Christ
Has Anyone Ever Sacrificed their Life so You Could Live?
Has anyone ever given their life so that you could live? Countless stories were told of that happening when first responders rushed into the Twin Towers to save lives on 9/11. But what about you? Has anyone ever heroically, intentionally jumped in front of a car to save your life or pulled you to safety from flood waters only to be swept away? If they have, no doubt you cherish them for what they did for you. Perhaps you have honored their memory in some way.
In 1 Corinthians 5:7, in Paul’s letter to the believers in Corinth, he reminds them that they should be living in a Christ honoring way since Christ gave His life so they could live. Paul’s words hold true for us, too. He writes, “Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ, our Passover also has been sacrificed.”
Christ. Our. Passover. Christ being the Passover is a reference to the Passover lamb that was slain as a sacrifice for sin. Paul is rebuking the believers because rather than being a Christ honoring church, they allow immorality. Rather than mourn over sin, they permit it. Paul is spinning their heads (and maybe ours) back in the right direction.
- Someone has died because of our sin and immorality: Jesus. How can we think accepting what He died for is okay?
- “Clean the sin from your life,” Paul urges.
- Demonstrate our love, honor, and respect for Christ, our Passover Lamb, by living righteously for Him.
Paul isn’t the only one who urges believers to stop tolerating sin. In Revelation 2:20 Jesus says, “I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality…” Are we individually or as a body of believers tolerating the sin for which Christ died? If so, we must repent. We must learn what it means to live by His divine nature rather than our old sinful nature. We must begin today knowing that the time of His reappearing is near.
Christ, our PASSOVER, forgive us when we live for what You died for – our sin.
Want to learn more about living by Christ’s divine nature? Get Debbie’s Bible study on 2 Peter, Living by the Divine Nature Instead of Our Fallen Nature, HERE. You can also access the free accompanying videos and podcasts HERE.
Let the Blessing Sink In
Jesus asked His disciples who others said He was. Then He asked the more important question, “But who do you say that I am?”
Matthew 16:16 records Simon Peter’s answer, “‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’”
Jesus’ question to the disciples is a question every one of us must answer. Have we replied to Jesus as Simon Peter did?
Jesus affirmed Peter, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” (v17).
Did we catch that? Jesus did more than affirm that Peter answered correctly. Jesus said Peter was blessed. Not that he would one day be blessed, but that he was already blessed.
Peter’s understanding that Jesus was more than a good man, He was God’s Son who had come to bring salvation, brought the blessing of his sins being forgiven.
So too, you are blessed if you have confessed Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. You are blessed because your sins are forgiven. You are blessed with the Holy Spirit. You are blessed with new life in Christ. In case you haven’t thought about it lately, let your blessings sink in.
Jesus, You are the CHRIST, the son of the living God. I praise and worship You. Thank You for blessing me for eternity.
The Nativity
And she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped Him in cloths; and laid Him in a manger. Luke 2:7
The nativity is the centerpiece of Christmas. Here, in a humble manger, the magnitude of God’s love is seen. Christ came into the world not just for the rich, but for all people. As we decorate our homes with nativity scenes, let us be ever mindful of the Christ, who humbled Himself to become man. And not only man, but also babe. And not only babe, but poor for our sake so that we might know the richness of His glory.
Blessings, sweet friends, as we are mindful of Christ’s humility, as we follow His example.
Copyright, “Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas,” by Debbie Taylor Williams
No Room for Christ
Blessings, sweet friends, as we make room for Christ at the beginning of each day.Let the Blessing Sink In
Jesus asked His disciples who others said He was. Then He asked the more important question. “But who do you say that I am?” That’s a question every one of us must answer. Have we replied to Jesus as Simon Peter did? That Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God? Jesus affirmed Peter with these words, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” (v17). Did we catch that? Jesus did more than affirm to Peter that he answered correctly. Jesus also pointed out that because Peter had confessed with his mouth what he knew in his heart – that Jesus is the Christ, Peter was blessed. Not only that Peter would be blessed one day, but that he was already blessed. Peter’s heavenly grasp that Jesus was more than a good man, that Jesus was God’s Son who had come to save us from our sins, sealed Peter’s destiny. His confession sealed his sins being eternally forgiven. So, too, my friend, you are blessed. Blessed with the forgiveness of your sins for eternity. Blessed with knowing the destiny of your soul so you don’t have to live in fear of death. In case you haven’t thought about it lately, let the blessing sink in.
