 8:00PM WYYC 1250AM & 98.1FM

Hello DSRs, we are reading about the final days of Jesus' physical life on this earth. They were filled with His words of exhortation and encouragement to His d...isciples that still bring us the same encouragement and hope today. We also see how fickle some people's faith was, and is, praising Christ on His entry into Jerusalem and a very short time later calling for His crucifixion. This week we will read about His death, burial, resurrection, ascension and the building of His church. So many great events in a brief period of time. Here are the readings for this week: November 8 - Matthew 26:47-75; Mark 14:43-72; Luke 22:47-65; John 18:2-27 9 - Matthew 27:1-26; Mark 15:1-15; Luke 22:66-23:25 John 18:28-19:16 10 - Matthew 27:27-56; Mark 15:16-41; Luke 23:26-49; John 19:17-30 11 - Matthew 27:57-28:8; Mark 15:42-16:8; Luke 23:50-24:12; John 19:31-20:10 12 - Matthew 28:9-20; Mark 16:9-20; Luke 24:13-53; John 20:11-21:25 13 - Acts 1 - 2 14 - Acts 3 - 5 "The Lord's Last Passover", will be the title of our sermon this Sunday at the 5:00PM assembly to worship of the church of Christ meeting at 3500 Bernard St., Bakersfield, CA. The title of our sermon at the 10:30AM assembly to worship will be, "Lessons from Stephen". Everyone is invited to attend and study with us from God's holy words as we learn how to deal with troublesome times and tribulation. See more

Day Starter: "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee." (1 Timot...hy 4:16) Through the pen of Paul, God declares our primary responsibility is for the way we live and the things we teach with His admonition to continue to walk in the path that leads to heaven and teach the perfect law of liberty (Matthew 7:13-14; James 1:25). This verse also implies the word, hear, is used to represent not only listening to the words, but also living the life as instructed by God's inspired word (James 1:22). In living in this present world we have little control over the things that happen to us, but our control lies in our response to whatever comes our way from day to day (Ecclesiastes 9:11; Romans 6:13; Titus 2:11-12; James 4:13-14). We also have control over the things we teach by our words and actions, both of which we can judge by God's word that will be used to judge us in the final judgment (John 12:48; 2 John 9-11). Such judgment of my life and teaching with corrections being made in them as necessary to comply with the word of God, is actually a good way to define walking in the light as we are each commanded to do by Jesus Christ (1 John 1:7; 1 Corinthians 14:37). Glory and praise to God for telling me what I must do to be saved by His grace and mercy and lead others to Him! See more

Day Starter: "The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even both of them." (Proverbs 20:12). The ear and the eye are two very intricate parts of ...the human body made by the Lord. When God created Adam and Eve in the beginning they were formed as full grown adults with all body parts fully working in accordance with God's design. These two adults were the most perfect human specimens to ever walk the face of the earth being miraculously formed by Jesus Christ, God the Son (Genesis 2:7 & 21-22; John 1:1-3 & 14). These two organs also defy the idea and teaching of evolution that the organs we possess as humans are supposed to be at the top of the evolutionary development when many of the animals from which the evolutionists claim we descended have better eye sight and hearing than humans. The variations in eye sight and hearing in humans and animals are one of many valid proofs we were all created different by our God, Who designed us for our different habitats and physical needs (Acts 17:25-26). I am unable to understand how any sane person could look at all the variations of life in this amazing world and think it all came from the same little one celled "creature" that was, itself, an accident that just happened. However, God did say, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." (Psalms 53:1) Throughout the Bible, and with the physical evidence of His handiwork, God has confirmed the account of creation given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit in Genesis 1 & 2 (Psalms 19:1; Matthew 19:4). As the faithful children of God, our body and spirit are His, being purchased by the blood of Jesus, and we are to use them to His glory by submitting to His holy word (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). See more

Day Starter: "But take heed lest by any means this liberty of your's become a stumblingblock to them that are weak." (1 Corinthians 8:9) God is teaching us we h...ave liberty in areas where He has not legislated (the eating of meat sacrificed to idols, 1 Corinthians 8:1). But our taking advantage of said liberty must not be done if it is going to cause a weak brother to stumble (1 Corinthians 8:10-13; Romans 14:20-21). Our Lord, Jesus Christ, wants us to be encouragers and edifiers of the brethren, not stumblingblocks or those who present hindrances to the growth of our brethren (Ephesians 4:15-16; Romans 14:19). These verses strongly imply a personal responsibility for each of us to seek ways we can help to strengthen one another as we are all members of the one body, the church of Christ (Hebrews 10:24; 1 Corinthians 12:25-26). Our efforts to serve and help one another as disciples Of Christ are actually the way we are to serve our Lord (Matthew 25:34-40; Acts 9:1-4). I will daily seek ways I can be of service to all my brethren in Christ to build up and strengthen the body of which He is the head (Ephesians 5:21; 1:20-23). Praise God for providing an opportunity for me to be of service to others (Galatians 6:10)! See more

