26 Feb
What is the connection between faith and deeds (or works)? In the letter James wrote he asks the same question. Consider what he said,
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?” (James 2:14).
Based on his question, James is making a connection between what you believe and what you do. What you profess to believe should be evident in the way you act or the things you do.
However the verse actually asks two questions. The second question is can such faith save us? I hope there is a question rolling around in your head, because here is the one that is rolling around in mine: What is this type of faith that is connected to works that can save a person? Let’s not stop there but jump all the way in the deep end and make this really personal. Is your faith the type of faith that can save you?
25 Feb
Here I am Lord. Have you ever uttered those words? I can remember many times standing at the altar with tears in my eyes, declaring to the Lord, here I am. In the “old days” there was a song we used to sing,
Here I am Lord, here I am
I give all myself to you, here I am
Here I am Lord, here I am
Let your Spirit work in me, here I am
That song brings back memories, but what does it mean? I am not sure who wrote that song, but the words are straight from the Bible. These words were spoken by the prophet Isaiah. Here is what he said:
3 Reasons Christians Should Stop Worrying about the Mark of the Beast
Clarence L. Haynes Jr. 3 Feb
There seems to be a lot of worry, grave concern, and fascination over the mark of the beast, especially among Christians. This fascination over the mark has only grown with the Covid crisis and the introduction of vaccines. Many people are trying to tie the mark of the beast to the vaccines, fearful that if they take the vaccine they are taking the mark. Some are even worried they may be tricked into taking the mark without knowing it.
Today I want to put your mind at ease because none of this is true. In fact, if you are a true follower of Christ, I want to tell you to stop worrying right now. I will even take it a step further and tell you that you are concerned about something that you really don’t need to be the least bit concerned about. You can literally put any fear you have about the mark of the beast completely to rest.
Signs of a True Disciple of Christ
Clarence L. Haynes Jr. 14 Jan
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
This Scripture is commonly known as The Great Commission. If you know Jesus as Savior, then you have been tasked with going into the world and making disciples of all the nations. This is truly a great responsibility and one that will continue until Jesus comes.
The question that comes to mind is what is a disciple and why is it even necessary to make them? Discipleship is the next step after preaching the Gospel. It is the process of helping someone go from convert to follower. For everyone who comes to faith in Christ, this is the progression that Jesus expects. So let’s look a little closer at what a disciple is.
3. His ways do not change. Our hearts can change.
“God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19).
4. He sees from an eternal perspective. We see from day to day.
God’s vision – “Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God” (Psalm 90:2).
“Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:16).