Praise the Lord for another day and another chance to stay on the path that leads to glory. This day is like no other that we have ever seen so threat it like you would a new born baby, with tender loving care. It’s time to get busy saints!
Today’s Prayer
Our most gracious heavenly Father, as we acknowledge Your sovereignty today, help us to remember that as Christians we have committed ourselves to living by Your rules, and not by our generational whims or desires. You created us, male and female to procreate, nurture and enjoy our families, that we might continue to be Your people. Through Your Son’s sacrifice, You loved us, You taught us, and You saved us. Jesus taught that we were to seek and follow Your will, that we were to show sensitivity to sinners, but that we were not to condone their sins! Forgive us, Lord, as a nation, as denominations, as churches, and as individuals for too often condoning what You have called sin. Give us courage as we try to remain faithful to Your Word. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Let’s eat.
Four Contrasts
The inspiration for this message comes from Luke 16:19-31
Two Men
(Verses 19-20) –
Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores.
In Nature and in Grace Two Lives
(Verses 19-21) –
Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.
Christian and Christ less Two Deaths
(Verse 22) –
“Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried
In Faith, or in Sin Two Destinies
(Verses 22-31) –
“Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and his soul went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side. “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’ “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’ “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’ “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’ “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’ “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even if someone rises from the dead.’”
Heaven and Hell
Please understand that the two ways part at the Cross
Romans 3:23-31 –
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law. After all, is God the God of the Jews only? Isn’t he also the God of the Gentiles? Of course he is. There is only one God, and he makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.
Quote of the Day
I am going out on Thy path. God be behind me, God be before, God be in my footsteps.
Anonymous
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REV. ELDER G E STERRETT
FOUNDER
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James H. Taylor Sr. – Kankakee City News has published my Daily meal message for a decade.