Posted by: missionventureministries | September 6, 2023

ENCOURAGEMENT AND FAITH – John 21:22

John 21 vs 22

Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow Me.’ (John 21:22) 

John, James, and Peter were Jesus’ closest followers (Matthew 17:1; Mark 14:33; Luke 8:51). Jesus has just predicted how Peter’s would die; with John standing nearby (John 21:18–20). Out of natural curiosity, Peter has asked about John’s fate (John 21:21). 

Jesus’ response in (John 21:22) is not a rebuke, or even a criticism. It’s simply a rhetorical question, meaning “what difference would that make in your faith? Just follow Me!” 

Jesus’ response is not harsh, but it is direct. He gives no prediction, but only points out that what happens to John has nothing to do with Peter’s faith. Peter doesn’t need to know what will happen to John, now that Peter has been restored, he just needs to obey: “you must follow Me!” Even if John were to live from that moment until Jesus’ second coming, it would not change Peter’s calling or his need to obey Christ in faith. 

That principle applies to Christians even today. It’s good to care about the fate of others. We should seek to meet their needs and teach them about the Gospel, but whether they “accept” or “deny” Jesus and even whether they live or die, doesn’t change our obligation to focus on our personal obedience to God. 

Faith is believing that God will do what He has promised, it is trusting that God will honor His promises, and that is all we must do. 

Our part in the faith process is fairly simple. We are to go about our lives making decisions, handling crises, raising our families and so on, trusting in God and knowing that He is really going to do what He said He would do. That is what it means to walk by faith. 

The Holy Spirit dwells in the believer and is ready to go to work producing the character of Christ through them. All He needs is our faith, since the Lord has a plan for each of us, and it is our responsibility to live out that plan in obedience and faithfulness. 

What the Lord plans for another person’s life, and how that other person lives out God’s plan is the business only of the Lord and that person, it is not our responsibility, just as Jesus said to Peter when he asked about John. 

We are to encourage and help others as they fulfill God’s plan in their lives, but we are not the Creator or the policeman of that plan and purpose. God is fully capable of dealing with each person individually, and our role is to trust Him completely with our lives and with the lives of those we love. 

Therefore, we must truly believe that God is capable and is in control of all things and that He desires our eternal good and is our help always and especially in times of need. 

When we catch even a glimpse of who God is, what God is capable of doing, and how He desires to exert the full extent of His power, presence, and provision to help us, we can’t help but feel faith and hope welling up in us to produce an abiding peace. 

Barnabas was nicknamed the “son of encouragement” by the early church (Acts 4:36). He was the kind of guy you wanted to have around as you were serving the Lord. He was a man of great conviction who wanted to see the church flourish and did all he could to make it happen. 

Pray for God to show you who to encourage. Ask God to bring someone to mind that you should reach out to. May the Lord do more than we can imagine through just a little encouragement and faith (Ephesians 3:20-21). 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | August 30, 2023

WHAT HAPPENS IF WE CLAIM TO BE WITHOUT SIN? – 1 John 1:6-10

1 John 1 vs 6-10

If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word is not in us. (1 John 1:6-10) 

There are five such “if” statements in this passage. First, John refers to those who claim fellowship with Christ while living in sin (1 John 1:6). Second, John addresses those who truly live according to Christ’s commands (1 John 1:7). In verse 8, John refers to those who claim to have no sin whatsoever. 

Saying we have no sin is considered negative and simply impossible, only God is without sin (Hebrews 4:15). So, anyone who claims to be without sin is self-deceived. 

John teaches that those who claim to be without sin do not have the truth in them. This lack of truth applies to the saved believer who claims to have been freed from all sin in their present life. A believer should recognize his or her sinfulness and need of forgiveness through Christ. Even the most devout, clean-living Christian still contends with sin, in some way. Forgetting that we have sin makes us insensitive to things we ought to confess to God. However, as stated in verse 7, we don’t lose hope, but we trust in Christ to forgive us. 

