His Bride, the Church!

Acts 1:8

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Here in the book of Acts, we see several things take place. First, we see Jesus’ ascension into Heaven. Second, we see the disciples replacing Judas with another follower of Jesus named Mathias. Third, we see the coming of the Holy Spirit and the establishment of the church by Peter.

This was a very important time in the lives of the disciples and new followers of Jesus. Through the Holy Spirit, they were going to be able to fulfill God’s will and preach the gospel to not just the Jews, but to the Gentiles. This would establish a president to the fulfilling of the end of the age. Without the establishment of the church, Jesus would not have his second coming.

The entire purpose of Jesus’ second coming is to come back for his bride, the church. The church has had to go through many trials and tribulations to get where it is today. As you worship God together at your church this Sunday, gives thanks to God for allowing us to have the freedom to worship Him. Thank God for establishing his church and for not allowing the gates of Hades to overthrow what God has made.

Dear Jesus, thank you so much for your bride, the church. Help me to be involved and find ways to help others through the local church. Bless our leaders and staff that sacrifice their time and efforts to further your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen!   

Think Before Speaking

John 17:22-24

22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. 24 Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

Sin in the church can ruin relationships. One of the biggest problems the Christian church deals with today is gossip. Yes, there I said it! Gossip will destroy lives, ruin friendships and make enemies out of people. If we learn to keep our mouth shut sometimes and think before speaking, there’s no doubt that our churches would be better off.

This scripture is about Jesus’ last recorded prayer before he would stand trial and be sentenced to death on a cross. Interestingly, Jesus prayed for the unity of his disciples. He could of prayed for anything, especially that he wouldn’t have to go through so much pain and suffering on our behalf, but instead, he prayed for others. Ultimately, he prayed for his best friends here on earth to accomplish the difficult task of spreading the “good news.”

Jesus cares so much about our unity. That’s why he prayed this prayer. He wants all of his children to be unified and care and love others. If we are too busy gossiping and spreading vicious lies and rumors about each other, than we are doing the complete opposite of what Christ wants us to do. Today, make a point to get right with those that might have done you wrong in the past and love and pray for them anyways. Do everything you can to make peace with God and others today.

Dear Jesus, help me to stay unified with your Holy Spirit and with others. Give me discernment and wisdom to act right and do what is pleasing to your heart. Thank you for praying for me before I even existed and giving me a hope and a future. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Ultimate Sacrifice

John 15:16-17

16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

In chapters 14, 15, and 16 of the book of John, Jesus is speaking to his disciples and explaining about the things to come. The disciples were having difficulty understanding Jesus’ figurative speech. It wasn’t until the end of chapter 16 that they finally understood what Jesus meant.

Jesus several times said things that the disciples had difficulty understanding. It would seem that Jesus should have given up on these men and moved on to more educated, even considered more spiritual people like the Pharisees right? Interestingly, Jesus didn’t stop teaching and showing them the way. He continued to guide and direct them with patience and love. What we should realize from Jesus’ relationship with his disciples is this: Jesus was showing us that it’s ok to not have it all together. It’s ok if we don’t have it all figured out. Why?

Jesus went after those that people considered either hopeless or hated by the community. How’s that for shocking? But Jesus didn’t give up on them and he will not give up on you. Jesus showed frustration at times with his disciples, but he still befriended them and loved them. Not only that, he died for them and for us too. So even if you don’t have it all figured out yet or you don’t know where you’re going next in life, remember that Jesus laid his life down for you and knows all about your situation. He paid the ultimate sacrifice for your soul and loves you unconditionally.

Dear Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice for my soul. I ask that you guide my life today and give me peace that is only found in you. Let your Holy Spirit reveal what I need to do today and purify any iniquities that I may have caused against you. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

A Life Of Conviction

John 14:9-11

 9 Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. 11 Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.

John 14:1-14, is a great reminder of who we are in Christ. Jesus was telling his disciples that his Father lived in him and he was in the Father. Jesus also said that we can ask anything in his name and he will do it! He just simply wants us to believe that he can do what he says he can do.  

People that doubt all the time are being foolish. The Bible is clear to not doubt. Doubting your beliefs and convictions can not help you grow as a mature follower of Jesus Christ. You have to stand firm on your beliefs and convictions no matter what. People want to water down the gospel so they can make people feel good, but Jesus definitely didn’t make people feel good all the time with his sermons.

