Salvation Sunday: Is Today Your Day?

Today is a great day to give your life to Jesus! This is a testimony from Lecrae. It speaks to the heart of God and how He can transform a boy from the streets into a man of God.



If you are in need of a loving relationship with God, feel free to contact Daily In Christ for more information.

Bless you,
Keith

Salvation Sunday: Grace

Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

In this age of extreme pluralism, it is sometimes hard to know which way is the right way to go. Some say that all paths lead to God. Others will tell you that there is no God. While yet others will tell you that there is only one way to God.

So who is right?

I think the first question we should ask is, "are we all talking about the same destination?" Hindus believe they are right. Buddhists think they are right. Muslims and Jews believe their way is the path to God. And Christians believe that Jesus is the only way to God. It can be quite confusing sometimes.

After a little bit of careful analysis it is clear that all religions aren't talking about the same god, and... all religions do not get to God. We live in a country where religious freedom is the expected response to a person's faith. This is fair, right? We don't want anyone offended or discouraged to believe a certain way. Right? Certainly stepping on people and their beliefs is not a socially correct method of evangelism, but telling people the truth about God is.

The Bible makes it clear that there is only one way to God. Through the person of Jesus Christ. Now I understand that many will say that this belief is egocentric. "How do we know that it is true?" Short answer: Faith and Grace. Not believing in something doesn't make it untrue. Believing in the Sovereignty of the One True God requires faith.

Salvation comes to us only through God himself entering the human world to suffer the consequences of sin, to free us from sin, as his gift to us.

Most religions teach that good works with lead to our salvation—if we pray well, act right and hope good enough then we will get there. They teach that people can be good enough if they try hard enough. But Christianity teaches that we all need grace. We are unable to perform good enough to get to heaven no matter how hard we try.

It is impossible for both ideas to be true at the same time. The doctrine of grace teaches, whether we like it or not, that no other paths lead to salvation. Grace is a gift from God. Grace defined is simply this: Being given something we don't deserve.

Daily In Christ - Salvation Sunday

Have you laid your life before God and received His Grace? Are you trying to earn your way to heaven? I encourage you today to receive the free gift of Grace and get right with the one true God.

If you would like more information how to discover your relationship with God click here.

Blessings,
Keith

Salvation Sunday: Our Assurance Is In Him

Eph 1:11-14 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

As children of God we have received a divine inheritance in Christ. He is the source of our inheritance. We not only have received grace, which is poured our abundantly to us, (Eph 1:8) and forgiveness of our trespasses (Eph 1:7), but we have receive the gift of salvation and eternal life in heaven through Him. This inheritance was laid out before the foundation and was done according to His great purpose according to the counsel of His will. God's plan for salvation was predetermined before we could ever make a decision to choose him. In His grace, God determined to choose vile, corrupt, sinful people to glorify Himself through His son Jesus Christ. (Rom 3:23-24). This glorifying of God will continue for all time and according to many commentaries "was first hoped for by the Jewish people waiting on a messiah." The first converts, the one's who first hoped in Christ. Jesus Christ came and fulfilled the Old Testament Prophesy and thus fulfilling the hope for a Messiah. This fulfillment is to be praised to the glory of God.

Paul wants the people of Ephesus to understand that they are sealed in Christ. There is no greater assurance of the Christian faith than the assurance of salvation. (2Cor 1:22) He seals each one of us in Christ by putting the Holy Spirit into our hearts as a deposit for the redemption of our souls. First we heard the gospel of our salvation and then we believed the gospel of our salvation. Then we become sealed with Christ by the Holy Spirit of Promise. (2Cor 1:21-22)

What an amazing gift we are given in Jesus. We are sealed in Him forever. The Holy Spirit was pledged by God as an inheritance to His children. When God makes a promise He keeps it. (Acts 2:33), (Gal 3:14) This is not like any human pledge that can be broken but is assured because God tells us it is. Be praise and glory to Him.

Isn't it nice to know that we are secure in the work of Christ and not our own!

Blessings to you today. If you don't know Jesus as your personal Savior and want to learn more click here.

