Category: Belief

Categories
Belief Faith Pleasing God

The Fact of Faith

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) How does faith work? Faith works for you. God is always at work to bring us to the point of recognizing our need for a saving relationship with Jesus. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and convinces us of our need for salvation. God enables us through faith to respond to His gift of eternal life. In faith we choose to receive God’s provision of forgiveness made available through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. “‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.’” John 3:16 (ESV) “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” Rom. 10:9-10 (ESV) Have you experienced faith working for you? God took the initiative to bring you into a right relationship with Himself. Jesus paid the ultimate price for the forgiveness of your sins. At salvation, you became the temple of the Holy Spirit. Faith is not a feeling. Faith is a fact of God’s activity in your life. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Belief Lost Salvation

Greatest Number

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIV) God so loved the world. John used world (Greek: kosmos) 78 times in his Gospel and 24 times in his letters. The world refers to the realm of humanity arrayed in opposition to God. Jesus entered our world in His incarnation, knowing that hostility would result and that sacrifice would be needed to redeem the world. The world God came to rescue is filled with people who embrace darkness habitually. Humanity is fallen and flawed. The human condition is hopeless and helpless without divine intervention. God took the initiative to become like us so that we could become like Him. God came to rescue people groups who embody distinction culturally. There are currently over 12,500 people groups on the earth. The current world population exceeds 6.8 billion people. Two-thousand years ago, God provided for the salvation of our souls. Jesus paid the penalty for our sin and purchased our salvation. Every person on the planet can be saved, but every person on the planet will not be saved unless each individual receives the gift of eternal life by faith. The world God came to rescue is filled with people who experience or escape damnation individually. For God so loved the fallen world that He gave His one and only Son to rescue those living in darkness so that they could become citizens in the kingdom of light. Each person must individually place their faith in Jesus alone for salvation. As followers of Jesus Christ and recipients of His grace, we have the awesome privilege and responsibility to make Jesus known throughout the earth. How many people will be in heaven because of you? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

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Belief I am sayings Jesus

Belief and Relief

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’” John 11:25-26 (NIV) Belief brings ultimate relief. Believing in Jesus brings the ultimate relief of knowing that you will never die. In Christ, you will never experience the sting of death (1 Cor. 15:55-57). Those who choose to live and believe in Jesus will never die. For the Child of God, death is not a wall to climb, but rather an open door to enter. Jesus has built the bridge to transfer a believer from life on earth to life in heaven. Martha was troubled by the death of her brother, Lazarus. She did not understand why Jesus delayed in coming to the rescue. Jesus comforted Martha and affirmed that He was the resurrection and the life. Martha placed her faith in Jesus (John 11:27). Jesus called Lazarus forth from the grave and he came out wrapped in grave clothes. Jesus commanded that his grave clothes be removed. Lazarus experienced Jesus as the resurrection and the life. Martha witnessed the miracle of resurrection. As a child of God, you are armed with the powerful message of eternal hope and security. You can personally deliver the good news that whoever confesses Christ will never die. You can participate with God in His redemptive activity by sharing the saving news of Jesus with the lost. Heaven and eternal life are fixtures in the life of every believer. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Belief Lost Salvation

Greatest Number

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIV) God so loved the world. John used world (Greek: kosmos) 78 times in his Gospel and 24 times in his letters. The world refers to the realm of humanity arrayed in opposition to God. Jesus entered our world in His incarnation, knowing that hostility would result and that sacrifice would be needed to redeem the world. The world God came to rescue is filled with people who embrace darkness habitually. Humanity is fallen and flawed. The human condition is hopeless and helpless without divine intervention. God took the initiative to become like us so that we could become like Him. God came to rescue people groups who embody distinction culturally. There are currently over 12,500 people groups on the earth. The current world population exceeds 6.8 billion people. Two-thousand years ago, God provided for the salvation of our souls. Jesus paid the penalty for our sin and purchased our salvation. Every person on the planet can be saved, but every person on the planet will not be saved unless each individual receives the gift of eternal life by faith. The world God came to rescue is filled with people who experience or escape damnation individually. For God so loved the fallen world that He gave His one and only Son to rescue those living in darkness so that they could become citizens in the kingdom of light. Each person must individually place their faith in Jesus alone for salvation. As followers of Jesus Christ and recipients of His grace, we have the awesome privilege and responsibility to make Jesus known throughout the earth. How many people will be in heaven because of you? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Belief I am sayings Jesus