Verse 8 states that those who claim to be without sin are deceived (1 John 1:8). And in verse 9 we read that those who confess sins are reassured that God will forgive, and remove that sin’s impact on fellowship with Him. Note that even though this passage is written to believers, John states that those who confess sins are both forgiven and cleansed. Though believers are forgiven at the point of salvation, there is also an ongoing sense in which believers need to confess sin and experience forgiveness and cleansing. Cleansing of sin was an important part of the Mosaic Law, mentioned some 14 times in the book of Leviticus alone. It was the goal of those who brought a sacrifice to the Lord in the tabernacle and then in the temple. 

Verse 10 adds two negative traits of those who claim to be without sin. First, it directly contradicts the word of God, which is the same as calling God a liar, which was and is considered a great blasphemy. 

Second, this claim implies that the truth of the gospel is not in such a person. In other words, a person who claims to be without sin, at present, is not speaking the truth. A person who claims to have never sinned not only speaks a lie, but directly contradicts the gospel. 

In John’s first epistle, he explains the fellowship we have with others and with Jesus Christ. He also gives descriptions of the genuine believer, one of them being that the believer sees a decreasing pattern of sin in his life (1 John 3:5–6; 5:18). 

Here is what John says: “No one who lives in [Christ] keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen Him or known Him” (1 John 3:6); and “We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them” (1 John 5:18) 

Some misunderstand these verses to mean that Christians can attain sinless perfection. After all, John says that “no one who lives in Him sins” (1 John 3:6) and that “no one who is born of God sins” (5:18). Based on these verses, many reason, sin must be a thing of the past and therefore, if you commit a sin, that’s proof that you are not saved, because Christians are sinless. But that is not what John is teaching.

We know that, when John writes that believers do not continue to sin, he is not referring to sinless perfection because of what he writes elsewhere in the same epistle. To believers John says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). Therefore, we are all sinners, and we continue to struggle with sin even after we are saved. We will never know a total absence of sin until we are with the Lord in glory: “When Christ appears, we shall be like him” (1 John 3:2). 

If John is not referring to sinless perfection, what does he mean that believers do not continue to sin? Very simply, he means that believers will not continue practicing sin as a way of life. There will be a difference between the old life without Christ and the new life in Christ since “All who have this hope in [Christ] purify themselves, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:3). 

As we are led by the Spirit, we will walk more and more in obedience to the Word of God. However, if a person claims to be a Christian but lives a life in defiance of God’s Word, then that person is showing the world they are unsaved. No one who continues to live in willful sin knows God. Because continual sin is incompatible with a new life in Christ, since living in adultery, homosexuality, idolatry, or falsehood is proof that no regenerative work of the Spirit has yet taken place in the heart, regardless of anyone’s claims to the contrary. 

John gives us the reason why believers do not continue to sin: “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God” (1 John 3:9). A genuine Christian will not deliberately, knowingly, and habitually sin. It is not longer in their “spiritual DNA,” and when they do they immediately ask for forgiveness from God and those they have trespassed against. 

We need to understand that as we read the pages of the New Testament, we discover that no New Testament Christian ever makes a claim to sinless perfection. The only one who could say, and did say, that he was without sin was the Lord Jesus himself. All others are reminded that though we must face constantly the challenge of walking without sin, nevertheless, the subtlety of the enemy, the cleverness of the wiles of the devil is so prevalent and powerful that there will be times when we fail. 

As Paul warns his readers, “He who thinks he stands, take heed, lest he fall,” (1 Corinthians 10:12). This is why the Christian is always exhorted to walk in fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12) since he is fully aware of the ease with which he can fall into an attitude of mind that is contrary to the things of the Lord. He is aware of the fact that not until he has a redeemed body will he be totally free from sin. This is why our Lord Himself taught in Matthew 6:13 and Luke 11:4 to pray, “Lord, don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one” – Amen! 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | August 23, 2023

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE DEFIANT AGAINST THE GOSPEL? – Galatians 6:7-9

Galatians 6 vs 7-9

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:7-9) 

As ambassadors for our Lord Jesus Christ, we have the privilege to proclaim His Gospel to an unbelieving world. This is an awesome responsibility because those who are perishing need to hear the Gospel of Christ (Romans 10:17). Clearly, the most difficult people to evangelize are those who are defiantly opposed to the Gospel because of their religious bondage and deception. 

When you witness to them, their stubborn arrogance exposes their willful ignorance of God’s Word. Their stiff-necked self conceit leads to their unyielding self-deceit. Whenever prideful people are confronted in their self-deceit, they pridefully stand their ground to prove they are right. Therefore, we need to remember that: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). 

