Full Focus on Christ

Galatians 2

Inspired thots

Paul faithfully preached the gospel to the Gentiles as he obeyed the word of God to him. He 'went in RESPONSE to a revelation'.
~ the RIGHT response is very important.
   > it should be in accordance to God's will so that it will please Him

~ my revelation: 2:6 'People are not important to be pleased; therefore, seek not man's approval'
   > 'as for those who seemed to be important, whatever they were, makes no difference to me'
   > God does not judge by external appearance.
   > be a good testimony!
   > Remember: I am JUSTIFIED by FAITH in Christ alone! Hence, seek HIS Approval.

~ I live by faith in the Son of God (2:20)

Building Up My Faith

2 Timothy 2:1-2:13

Inspired thots

Building the SELF to be strong in the faith requires Diligence;
1) fan into flame - the gift of God v6 > practice and practice what God has blest

2) being reminded that salvation is by grace v9 (Eph. 2:8,9)

3) being SURE of Whom I have believed IN v12

4) Guard the good deposit of Gospel v14


Metaphors
1) the GOOD Soldier > Submission, Obedience, Action

2) the RULE Abiding Athlete > Understanding, Acceptance, Application

3) the HARDWORKING Farmer > Wise (work according to season), Patient, Consistent

Life with Christ is usually a life of Contrast with the world. v11-13

Faith Check! Do not Miss the Target.

Hebrews 11

Inspired thots

The most renowned chapter on F A I T H.

It mentions all the wonderful OT characters who exercised great faith in God to the good news of Jesus.

v1 ~ Faith is BEING SURE of what we HOPE for, CERTAIN of what we DO NOT SEE.

v6 ~ And WITHOUT Faith, it is IMPOSSIBLE to PLEASE God, because anyone who comes to Him must BELIEVE that He EXISTS and that He REWARDS those who SEEK Him.

This is a Reminder to me not to fall in love with this world, much less be comfortable in it, for I am a stranger and an alien here, looking and longing for my Heavenly abode which God has prepared. (v13,16) ~ John 14:2

While on earth, waiting to reach the Heavenly destination, it is necessary to endure mistreatment, disgrace for Christ's sake and perseverance.