Day Starter: "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me." (John 14:1) These are the words of encouragement Jesus spoke to His discip...les just before His betrayal and crucifixion: troublesome times for them. These same words should also encourage us in troublesome times during our lives here on earth as Jesus followed His words with a promise to come again and receive His disciples unto Himself (John 14:2-4). We need to learn and remember all troubles here are temporary, but the rewards in heaven are eternal (1 John 2:15-17). Application: This pandemic we are experiencing and elections of the leaders of the United States of America will pass without affecting our relationship with the Lord and causing us to be denied a home in heaven, unless we LET these temporary problems discourage us from doing the will of the Lord, or lose our faith in God and His promises (Romans 6:13-18; Hebrews 11:6; Isaiah 59:1-2). Regardless of the circumstance or situation of life, we must keep our focus on the spiritual things that are eternal and not be distracted by present day worldly temptations and struggles (Colossians 3:1-2; James 1:12). I will strive every day to focus my eyes on Jesus Christ as I let Him lead me by His holy word (Hebrews 12:1-2; Psalms 119:105). See more

Day Starter: "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they w...ere offended at him." (Mark 6:3) (Note: the references to Christ are not capitalized to show they were speaking of His humanity and did not believe in His deity.) These people, the physical acquaintances of Jesus, did not accept His miraculous powers and teaching because they were aware of His humanity and could not conceive how a fellow human being could have such power. It is still hard for many to understand how Jesus could be God the Son and human at the same time. This problem in the mind of man caused some in the 1st century to begin to teach that He did not actually come in the flesh, and gives way to many false ideas today (1 John 4:2-3). Through the pen of John, God teaches us the signs and wonders of Jesus and His life are recorded in the Bible so we can believe He is the Christ, the Son of God (John 20:30-31). It is hard for man's mind to comprehend the One Who made us came in the flesh to suffer as we do, and eventually die on the cross to save us from our own sin (John 1:1-4; Hebrews 4:15; 1 John 2:1-3). For those who comprehend the love of God, we can see the reason He did this for us (John 3:16; John 15:12-14). Jesus truly was 'Emmanuel', God with us in the flesh (Matthew 1:23)! The more we understand and appreciate the sacrifice made for us, the stronger grows our love for the Father and the Son, and the Holy spirit Who revealed these things to us (1 John 4:19; Matthew 10:19-20). As Their love for us was demonstrated in this great sacrifice, we must demonstrate our love for Them with the living sacrifice of our own lives (Romans 5:8-9; 12:1-2). Live each day for Jesus! See more

Day Starter: "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain." (James 1:26) S...ome people that seem to be religious hold onto following what they think are the commands of God regarding food they eat or the day they assemble, but forget about the fruits of love and compassion that are supposed to control their words and actions. God says such religion is vain and useless. This is the same kind of religion Jesus condemned in the scribes and Pharisees of the 1st century (Matthew 23:23). The words we speak put an open display of the things that are in our heart (Matthew 15:18-19). In our verse for today and James 2:1-12, God reminds us that good words of kindness, love and compassion come from a heart that is full of these attitudes (Luke 6:45). Getting our heart full of good things will produce the speech of edification and encouragement God desires us to have (Philippians 4:8; Ephesians 4:29). I will strive to be mindful of the things I say and the way I say them to demonstrate the results of a pure heart to God and my fellow man (James 1:19; Matthew 5:8). Praise God for giving me the instruction and power to choose my words wisely (1 Corinthians 14:37; Romans 6:13). See more

Day Starter: "And the way of peace have they not known: there is no fear of God before their eyes." (Romans 3:17-18) Man's mind would never think that the way o...f peace is found in the fear of God. There is a slogan I have seen on plaques, church signs and even bumper stickers: No God, No peace. Know God, Know peace. Those who know and fear God find peace in all situations for they trust in God to fulfill all His wonderful promises of blessings to those who are in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). Fearing God and trusting in His promises causes us to not be afraid of what man can, and may, do to us for God has promised to deliver us from the evil one (Hebrews 11:6; 13:5-6; 1 Peter 5:8-11). True peace can only be found in fearing God and obeying His commandments as God inspired the man He blessed with great wisdom to conclude is the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13). God says that keeping His commandments is proof that we know Him, and if we don't keep His commandments we do not know Him (1 John 2:3-4). In all this God is simply telling us peace is not found in what people do to us or even in worldly possessions. True peace is found only in establishing and maintaining a right relationship with God by believing and obeying HIs word so we can be cleansed of all sin by the blood of Jesus (1 John 1:7). Praise God for the peace that passes the understanding of carnal men (Philippians 4:6-8)! See more