Come and Dine
Text: John 21:12a (KJV) “Jesus saith unto them, `Come and dine.’ ”
Jesus told his disciples to “come and dine.” Jesus wants to feed us both here on earth and in heaven with “heavenly manna.” When we spend time with Him in prayer and in reading, studying, and applying the Bible, we get the best meal we ever ate. This surpasses earthly food even at a five-star restaurant because our souls are refreshed and strengthened.
Hymn (“Come and Dine”): “Jesus has a table spread, Where the saints of God are fed, He invites His chosen people, `Come and dine’; With His manna He doth feed, And supplies our every need: O ’tis sweet to sup with Jesus all the time!” Refrain:
” `Come and dine,’ the Master calleth, `Come and dine’; You may feast at Jesus’ table all the time; He Who fed the multitude, turned the water into wine, To the hungry calleth now, `Come and dine.’ ”
30th
Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus
Text: Judges 21:25 (KJV) “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”
Even though Israel had many mighty judges, they did “that which was right in [their] own eyes.” Scripture says this is because they had no king. We, as Christians, have a King. His Name Is Jesus! Therefore, even though the world (all those who follow their own hearts and ways due to being spiritually blinded by the devil) does what is right in their own eyes, we have been given a guidebook called the Bible, and God the Holy Spirit to guide us. Turn your eyes upon Jesus and seek what is right in his eyes!
Hymn (“Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus”): “O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There’s a light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free!” Refrain: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.”
29th
God Can Still Use You
Text: Judges 16:28-30 (KJV) “And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, `O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.’ And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left. And Samson said, `Let me die with the Philistines.’ And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.”
God used Samson one last time even after Samson sinned and had a costly physical and spiritual haircut. Sometimes when we sin we forget the promise of 1 John 1:9 which states: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Therefore, when you sin, confess it and repent. Stop believing the lie of Satan, the world, and your flesh that God cannot use you anymore. He loves you and has a plan for your life.
Hymn (“Take My Life and Let It Be,” Verse 3): “Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine. Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne. Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store. Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.”
28th
Which Lion do You Fear?
Text: Judges 14:5-6 (KJV) “Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him. And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.”
The Spirit of The LORD came mightily upon Samson and he killed a roaring lion. In the New Testament, two lions are
described. First, we see Satan, who is described as “a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” We do not need to be afraid of him or his little “toothless whelps (cubs).” Why do we not need to be afraid of them you ask? The answer is thus: as Christians, we have help from Jesus Christ, Our Savior. In the book of Revelation, He is the other lion, namely,
“The Lion of the Tribe of Judah.” He alone has victory over Satan, the demons, death, hell, and the grave. Hallelujah!
Hymn (“The Lion on which Sampson Roared,” Verse 6): “The lions roar but cannot kill, Then fear them not, my friends; They bring us, though against their will, The honey Jesus sends.”
27th
Sanctify Yourselves
Text: Joshua 7:13 (KJV) “Up, sanctify the people, and say, `Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow’: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, `There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.’ ”
God told Joshua that the people needed to cleanse and sanctify themselves from the cursed thing that was in their midst. The cursed thing was actually a person named Achan who sinned and disobeyed God by keeping some of the spoils of battle. God had ordered the Hebrews to destroy everything. God wants us to be a holy people and to get rid of “unholy alliances.” Not everyone who wants to be your “friend” wants the best for you. Make sure that you don’t hang out with others who would ruin your testimony of faith in Jesus Christ by causing you to do “accursed things.”
Hymn (“Purer in Heart, O God”): “Purer in heart, O God, help me to be; May I devote my life wholly to Thee: Watch Thou my wayward feet, Guide me with counsel sweet; Purer in heart, help me to be.”
26th
Fight the Good Fight
Text: Joshua 10:40 (KJV) “So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale, and of the springs, and all their kings: he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel commanded.”