On Display ~> faith in action

James 2:14-26

Inspired thots


B E L I E V E + W O R K S

One OR the other is not good.
~Faith alone is insufficient; it must be supplemented by Works.
~~>Works flow out of Faith; it is a RESULT of true Faith.
~~~~When someone does WORK, it showcases his FAITH.
~But if one says he has faith, there is no observable proof.
~~Faith without deeds is useless.

v19 : Even demons believe and that is insufficient for their salvation. Their belief is KNOWING and even to ACKNOWLEDGING the truth or the fact but not a change of their heart or behavior.
They chose to do otherwise than what their belief reveals about God.

Faith and deeds go hand in hand together. One cannot be without the other. v22
Faith without deeds is like the body with the spirit - an empty shell. hmmm... time to fill up!

Jesus knows Man's TRUE condition

John 11

Inspired thots:

Such an emotional chapter! Jesus was so deeply moved by man's sorrowful spiritual condition; knowing that man will surely die one day, and not an earthly death only, but also a spiritual death, He was really sad for man.

Yes, man is very myopic. He can't fathom the unseen; much less the future or things of God unless he receives by FAITH as God enables him.

But truly, what hope does man have if it is really eternal condemnation that is at the end, if not accepting God's grace and way out through Jesus, His only Son? Some scriptures may be difficult to understand, but God enables when the time is RIGHT.
Astounding truths have been declared by Martha and even the unbelieving high priest, shows how God can reveal Himself and His truths to anyone; it is a matter of believe!

Parents, Exercise your Faith!

Matthew 17:14-21

Inspired thots

Now comes a father concerned for his son's well-being. That is the true heart of parents, whether mother (15:21-28) or father. But it is the quantum of FAITH in the parent which brings healing to the child. Why was the daughter healed immediately and not the son? The mother's intense faith for her daughter's well-being led to restoration while the father's desperate measure led him to take the son to Jesus' disciples. He didn't have the faith for his son to be healed, neither did the disciples of Jesus.

Nothing is impossible for the child of God because with God, all things are possible.(19:26)
I, too, must exercise my FAITH for my sick child. Not just the child alone but me too, as the mom. Philippians 4:19 ~ My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory!

The many facets of Man

Matthew 15:21-28

Inspired thots:

It seems like Jesus was rejecting someone of healing for the first time... How unlike Him? (Matt 14:14 tells how compassionate He is towards the people and healed their diseases. Why not this woman, who cried after Him, for her daughter's demon-possessed condition?

Aside, compare this woman with Herodias earlier, what a difference between the 2 mothers! The former values her daughter's well-being and sought all means to secure it even if she has to 'beg' and humble herself, while the latter uses her daughter to her own selfish satisfaction.

The nature of Man ~ even the disciples have not reached Jesus' standard as yet. They were embarassed by the woman's presence and cries! They asked Jesus to 'send her away'.
There are 2 ways to send someone away...
1) Send the person away happy ~ fulfilling the need
or,
2) Send the person away dejected ~ need unfulfilled

Jesus sends her away HAPPY! And it only took a word from Jesus... how simple to BLESS someone than to fuel rejection!

Jesus mentioned that He was sent 'only to the lost sheep of Israel'... but along the way, 'strays' are picked up. How amazing that often times, it is not the 'chosen' who receives (because they reject) but the 'waywards' (because they acknowledge their need).

The one who acknowledges will be fulfilled / satisfied, while the one who looks outwardly will not seek and find.

Investing in the RIGHT source

Matthew 14:22-36

Inspired thots:

Man is easily terrified of what they dont fully understand or have control of (v26) BUT Jesus is always so compassionate...

Immediately Jesus reassures...(v27) He calms; He encourages.

I am subject to fear too...of what is unknown to me...but if I go on with what I KNOW, and hold fast to that which I do know already, then fear can no longer abide in me! That is why I need to read the Word of God more to know more about my great loving God, which will dispel my fear.

Fear cripples... then it overwhelms until death. Beware...

Boils down to... F A I T H.

Great is the measure of God's love

Matthew 9:18-26

Inspired thots:

v18.. 'a ruler came and knelt before Him (Jesus)'...

1. Even those in authority on earth will come before Jesus and BOW... truly EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW... Amen!
2. The ruler's daughter has (just) died. She's dead!

a) Yet, the ruler still come to Jesus. He BELIEVED Jesus can give his daughter life again.

b) His statement to Jesus amazes me..."But come .. and put your hand on her... and she will live"

c) Such HUMILITY! Such BELIEF! Such FAITH! So great is a father's love... amazing love.

3. I see my Heavenly Father's amazing love too...

a) He sent His only Son Jesus to raise ME up from the 'death' of SIN. ~ John 3:16.

b) And Jesus GOT UP immediately to go raise the ruler's daughter from death!

c) And Jesus made time to meet the needs of others around Him

~ the woman who had been bleeding for 12 years!

4. v22 Jesus said,"...Your FAITH has healed you..."

a) Only BELIEVE... I can be healed... physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally.

b) God loves. Jesus cares. He heals. AMEN!

c) What is MAN's response?

• if GOD (Jesus) can respond immediately to meet our needs... why not MAN respond immediately for the LORD, when He only has the BEST for us?

Believe in the Word

Matthew 8:1-17

Inspired thots:

1) Jesus is always willing to heal & to make His people whole. Hallelujah!

2) Faith is needed to be healed; (v8)

a) just as John 20:29 says 'blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed',
faith is the belief in Christ that things will be as we so desire, because Jesus is willing to do that which we ask of Him.

b) Hebrews 11:1 ~ Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Faith is understanding our position in Christ and submitting to Him our total self for His glory.
i) The centurion was not presumptuous of Jesus personally going to his house to heal his servant but had the belief that his servant can be healed with just a word from Jesus.

ii) Truly God's word is TRUTH, and the TRUTH sets us free (and healed). John 8:32

iii) The centurion understood Authority. He knew that as one with authority, someone under his charge would obey his word... The centurion figured out that Jesus is one with authority... but who are Jesus' charges to carry out His word? Did the centurion understand the things of the kingdom as well? Amazing faith!

c) Jesus drove out the demons with a word. He is the Word of God (John 1:1)
i) There is certainly power in the Word.

ii) It is certainly beneficial to know the Word.. and to embrace it with Faith!

Miracles follow...