Sermon Notes; a Daily Devotional

John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." "My PEACE." This is Jesus speaking to His Disciples.  This is not a meaningless platitude. Jesus repeats it with the emphatic “My,” and speaks of it as an actual possession which He gives to them. From the Prince of PEACE a priceless gift. But, wait there's more! Jesus also gives us the Advocate in the person of the Holy Ghost.  When we say Jesus has done it all for us we mean it! Jesus restored our relationship with God. We break our relationship with God. We struggle with having an authentic relationship with God. Jesus taught His Disciples many things and they wrote them down so future generations could know and believe! It is the Gospel. We want to hear it, understand it and celebrate it. We need to worship our good and gracious God every chance we get. Praying without ceasing, studying the Holy Bi...

John 14:26 "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." We are studying PEACE. Peace is a gift from God. It comes to us through Jesus as He restored our relationship with God. We break our relationship with God. We struggle with having an authentic relationship with God. We have too much FEAR in our hearts and minds to be comfortable with our perfect GOD. Fear is the opposite of PEACE. We need the Prince of PEACE to restore our relationship with GOD. When the Prince of PEACE was bodily present with His Disciples, He taught them many things. Jesus explained things to them, and they wrote them down so future generations could know and believe! It is the Gospel. We want to hear it and understand it. And, our LORD sends us help, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you ALL...

John 14:25 "These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you." We are studying PEACE. Peace is a gift from God. It comes to us through Jesus as He restored our relationship with God. The prophet Isaiah wrote approximately 600 years before Jesus was born! Naming Jesus "The Prince of PEACE." God needed to send His Son as our Savior because people can't keep one commandment! We choose to eat the forbidden fruit. We break our relationship with God. We struggle with having an authentic relationship with God. We have too much FEAR in our hearts and minds to be comfortable with our perfect GOD. Fear is the opposite of PEACE. We need a Prince of PEACE to restore our relationship with GOD. When the Prince of PEACE was bodily present with His Disciples, He taught them many things. "These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you." Jesus explained things to them and they wrote them down so future generations could know and believe! ...

Genesis 3:9&10 "9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10 And he said, I heard Thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself." We are finishing our FAITH WORDS series with studying PEACE. Peace is a gift from God. It comes to us through Jesus as He restored our relationship with God. The prophet Isaiah wrote approximately 600 years before Jesus was born! "The Prince of PEACE." Isaiah's description is not of any possible child of man. He is describing the Son of God. From this writing, the Jewish people believed that the future deliverer of Israel would come to save them. They did not understand that this Messiah was coming to save ALL people everywhere! God needed to send His Son as our Savior because people can't keep one commandment! God created the world, and it was good. Peace and harmony was how the world worked. God said to Adam and Eve, "Don't eat from the Tree of Knowled...

Isaiah 9:6 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. This week, we will finish our FAITH WORDS series. Last week, we studied LOVE. We learned that God's LOVE for YOU is GREATER than we can imagine! GOD gives us His Spirit. He does NOT give us the essence of the Spirit. He does NOT give us the nature of the Spirit. GOD gives us the Spirit. The Spirit that is part of the Holy Trinity! This week, we will study PEACE. Peace is a gift from God. It comes to us through Jesus as He restored our relationship with God. The prophet Isaiah speaks approximately 600 years before Jesus was born! "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of PEACE." Isaiah...

1 John 4:12&13 "12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us. 13 Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit." God's LOVE for YOU is GREATER than you can imagine. God's LOVE is a vast and deep ocean that flows to everyone. Any LOVE we are given or express comes from GOD. If we only receive LOVE and never give LOVE, we become stagnant "Dead Sea." While we have trouble loving some people. Some people have trouble loving us. We don't have the LOVE to do it all, but God does! Pray for LOVE over patience. Have the patience of God. If we share LOVE, we are representing GOD. We might think of the summation of John’s idea here is that you and I are the hands and arms of Jesus, doing His work in this world. "No man hath seen God at any time. If we LOVE one another, God dwelleth in us, and His LOVE is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dw...

