Devotional life includes our prayer time, meditation, and Bible reading. Every committed Christ’s follower must be rooted in his or her personal devotion. Event such as fellowship, prayer/Bible conferences, and seminars are essential but our personal daily devotion are also important to our spiritual growth.

In Mark 1:35, it says, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Similarly, in Luke 5:16, says,  “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” These two passages about Jesus can teach us principles to apply, as we become devoted and rooted in our devotional life.

What makes us become rooted in our devotional life?

1. Discipline

This phrase “very early in the morning” in Mark 1:35, implies discipline. A disciplined life refers to a lifestyle characterized by a strong commitment. Cultivating regular habits and practices that nourish spiritual growth. Jesus is very disciplined as He portrays the habit of waking up early in the morning to pray.

Tom Barnett’s The Power of a Half Hour, mentioned his discipline and daily intention, “Each day is a gift from God, and I am intentional in how I spend a good deal of my half hour blocks of time. I deliberately awaken each morning before sunrise to ensure that I am able to start each day with thirty minutes of worship, thirty minutes reading the Scriptures, and thirty minutes of prayer.”

Robin Sharma’s  The 5 AM Club: Own Your Morning. Elevate Your Life emphasizes the need for a discipline morning routine. The main concept of the book deals primarily on  a time management code, where you wake up at 5 AM to execute a twenty-minutes exercise, twenty-minutes planning and twenty-minutes study morning routine to start your day.

Related Post: Being Less to Acquire More

2. Consistency

Consistency generally refers to the quality of being consistent, dependable, and reliable in behavior, actions, or performance over time. As stated, “Jesus often withdrew from the crowd, going to a certain place and pray.” This implies a regular and consistent habit of praying.

What happens to the brain when we are consistent? It changes. Neuroplasticity is the term used. It is the brain’s ability to flex or change. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. It allows the brain to adapt and change in response to learning, experience, injury, or environmental factors. This phenomenon enables us to acquire new skills, recover from brain injuries, and adapt to changing circumstances by rewiring neural pathways and modifying synaptic connections. Neuroplasticity is a fundamental concept in understanding how the brain can change and adapt over time.

It has been proven that there is an effects on our brain when we consistently pray. It helps quiets parts of the brain that react to pain (physical and emotional). It also lights up part of the brain that support happiness.

In an article “The Renewal of the mind” in a website The Mindful Christian, an interesting finding has been revealed. Amazingly, research has been revealing neurological changes that occur in the brain when we practice mindfulness on a regular basis. Mindfulness meditation quiets parts of the brain that react to pain (physical and emotional) and lights up parts of the brain that support happiness. God has created an amazing relationship between our minds and our bodies, so that the “renewal of the mind” (Romans 12:2) not only strengths our relationship with God and improves our emotional sense of well-being, but it also strengthens our brains and bodies for his service. And the more we practice healthy thinking through mindfulness meditation, the easier it becomes for our brains to continue this pattern.

Robert Zatorre and his colleagues at the Montreal Neurological Institute showed that when people listened to music that gave them a strong emotional and physiological response, the brain showed significant changes in the areas involved in reward, motivation, and emotion: the amygdala, orbitofrontal cortex (the bottom part of the prefrontal cortex), ventral medial prefrontal cortex, ventral striatum, and midbrain were all activated. Healthy Brain Happy Life

In order for us to become more rooted with our devotional life, our habits of praying and communicating with the Lord should be consistent.

3. Focus

Focus illustrates what Jesus used to do. It says, “Jesus went off to a solitary place” (Mark 1:35).  Tony Robins says, “Where focus goes, energy flows. And where energy flows, whatever you’re focusing on grows. In other words, your life is controlled by what you focus on.”

To focus on meditation and prayer is to go to a solitary place in order to avoid any distraction. Solitary does not necessarily mean, secluded or in a far away place. It is a mode where distraction is eliminated. Can you still go to a solitary place this time and not be distracted? Robin Sharma points out that, “Addiction to distraction is the death of creative production.”