One of the most powerful tools Satan uses to “blind the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” is religious pride and arrogance (2 Corinthians 4:4). 

We see a vivid example of this when “Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people” (Acts 6:8). Some arrogant Jews rose up and argued with him because they were unable to cope with the wisdom and Spirit with which he was speaking. Stephen responded, “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it” (Acts 7:51-53). Because of their religious arrogance, they were brutally resistant to the truth, and with gnashing teeth, they stoned Stephen to death. 

No matter how defiantly people respond to the Gospel, we know stubborn hearts are no match for the penetrating power of God’s grace. The apostle Paul was a zealous persecutor of Christians before our Sovereign Lord knocked him off his high horse and granted him repentance. One of the thieves on the cross had lived a life of sinful rebellion, but in his last hour, God granted him repentance and faith in the Savior (Luke 23:39-43). These two examples of the saving power of God’s grace should encourage us to never give up hope for our friends and loved ones. Knowing that God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble, let us pray that they will exchange their pride for humility and submit to God’s Word (James 4:6). 

So whenever you get an opportunity to talk to someone about spiritual matters, seek to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ. The sinner needs to know who Jesus is and what He did. Don’t hesitate to defend the gospel out of fear of giving offense instead “opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:25-26). The Christian’s duty is to confront the sinner and warn him of impending judgment. 

The person needs to feel his guilt so that he realizes his need for a Savior. And, don’t fail to point out God’s grace and forgiveness to everyone who will repent. And whether God uses your witness to save 3,000, as He did with Peter’s sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2:40-41), or maybe just one person, you will be filled with joy to know that by turning a sinner from the error of his way, you have been used to save his soul from death (James 5:20). 

Just like the sower of seed must wait for the harvest, the Christian must wait patiently for the rewards that will inevitably come from the Giver of all good things (James 1:17). We should not give up, because our Lord is faithful. “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). 

Remember, the power of the gospel does not depend on our ability to use persuasive arguments. The power of the gospel does not depend on our charismatic personalities, it lies with God, and all we have to do is to present it to others. 

So let us pray for those that are deceived and defiant against God’s word that they will come under strong conviction of sin, judgment and righteousness by the power of the Holy Spirit (John 16:8-11). May God be exalted and honored as He answers our prayers for His glory and the salvation of perishing souls! 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | August 16, 2023

ACCEPTING ADVICE WITH THANKFULNESS – Proverbs 10:8-18

Proverbs 10 vs 8-18

The wise are glad to be instructed, but babbling fools fall flat on their faces. (Proverbs 10:8) 

Nobody likes criticism, but we should remember that God can use it to tell us something important as Proverbs 10:8-18 describes. Therefore, we are wise to pay attention when kind and godly people critique us or give us advice, instead of harboring bitterness. Their words, whether asked for or not, should encourage us to examine ourselves and discover who we really are. If we don’t listen, we can deprive ourselves of receiving something important. 

That’s why it’s important to respond well and evaluate advice or constructive criticism correctly. Instead of immediately becoming defensive or assuming you’re without fault, ask yourself, is the Lord trying to teach me something in this moment?  It’s wise not to automatically reject the advice, blame the person who made it, or defend yourself. Instead, consider what was said and ask God to continue revealing His will for your life. Then thank the person and explain that you’ll reflect on their observation. 

Today’s passage reminds us: “The wise of heart will receive commands” and the “one who is on the path of life follows instruction” (vv. 8, 17). If we wish to continue growing in Christ likeness, we must be open to receive the Lord’s teachings via whatever or whomever He chooses. 

When we read Ephesians 4:31 it tells us to “let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” This is a very important point that Paul is making when he quickly expounds on six areas of sin which Christians should make a conscious effort to avoid.

The first point Paul addresses is bitterness, a defect in our attitude which can cause trouble with other people (Hebrews 12:15). Bitterness is closely related to jealousy (Romans 13:13), and to dissatisfaction.

Paul’s second flaw to be “put away” is wrath. The Greek term here is thymos, which implies something hot, fierce, and passionate. This could be described as “rage.” Anger which boils over to the point that it controls us, causing us to act wildly or carelessly, it is not righteous anger; it is “wrath.”

Third, Paul notes anger. Paul’s reference here is to the more worldly type of anger, which results from frustrations in life. This is the “persistent” anger which becomes a habit. Irritations and annoyances cannot always be avoided, but we can work to limit how much anger we express in our lives.

Fourth, Paul lists clamor, using the Greek word kraugē. This term implies noise, commotion, and uproar (Acts 23:9). Believers are not to be known as obnoxious, riotous, troublemaking, annoying people. This word is also translated as “quarreling,” with Paul emphasizing that believers are to “put away” an argumentative attitude.

Fifth, Paul speaks against slander, which involves speaking false evils about others. The concept of slander doesn’t only include lies, however. Any attempt to put others down, in an inappropriate way, is considered “slander.”

Sixth, Paul adds malice. In this case, he uses the word kakia, which implies evil intent. The word carries the idea of deliberate harm, or intent to injure. This is the attitude which actively hopes to see others suffer consequences, harms, or troubles. Malice is the attitude which leads to revenge (Proverbs 20:22; Romans 12:19). Believers are NOT to be known for evil, but are to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). 

So, if someone comes to talk to you with godly advice thank God for them and for their willingness to come to see you even in an awkward situation to point out your mistakes so that you can change, grow and bear good fruit.  Therefore, “listen as Wisdom calls out! . . . Listen to my instruction and be wise. Don’t ignore it” (Proverbs 8:1, 33). 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | August 9, 2023

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO DO GOOD WORKS? – Ephesians 2:10

Ephesians 2 vs 10

“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) 

God has created us and gifted us to accomplish His will. He has a plan for each of us, and all He’s looking for is a willing heart. 

So, “What are good works?”  Good works are wise deeds that are done for God’s glory.  They are good because they are done to honor God in helping and loving people that are in need. They are works done for God’s glory, by God’s strength, because God commands (Ephesians 2:10).  

“What is the proper motivation of good works?” Christians labor for God in order to please Him, not to appease Him.  Christians do good works because it delights God, not in order to be forgiven.  Christians do good works out of a love for God, not to make God love them. They are done out of thankfulness and not out of fear.  

When we look at the key parts of Ephesians 2:10 we can learn many things:

1. “For…” gives additional evidence that salvation is a gift. Salvation does not come from man or by his works; we are God’s creation, His workmanship. This comes as a result of what was stated in the previous verses, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). The good works God is about to tell us we are saved for, are not what we are saved by. 

“Grace” is God’s job; “faith” is ours. Salvation is also God’s “gift.” God exercised His grace by sending His Son to die for our sins. Our part is to rest on or believe what He did on our behalf. Faith involves abandonment of any attempt by us to save ourselves by works. In God’s perspective we can never mix faith with works, since they are mutually exclusive and we cannot justify ourselves. 

Biblical faith rests on statements and promises by God and not on feelings. Faith in the Bible rests on knowing what God says. No one can become a believer without first knowing that they must rest on the death of Christ to pay for their sins. 

2. “…we are God’s handiwork, created…” The word “handiwork” connotes a work of art or workmanship. Believers are a work of art. God made us fearfully and wonderfully (Psalm 139:14) according to His plan for us, He is an expert craftsman who makes no mistakes. 

3. “…in Christ Jesus…” This was the case at our creation. Christ was there at the beginning. Through Him, all things were made, and in Him was life (John 1:3-4). But not only that, when we were made new, that is, by the Holy Spirit and our regeneration in Christ we were created anew, and are new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). This is only accomplished in Christ, in His finished work. 

God created us by giving us a new status or position before Him forever. We were spiritually dead, but God brought us to life in Christ. 

4. “…to do good works,” We are saved for a purpose. Jesus came to restore what was lost in the garden. This means that we will now, as new creations, saved by Jesus and filled with the Holy Spirit, be able to function as man was intended to function – as a thinking, reasoning, living, being, pursuing life for the glory of God and doing the good things He calls us to for the good of the world, the sake of His glory, and expansion of His kingdom. 

This has nothing to do with earning salvation, which was given freely, but is part of the privilege of the life eternal and being bearers of the gift God has given us. 

Remember that works glorifies man, grace glorifies God. 

5. “which God prepared in advance for us to do.” God prepared works for us in advance of our lives. In His providence He sorts out the way, timing our lives and situations so that we can walk and work for His glory. 

God prepared a path of works for the believer to walk. He not only prepared works from eternity as the result of our position in Christ, but He intends that we live in them as a course of life; “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13). 

Believers need to understand the proper order of how God works. We do not obtain anything from God by working on our own account, because in His eyes we are totally depraved. We deserve nothing but hell. It is only by God’s grace that He would save us. However, His work produces good works in us. True conversion produces a dynamic faith. There is a divine origin to what we do as believers. The cause of salvation is grace; the effect of salvation is works. There is a difference between cause and effect, but many people constantly get this confused. 

It is important to understand the place of works in the Christian life. Works do not carry a meritorious idea but the concept of bearing fruit. Works are the consequence of the grace of God on our lives. Becoming a Christian makes for a radical change in behavior not due to us ourselves. 

To those who profess Christ, and yet find themselves void of true good works, who boast in their religion rather than in Jesus Christ, let us challenge you, test yourself, to see whether you are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). 

Remember, we are not saved by “good works.” We are saved by faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our sins. We are saved by His good work before we are called to our own good works. 

God prepared what He wanted us to do for Him long ago. He has already planned what He wants us to do with our lives. We do not need to copy what someone else has done or is doing. He has a unique plan for each of us to serve Him in this world. This includes certain spiritual gifts and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives to lead us in service to Him. 

Therefore, “let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | August 2, 2023

GROWING AND LEARNING TO BE MORE LIKE CHRIST – Ephesians 5:1-2

Ephesians 5 vs 1-2

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2) 

Growing in Christ involves far more than just attending church, tithing, and listening to a sermon. In fact, many believers do all this but remain inactive in their walk. For us to become more like Jesus, it is necessary for us to learn and obey His instructions and to follow His manner of action when He was on earth. 

The most important part is learning truth and this is accomplished by reading the Word of God since Scripture instructs us that just as newborns crave milk, we are to desire His Word so that we might grow (1 Peter 2:2). 

Simply listening to the truth, however, doesn’t mean that we’ve acquired it. Some people love attending Bible studies and expanding their knowledge, but their lives remain unchanged. Remember that actual growth requires action as James 2:26 states, “Just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.” 

If we’re truly maturing, our life will be increasingly Christ-like, and our desires will align more closely with God’s heart, therefore we need to make sure that we are listening and responding to His truth. 

The true anchor for our soul is Jesus, who Scripture promises will never change. To find comfort in Him, we must learn who He is, what He does, and how He works. 

John 1:1 reveals that Jesus is Deity from the beginning. Fully God and fully man, He was born of a virgin. Scripture identifies Him as the Christ (Matthew 16:16-17), the Savior who was crucified and who resurrected after three days. Jesus is the Son of the Living God and the only way to Him (John 14:6). He fulfilled countless prophecies in the Old Testament, such as Isaiah 53:1-12. 

Like us, Jesus had feelings; He wept in one occasion and felt righteous anger when people misused the temple. He was loving, compassionate and just, and we need to remember that God’s character never changes; Jesus Christ always remains the same. The better we know Him, the easier it will be to turn to Him for refuge since He’s the only true shelter and rock that will not change. What a comfort for believers! 

So let’s take a look at some of Jesus’ characteristic that we must imitate in our own life: 

  • He forgave others. He showed mercy, not judgment, to those who recognized their sin. 
  • He comforted the hurting. He visited Mary and Martha, who were mourning the loss of their brother Lazarus (John 11:1-45). 
  • He provided for needs. After spending three days healing, He was concerned that the large crowd hadn’t eaten. He could have sent all 4,000 away to find their own food, but He provided more than enough to satisfy their hunger (Mark 8:1-9). 
  • He interceded for His disciples. Just before He was crucified, Jesus asked the Father to protect and sanctify His followers, including you and me (John 17:15-20). 
  • He strengthened believers and gave them power to do God’s work. In Acts 1:8, the Lord sent His disciples out to share the gospel, assuring them, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” (Acts 1:8). 

Jesus still forgives, comforts, provides, intercedes, and empowers us each day. What a blessing it is that we can always find refuge in our amazing Lord! 

Please keep in mind that our mission is to use the precious time our Creator has given us to grow each day since every day and every minute that we live count; and to remember to live for Him, like Him and to share about Him to those who do not know Him. 

Therefore bear in mind always that, “Whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked” (1 John 2:6). 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | July 26, 2023

WHY WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

1 Thessalonians 5 vs 18

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18). 

First let us understand that the habit of gratitude can bring joy and peace to our life, even in tough seasons and that gratitude begets more gratitude. Therefore, as Christians, we are called to give thanks in all circumstances. But why is gratitude so important? What is the connection between gratitude and joyfulness? 

The Bible is filled with verses about gratitude and thankfulness. For example: 

  • Psalm 100:4says, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.” 
  • In Colossians 3:15-17, we are told, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” 

Gratitude is not just a suggestion, but a commandment. We are told to give thanks in all circumstances and to give thanks to the Lord for He is good (Psalm 136:1). It is through gratitude that we recognize the goodness of God and His many blessings in our life. 

Gratitude is more than just saying “thank you.” It is a way of life that leads to joy. In Philippians 4:4-7, we are told, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” 

This passage shows us that rejoicing and gratitude go hand in hand. When we are thankful, we experience the peace of God which surpasses all understanding. This peace guards our hearts and minds and leads to joy. Gratitude allows us to focus on the blessings in our lives rather than the challenges. It reminds us of the goodness of God and His faithfulness. 

Gratitude has many benefits. It not only leads to joy, but it also has physical and mental health benefits. Studies have shown that people who practice gratitude sleep better, have lower levels of stress and depression, and stronger relationships with others. 

Gratitude also helps us to see things from a different perspective. It helps us to appreciate the little things in life and to recognize the blessings in the midst of difficulties. It reminds us that we are not alone and that God is always with us. 

Not being grateful is a sin that we all struggle with at times. It is easy to take the blessings in our lives for granted and to focus on what we don’t have rather than what we do have. When we are not grateful it leads to discontentment and a lack of joy. 

The key to overcoming ingratitude is to focus on the goodness of God. When we recognize all that He has done and does for us, we cannot help but be grateful.   

Gratitude is not something that comes naturally to us. It is something that we must cultivate. Cultivating a grateful heart requires intentionality and effort. One way to do this is by practicing gratitude daily. This can be done through prayer or simply taking a moment each day to reflect on the blessings in our lives. Another way to cultivate gratitude is by focusing on the needs of others. When we serve others and show mercy, it helps us to see the goodness in the world and to be thankful for what we have. 

We can also cultivate a grateful heart by being mindful of our thoughts and attitudes. When negative emotions and thoughts arise, we can choose to focus on the positive and to be thankful for the good things in our lives. We can also choose to surround ourselves with positive influences and to avoid negativity. 

As Christians, we know that the ultimate source of gratitude is God Himself. He is the giver of all good things (James 1:17), and the one who sustains us through difficult times. When we recognize that everything we have comes from Him, it changes our perspective and leads us to a heart of thankfulness. 

As we begin to discern the deeper knowledge that God has placed within us to guide us, to protect us and to lead us to a greater experience of being in the world, this gratitude will grow. And we will feel that we are moving in a greater direction rather than merely surviving day by day. 

In Psalm 23, David recognized that everything he had came from God. He was thankful for God’s provision, protection, and presence in his life. As we cultivate a grateful heart, we too can experience the goodness and mercy of God in our lives. 

An ongoing attitude of gratefulness isn’t only a helpful spiritual discipline; it is also medicine for the soul. It keeps us aware of God’s place in our life and reminds us to look for His purpose in every situation. A mind full of gratitude brings us into alignment with the Lord’s will and frees us from relying on ourselves instead of Him. Then our anxiety will be replaced with peace, which helps us trust God even when we don’t understand why something difficult is happening. 