1 John 4:11 "Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." This is important and very hard for us to understand; it's not about you loving God it is all about God's LOVE for YOU. And everyone else, too. God's LOVE is a vast and deep ocean that flows to everyone. Any LOVE we are given or express comes from GOD. If we only recive LOVE and never give LOVE we become a stagnant "Dead Sea." We don't want that. "Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." We have trouble loving some people. Some people have trouble loving us. We don't have the LOVE to do it all, but God does! Pray for LOVE over patience. Have the patience of God. If we share LOVE we are representing GOD. GOD is love. Jesus is His LOVE. Jesus laid down His life for people you don't like and people who don't like Him!    Jesus became incarnate, lived the sinless life and was sacrificed for the sins of every guilty sinner. All of th...

1 John 4:10 "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." "Propitiation" is the action done to win or regain the favor of GOD. Jesus became incarnate, lived the sinless life and was sacrificed for the sins of every guilty sinner. All of this was done while everyone was still sinners and often not yet believing in Christ as their personal Savior. Amazing stuff. We can't love at the same intense level that GOD does. It's not possible. BUT, we can learn and we can try. GOD LOVES all people everywhere. EVEN non-believers. Jesus died for EVERYONE. If you believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you will experience salvation. God makes us His children, and welcomes us into heaven! Long before we loved God, He loved us. It seems incomprehensible. I t is definitely incredible.

1 John 4:9 "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him." Yesterday, we read verse eight, which is POWERFUL writing by John. Saying if someone doesn't LOVE, it's like they never knew GOD. Christians need to LOVE like GOD LOVES. GOD LOVES all people everywhere. EVEN non-believers. Jesus died for EVERYONE. If you believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you will experience salvation. God makes us His children, and welcomes us into heaven! Long before we love God, He loves us. It seems incomprehensible. It is definitely incredible. And, we are very blessed to have John's writing explaining this to us. John wrote this when he was in his seventies. He is an old man looking back on his life and life experience. He has wisdom and insight. We would do well to learn from him.

1 John 4:8 "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." This is POWERFUL writing by John. The "knoweth not" in the original Greek is "aorist." It means "never knew." As in not once known God. A stranger to GOD. This is something I want to meditate on. As we read yesterday, John has established Christians need to LOVE like GOD LOVES. "Beloved, let us LOVE one another..." Do we love the way Jesus loves? We talk about loving people, our family, and friends. We often talk about loving chocolate, or coffee, or popcorn, or football, or golf, or shopping, or movies, or whatever. But GOD'S LOVE is greater than what we commonly call "love." We remind ourselves of John 3:16. The record there is Jesus's conversation with Nicodemus, a Pharisee. At this time, the Jewish religion was no longer about GOD'S LOVE. It was about obedience and how much you did or didn't do for God. Rules and rituals that became twisted. ...

1 John 4:7 "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God." This week, in our FAITH WORDS series, we are studying LOVE. We are used to seeing and using the word LOVE. Yesterday, we read one of the most famous verses from the Holy Bible; John 3:16. The record there is Jesus's conversation with Nicodemus, a Pharisee. At this time, the Jewish religion was no longer about GOD'S LOVE. It was about obedience and how much you did or didn't do for God. Rules and rituals that became twisted. Jesus was saying, "It's not about what you do for God. It's about GOD'S LOVE for you!" So, come to this study already thinking that GOD'S LOVE is greater than what we commonly call "love."" We easily talk about loving chocolate, or coffee, or popcorn, or football, or golf, or shopping, or movies, or whatever. If we get personal, we might talk about loving people, our family, and f...