God told Joshua to completely rid the promised land of idolatry so that the unrepentant and heathen nations would not corrupt the people of God, namely the nation of Israel. While it may make liberal scholars cringe and accuse a Holy God of murder, we know that this is not the case. God hates all sin, especially blatantly choosing Satan, demons, and idols over the true worship of God Himself, the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of our lives. Don’t play around with sin. Fight the good fight and get rid of evil influences and relationships and “just hanging out” with people who have no regard or respect for the things of the LORD!
Hymn (“Fight the Good Fight with All Thy Might”): “Fight the good fight with all thy might; Christ is thy Strength, and Christ thy Right; Lay hold on life, and it shall be Thy joy and crown eternally.”
25th
I Will Follow Thee
Text: Joshua 14:8 (KJV)
“Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God.”
Caleb, the faithful spy, said that when he went to spy out the promised land the others spies (except for Joshua) gave a
bad report and made the heart of the people “melt.” He and Joshua wholly followed the LORD. Our application for today is that when others want us to “partake of their sin,” we can instead hasten to Jesus and love and obey Him wholly.
Hymn (“Wholly Thine”}: “I would be, dear Savior, wholly thine; Teach me how, teach me how; I would do Thy will, O Lord, not mine; Help me, help me now.” Refrain: “Wholly thine, wholly thine, Wholly thine, this is my vow; Wholly thine, wholly thine, Wholly thine, O Lord, just now.”
24th
The Only One Who Can Rid Us of Our Fears”
Text: John 6:20 (KJV) “But he saith unto them, `It is I; be not afraid.’ ”
The disciples were afraid during the storm and then they saw Jesus walking on the water. Jesus assured them, “It is I; be not afraid.” In this life, we will be bombarded by many storms; the failing economy, loneliness, depression, illness, whatever. But, Jesus wants us to not be afraid. He will calm the storms and minister to us through them. You and I cannot do it without Christ!
Hymn (“I Could not Do Without Thee,” verse 6): “I could not do without Thee, For years are fleeting fast, And soon in solemn oneness, The river must be passed; But Thou wilt never leave me, And though the waves roll high, I know Thou wilt be near me, And whisper, “It is I.”
23rd
A New Song
Text: Psalm 40:3 (KJV) “And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.”
King David said that God put a new song in his mouth. Through it, many shall see the boldness of God and the love of God, and then fear and trust in the LORD for salvation. Have you been saved from death, hell, and the grave? I know that I have! If you have also, let us sing daily the praise of God and keep singing the Name of the Most Wonderful Person who ever walked this earth, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Sweetest Name I Know.”
Hymn (“He Keeps Me Singing”): “There’s within my heart a melody Jesus whispers sweet and low, `Fear not, I am with thee, peace, be still, In all of life’s ebb and flow.’ “ Refrain: “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Sweetest Name I know, Fills my every longing, Keeps me singing as I go.”
22nd
Work for Us All
Text: Joshua 18:3 (KJV) “And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, How long are ye slack to go to possess the land, which the LORD God of your fathers hath given you?”
Joshua exhorted the children of Israel to get busy and possess the land of Canaan which God had given them as a promised land. God has work for us to do in his vineyard, namely, reaching the lost, helping the poor, and encouraging those who are downcast to not give up on their faith in Jesus Christ.
Hymn (“Work for Us All”): “Out where the reapers are toiling, Out where they earnestly call, Let us away in the morning, There is a work for us all; Lifting the vines that are drooping, Trying their bloom to renew, Bathing their leaves in a fountain, Purer and sweeter than dew.” Refrain: “Out where the reapers are toiling, Out where they earnestly call, Let us away, away in the morning, There is a work for us all.”
21st
It Came to Pass
Text: Joshua 21:45 (KJV) “There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.”