In a news article by NBC News, a great benefit for the brain is explained when one focuses in prayer and meditation. When we sit down and engage in prayer or meditation, we are able to shift away from this frightened and stressed survival mode into “an intentional state,” says Dr. Hokemeyer, and ultimately “reengage our prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that rules our executive functioning and enables us to make intelligent mindful decisions.”

If we do a routine thing, our brain can form new pathways; which are also strengthened if we practice new habits. Furthermore, old pathways, which are not used regularly anymore weaken. The way your brain gets wired is based on the things that you repeatedly do.

There are two distinctive works of the Holy Spirit in the lives of every believer: soteriological and charismatic. In layman’s terms, the Spirit transforms and empowers. When the Spirit changes (neuroplasticity) our brain and put godly pathways, our whole life changes. When the Spirit creates new “mission” pathways in our brain, we will be on fire for missions. That’s why Paul said several times in his letters, “Always be filled with the Spirit.” As we become rooted in our personal devotional life, we are also allowing the Holy Spirit to rewire our brain, making godly neural connections.

Developing a deeper devotional life must be our goal. Let’s be discipline, be consistent, and always have focus.

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Passing through Tough Times is a message from James  1:2-8.

James 1:2-5

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

In life, we go through trials, suffering, and pain. These are inevitable. Others may try to escape tough times and difficult circumstances. But that is not the way life works. We need to face these tough circumstances. We go through them.

What are the essential principles that we should consistently do as we pass through tough times?

1. In Tough Times, Practice Gratitude

“Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” (James 1:2). The Living Bible used the term “Be happy.” In a similar situation, Paul also wrote the statement,  “…in everything give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Both James and Paul taught the importance of being grateful in the midst of difficult situations. James says, “consider it pure joy” while Paul states, “in everything give thanks.”

Fonder upon this Persian Proverb, “I had no shoes and complained until I met a man who had no feet.” There is always a way to look into the good side of life that will help us to be grateful. Gratitude is a muscle. If you are thankful every day, it grows and develops until it becomes natural within you.

Related Post: The Power of Gratitude

2. In Tough Times, Visualize Growth

A helpful practice during tough times is to visualize growth. In verses 3 and 4, “…because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Instead of thinking all the negative thoughts, visualize growth, and all the good results. James is clear when he said, “the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” It means there is growth after the trial. A good character is developed.

After the tough times, how do you see yourself? Can you come out a better person? A better Christ’s follower? A better disciple? A better person in your industry?

3. In Tough Times, Be Filled with Wisdom

James also wrote, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).

It is not a coincidence that the word “trials” and “wisdom” are both in the passage. One thing is for sure, James, the author connects them. It means when trials come, one way to overcome them is to ask God for wisdom. We need to ask God for wisdom every day.

When trials come, the Lord might be telling you something or teaching you a lesson. We might be able to grasp and understand when He gives us wisdom. Why older people are full of wisdom? Because they have gone through a lot of experiences, good or bad.

Robin Sharma says “Adversity is an opportunity for mastery.” Let me borrow that quote and revise it a little bit and goes like this, “Adversity or trial is an opportunity to grow in wisdom.”

We can go through difficult and tough times. We will overcome. Apply these practical and biblical principles: (1) Practice Gratitude; (2) Visualize Growth; and (3) Be Filled with Wisdom.

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Do you want to know how love works? Love in 4 directions is a message that can help you grasp the meaning of love better. It can also help you to understand what not to love. The Bible teaches that love is not always in the positive sense. In fact, it can creates harm rather than good. It can destroy rather than build. But what are these kinds of love? In what sense that it can destroy or harm us? But there is also a way to understand love positively. We should go in that better direction.

Downward Love

The direction of this kind of love is “downward” because it is all about the love of sin or the love to the world. It says in 1 John 2:15-16, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.”

The “world,” in this passage is defined in terms of the sinful acts. The world offers a negative sense of love. These are the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. When we succomb to these, we sinned. The conequence will be harm and distruction.

Inward Love

Inward love is all about loving “yourself,” the wrong way. The Bible is clear when it says in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 – But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

Just like the “downward” love, inward love also create problems. It is a love the harms and destroys. Take not of the phrase in verse 1, “People will be lovers of themselves,” obviously speaks in an inward direction geared to selfishness.

Upward Love

The “upward” direction speaks about the love for God. A familiar passage that talks about the love for God is found in Matthew 22:37-38 – Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.”

This kind of love must be the goal of everybody. Upward love is the Greatest Commandment. If downward and inward love can create problems, upward love can solve problems. It is because loving God sumarizes many of the laws in the Old Testament and in the New Testament.

Sideward Love

“Sideward love” is all about loving others. It says in Matthew 22:39, “And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ “Loving others” is also part of the Greatest Commandment. This direction of love can be called horizontal love – loving your neighbor. It also summarizes every law in relation to other people.

Follow the two directions: upward and sideward love, and disregard the other two: downward and inward. Life will be better if we love the right way.

The post Love in 4 Directions appeared first on Relevant Sermons.

The title of of the message is Living as Citizens of Heaven and it is based from the letter of Paul to the Philippian believers. Philippians 3:17-21, says, “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”

The key verse in this passage is found in verse 20, “For our citizenship is in heaven…” Paul wrote this statement, telling the believers that their true citizenship is in heaven. If a person believed Jesus Christ and accepted Him as savior and Lord, he is bound to heaven and enjoys his heavenly citizenship. After our life here on earth, we will be able to experience our true citizenship. Since we are still on earth, it is expected that our way of life must be in accordance to our true citizenship.

How to live as citizens of heaven while still living here on earth?

As Citizens of Heaven, Understand the Difference between Earthly and Heavenly

It is stated in Philippians 3:18-19, “For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.  Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.”

Paul clearly defined those who are not citizens of heaven, according to these two verses above. According to ESV Study Bible, “The enemies of the cross could be the Judaizers of v. 2 or ‘wordly’ people in general. Their destiny is final judgement (destruction), they worship themselves (their belly), and they consumed with earthly things.”

Life is identified in terms of a priority. Are you consumed by earthly things or heavenly things? If you are truly a citizen of heaven, what is your priority? Those who are not bound to heaven, focus their lives, primarily on earthly things. On the contratry, those who are citizens of heaven can also be identified as people who set their minds to the things above or heavenly. Their practices and habits are in line with their devotion to God.

The famous evangelist Billy Graham once said, “My home is heaven. I’m just traveling through this world.” All of us are just travelling or passing through this world. Life on earth is temporary and earthly things do not last. But heaven is eternal. Now, we know the difference between the earthly and the heavenly.

Related Post | Experiencing Success at the Higher Level

As Citizens of Heaven, Jesus must be the Center of our Lives

Philippians 3:20-21, says, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”

When we set our minds to the things above, Jesus must become the center of everything. We fell good when we hear inspirational messages that talk about blessings, joy, happiness, and material abundance. But when persecutions and trials come, it is also easier to give up. Why? It is because Jesus is not the center. Eathly things can consume our time and energy. Specially when we put our comfort and happiness at the center of our lives. We should put Jesus Christ at the center of our lives and it will be easier to deal with our problems on this earth.

Let us ponder of what Israel Houghton has said, “Many times we say Jesus is first in our life, and I get that, but Jesus should not be the first, He should be center of everything.”

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Life is a journey. We are traveling in two lanes. The lanes of impossibility and possibility. Staying on the possibility lane should be our goal. But we need to be aware that we can’t travel in that two lanes at the same time. It is our choice, which one to take. How often we exchange lanes? How long we are staying on the impossibility lane as compared to the possibility? These questions force us to think and evaluate our life’s journey.