Belief and Relief

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’” John 11:25-26 (NIV) Belief brings ultimate relief. Believing in Jesus brings the ultimate relief of knowing that you will never die. In Christ, you will never experience the sting of death (1 Cor. 15:55-57). Those who choose to live and believe in Jesus will never die. For the Child of God, death is not a wall to climb, but rather an open door to enter. Jesus has built the bridge to transfer a believer from life on earth to life in heaven. Martha was troubled by the death of her brother, Lazarus. She did not understand why Jesus delayed in coming to the rescue. Jesus comforted Martha and affirmed that He was the resurrection and the life. Martha placed her faith in Jesus (John 11:27). Jesus called Lazarus forth from the grave and he came out wrapped in grave clothes. Jesus commanded that his grave clothes be removed. Lazarus experienced Jesus as the resurrection and the life. Martha witnessed the miracle of resurrection. As a child of God, you are armed with the powerful message of eternal hope and security. You can personally deliver the good news that whoever confesses Christ will never die. You can participate with God in His redemptive activity by sharing the saving news of Jesus with the lost. Heaven and eternal life are fixtures in the life of every believer. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Belief Faith Pleasing God

The Fact of Faith

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) How does faith work? Faith works for you. God is always at work to bring us to the point of recognizing our need for a saving relationship with Jesus. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and convinces us of our need for salvation. God enables us through faith to respond to His gift of eternal life. In faith we choose to receive God’s provision of forgiveness made available through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. “‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’” John 3:16 (NIV) “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Romans 10:9-10 (NIV) Have you experienced faith working for you? God took the initiative to bring you into a right relationship with Himself. Jesus paid the ultimate price for the forgiveness of your sins. At salvation, you became the temple of the Holy Spirit. Faith is not a feeling. Faith is a fact of God’s activity in your life. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Belief Glory

Transformation

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Cor 3:18 (NIV) We are still on the Potter’s wheel. How refreshing to know that we are still in the process of becoming who we are in Christ! God is not through with us. We are the clay and God is the Potter. His loving and corrective touch continues to mold and shape our lives for His glory. We are being transformed into the likeness of Christ. “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” Romans 8:29 (NIV) “And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.” 1 Cor 15:49 (NIV) As we walk with God daily and stay close to Him in prayer and the reading of His Word, we are being transformed with an ever-increasing glory. The glory of God will be revealed in us and through us more and more as we abide in Christ. God draws near to us as we draw near to Him. The glow of God radiates from our life as we exhibit His love and express His life-saving message. Are there any areas of your life that you have failed to surrender to the Lordship of Christ? Are there any habits or patterns of neglect that are currently hindering the process of transformation in your life? Yield to the Potter’s touch. Allow God to perfect the image of Christ in you. May you become more like Christ today as a result of your willingness to fully surrender to the work of God in your life! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor (This devotional was originally posted in ’07 or ’08. I’m taking a break from writing for a season of personal renewal.) Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Belief Heaven Hell Judgment

Judgment Seat of Christ

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” 2 Cor 5:10 (NIV) Everyone will live forever somewhere. What you do with Christ during your brief stay on planet earth will determine whether you spend eternity in heaven or hell. Your response to God’s offer of salvation is the deciding factor to your eternal destination. As Bruce Wilkinson says, “Your belief determines where you will spend eternity; your behavior determines how you will spend eternity.” “You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.” Romans 14:10 (NIV) “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Phil 2:9-11 (NIV) Every human being will stand before God to give an account for his or her life. Every person will bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord! Those who reject God’s offer of salvation while living on earth will still bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, but it will be eternally too late. Believers will go to the Judgment Seat of Christ to receive reward and heaven while unbelievers will go to the White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15) to receive punishment and hell. Live circumspectly! Live in full awareness of God’s holiness, purity, and justice! Take as many people with you to heaven as you possibly can in full surrender to the Spirit’s control. Make the most of every opportunity! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor