60 Second Jesus
1 minute devotionals—all day meditations
Discipleship is Imperative
Foolish Atheists
I live in a dangerous neighborhood. One of our neighbors is actively engaged in trying to take their next door's property. Mr Moscow is actively attacking his neighbor with dangerous weapons attempting to steal their land by force. Another neighbor had been threatening to do the same to his next door for decades, claiming without proof that the next door land is his. Mr Beijing is known by all those near and far as a bully. Nobody trusts him. Down the street is a neighborhood called little America. They are divided on the left and right sides of the street, and they keep shooting each other. The next street over is little Africa. They could be a wealthy street but they keep on opressing one another. On the other side is a street called little Europe. Each house speaks a different language. They are all quite wealthy but can't agree on a common street policy, so each house is very different and the whole street looks uncoordinated. It's a dangerous part of town around here. Sheriff UNO has tried but he had no power to enforce the peace and neighbors just ignore his efforts, so it's like living in the wild west, where every neighbor does what's right in his own eyes. Be careful out there.
Self-Righteous Christians
Do we trust in ourselves that we are righteous, and despise others? Have a look at self-righteousness and self-justification in Luke 18:9-14. Do we think that others are lesser Christians than us? The faults of others ought to make us humble, not arrogant, because in them we should see our own sins. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us…” (1 John 1:8-10 NKJV) None of us measures up to God’s righteousness. Let’s discern right from wrong, but avoid self-righteously judging others and humbly confess our own sins. The righteous will not live by criticism and judgmentalism, but by faith (Romans 1:17).
The Original Faith
“Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all time handed down to the saints.” (Jude 3 NASB)
There is nothing wrong with seeking the advice of early church fathers, Protestant reformers, or others who have faith in Christ, but we must be wise when they deviate from or add to the God-breathed words in the Bible. We need life-long personal study of the Bible, like the Bereans.
“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” (Acts 17:11 NIV)
The Best Vengeance
We all experience unjust treatment from time to time. How do we deal with it? Can we take vengeance? What if we are totally wrong? There is a vengeance available to Christians, and it is a promise. Let God take the vengeance. He promised, and it will be perfect justice. "Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, 'Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.' " (Romans 12:19 WEB) Our job is to forgive, forget our anger and leave any justice or deserved punishment to God. He will deal with it perfectly in His own time and way. Trust Him!
Thinking about God
Evidence for God
God Introduces Himself
God is perfect, just, faithful and upright. That is good news. Will you have a change of mind and heart and believe the good news of God’s reign? You decide!
Repentance for Christmas
Does the Christian meaning of Christmas get lost? What can we do to make it more meaningful? Read what profound changes John expected with preparation for Christ’s coming in Luke 3:7-18. What fruits of repentance do our lives show? Have we made a change for the better? Do we share? Do we extort? Are we content with our wages? Let’s let our good works shine and give God the glory.