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Last week we studied ENCOURAGEMENT in our FAITH WORDS series. We read Paul's writing to Christians telling us to get together and encourage one another. Come alongside someone and help them. Look to see if there is someone whose arms are too heavy and they need help to hold them up? We will help them. We must RISE UP and meet the challenge of the day. Even little amounts adds up.  ENCOURAGEMENT can often feel like LOVE when we experience it. And, LOVE will be the focus of our study this week. In Christianity we are used to seeing and using the word LOVE. For today's verses we turn to one of the most famous verses from the Holy Bible; John 3:16 "For God so LOVED the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Jesus is LOVE that cam...

Psalms 54:4 "Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul." GOD is helping you! And GOD helps the people that help you! There is nothing more ENCOURAGING than this. GOD wants to see us coming together and helping each other. Yesterday, we looked at the example of Aaron and Hur litrally helping support Moses's arms so they could win the battle. This scene comes after our section from Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, where he encourages us to use the GIFTS from GOD to protect ourselves from the temptations of the world. And, Paul then tells Christians to get together and encourage one another. Everyone needs encouragement. We need to build up each other. Lift the spirits and the hearts of the people you know. Come alongside someone and help them. You can see them brighten up. Be available to them. Raise them up when they are down. We need these words now more than ever. Christianity is being attacked, and there are brave leaders leading...

Exodus 17:11&12 "11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun." We were reading from Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians. He encourages us to use the GIFTS from GOD to protect ourselves from the temptations of the world. Put on the full Armor of God! Paul teaches that Jesus DIED for us. So, we can LIVE for HIM. His death was the atoning sacrifice for our sins. He died for everyone. Paul then tells Christians to get together and encourage one another. Everyone needs encouragement. We need to build up each other. Lift the spirits and the hearts of the people you know. Come alongside someone and help them. You can see them brighten up. ...

1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do." EDIFY, means to instruct or improve a person morally or intellectually. It's similar to ENCOURAGEMENT with a lesson. Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians is just that. He encourages us to use the GIFTS from GOD to protect ourselves from the temptations of the world. Put on the full Armor of God! Paul teaches that Jesus DIED for us. So, we can LIVE for HIM. His death was the atoning sacrifice for our sins. He died for everyone. If we are awake to this fact we need to live a life that honors GOD. If someone is asleep to this fact they are still living in GOD'S world, They will face difficulty and consequences for their actions. It is better to spend our time with Jesus; reading the Holy Bible, praying earnestly, and worshiping frequently.  In today's verse, Paul is telling Christians to get together and encourage one another. Everyone needs encouragement....

1 Thessalonians 5:9&10 "9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him." We are studying Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians. Specifically, a section where he is ENCOURAGING them. Paul cautioned us that Christians CAN be converted BACK into “children of darkness.” The worldly culture will want us to be more like them; decadent, excessive, and self-indulgent. None of this is good for Christians. He is encouraging us to use the GIFTS from GOD to protect ourselves from the temptations of the world. Putting on the full Armor of God! Today's verses; "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to OBTAIN SALVATION by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who DIED for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should LIVE together with Him." Jesus DIED for us. So, we can LIVE for HIM. His death was the atoning sacrifice for our sins. He died for e...

1 Thessalonians 5:7&8 "7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation." We are studying ENCOURAGEMENT and we have turned to Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians. Specifically a section where he is ENCOURAGING them. He uses "darkness" as a metaphor for sin, ignorance, and misery. His writing is made more powerful by being both literal and metaphorical. Paul cautioned us that Christians CAN be converted BACK into “children of darkness.” The worldly culture will want us to be more like them; decadent, excessive, and self-indulgent. None of this is good for Christians. When Paul is encouraging, "Let us watch and be sober." Sobriety is more than avoiding intoxication. It's also keeping above the influence of the tempting excesses of the culture.  Paul continues to make th...

1 Thessalonians 5:5&6 "5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober." This week we are studying ENCOURAGEMENT. We turn to Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians. Specifically a section where he is ENCOUNTERING them. Christians are living in the light, "darkness" is a metaphor for sin, ignorance, and misery. Paul has warned that Judgement Day as a specific day in time, and when that day comes it will surprise everyone. Like a thief in the night.  Paul's writing is made more powerful by being both literal and metaphorical; "Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us WATCH and be SOBER." we need to be aware that Christians CAN be converted BACK into “children of darkness.” We don't want that. Th...