Jesus offended many with his teachings and many of his disciples left in droves. Only the eleven disciples stayed faithful to him through the rest of their lives. Judas Iscariot, the twelfth disciple, obviously didn’t stay faithful to him because he was the one that betrayed Jesus. So the question we should ask ourselves is this; are we going to be faithful to Jesus to the end of our lives or are we going to betray him?


Even the demons believe in Jesus and tremble at his name. They were in heaven at a time and worshiped him, but many of them betrayed Jesus and were cast down out of heaven. If you want to live for Jesus, you have to live a lifestyle of constant dying to yourself and living out God’s will for your life. If not, pride can set in and can destroy your relationship with Christ.  

Dear Jesus, help me to stay firm with my beliefs and convictions no matter what. Help me to live out your will for my life without fear. Give me the boldness and the strength to live out a life of faith to the end of my life here on earth. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Light Of the World

John 8:12

12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

Jesus was again, speaking to the Pharisees about who he was, “the light of the world.” He told them that they didn’t know him because they didn’t know the Father. If they knew the Father they would know him.

Jesus came to be a light in a dark time of the world. The Romans, who had control of the known world at the time, were one of the most feared societies ever on the planet. Their ways of abuse and death involved flogging, torturing, and hanging people on crosses for the crimes they committed. One thing that made Jesus special was, he was put on that cross not because he committed any crimes or sinned, but because our sins and crimes put him there.

Whatever we perceive about Jesus Christ, one thing is certain, he didn’t deserve to die for our sins. The amazing mystery about God is, he let his Son Jesus die for us even knowing we were in the wrong for doing so. We should get on our hands and knees and thank our all-powerful, loving God for loving us so much that he would allow such a horrible thing to happen to his only begotten Son, Jesus.

Dear Father, thank you so much for sending Jesus, your one and only Son to die in my place. Thank you so much for loving and forgiving us when we didn’t know what we were doing to you. Help me to stay focused on the things that matter most today and that’s telling people about what you did for us 2000 years ago. In Jesus’ name, Amen!  

His Glory

John 7:38-39

38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, “Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.” 39 (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)

When we read about Jesus, we see him as a humble and compassionate man. Obviously, no one was like Jesus before or after him. Jesus was simply being God in human form, but he also withheld his glory from us while he was here on the earth.

Only a few times did God reveal his glory through his son Jesus here on the earth. One time was when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. The other was when Jesus went on top of a mountain and a few of his disciples were there and saw Moses, Elijah, and Jesus transfigured in all of Jesus’ glory and brightness. Paul also had a run in with Jesus’ glory on his way to Damascus about to persecute more Christians.

Jesus didn’t have to withhold his glory from us, but because he loved us so much, he withheld it from us so he could pay the penalty for our sins. The disciples and the few that were there and saw Jesus’ baptism had to be in complete amazement when they saw heaven opening. Seeing God’s glory is actually a very awesome and terrifying thing for the few that have seen it here on earth. One thing’s for sure, everyone will see Jesus in all of his glory someday. The question is what did you do with him while you were here on the earth? Did you accept him or reject him?

Dear Jesus, thank you for coming as a man to take away my sins. I look forward to the day to see all of your glory. Thank you for choosing me to be a part of your plan here on earth. I pray that you will fill me with your awesome presence today! In Jesus’ name, Amen!

The Word= Jesus

John 1:1-5

1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. 3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. 4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

Many people have wondered how we got here. Did a massive explosion happen? Did we come from monkeys? The answer to those questions can be easily solved. In the beginning the Word already existed. Let’s put it this way, in this scripture, replace “the Word” with Jesus.

When Jesus said, “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given unto me” in Matthew 28, he wasn’t joking. Jesus was always there from the beginning of creation. He was the master artist if you will for all of his creation. He’s the one that gave us life, knowledge, and dominion over the earth.

We should always remember that Jesus is the cornerstone for all of life. He is the only thing that matters. Job said, “The Lord gives and takes away.” Everything will go through Jesus. The only way we will have eternal life is by believing and trusting in God’s Son, Jesus. Everything else we do on earth will disappear and vanish in an instant. Today, just focus on Jesus and thank him for creating you and for being your Lord and Savior.

Dear Jesus, thank you for being my Lord and Savior. Thank you for creating me. Help me to live my life for you and you alone. Give me the wisdom and knowledge to stay in your will. In Jesus’ name, Amen!