ob75

I find it interesting that one criminal is exhorting Jesus to "save'' them by Jesus' use of His supernatural powers!! Ironic isn't it? And fueled by selfish motives..get us (me) down from this cross so I can continue to steal, cheat and lie!! The other criminal mearly asks Jesus to remember him in heaven..his humility is touching..What does this thief receive that day? Forgiveness and a renewed life in Jesus..what do you think this meant to Jesus? Great encouragement..a companion to comfort Him while awaiting death..let's face it..it doesn't matter that these criminals caused great pain to others here on earth....what matters is Paradise where there will be no more tears, strife, sadness...Forgiveness..Dear Father, teach us forgiveness as Jesus forgives us..Amen.

Every sinner is responsible for Christ's death..a fulfulment of prophesy..God's glorious plan of forgiveness of sins,providing eternal life to all who choose to follow His Son Jesus..We all "do not know what we are doing" without sensitivity to the Holy Spirit..Thank you Father, Abba for your glorious grace to us while we are sinners..

I love what spazzo47 has to say about his work situation.. verse 5 says "but you keep your head in all situations, endure hardship.." This is especially difficult in the workplace where not everyone is a Christian(most of corporate America.)I can make the mistake of slipping and backsliding, putting my witness at risk..We not only have Paul's letters for encouragement but we have the gift of the Holy Spirit giving wisdom and strength to fight the enemy of our souls..

I work with a woman who reads the Bible openly but shows little evidence of a changed heart.. this is the world in which Christ followers exist..the tension between taking up our cross daily and going along so as not to make waves..Pray for daily strength as we all strive to make the Truth known by our actions and loving words of care for others..I really liked what Snaps had to say about taking up the Cross "...we have managed to take in the bigger picture and are not limited to the small, self-serving thinking that predominates in the world around us." Thank You, Jesus!!! Help us with this call to make Your Truth known in all circumstances..

I agree with Pastor Wilson..''we know the jargon and the talk, but our inner lives can still be untransformed..God have mercy on us!'' My own pastor tells us to read scripture until we are pierced to the heart..we need to pray, stay in God's will and ask Him to reveal to us the triggers that temp us to be anything less than ''kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful." We are useless without "a knowledge of the truth."

In a typical home there are various containers. Some for everyday and some for special times..we need to wash ourselves of sin using the basic basin.. this washing involves fasting, repentance and prayer..then, THEN we have a hope in the following:"Become the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift to his guests for their blessing." (MSG)

Paul says to the Colosssians "set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God." This mindset drives away fear..it gets our minds and hearts off of the longlings,desires, and fears we have to witness and on to Jesus: RIGHT WHERE IT SHOULD BE!!!!

"But join me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life.." vs 8-9 It seems to me that we should expect to suffer for the gospel and be willing to feel uncomfortable at times speaking the truth. we should rely on Holy Spirit guidance and wisdom when we share the Good News. God will enter into conversations where He needs to enter into anyway..give up control so God can work it out!! We who are saved must allow God to work through us to save others....

Hi all, Paul says in verse 8 "but join me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God." So we know that suffering goes with the territory..and the "antidote for cowardice and shame' is to 'Know whom I have believed." The more we know God the more we get to know His character that is why it is so important to trust God in all situations and act if prompted by the Holy Spirit.. We do not have a spirit of timidity in us.. the Holy Spirit is our guide and Jesus covers us if we are acting to bring His message to the world...God's love needs to show up in Christians and be spread around..

Paul says "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." the popular misinterpretation is ''money is the root of all evil." Big difference..money is not the root of evil....money is necessay to live.. But the LOVE of money means we are putting money on the throne not Jesus thus giving money power over our lives which DOES lead to temptations.. so many..you can all come up with some..worry, insecurity, greed, selfishness, envy.. all these evils take your eyes off of the Lord and place them on wordly gain or lack of which is exactly what Paul is instructing Timothy not to do!! If our eyes are fixed on what money can do for us how can this produce a harvest of fruit from the spirit??

Hi all.. Paul's mission was for Christ..he was on a whirlwind tour sanctioned by Christ to bring as many people to Him as possible..to dilute this message by getting hung up on whether slavery was right or wrong could lead to a break down in the message..and leave an opening for the enemy. By first and foremost showing others how to live in the Light is trusting God to take care of the ills the of the world. Think of how the abortion issue distorts the world's view of Christians...Jesus first..God is Sovereign.. ''This is the message we have heard from him and delare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all." 1John 1:5

If a man is committed to his one wife and family and shows a lenthy track record of this committment, don't you feel he will more likely be a committed leader in the church? The candidate after God's own heart will want the two to work in unison for the purpose of reflecting Jesus' love and devotion.

This from The Message says it all: "Here is a word you can take to heart and depend on: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. I'm proof- Public Sinner Number One- of someone who could never have make it apart from sheer mercy. And now He shows me off- evidence of His endless patience- to those who are right on the edge of trusting Him forever." 1 Timothy 1:15-16 Those "right on the edge of trusting him forever" are in churches and all around us.. pray for strength and boldness in bringing the Truth into the middle of it all... 0b75