In today’s text, we see that all good things which the LORD promised to the children of Israel “came to pass.” We usually think about the promise of this verse when we are going through some fiery trial or temptation. We say, “This too shall pass.” However, today I want us to focus on those dreams, goals, and visions that God has given us. He encourages us to
not give up. Whether it is losing weight, getting a degree, serving in some ministry, or getting out of debt, etc., God wants to bring us to the best goal: that is hearing Jesus say to us, “Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter thou, the joy of thy LORD.” God is faithful; trust and obey and all will come to pass!
Hymn (“Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” verse 3): “Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth; Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!” Refrain: “Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!”
20th
The Secret of a Happy Home
Text: Joshua 24:15b (KJV) “…but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
In today’s text, we see the secret to a happy home. A happy home is not in having the newest car/truck/van, sitting round the telly watching your favorite program, or even in “a family vacation.” A happy home comes when all serve and live for God. There is no sweeter time in my house than when my wife and I are reading God’s word together, or praying together. In the olden days, this was called “the family altar,” or “family devotions.” I encourage every family to serve and live for God. And, take time to have family devotions. You’ll be glad that you did!
Hymn (“Happy the Home, When God is There”): “Happy the home when God is there, And love fills every breast; When one their wish, and one their prayer, And one their heav’nly rest.”
19th
I’m in the LORD’s Army
Text: Judges 3:15 (KJV) “But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab.”
God wants to use all Christians for his service. Ehud was used by God as a judge and deliverer for Israel. What make him so unique is that he was probably criticized for being “left-handed” of all things. This was considered a handicap, or abnormality. I myself had a school teacher who tried to proclaim the lies of the devil into my life by saying, “You’ll never be anything special because you are left handed.” No matter what our “disability,” God is saying the opposite to each of us. We are special and He wants to use us in his “army” to accomplish much for Him. So do not say you are too young, too old, too new a Christian, too poor, or too weak. STOP, and say, “Here I am LORD, use me. As I am weak, you are strong!”
Children’s Worship Song (“I’m in the LORD’s Army”): “I may never march in the infantry, Ride in the Calvary, Shoot the artillery. I may never fly o’er the enemy, But I’m in the Lord’s army! Yes Sir! I’m in the Lord’s army! Yes sir! I’m in the Lord’s army! Yes sir!”
18th
Singing as We Go
Text: Judges 5:1-3 (KJV) “Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, `Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves; Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel.’ ”
Deborah and Barak sang praises to God for avenging and delivering Israel from all their enemies. Today, as Christians, we have been delivered from three big enemies, sin, death, and hell because we have put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ as our Savior and LORD! So, the next time the world, the devil, and your flesh try to get you down, stop, hold on, lift up your head and sing praises to the LORD!
Hymn (“Singing, I Go”): “The trusting heart to Jesus clings, Nor any ill forebodes, But at the cross of Calvary, sings, `Praise God for lifted loads!’ “ Refrain: “Singing I go along life’s road, Praising the Lord, praising the Lord, Singing I go along life’s road.”
17th
Unity in the Church
Text: John 11:52b (KJV) “But that also He should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.”
Jesus was, and still is, the only one who can bring his church into unity. I want to remind all of us that unity in the church is first found in agreeing on the true doctrines, beginning with the truth that salvation is found by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Don’t believe the lies of false churches that proclaim that we can compromise the Bible, or add to it, or subtract from it. The Bible is the Word of God and it never changes. True unity is found among those who believe fully in the Bible, Jesus Christ, God the Father, and the power of The Holy Spirit. These are the believers who proclaim the gospel, and minister to the poor, the lonely, and those in prison.
Hymn (“We Gather Together”): “We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing; He chastens and hastens his will to make known. The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing. Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.”
16th
Panting for, and Desiring the LORD
Text: Psalm 42: 1 (KJV) “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.”
In today’s text, the writer says that as a deer in the woods pants for water, so his soul pants (Hebrew word, arag, which means “cries after, thirsts, pants”) after God. This is the cure to depression, anxiety, anger, strife, worry, etc. Whenever you feel these things, stop and meditate and seek after God. He will nourish your soul.