How often you hear the word “impossible”? How about the phrase, “it is possible.” Consider what Nelson Mandela said, “It all seems impossible until it’s done.” We always heard phrases related to doubts and impossibilities. But take note, the word impossible is not really a fact, it is just an idea!

The statements of Jesus found in different Scripture passages show contrast on impossibility and possibility. In Luke 18:27 – But He said, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.” A similar passage is in Mark 9:23 – And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.”

Let’s use the story of the 12 spies sent by Moses to spy the land of Canaan, as we dig deeper on this topic “Staying on the Possibility Lane.” It is found in Numbers chapters 13 and 14. The journey of the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan began when God promised them a “land flowing with milk and honey.” Before entering the land, Moses sent 12 spies. Their job is to explore the land. They have done their job and reported back to Moses and to the whole assembly of what they saw and experienced.

How to keep staying on the possibility lane?

There are essential ways to stay on the possibility lane and not on the other side of the lane:

Focus on the Good Report

One way to stay on the possibility lane is to focus on the good report and not on the negative ones. There are two parts of the report of the spies to Moses, the good and the bad. In Numbers 13:27-28, They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. This is the portion where the good and the negative reports are mentioned. The land is flowing with milk and honey but the people there are powerful.

The additional report regarding the bad or negative side is in Numbers 13:31-33 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”

The people clearly know the two sides of the story. They are aware of the good and the bad report. The challenge is, which side do you focus on, the good or the bad? Is it the positive or the negative? Focus on the good report and stay on the possibility lane.

Instead of saying, “just do nothing, it is impossible,” it is better to say, “just do it, nothing is impossible. Oftentimes, it is just a matter of perspective, just like the picture and illustration below. The words are the same but can be understood in two different ways.

Exercise Faith over Fear

Another way to stay on the possibility lane is to exercise faith over fear. Instead of entertaining fear and worry, trust in the Lord and have faith. in Numbers 14:8-9, it says, “If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”

Take note of the statement “Do not be afraid of the people of the land.” It is a bold declaration of faith. It is a positive vision that overcomes fear. The people were fearful because they believe more in the spies who emphasized the bad and negative reports.

To stay on the possibility lane, we need to exercise faith instead of living in fear. Joel Osteen said, “God has brought you through before and He will bring you through again. Make a decision each day to choose faith over fear.”

Related Post: Experience Success at the Higher Level

Believe in Signs and Miracles

We can keep staying on the possibility lane if we believe in signs and miracles. Numbers 14:11 says,  “The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them?

There are many miracles done by the Lord, even just looking back at the beginning of the Exodus story. The plagues in Egypt, the crossing of the red sea, the provision of food, and many more. These are the signs and miracles witnessed by the people before and on the journey in the wilderness. Unfortunately, the people are still stubborn and refuse to believe in the power of the Lord.

God is powerful. He performed miracles before and can still perform miracles today. If you want to live a life full of possibilities, believe that God is a miracle-working God. Claim it.

What are the ways in order to stay on the possibility lane on a consistent basis? (1) Focus on the Good Report, (2) Exercise Faith over Fear, (3) Believe in Signs and Miracles. Apply and live with these principles.

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1 Corinthians 13 is about spiritual gifts and love. Paul’s intention is clear when he wrote this particular chapter. In 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (NIV), Paul said “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”

If we are going to continue reading the whole chapter, Paul mentioned the meaning of love several times. The chapter started with the concept of gifts and then goes on defining love. Therefore, love and gift are related to each other.

In relation to spiritual gifts, Paul mentioned two negative related phrases, “I am nothing” and “I gain nothing.” He declares that even though he has various spiritual gifts but do not have love, all of these gifts are “nothing.” Paul wants his readers to understand that using or exercising their spiritual gifts, should be practiced or exercised with love.