1 Thessalonians 5:4 "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief." Last week, we studied HOPE based on GOD'S LOVE for us! This HOPE inspires us live a life of "moderation." Christians need to stand in contrast with lives that demonstrate self-control. We need to exercise restraint and avoid extremes. We need to come to GOD in submission, with sincerity and intense conviction. And, most of all, we need to be thankful for all He has given us.  This HOPE ENCOURAGES us. This week we turn to Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians. Specifically a section where he is ENCOURAGING them; "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness," Christians are living in the light, "darkness" is a metaphor for sin, ignorance, and misery. In the next part of verse speaks to Judgement Day as a specific day in time; "that that day should overtake you as a thief." And, when that day comes it will surprise everyone like ...

Proverbs 6:16-19 "16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto Him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren." This week, we have studied HOPE based on GOD'S LOVE for us! His LOVE is a perfect LOVE, a flawless LOVE, an inspiration to all people for all time. And, that gives us HOPE. We can REJOICE in God's HOPE! This HOPE inspires us live a life of "moderation." Christians need to stand in contrast with lives that demonstrate self-control. We need to exercise restraint and avoid extremes. We need to come to GOD in submission, with sincerity and intense conviction. And, most of all, we need to be thankful for all He has given us.  Our gratitude needs to draw us closer to GOD. And, keep us away from the things GOD HATES. Today's ve...

Philippians 4:4-6 "4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Rejoice in the Lord!!! Our HOPE is based on GOD'S LOVE for us!! We are "RECONCILED!" We are saved by His life! The righteousness of Jesus is given to you! Jesus took on your punishment. Jesus died for us, while we were still sinners. His LOVE is a perfect LOVE, a flawless LOVE, an inspiration to all people for all time. And, that gives us HOPE. We can REJOICE in God's HOPE! Because of this HOPE we are given we should be known by our "moderation." Our culture today is filled with everything taken to the excess. Christians need to stand in contrast with lives that demonstrate self-control. We need to exercise restraint, and avoid extremes. Every thing we do needs to be accompanied b...

Romans 5:9&10 "9 Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Our HOPE is based on GOD'S LOVE for us! Which never fails! While we were still sinners, Jesus died for us. It is a perfect LOVE, a flawless LOVE, an inspiration to all people for all time. And, that gives us HOPE. We can REJOICE in God's HOPE! We are saved "from wrath through Him." Our sins have earned us punishment which was given to our Lord and Savior. Jesus took on your punishment. But, wait there's more; the righteousness of the Son of God is given to you! We are "RECONCILED!" We are saved by His life! That is the abundant reason we have HOPE. 

Romans 5:7&8 "7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Our HOPE is based on GOD'S LOVE for us! Which never fails! While we were still sinners, Jesus died for us. It is a perfect LOVE, a flawless LOVE, an inspiration to all people for all time. And, that gives us HOPE. We can REJOICE in God's HOPE! GOD'S LOVE is SO POWERFUL that He sacrificed His only Son for you! Be careful that you don't take this for granted. Reread today's verses; "For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, WHILE we were YET SINNERS, Christ died for us." Will we ever be able to understand the how and why the Son of God died for us sinners? We can understand a parent sacrificing their own life for their o...

Romans 5:5&6 "5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." We have HOPE! We know this if we are a veteran of the FAITH who has been tested and passed the test. Even if we don't know it and we just wish for a particular event that one considers possible; we have HOPE. As Christians, we have an earnest desire for our glory in Christ, with every confidence that we will obtain it! We need to know we can REJOICE in our HOPE!   "And HOPE maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Things that don't live up to expectations, or aspirations based on deception will make a person ashamed. This is NOT what we are given from GOD. GOD gives us, through the Holy Ghost, "to be shed abroad in our hearts..." This is to say our HOP...

