Posts

Christ Alone is the Source of Our Salvation!

Image
  Christ Alone is the Source of our Salvation Scripture: Matthew 7:21–24 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”  (ESV) Recently, I received an email from a subscriber of KingdomNomics wanting an explanation of the above verses. No matter how great the ministry of an individual may be, we must remember the source, power, and foundation of our salvation is the person of Jesus Christ alone. Only he gives us right standing before God, not our works. I believe Matthew 7:21–24 is referring to people who are trusting in their...

Astonished!

Image
  When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. Luke 5:8–9, NLT Astonished Peter and his partners had fished all night and caught nothing, but the following morning he obeyed Jesus’ word to let down their nets again, and this time they caught so many fish that their nets began to break. These professional fisherman were astonished by what God did and soon left their nets to follow Jesus. The Scripture says, “Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” He is going to do some things that will overwhelm you with awe. He’s going to take you further than you’ve imagined. You’re going to overcome obstacles that seem permanent. What God is calling you to do will astonish you. The dream He’s placed in your heart may look impossible to accomplish, but something inside says, “Yes, this is for you.” That’s ...

Walking the Talk!

Image
  Walking the Talk Scripture: Galatians 5:16 “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (NKJV) We recently received a question from a subscriber of the 31-day  KingdomNomics Applied  devotionals about how to overcome a particular moral issue in his life, in addition to fending off the accusations of Satan even after confession of the sin to God. We suggested several steps an individual can take to overcome sin. The first step is to confess: “ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ” (1 John 1:9, NKJV) Confession includes repentance from continuing or practicing the sin. Second, God gives us the power to overcome temptation and sin by the power of the Holy Spirit.  “Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put ...

Ezekiel 3:16-27!

Image
  Introduction Ezekiel 3:16–27: Ezekiel is appointed to be a lookout for Israel and is instructed about the warnings he is to deliver. The chapter concludes with God telling Ezekiel that he will be unable to speak for a while, suggesting that Ezekiel is to speak only when God has a message for the people. Today’s Key Verse: Ezekiel 3:23a GNT So I went out into the valley, and there I saw the glory of the LORD. Read 16  After the seven days had passed, the Lord spoke to me.  17  “Mortal man,” he said, “I am making you a lookout for the nation of Israel. You will pass on to them the warnings I give you.  18  If I announce that someone evil is going to die but you do not warn him to change his ways so that he can save his life, he will die, still a sinner, but I will hold you responsible for his death.  19  If you do warn an evil man and he doesn't stop sinning, he will die, still a sinner, but your life will be spared. 20  “If someone truly goo...

The King’s Service!

Image
  The King’s Service Scripture: Matthew 7:8 “For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. ” (NIV) There is nothing like being in the King’s service. Then we realize what we are designed for and the particular works he wants us to do. We experience a fulfilling and abundant life when we are in the center of God’s will. Our lives will truly echo into eternity as we experience the favor and blessing of God when we are in harmony with his will. How do we know this for sure?  “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. ” (Ephesians 2:10, NIV) This verse tells how we are God’s handiwork, special vessels made for the purpose of being productive. He wants us to be engaged in the good works he has prepared for us. When we are spiritually born into his family, we become a new creation with renewed purposes and works to do for his kingdom. How do we find ...

Ezekiel 2:2-3

Image
  Introduction Ezekiel 2:2—3:15: Ezekiel is called to be a spokesperson for God, and he is warned that he will encounter resistance when delivering God’s message. He is instructed to eat a scroll on which are written “cries of grief” and “wails and groans” (2:10). This symbolic act indicates that the message God has given him will contain devastating news about the fall of Jerusalem and God’s impending punishment of the people (see chapters 4—9). Today’s Key Verse: Ezekiel 3:12 GNT Then God’s spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me the loud roar of a voice that said, “Praise the glory of the LORD in heaven above!” Read 2  While the voice was speaking, God's spirit entered me and raised me to my feet, and I heard the voice continue,  3  “Mortal man, I am sending you to the people of Israel. They have rebelled and turned against me and are still rebels, just as their ancestors were.  4  They are stubborn and do not respect me, so I am sending you to tell t...

New Life at Work!

Image
  New Life at Work Scriptures: Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:11 “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ” (Galatians 2:20, NIV) “In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. ” (Romans 6:11, NIV) Christ can live and continue his ministry through us while we are still in this world. These two verses encapsulate these “secrets” of the kingdom to us. If we grasp these truths, in faith, our lives will be in for radical change. We can become “overcomers,” no longer helpless victims enslaved to sin. We must be crucified with Christ, counting ourselves dead to sin. Yes, sin lurks inside of us, always trying to reassert itself. But the good news is we no longer have to surrender to its control. The following verses verify this spiritual truth: “Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to t...