How to exercise our spiritual gift with love? How to use our God-given gifts to make an impact? If we are going to serve the Lord through the exercise of our spiritual gifts, we must understand and apply these principles:

Connect the “Heart” with the “Head”

The “heart” represents love and the “head” is the intellect or the brain. To connect the heart with the head is the same as simply saying, use our brain or intellect with love. In verse 2, it says, “If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge…” Here, let’s use “all knowledge” to emphasize the concept of the head or intellect.

In the passage above, Paul claims to have spiritual gifts such as knowledge, prophecy, and etc. However, he is also clear that these are nothing if done without love. Therefore, it is really necessary to connect our knowledge and abilities to our hearts.

This principle, “connect the heart and the head” is unique as compared to business principles. Maybe you have heard the sayings in business such as “give value,” “solve problems,” and then, “you have a business.” Giving value and solving problems can also be done without love. In comparison, we should use our gifts and talents, give value, minister to others with genuine love that comes from the heart.

Many of us have the gift of knowledge and the gift of teaching. We have acquired knowledge through our studies and from all the learning experiences inside or outside of the church. Let’s do it with love. Love for the Lord and love for others. Let’s connect the heart with the head.

Related Post: Valuable and Useful in the Ministry

Connect the “Heart” with the “Hand”

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:3, “If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” The “hand” represents action. It also refers to giving to the needy or to the poor.

Connect the heart with the hand means, the work of our hands, and the love in our hearts should be inseparable. Can you give something and yet there is hatred in your heart? We should give with love. Giving to the needy, exercising your spiritual gifts, and doing various ministries must always be done with love that comes from God.

Now, Paul gave us a formula to follow, based on the passage above. First, we must have love. We love the Lord and we love others. Second, we need to recognize that we have an intellect. God has given us knowledge and intelligence. Third, God has given us hands and the ability to take action. We combine all of these three and we can exercise our spiritual gifts effectively.

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The Habit of Making an Impact is the title of the message based on Acts 3:1-10. The story is about the healing of the lame man through the ministry of Peter and John. By helping others get healed is one way to make an impact on their lives.

What are the action steps we should do so that to “make an impact” can become our habit?

Recognize Every Opportunity

While Peter and John were going to the Temple for prayer, they met a beggar lame man at the entrance. The man asked them for money. But instead of giving him what he asked for, Peter and John did differently. Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” (v.6).

In this story, there are opportunists: those who can get something from somebody (the beggar) and those who are ready to help others (Peter and John). To be a blessing and to make an impact, we must have the habit of recognizing every opportunity that comes our way. Let us train our eyes to see every opportunity to help others who are in need.

Related Post: Become a Channel of Blessing

Exercise a given Authority

The highlight of the story is the healing of the lame man and he was able to walk. That happened not because Peter and John are powerful, but because Peter used the powerful name of Jesus. Jesus gives authority to the disciples to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness (Matthew 10:1).

The healing of the lame man is the outcome of the authority given to the disciples to heal the sick. The disciples exercise that given power. Jesus said to his followers concerning those who would believe in him: “In my name… they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well” (Mark 16:17-18). To heal in the name of Jesus was to involve his power and presence. There is power in the name of Jesus. As Christ’s followers, we should exercise that authority – in the name of Jesus.

Related Post: The Power of Gratitude

Always Give God the Glory

Peter and John were just instruments, a channel of blessing. At that moment, they are God’s hands to perform a miracle. It is also interesting to note that after the healing of the lame man, he went inside the temple praising and worshiping God.

Whatever you have accomplished, always give God the glory. In the story, when the man got healed, Peter and John did not parade their accomplishment but took another opportunity to preach about Jesus. When you are full of accomplishment and help more people, always be humble. Give God all the glory.

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Knowing Your Identity is the title of the message based on Matthew chapter 25. There are two kinds of people in the last days, as described in the whole chapter. This chapter is divided into three parts: (1) The Parable of the Ten Virgins, (2) The Parable of the Talents, (3) The Sheep and the Goats. By using these stories as illustrations, we can identify groups of people. We can also know our identity by knowing two kinds of people.