Keith

Salvation Sunday: Why God Shouldn't Love Me

Why God Shouldn't Love Me

Today I am inclined to look at a list that many people use to keep from understanding the love of God. It is an unfortunate reality, but so many people have an understanding that for God to accept them they need to have their life pretty well in check. "He would never accept someone like me!"

How many times have you heard it said, (or said it yourself) that God could never accept you because you have done too many bad things. Or you are in a horrible place, wrapped up in all kinds of wicked sin and personal destruction.

Jesus came to rescue you, heal you, and restore you. If you believe that you have to have your life in order before He will accept you then you are sadly mistaken. His mercy and grace will cover you even in your shortcomings. When you were ugly and full of sin He died for you.

So here is a list of ten reasons God shouldn't love me, but does anyway.

1. I am a sinner.
2. I lie and cheat sometimes.
3. I used drugs and alcohol in excess.
4. I envy and desire things I don't have.
5. I have committed sexual sin.
6. I have lust in my heart.
   
7. I can be angry when things don't go my way.
8. I sometimes use language that would be an offense to God.
9. I can treat people like crap.
   
10. I can be quite selfish and prideful.

Do any of the items on this list look familiar? Paul tells us in Col 3:5-10 to put away these things... "if we are in Christ." He doesn't say to put them away to get to Christ, rather, once you have been transformed by the Gospel these things will become like an old coat that you remove and put on the coat of righteousness given to us by Jesus.

Daily In Christ - Salvation Sunday

Rom 5:6-8 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Blessings to you as you give your life to Jesus.
Keith

Do you desire to learn more about Jesus Christ?
Click Here

Salvation Sunday: Cardboard Testimonies

Have you ever witnessed a service where they shared cardboard testimonies? God is amazing. His love for His children never fails.

If you haven't responded to Jesus, I pray that you will see His transforming power through the cross. Even if you know Him, I encourage you to watch this video and allow the Spirit of God to fill your heart today.



(video)

Daily In Christ - Salvation Sunday

What is your testimony? Feel free to share in a comment today...

Here is mine!

Blessings to you as you give your life to Jesus.

Keith

Salvation Sunday: First-born Over All Creation

Today, as I prayerfully give thanks for the gift of salvation, I can't help but think about the object of our salvation. Jesus Christ, the first-born of all creation (Col 1:15). The Son of the Living God.

Jesus, being firstborn, doesn't imply He was the first created thing. It gives us the position in which He holds as God. "First-born over all creation" makes Him wholly and completely God. He is sovereign over all of creation. He is God.

Daily In Christ - Salvation Sunday

Today I encourage you to ponder the Biblical truth that Jesus is 100% God and Sovereign over all creation. As well as this, He came to earth as a man, lived a sinless life, and died a horrific death on the cross as an atonement for you and me.

Thank you Jesus for the gift of eternal life with you.

Blessings,
Keith

Salvation Sunday: The Importance of Repentance

When I think of Salvation the first thing that comes to mind is the act of repentance. Repent and be baptized it tells us in the book of Acts (Acts 2:38) As I think about this weeks Salvation Sunday post, I am led to the subject of repentance.

So, this week I get a little help from M. G. Easton. The Eastons' Bible Dictionary defines repentance as this:

There are three Greek words used in the New Testament to denote repentance.

1. The verb metamelomai is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the repentance of Judas (Mat_27:3).
2. Metanoeo, meaning to change one's mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge.
3. This verb, with the cognate noun metanoia, is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised.
   

Evangelical repentance consists of (1) a true sense of one's own guilt and sinfulness; (2) an apprehension of God's mercy in Christ; (3) an actual hatred of sin (Psa 119:128; Job 42:5, Job 42:6; 2Cor 7:10) and turning from it to God; and (4) a persistent endeavor after a holy life in a walking with God in the way of his commandments.

The true penitent is conscious of guilt (Psa 51:4, Psa 51:9), of pollution (Psa 51:5, Psa 51:7, Psa 51:10), and of helplessness (Psa 51:11; Psa 109:21, Psa 109:22). Thus he apprehends himself to be just what God has always seen him to be and declares him to be. But repentance comprehends not only such a sense of sin, but also an apprehension of mercy, without which there can be no true repentance (Psa 51:1; Psa 130:4).