Hymn (“As the Deer”): “As the deer panteth for the water, So my soul longeth after you. You alone are my heart’s desire, And I long to worship you. You alone are my strength, my shield. To you alone will my spirit yield. You alone are my heart’s desire And I long to worship you.”
15th
A Worshipful Attitude
Text: Judges 7:15 (KJV) “And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and returned into the host of Israel, and said, `Arise; for the LORD hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian.’ ”
When Gideon heard an interpretation of a dream at the enemy’s camp that said he would deliver Israel from the Midianites, he worshipped GOD. Gideon did not loudly praise God or dance around to make himself noticed. He instead had a silent and grateful heart . He did not get vain or conceited and say, “Well look at me!” Today, you may be at work, in line at the grocery store, or pumping gas into your car. You may not be able to loudly praise God. You can, however, look up to the sky and give a silent praise to God. You also can worship God by what you say and do the rest of the day!
Hymn (“O Worship the King”): O worship the King, all glorious above, O gratefully sing, His power and His love; Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days, Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise.”
14th
The Spirit of the LORD Came upon Him
Text: Judges 11:29 (KJV) “Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he passed over Gilead, and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpeh of Gilead, and from Mizpeh of Gilead he passed over unto the children of Ammon.”
In today’s text, we see one of the most powerful examples of something that happened to an Old Testament believer, “the Spirit of The Came upon him or her.” Today, as Christians, we all have the Holy Spirit! We need to seek Him for wisdom on how to live, and for power to live this life victoriously. The Holy Spirit is also called our “comforter.” He helps us when we feel lonely or discouraged, or are grieving. Please give the Holy Spirit permission to “come upon” you and do all you can to trust and obey and not grieve Him! Spend some time today and pray or sing the words of this hymn.
Hymn (“Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart”): “Spirit of God, descend upon my heart; Wean it from earth; through all its pulses move; Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art; And make me love Thee as I ought to love.”
13th
Shout Out His Name to Bring Down the Walls of Sin
Text: Joshua 6:20 (KJV) “So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.”
Joshua and the marching Israelites called upon the name of God and then shouted his Holy Name in victory over the walls of Jericho. Jericho is a type of sin in the Bible. God wants us to “shout out” and call to Him for help in bringing down the walls of sin in our lives.
Hymn (“Disposer Supreme, and Judge of the Earth,” verse 4): “Their sound goeth forth, `Christ Jesus the Lord’; Then Satan doth fear, his citadels fall; As when the dread trumpets went forth at thy Word, And one long blast shattered the Canaanite’s wall.”
12th
Praise God for Godly Women in the Home, in the Church, and in the Workplace
Text: Proverbs 31:30 (KJV) “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.”
Men, let us stop and give praises to God and thanks to Him for the godly women in our lives. The woman that fears God shall be praised. She may be single or married; it does not matter. What matters is that she fears God in her home, her workplace, her church, and her neighborhood, and she has the loving compassionate heart of our Lord Jesus Christ and lives in the power of his divine Holy Spirit.
Hymn (“The Praises of that Saint we Sing”): “The praises of that saint we sing, To whom all lands their tribute bring, Who with indomitable heart, Bore throughout life true woman’s heart.”
11th
Don’t Envy the Wicked; They will Receive Something You don’t Want
Text: Psalm 37:1 (KJV) “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.”
King David wisely tells us to not fret, worry, and be envious of the wicked, also called here “evildoers.” So many times I have heard people (even Christians) say, “Oh, if I only had so and so’s money,” or “If only I was married to that beautiful or handsome celebrity,” etc. Christian brothers and sisters–STOP! STOP! AND AGAIN I SAY, STOP! We need to not be envious of those who have an abundance of the pleasures of the world. Unless they have repented of their sins, they will receive something that we don’t want–namely eternal damnation and separation from God and the pleasures of heaven. The “rewards” on earth are less than nothing compared to the rewards in heaven.