Remember that gratitude is more than just saying “thank you.” It is a way of life that leads to joy, peace, and contentment. As Christians, we are called to give thanks in all circumstances and to recognize the goodness of God in our lives. By cultivating a grateful heart, we can experience the many benefits of gratitude and the ultimate source of joy, our relationship with God, so let us make gratitude a daily habit and a way of life. 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | July 20, 2023

THE HOLY SPIRIT’S MISSION IN SALVATION – John 16:13-15

John 16 vs 13-14

Salvation is purposed by the Father, accomplished by the Son, and applied by the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit’s action in salvation, all that Christ has accomplished brings no value to us. As Scripture consistently presents, the Spirit graciously, effectively, and permanently gives us Christ Jesus and every blessing He has secured. Our salvation is in Christ alone and by His Spirit alone, since the Holy Spirit is the bond by which Christ effectually unites us to Himself. 

On the eve of His crucifixion, Jesus informs His disciples of the unbroken solidarity between Him, the Father, and the Spirit. 

When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take from Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; this is why I said that He takes from Mine and will disclose it to you (John 16:13–15). 

The Spirit’s ministry thus carries out a specific mission, marked by the full scope of saving glory; revealing, calling, and uniting sinners to the resurrected and exalted, life-giving, Savior and King of kings. With His persevering Christ-centeredness, the Spirit personally sustains Christ’s mission; the Spirit, in fact, delivers and affects Christ’s salvation. The Spirit delivers not only the benefits, but the Benefactor; He gives us Christ Himself (Titus 2:14; Romans 8:9). Salvation, as Scripture presents it, comes by a real union with the real Christ, a personal bond to the Person of Christ by the Person of the Holy Spirit. 

Jesus affirms the eternal Trinitarian structure for redemption. Salvation is a divine act and divine gift, and in its entirety, attains by the purpose and work of the Triune God – “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of the promise, who is a first installment of our inheritance, in regard to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:13–14). 

Being born again is not a physical thing; instead, it is a spiritual rebirth by the Spirit of God. God takes away a sinner’s old sinful spirit and gives him His own Spirit so that he becomes God’s child. The Holy Spirit gives birth to us and makes His dwelling within us from that moment on. It is through the Holy Spirit that God makes us new creatures in Christ Jesus and adopts us into His family. 

“Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again’” (John 3:5-7). 

God seals us with His own Spirit; demonstrating that we are His priced possession. We belong to Him, we are owned by Him and we are His children. Therefore, we can face life with faith and confidence knowing that our lives belong to the Almighty God who will lovingly watch over us and take care of us. 

As we see, without the third person of the Godhead, it is impossible to be born again. He convicts us of sin, of God’s righteousness, and God’s coming judgment. When we accept Christ’s sacrifice, the Holy Spirit by His own power gives us a new spiritual nature, comes to dwell in us, and helps us grow and mature spiritually. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). 

The Holy Spirit is the one who convinces us of our sin of not believing in Jesus Christ and helps us realize how utterly helpless and hopeless we are without God. “And when He comes, He will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment” (John 16:8). 

When a sinner responds to God’s call, accepts the saving grace of the cross of Jesus Christ by faith, declares with his mouth “Jesus is Lord,” (Romans 10:9) and believes in his heart that God raised Jesus from the dead; he becomes saved, born again and a new creature in Christ Jesus because the Holy Spirit takes residence in him. 

Once this takes place, the Holy Spirit transforms the believer, gives gifts to empower the body of Christ, and produces fruit in those who live by the Spirit. 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | July 12, 2023

HOW TO HAVE ABUNDANT AND NEWNESS OF LIFE – John 10:10-11

John 10 vs 10-11

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” (John 10:10-11) 

Jesus came so that we may have new and abundant life. These are two of the wonderful benefits of being born again; old things pass away making it possible for all things to become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). When this happens the born again Christians not only has a new eternal destiny, but also a new life on this earth. The Greek word translated as “abundantly” actually means “superabundance.” 

That means when we need strength, we will have it. When we need hope, it will be supplied abundantly. When we need to quench the fiery darts of the enemy, we can thru the shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16). And thru the leadership of the Holy Spirit we can do all things because He gives us strength (Philippians 4:3). 

We need to remember that when we were promised eternal life through faith and trust in Christ, we don’t have to wait for it to begin. It begins in this life and is already ours when we become new creations in Christ. James 4:10 tells us to “humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” 

Many are hesitant to humble themselves before the Lord. For some, this comes from their deep seated pride. For others, it is simply an unawareness of the loving majesty of God, when His love is unquestionably demonstrated and proven that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:8). 