True Christian repentance is when you have identified your sinfulness before God, you have an understanding that God is merciful, a disgust for your sin, and a desire to pursue God through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Daily In Christ – Salvation Sunday Challenge

If you haven’t done so in your life, now would be a good time to REPENT!

I pray today that you can come to know Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

Blessings,
Keith

Salvation Sunday: The Importance Of Faith

Faith - A firm conviction that produces a full acknowledgment of God's truth; a belief and hope in God and his Word in response to the message of salvation (see John 1:12). Having a certainty in what you hope for even though you may not be able to see it (see Hebrews 11:1-40). - New Believer's Bible Glossary

mp3 audio file


Faith is a fundamental characteristic in all believer's lives. It is paramount when it comes to having a relationship with Jesus Christ. A few months back I was sharing my faith in Jesus with a co-worker who was well versed on the scriptures. He grew up reading his Bible and going to church and felt like he knew God. He didn't however believe he could have a personal relationship with Him and told me it was because he lacked faith. He informed me that he wanted to know God the way I did and have a relationship, he just couldn't muster up the faith to bringing himself to believe Jesus was actually who he said he was. So what is this Christian faith and why did I have it and he didn't? That question stirred inside of me for days and I still ponder it from time to time.

Faith is a gift of God's grace. It is established and measured out by Him. (Rom 12:3) The writer of Hebrews (Heb 12:2) tells us that Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith. Faith is the only way in which we are saved. Ephesians tells us that we are saved through it, not because of it. (Eph 2:8)

Today is a good day to remember that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Many religious people think that getting right with God is the way to salvation and it must be attained through their good works. I have encountered people who think that they need to "have it all together" before God will accept them.

Daily In Christ - Salvation Sunday

Today's Salvation Sunday message is this: Jesus came to reconcile sinful man to a righteous and Holy God. There is nothing we can do to earn our way to Him and it can only be received through faith in Christ. We can not earn it and we don't have to have everything right in our life before we receive.

If you are sitting on the fence today and haven't given your life fully to Jesus Christ because you lack faith, I encourage you to respond to Him right now. Pray that He will give you a measure of faith that allows you to see Him more clearly than you have ever seen Him before.

Praise God today for giving us His Son.

Blessings,
Keith

For a direct link to save audio file right click here and "save as."

Salvation Sunday - Receive The Free Gift

One of the greatest gifts a person can receive is the gift of salvation... Did I say one of the greatest? ooops, THE greatest! If you haven't received the free gift I encourage you to call out to God today and He will give you the gift of eternal life.

Rom 3:23-24 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, (esv)

With the Christmas holiday just behind us I am reminded of the sharing of gifts that occurred just a few days ago. If you are anything like me, you probably remember about half of the things you gave and/or received. Unless you intentionally think about it, you probably no longer feel the warm loving feeling that you had just a short time ago. Giving gifts to others is a blessed thing. (Acts 20:35) But how much more is it when the gift is eternal?

Daily In Christ - Salvation Sunday Challenge

Today's challenge is to spend a few minutes each day praying to God to reveal who
you can share the Gift of Salvation with this new year.

I assure you that when you offer this gift to a friend, family member, co-worker, or complete stranger... you will not forget how it made you feel. Jesus is the giver of life and when you participate in the work of God you are giving the greatest gift anyone could ever receive.

My the Lord lead you to someone as you pray and seek Him.

Blessings,
Keith

Salvation Sunday - A Story of God's Transforming Power

Daily In Christ Devotionals - Salvation Sunday

A story of God's redeeming power from addiction.

God's love is so amazing. Peter Rivera makes a comment in his testimony, "It was hard for me to understand how Jesus could forgive such a wicked person like me." I know many of us have been there... Drug and alcohol addiction, pornography, anger and violence, sexual abuse, mental illness. There are many things we think will hold us back from the love of God.

Nothing could be further from true. Jesus will accept you, cleanse you, and make you whole if you turn your life completely over to Him. Here is a testimony to that.



If you struggle with addiction in your life I encourage you to look up a faith based life change program in your area. Even if nothing has worked for you in the past, now is the time to cry out to Jesus and take the steps which will lead to recovery.

Here are a few resources:

http://teenchallengeusa.com/

http://www.hismansion.com/

May you find hope and peace as you draw close to Him.