Jesus is Lord!

Matthew 16:13-19
13 When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”  14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”  16 Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”  17 Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.  18 And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the Hell shall not prevail against it.  19 I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.  Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
The New American Bible, (Nashville, Tennessee: Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) 1997.

The Church of Christ Jesus will continue to grow despite the world coming up against it.  As a Child of the King we need to remember that we are on the side of the Victor.  When Christ told this to Peter, it was before His death and resurrection.  It was before the Church had been formed and before it went through the centuries of persecution and death.  But the Church has remained alive and has continued to grow.  At the time of Christ a city had to be fortified with walls and the gates were the only access into a city, so this was the weakest point.  The enemy could work his attack at the gates because this was the place the wall was the weakest.  When Christ told us, “the gates of the Hell shall not prevail against it,” He was not implying that Hell would come up against us.  He was stating that the Church was to come up against Hell.  Satan has dominion over the earth and he has it fortified.  The Church is to come up against the control Satan has over the world and the people in it.  We are to attack and take back what the enemy has taken.  And the promise from Christ is that the “gates” of Hell will not be able to stand against our attack.  We are to go into the world and take back the lives he has destroyed and claim them for the kingdom of God.  We are on the defense, we are on the offense and we will prevail!  Take up your sword and fight to overcome the enemy and win the souls of those around you who belong to Christ.  You have His Word that you will be victorious for His glory!

Have a God Day!

1 Peter 3:13-22
13 Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t be afraid and don’t worry. 15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. 16 But you must do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak evil against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. 17 Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong! 18 Christ also suffered when he died for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners that he might bring us safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. 19 So he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20 those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. 21 And this is a picture of baptism, which now saves you by the power of Jesus Christ’s resurrection. Baptism is not a removal of dirt from your body; it is an appeal to God from a clean conscience. 22 Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers are bowing before him.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.) 1996.

As a Christians, we should always be prepared to give an answer for our hope. Witnessing should always be done with gentleness and respect. Respect the other persons beliefs but always be prepared to explain why you believe the way you do. Never fear doing so, because this is your testimony. Explain the way you were and the way you are now because of Christ in you. Never argue and never force your beliefs onto someone else. But always be prepared to show kindness and respect for all people. Today it is more crucial than ever to know the Word to defend your relationship with Christ. The focus is on “religion” but not on Christ. Many are “spiritual” but do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ. There are two kinds of people in the world; those who are going to heaven and those who are not. Knowing the way to be saved, does not save you, you must make it your own by believing and accepting the work of the cross of Christ. Do not let you knowledge of His love for this world go unstated. Be prepared through knowing the Word and prayer to explain why you are going to heaven.

Have a God Day!