Hymn (“Fret Not Thyself”): “Fret not thyself, Nor envious be, When wicked workers thou shalt see, Who prosper in their way; For like the grass they perish soon, And, like the herb cut down at noon, They wither in a day
10th
Jesus Christ is the Source of Eternal Life
Text: John 5:39-40 (KJV) “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.”
Jesus told the Pharisees that the scriptures testified that only in Him could they find eternal life. Today, many seek eternal life through the occult, the New Age Movement, Mohammed, Buddha, and cryogenics, etc. None of these will give eternal life. Only Jesus Christ can save you and me and give us this life. Come to Jesus today!
Hymn (“Good Christian Men Rejoice,” verse 3): Good Christian men rejoice, With heart and soul and voice; Now ye need not fear the grave. Peace! Peace! Jesus Christ was born to save! Calls you one and calls you all, to gain his everlasting hall. Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save!”
9th
Face to Face with Christ my Savior
Text: Deuteronomy 34:10 (KJV) “And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face.”
God spoke to Moses and knew him “face to face.” God wants us all to know Him this way. First, we must believe the truth of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, and accept Him as our Lord and Savior. Then, we must spend time with God daily in reading the Bible, in praying to Him, and in obediently listening for his still, small voice to guide us in our daily walk. Only then can we begin to be known by God “face to face.” I want to be in a “face to face” relationship with Him; don’t you?
Hymn (“Face to Face with Christ my Savior”): “Face to face with Christ, my Savior, Face to face—what will it be, When with rapture I behold Him, Jesus Christ Who died for me?” Refrain: “Face to face, I shall behold Him, Far beyond the starry sky; Face to face in all His glory, I shall see Him by and by!”
8th
Declare how Great and Good God Is
Text: Deuteronomy 32:3 (KJV) “Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.”
Moses told the people of Israel that they needed to remember how great and good that God is. Who can heal us completely? Who alone can provide for us? Who can cheer the lonely heart? Who alone can bring us salvation and eternal life? No one but God!
Hymn (“Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above”): “Sing praise to God Who reigns above, the God of all creation, The God of power, the God of love, the God of our salvation. With healing balm my soul is filled and every faithless murmur stilled: To God all praise and glory
7th
Glorious and Fearful is God’s Name
Text: Deuteronomy 28:58b (KJV) “That thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, The LORD the God. ”
When Moses gave the people of Israel the blessings (for obeying) and cursings (for disobeying) God and his word, he said this was given for them to fear the “glorious and fearful name of the LORD thy God.” God’s name is “glorious” (Hebrew, kaw-bad which is interpreted as “numerous, rich, honorable, very great”). His name is also “fearful” (Hebrew, yare which is interpreted as “reverent or fearful”). Let us honor, fear, and reverence God’s name in all that we do and say!
Hymn (“Glorious is Thy Name, O LORD”): “Glorious is thy name, O Lord! Heav’n and earth with one accord, Tell thy greatness, Part revealed, But the larger part concealed. How shall we poor singers dare, Seek thy face in praise and prayer?
Fearful is thy Name, O Lord! Dread thy voice and sharp thy sword; Thunders roll around thy path; None can stand before thy wrath! How shall trembling sinners dare, Lift their voice in praise and prayer?”
6th
Hearken to the Voice of God
Text: Deuteronomy 26:14 (KJV) “I have not eaten thereof in my mourning, neither have I taken away ought thereof for any unclean use, nor given ought thereof for the dead: but I have hearkened to the voice of the LORD my God, and have done according to all that thou hast commanded me.”
When, for the second time, the people of Israel were given the Law of God from Moses, they promised to hearken (“listen, give heed to, and obey”) the voice of God. Sometimes we “hear” the still small voice of God, and most (but not all) of the time He uses the Bible to speak to us and teach us the way to live. The books of other religions, most media, and the advice of non-Christians cannot give us the words of wisdom that we need to live this daily journey called life. We must go to the Bible!