Jesus, You are the CHRIST, the SON OF THE LIVING GOD. I praise You!
“Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’” Matthew 16:16
YES! END TIMES: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW, WHAT YOU CAN DO begins MARCH 1.
The Nativity
And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths; and laid Him in a manger. Luke 2:7
The nativity is the centerpiece of Christmas. Here, in a humble manger, the magnitude of God’s love is seen. Christ came into the world not just for the rich, but for all people. As we decorate our homes with nativity scenes, let us be ever mindful of the Christ, who humbled Himself to become man. And not only man, but also babe. And not only babe, but poor for our sake so that we might know the richness of His glory.
Blessings, sweet friends, as we are mindful of Christ’s humility, as we follow His example.
Copyright, “Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas,” by Debbie Taylor Williams
No Room for Christ
Has Anyone Ever Sacrificed their Life so You Could Live?
Has anyone ever given their life so that you could live? Countless stories were told of that happening when first responders rushed into the Twin Towers to save lives on 9/11. But what about you? Has anyone ever heroically, intentionally jumped in front of a car to save your life or pulled you to safety from flood waters only to be swept away? If they have, no doubt you cherish them for what they did for you. Perhaps you have honored their memory in some way. In 1 Corinthians 5:7 in Paul’s letter to the believers in Corinth, he reminds them that they should be living in a Christ honoring way since Christ gave His life so they could live. Paul’s words hold true for us, too. He writes, “Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ, our Passover also has been sacrificed.” Christ. Our. Passover. Christ being the Passover is a reference is to the passover lamb that was slain as a sacrifice for sin. Paul is rebuking the believers because rather than being a Christ honoring church, they allow immorality. Rather than mourn over sin, they permit it. Paul is spinning their heads (and maybe ours) back in the right direction.
- Someone has DIED because of our sin and immorality: Jesus. How can we think accepting what He died for is okay?
- “Clean the sin from your life,” Paul urges.
- Demonstrate our love, honor, and respect for the Christ, our Passover Lamb, by living righteously for Him.
Paul isn’t the only one who urges believers to stop tolerating sin. In Revelation 2:20 Jesus says, “I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality…” Are we individually or as a body of believers tolerating sin for which Christ died? If so, we must repent. We must learn what it means to live by His divine nature rather than our old sinful nature. We must begin today knowing that the time of His reappearing is near.
Christ, our PASSOVER, forgive us when we live for what You died for – our sin.
Let the Blessing Sink In
Jesus asked His disciples who others said He was. Then He asked the more important question. “But who do you say that I am?” That’s a question every one of us must answer. Have we replied to Jesus as Simon Peter did? That Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God? Jesus affirmed Peter with these words, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” (v17). Did we catch that? Jesus did more than affirm to Peter that he answered correctly. Jesus also pointed out that because Peter had confessed with his mouth what he knew in his heart – that Jesus is the Christ, Peter was blessed. Not only that Peter would be blessed one day, but that he was already blessed. Peter’s heavenly grasp that Jesus was more than a good man, that Jesus was God’s Son who had come to save us from our sins , sealed Peter’s destiny. His confession sealed his sins being eternally forgiven. So, too, my friend, you are blessed. Blessed with the forgiveness of your sins for eternity. Blessed with knowing the destiny of your soul so you don’t have to live in fear of death. In case you haven’t thought about it lately, let the blessing sink in.
Jesus, You are the CHRIST, the SON OF THE LIVING GOD. I praise You!
“Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’” Matthew 16:16
HERE is where you’ll find scriptures and worship songs to encourage you throughout the day.
The Nativity
Copyright, “Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas,” by Debbie Taylor Williams
And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths; and laid Him in a manger. Luke 2:7
The nativity is the centerpiece of Christmas. Here, in a humble manger, the magnitude of God’s love is seen. Christ came into the world not just for the rich, but for all people. As we decorate our homes with nativity scenes, let us be ever mindful of the Christ, who humbled Himself to become man. And not only man, but also babe. And not only babe, but poor for our sake so that we might know the richness of His glory.
Blessings, sweet friends, as we are mindful of Christ’s humility, as we follow His example.