Identity 1 – The Prepared and the Unprepared (vv. 1-13)

It says in 25:1-2, “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.” This parable informs us that there are two kinds of people: the prepared and the unprepared. The five wise virgins are the “prepared” because they have extra oil in their lamps and the five foolish virgins are the “unprepared” because they did not bring oil for their lamps. When the bridegroom arrived, the wise virgins were able to get in but the foolish virgins did not because the door was shut. This parable of Jesus teaches us the reality that when Jesus comes back, there will be prepared as well as unprepared.

It was the Jewish marriage custom for the groom and his friends to leave his home and proceed to the home of the bride, where the marriage ceremony was conducted, often at night. After this, the entire wedding party returned to the groom’s home for a celebratory banquet (ESV Study Bible).

Somebody said, “Life is short just enjoy it. Eternity is long better prepare for it.” It is important to be prepared because no one knows the hour or the day when Jesus comes back. How to prepare? The Bible teaches us that we need to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Romans 10:9-10, says, “If you declare 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 profess your faith and are saved.”

Identity 2 – The Faithful and the Unfaithful (vv. 14-30)

This portion (verses 14-30) is all about the Parable of the Talents. It is also identified two kinds of people, using the parable as an illustration: the faithful and the unfaithful.

Chapter 25:14-15 says, “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.”

The one who received five talents gained five more and the one who received two gained two more. But the one who received one talent did not work for it. He hid it under the ground. The two servants heard from the master a word of compliment, “well done good and faithful servant.” But the one who did not work for it heard the opposite, “you wicked, lazy servant.” In this parable, two kinds of people are identified: the faithful and the unfaithful. The Lord has given us talents, treasures, and time. It is expected that we must be faithful.

Related Post: Lifestyle of the Committed Believers

Identity 3 – The Righteous and the Unrighteous (vv. 31-46)

The righteous and the unrighteous are two kinds of people that are identified in the last portion of the chapter. In verses 32-33 says, “All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.”

The sheep and the goats are used as a metaphor. The righteous are the sheep who are put on the right hand of the Lord and the goats are put on the left side. In verses, 35-36 says, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.”

Now, you know your identity! Are you on the side of the prepared or unprepared? How faithful you are, as the Lord entrusted you with talents? Are you on the righteous group or on the side of the unrighteous?

The post Knowing Your Identity appeared first on Relevant Sermons.

Become a Channel of Blessing is the title of the message taken from Genesis 12:1-3.

The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse, and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

The Scripture passage above is a portion of the story about the call of Abram. God called him to leave his home and go to a particular place and be a blessing to the nations. The whole story of Abraham informs us that, he indeed, blessed by God and became a blessing to the nations.

As we make an impact and become a blessing to others, let’s learn important truths:

God is the Source of Blessings

When God called Abram, He declares, “I will bless you.” That statement signifies that God is the source of blessings. One of the biblical truths that we always need to remember is the fact that God is the source of all good things.

All the blessings that we are receiving every day are from God. He is the source. Unfortunately, many times it is easier to see the problems and struggles that we are experiencing than to see all the blessings we received. When we feel sick in a day or two, we tend to remember that and we forget that God makes us healthy for the rest of the year. Everything that we have today: possessions, family, business, work, and source of income are from God. Let us recognize this biblical truth.

Perhaps many of us think that our jobs, businesses, and accomplishments are because of our “own” efforts. Who gave us the strength and opportunities anyway? We still go back to the truth that God is the source of life, including our strength.

Related Post: The Process to Claim the Promised

God Wants us to be a Blessing

If God is the source of blessing, He also wants us to be a blessing. He said to Abram, “you will be a blessing.” One of the important truths to understand: a blessing is not meant for selfish enjoyment. It is intended to be shared. God blessed Abram not to keep all the blessings to himself but he must become a channel of blessing.

