Tag: who

Markethive

Who is God?

God is the Supreme Being who created the heavens and the earth. https://youtu.be/QxIRS0wSodQ

Who is God? God is the Supreme Being who created the heavens and the earth. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” God is invisible; He is a Spirit. God is eternal; He has been from all eternity; He has no beginning and no end. God has all power and all authority. There is no power in heaven or on earth that has more power than God. God is all wise and all knowing; He knows everything and He has perfect wisdom. Picture the most wise and powerful person on earth; then multiply it times a million and you still only have a tiny picture of a little fraction of who God is.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1

 

"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His (God’s) lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:11-12

 

 

God Loves Us

 

The good news is this all powerful God is loving and kind. The Bible says God is patient; He is “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” He cares for us just like a perfect and wonderful father would care for his own children. God loves us and is ready to forgive our sins when we sincerely ask Jesus Christ to be our Savior. God knows what is best for us; He will lead and guide us with His loving eyes on us. And most wonderful of all, He is ready to spend all eternity with us in heaven when we truly have accepted Jesus Christ. God has prepared a wonderful place for us in heaven forever.

"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” (Jesus speaking) Matthew 28:18

Day 3: Knowing Jesus

What does it mean to you that this All-Powerful God is able to forgive sin and live within us? If you don't believe that's true, talk to someone about it.

Alan Zibluk Markethive Founding Member

Markethive

Who are you?

You might be wondering about your identity as an adopted child of God.

Written by GodLife on 14/04/2013

Series: Weekly Devotional

Tags: Family, God, Identity, Jesus, Relationships

 

I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born, I set you apart and appointed you as My prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5)

 

During our family’s process to adopt a child, we learned that adopted children sometimes wonder about their history and how they fit in. You, too, might wonder about your identity as an adopted child of God. He has known who you were and would become since before your birth, but God lets you discover how He can use your unique personality to minister to others.

Your Identity in God

When you accept Christ as your Saviour, that means that God has accepted you as His adopted child. "To all who believed Him and accepted Him, [Jesus] gave the right to become children of God"(John 1:12), and "God sent Him to buy freedom for us…, so He could adopt us as His own children"(Galatians 4:5). Part of your identity as God’s child is as a representative of our Lord. Jesus told His followers, "You are the light of the world … let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father"(Matthew 5:14 & 16)

Interaction with Other Believers

Good deeds begin at home, with family; other believers are your family in Christ. The Apostle Paul wrote, "we should do good to everyone — especially to those in the family of faith"(Galatians 6:10). And as further encouragement, we are told to "keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters"(Hebrews 13:1).

Interaction with Non-Believers

Making sure love is part of your personality is important for ministering to people who don’t know God yet. Jesus called His followers to “be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere” (Acts 1:8). Peter reminded us “if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it” (1 Peter 3:15). Sometimes, unbelievers “are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:4). So when sharing the gospel, Paul would “try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News” (1 Corinthians 9:22-23). Following that example, you can discover what good things God has put into your personality that will enable you to share His love, in your own unique way.

Prayer, Care and Share Jesus

* The Prayer, Care and Share (PCS) series is a guide to help you pray and care for others and share your faith in Jesus *

"I cannot" is not an option!

Scripture: "Moses said to the Lord ‘O Lord, I have never been eloquent … I am slow of speech and tongue.’ The Lord said to him, ‘Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." (Exodus 4:10-12)

Are you following Jesus (Luke 14:27), and obeying His commands? Some of His commands are: Love God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself (Matt. 22:37-40). He wants us to teach others about Him, too (Matt. 28:19-20). These commands apply to all His followers, regardless of their personality, spiritual gifts or life situations.

Sometimes we use our personality type or lack of gifts from God as an excuse for not following Jesus and His commands. We might say things like:

"I cannot" share about Jesus with others because I don’t have the gift of evangelism.

"I cannot" speak easily because I am an introvert.

Instead ask, “How can I use what the Lord has given me to follow His commandments?” You can follow Jesus in a way that fits your personality, makes use of your gifts, and can be lived out in every situation, every day.

Here are a couple of things anyone can do when following Jesus’ commandments. You can daily pray for blessings, peace and love of the Lord silently for people you meet and places you go. You can also find people around you who need Jesus. Then you can pray and choose one (or more if you can) to start an intentional friendship with. All personality types can do this, but some might find it easier than others. Don’t let "I cannot" be an option.

I myself have trouble being outgoing. But I can follow Jesus by praying silently for people every day. Making friends with unbelievers is difficult, but as I pray for them, the Lord helps me. I know God can help me be a good friend. I trust people will see Jesus in me, even before I start speaking about Him!

Pray this week:

That God will help you understand your identity as His child.

What are some ways introverts and those who don't have the spiritual gift of evangelism can share Jesus? How does it help you to remember that Jesus is the Vine and you're a branch (John 15)? Talk to someone about it.

Alan Zibluk Markethive Founding Member

Markethive

Who Is On the Throne of Your Heart?

God owns our life, not us.

Written by Susan on 08/01/2019

Series: Weekly Devotional

Tags: Throne, Lord, Obedience, Love, God

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me.

John 10:27

Did you realize that God owns all life? He also holds us accountable for what we do with ours. (Romans 14:12)

If I, a child of God, believe this, then I will believe God is sovereign. He is high and lifted up on the throne of my life. He is Lord. However, If I own my life, then I am on the throne, instead of bowing before God. If I am on the throne, then I am my own God.

We are his sheep

Jesus said He is the Good Shepherd. We, the redeemed, are the beloved sheep of His pasture. In love He makes himself responsible for us to feed and clothe us, to protect our heart, to grow our faith, and to lead us, watching over us all of the time. We are to be totally dependent upon the Shepherd for everything.

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father and I lay down my life for the sheep.”(John 10:14-15)

In order to make us His sheep, we were purchased by Him in love and agony with a high, high price. Because of this, we are no longer our own.

Your will, not mine

In coming to Jesus, we sheep have bowed our heart, asking Him to be our Savior and Lord — our Shepherd. This surrender places Him on throne of our life. We give up our rights, learning to live as He lived — not our will, but Yours be done.

“Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, If the Lord wills, we will live and will do this or that.” (James 4:13-15)

We will be tempted to strike out in our own will, forgetting our Shepherd and His loving, wise will for us. We will be tempted to sin, to forget prayer, obedience, and asking for guidance. We will be in danger of forgetting to thank our Lord for all He provides to us, or to even worship Him in the giving of tithes. If we fall into these temptations, we are usurping the throne, beginning to live by our will again.

What must I do?

So what must you do? Return to Christ. Repent and confess in truth. He loves you and has come calling for you. He will forgive a truly repentant heart. Run home little lamb. Only in the Shepherd is safety for your soul.

Draw a faith line in the sand and refuse to cross back over it! Cling to Jesus with all your strength to obey and trust Him. Run after Jesus instead of running away down the road of life as if it is your own. Follow the one who owns your life. (1 Corinthians 6:19)

“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:9-11)

In love we choose to do what pleases Jesus, accepting His Lordship. He, in return, gives to us joy in pleasing Him as well as the power to do what pleases Him (Philippians 2:13). In love, cooperation, and gratitude, we put our will under His will. We look to Jesus waiting upon Him and his will for us in faith that He loves us and is with us. This is our love for Him.

Pray this week:

Lord, you own my life. I do not. I want to be the sheep of your pasture and I will hear your voice. I need you and your forgiveness. Please be my Lord and Shepherd. I will follow you. Amen.

Alan Zibluk Markethive Founding Member