Hymn (“Hark! Hark! My Soul!”): “Hark! Hark! My soul! The Savior’s voice is calling. E’en now it breathes o’er life’s dark troubled sea; His gracious truth like heav’nly dew is falling. Hark! Hark! My soul! Thy Father calls for thee! Father of mercy. Father of love. Thee would we follow to our blest home above.”
5th
Help Others in Need; It’s a Biblical Command
Text: Deuteronomy 22:4 (KJV) “Thou shalt not see thy brother’s ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again.”
Helping others who are in need, especially our Christian brothers and sisters, is a biblical command. We must remember that Jesus said that if we give a cup of cold water, feed someone, visit the sick or those in prison, etc., we have done these things as unto Him. Let us spend the rest of our lives helping those in need. The rewards are truly “out of this world.”
Hymn (“Help Somebody Today”): “Look all around you, Find someone in need, Help somebody today! Though it be little—a neighborly deed—Help somebody today!” Refrain: “Help somebody today, Somebody along life’s way; Let sorrow be ended, The friendless befriended, O help somebody today!”
4th
Christ the LORD is Risen! Alleluia!
Text: Matthew 28:5-6 (KJV) “The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.”
Dear Friends, In today’s text, we see the joyous reason to celebrate and live victoriously all the days of our lives. Are you fearful? Are you lonely? Are you discouraged? Do you feel like giving up? Are you tempted? Don’t despair, don’t give into temptation, and don’t fret any longer! Why? Because Christ, The LORD is risen! He has conquered sin, death, hell, and the grave. He truly loves you and me! He is all we need! Alleluia! Celebrate His love today and everyday!
Hymn (“Christ The Lord is Risen”): “Lives again our glorious King; Alleluia! Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia! Once He died our souls to save; Alleluia! Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!”
3rd
Seeking the Lost so They can be Found
Text: Luke 19:10 (KJV) “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
In today’s text, we see the true story of why Christ came and died on the cross. He came to seek and to save that which was lost, namely men and women like you and me. Let us rejoice that we who were lost were found by Jesus and now have an eternal relationship with Him because we believe by God’s grace through faith. Let us be telling people who are still lost so they can be found.
Hymn (“Amazing Grace”): “Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, But now am found, Was blind, But now I see.
2nd
To Fear God Brings Happiness
Text: Proverbs 28:14(KJV) “Happy is the man that feareth always: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.”
The secret of happiness is to fear God always. Go back to the cross of Jesus Christ. Remember, there were two thieves crucified with Jesus. One feared God, believed on his Son Jesus Christ, and received eternal life and happiness with Jesus in Heaven. The other hardened his heart, blasphemed and rejected Jesus, and received eternal damnation and misery. It is not too late to turn your heart back to Jesus, or come to Him for the first time. Only fearing God, obeying Him, and spending quality time with Him daily can bring you joy, happiness, and peace now and forever.
Hymn (“Thrice Happy Souls”): “Thrice happy souls, who, born from Heav’n, While yet they sojourn here, Humbly begin their days with God, And spend them in His fear, And spend them in His fear.”
1st
Be Bold as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah
Text: Proverbs 28:1(KJV) “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.”
The wicked are cowardly, but the righteous are bold (the Hebrew word here means “bold, confident, trusted in”). We as Christians are “bold,” “confident,” and know the only “trusted one” is God, the Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit. The Son, Jesus Christ, is called “The Lion of the Tribe of Judah.” So, the next time someone at work, in your neighborhood, or wherever, tries to get you discouraged, stop, smile, and boldly say, “God loves you and so do I.”
Worship Song (“Be Bold”): “Be bold, Be strong, For the Lord thy God is with thee; be bold, Be strong, for the Lord thy God is with thee. Do not be afraid, Do not be dismayed; Walk in faith and victory, For the Lord thy God is with thee. Run through the camp, Tell everybody get ready. Are you ready to take the land? Are you ready to take a stand? Are you ready to take this land for the Lord?”