Romans 5:3&4 "3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:" We are studying Faith Words in our daily devotionals. Looking at classic words used by Christians to communicate very specific ideas and concepts. This week, we are going to learn more about HOPE. We returned to Paul's letter to the Romans. It is an outstanding source that teaches the importance of what we believe and how those beliefs influence the way we live our lives. Paul laid on the FAITH WORDS thick in the first two verses. It's an optimistic message about our Salvation given to us by Jesus. We need to know we can REJOICE in HOPE! HOPE is a wish for a particular event that one considers possible. Something that you have confidence in or trust. Hope is the expectation of obtaining the desired outcome. As Christians, we should have an earnest desire for our glory in Christ, with every confidence that...

Romans 5:1&2 "1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." We are studying Faith Words in our daily devotionals. In this series, we are looking at classic words used by Christians to communicate very specific ideas and concepts. We started with the word the world absolutely hates... SIN. We are all guilty of SIN, and deep down inside we know it. Next we read about TRUST, and we read about the founding father, Abram! We are inspired by his TRUST becoming actions that form the foundation of our beliefs. And, last week we read about the GRACE of GOD! We don't want to take advantage of the goodness and mercy of GOD. God is making us who and what we are! When we are blessed to become a “new creation” in Christ Jesus, it's thanks to the Holy Ghost! It's GOD'S plan! We should NOT boast. This week we are ...

Romans 2:4 "Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance." It is all by the GRACE of GOD! We do not want to disrespect or despise GOD'S goodness. People will pervert and abuse the freedom that GOD has given. When GOD does not judge them right away and punish them quickly, they believe that GOD doesn't consider them a sinner. Or, worse; when they are being punished they don't recognize it! So, they will continue to abuse the goodness and mercy of GOD. We want to study GOD'S word and be able to recognize His guidance and work in our lives. Understanding that God is making us who and what we are! When we are blessed to become a “new creation” in Christ Jesus, it's thanks to the Holy Ghost! It's GOD'S plan! We should NOT boast. God knows the future you! God knows the REGENERATE life you WILL live. God knows your free-will. God knows the energy and effort ...

Philippians 2:12-14 "12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. 14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:" In our FAITH WORDS series we are studying GRACE. We emphasize that God is making us who and what we are! When we are blessed to become a “new creation” in Christ Jesus, it's thanks to the Holy Ghost! It's GOD'S plan! We should NOT boast. Something that is outside of our own understanding is God’s FOREknowledge. God exists in eternity where all time is present. So, God already knows how things will turn out. God knows the future you! God knows the REGENERATE life you WILL live. God knows your free-will. God knows the energy and effort you will put into following His plan.  In today's verses, St. Paul tells us that it is GOD that works on our FA...

Ephesians 2:9&10 "9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." We should NOT boast. The only other place "workmanship" is used in Holy Scriptures is Romans 1:20, where it is applied to the “works” of God in creation. We like to take pride in who we are and what we do, but it is God, making us who and what we are! When we are blessed to become a “new creation” in Christ Jesus, it's thanks to the Holy Ghost! It's GOD'S plan! GOD'S GRACE! God rescued us with salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. These verses helped the German priest, Martin Luther, understand GRACE. Possibly even inspiring him to nail his 95 Thesis to the church door and kickstart the Protestant Reformation. 

Ephesians 2:7&8 "7 That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" Martin Luther was a German priest, Augustinian friar, theologian, author, hymnwriter, professor, and the seminal figure of the Protestant Reformation. Luther loved the word of God. He especially loved Ephesians chapter two, it changed his heart. Helped him understand GRACE. We are Rescued we have salvation in heaven and we have grace in this life.  By GRACE Are Ye Saved Mercy is from God, we don't deserve it, we cannot earn it, it's a GIFT from God. It's GRACE. God's Riches At Christ's Expense. GRACE. IN SPITE of our sins. IN SPITE of our wanting to do things our own way. IN SPITE of all our betrayal. GOD LOVES US!