His power is seen in His authority over all creation. He measures the universe with the span of His hand (Isaiah 40:12), He names and numbers the billions of stars, and He speaks of the future with absolute clarity. This majestic God has also numbered the hairs on our heads (Matthew 10:30) and keeps our tears in His bottle (Psalm 56:8). There is none like Him, there is nothing too hard for Him, and no one can match His power (Isaiah 40:12-31). 

Humbling ourselves before God should be easy, once we understand who He is. Yet, in His typical loving and gracious manner, He lifts up those who humble themselves before Him. We would also do well to remember that He has done more for us then we know, since He is always watching over us. He keeps the enemy from destroying us and protects us when se don’t even realize it. He averts more heartbreak that Satan has planned against us than we can even imagine. 

Humbling ourselves before such love and power should be easy, but the truth is that “the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). 

This is another reason why we “must” be born again and why so many have a hard time recognizing how wonderful and loving our great and awesome God truly is. When you begin to see how amazing God is, surrendering to Him and being obedient to His word becomes easy, for no one loves us like He does. No one has a better plan for our lives than He does. He is perfect in all His ways. 

Unless you are born from above, meaning born again spiritually, the first birth means nothing. Everybody that is on this earth is born; however, it is the second birth that is so valuable, it means spending eternity with Him. 

The first death, sooner or later will happen to all of us, it is the second death that we want to stay away from. So we need a second birth so we can escape the second death. And in order to do that, we need to respond, to obey, to believe, and to follow God. If you really think about it, it’s not that hard. All it takes is humility and to soften our heart so we can hear His Spirit touching our soul. 

Revelation 20:11-15 says: “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” 

The way to avoid the lake of fire and the second death is to be born again. This puts our name in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and, as Jesus told the Christians at Smyrna in Revelation 2:11, the second death has no power over us. This is a glorious truth we should rejoice in every day! It should also remind us that knowing Jesus not only gives us eternal life, but it also gives us power and purpose in this life. 

Let us therefore share these truths from God’s Word with everyone that we have an opportunity to do, so “that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:15). 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | July 5, 2023

GOD SEES OUR SITUATION AND HE IS WITH US – Isaiah 26:3

Isaiah 26 vs 3

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3) 

With all that is going on in the world today, this verse should prove to be of special help to us. Many are constantly threatened with the three great enemies of doubt, fear and worry, and need to keep their minds fixed on the Lord and realize how precious and comforting these words become to us instead of letting apprehension and depression take control. 

Paul taught the Philippians to “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! . . . The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4-7). How blessed we are as Christians, because this peace belongs to those who rest on the finished work of Christ for salvation. 

Perfect peace starts with peace with God through Jesus Christ, for He is our peace (Ephesians 2:14). And the only way to achieve a steadfast mind that lasts into eternity is through total trust in God. 

Is God still on his throne, blessing and keeping His children? Then be steadfast. Has God sent His one and only Son to save you by His death on the cross? Then trust in Him because, He will never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 38:1). His compassions will never fail you, they are new every morning; great is His faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23). Trust in Him by completely surrendering all to Him, and then you will have a steadfast mind and enjoy complete peace. 

Believers have an obligation to “let the peace of God rule” in their hearts (Colossians 3:15). This means we have the choice either to trust God’s promises, letting His peace rule, or to rely on ourselves and reject the peace He offers. Jesus gave His disciples peace based on the truth that He has overcome the world (John 14:27; 16:33). Peace is a fruit of the Spirit, so, if we are allowing the Spirit of God to rule in our lives, we will experience His peace (Galatians 5:22-23). To be spiritually minded brings life and peace, according to Romans 8:6. 

The world will continue to have wars and interpersonal conflicts until Jesus comes to establish true, lasting peace (Isaiah 11), but God will give His peace to those who trust Him. Jesus was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:5), and has made it possible for us to have peace with God. Once His peace rules in our hearts, we are able to share that peace with others and become promulgators of peace (Isaiah 52:7) and ministers of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18). 

Too many people think of God as being far away, off in heaven somewhere. Others think of God as being in their distant future when they are older and don’t see God as being accessible or available to them in the immediacy of their lives. 

The truth is, God is present with us in every moment of every day and we need to keep our focus on Him so that we will keep in perfect peace as Isaiah states. 

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