This is how a cycle of blessing works. God blessed you because He is the source of blessing. Then you joyfully received it with thanksgiving in your heart. Intentionally, you then think about how you can share that blessing so that you would become a blessing to others. The one who is blessed because of you, eventually become a blessing also to others. Brendon Burchard says, “The powerplant does not have the energy. It generates it.” The same principle is applied when a blessing is received. It must also generate.

God Rewards the Channels

God is the source of blessings and blessings are meant to be shared. But another truth is also significant: God rewards those who become a channel of blessing. God said to Abram, “I will bless those who bless you.” God declares that whoever blesses Abram, there is a good reward. God knows well whom He will bless.

When we make an impact and become a blessing to others, God knows about it. He is going to reward and bless us. It is great to experience a true biblical principle of the blessing cycle. We need to recognize that many times, it is a counter-culture within our society. In our society, it is expected that we are entitled to receive something in return when we give. A biblical principle is different. When we give or contribute something, let God do the “return.”

God Requires Faithful Stewardship

Another important truth in relation to the principle of blessing is, God requires us to become faithful stewards. God declares, “nations will be blessed through you.” This statement pictures a sense of responsibility on the part of Abram. God will bless the nations through his life. God wants Abram to become a faithful steward in carrying a great responsibility.

The Bible says in Proverbs 24:1, “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” We own nothing. We are just stewards, expected to be faithful to God’s properties entrusted to us.

These are the important truths: God is the source of blessings; God wants to bless us; God rewards the channels; God requires faithful stewardship. Through God’s help, we can become a channel of blessing.

Watch video on YouTube  https://youtu.be/KmthyetmPdM

Become a Channel of Blessing | Genesis 12:1-3

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The title “The Benefits of Abiding in the Lord” is a message that is based on John 15:1-17. In this passage, Jesus tells the disciples that He is the true vine, the Father is the gardener, and the disciples are the branches. The summary of this analogy of the true vine is boiled down to this concept: abide or remain in the Lord, because a “branch” is nothing when it is disconnected from the vine. The good things, however, there are benefits that one can get, as a result of “remaining” in the Lord. What are these benefits?

1. Fruitful Life

In the analogy of the vine, it is natural as a branch to bear fruits because it is connected to the plant. In verse 2, “…so that it will be even more fruitful.” That means a person who is connected to the vine will be fruitful. If you are given a chance to become a fruit-bearing tree, I’m sure, you want good fruits, not bad ones.

There is another phrase in verse 8 that says, “…that you may bear much fruit.” Fruitfulness or fruit-bearing in the context of this passage refers to the development of good character. Therefore, fruitful life is the same as having a good character that will naturally flow.

Related: Lifestyle of the Committed Believers

2. Better Relationships

Another blessing or benefit of abiding in the Lord is this: better relationships. The phrase in verse 9 that says, “…remain in my love” refers to a special relationship between the “vine” and the “branch.” To have a strong and better relationship with the Lord, we need to abide in Him on a consistent basis.

The phrase “Love one another” in verse 12, is a command that refers to the establishment of a relationship between the disciples. To abide consistently with the Lord produces a better relationship with Him and with others

We can not deny the fact that one of the issues that we face in our society as a whole is relationship problems. There is a solution on how to restore broken and damaged relationships. Abide in the Lord.

3. Answered Prayers

Do you want God to answer your prayers? Certainly, we all do. In verse 7, it says, “…ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you.” This is a very uplifting promise by the Lord. It is a promise that He will answer our prayers. If we remain in the Lord, our prayers and petitions will be answered.

All of us have needs. All of us long for answered prayers. We can be certain that when we abide in the Lord, He will answer our prayers and meet our needs.

During the time of the disciples, the way to abide in the Lord is to listen and be with Him. Nowadays, it is to read, listen, and understand his words and to always ask for His presence.

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