Displaying Christian Sermons by tag: Lord

Jentezen Franklin (July-21-2022) Daily Devotional: Go overboard for the Lord!

“Peter…headed to shore.” Jn 21:7 NLT

“At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. He called out, ‘Fellows, have you caught any fish?’ ‘No,’ they replied. Then he said, ‘Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!’ So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It’s the Lord!’ When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he…jumped into the water, and headed to shore.

The others stayed with the boat” (vv. 4-8 NLT). Peter had to decide whether to leave his fish and go to Jesus or stay behind and enjoy what he had worked hard for. It’s a test we all face when we have accomplished our life’s objectives, when our nets are full and we have finally “made it.” Your challenge is, “Do I stay and guard my blessings or go overboard for the Lord and commit myself fully to Him?” Paul refers briefly to his career’s success: “You know my pedigree…from the elite tribe of Benjamin…defender of…my religion…meticulous observer of…God’s law” (Php 3:4-6 MSG). But listen to him now: “Things I…thought were so important are gone…dumped…in the trash so that I could embrace Christ” (vv. 7-8 MSG).

Paul realized his true identity lay not in his accomplishments but in his relationship with Jesus. Do you feel that way too? That night Peter may have felt like he was forfeiting everything, yet when he reached the shore, he found Jesus busy—cooking fish! The point is, whatever you need, God has it. Whatever you give up, He will repay many times over.

Daily Devotional (July-08-2022) WHEN THE LORD LOVES YOU

Scripture Reference: Hebrews 12:4-6 (The Living Bible). - “After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin. And have you entirely forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you, his children? He said, “My child, don’t ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don’t be discouraged when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes those he accepts as his children”

Resisting sin is a very important part of our lives as Christians. Without it, we would have lives of hypocrisy, mixing right and wrong, with no difference between us and unbelievers.

God is encouraging us to continue to resist sin in all its forms, no matter how difficult. Don’t stop. Please continue. In resisting sin, you haven’t reached the point of dying or physical injury.

Our passage then refers to “encouraging words”. What are these “encouraging words”? “My child, don’t ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don’t be discouraged when he corrects you”.

This refers to the painful aspects of our Christian lives that are not due to the devil, demons or wicked people. This pain is from God Himself. He is disciplining us as His very own children. He knows how to discipline His children.

Our passage says the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes those he accepts as his children. It means there is pain that is actually a manifestation of God’s deep love for you.

The desire of God is for you to prosper and to have an unending victory.

When you go through some painful experiences, do not always “resist”, “bind”, “loose”, “deal with” and “come against”. Sometimes, you should ask God what He intends to teach you or correct.

PRAYER - Thank you Lord for your love that keeps us strong always and encouraging us not to give up but continue in you. My faith is strengthen and I know God has not given up on me and I will not give up on myself in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen!

Watch Living Waters - "I gave my life to the Lord." Ray Comfort goes to share the Gospel with Larry down on the Huntington Beach pier and finds out the Larry is already a Christian.

Daily Devotional (June-15-2022) THE LORD IS FAITHFUL

Scripture Reference: 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5 The Living Bible - “But the Lord is faithful; he will make you strong and guard you from the evil one. And we are confident in the Lord that you are practicing the things we commanded you, and that you always will. May the Lord bring you into an ever deeper understanding of the love of God and the endurance that comes from Christ.”

Paul assured the Thessalonians that God would make them strong and guard them from the evil one. They were obviously aware of Satan and what he could do. It may have brought fear. He started that _"But the Lord is faithful...";_ It doesn't matter what you find yourself in, or no matter what you have done, the Lord is faithful. His promises never fails.

Paul had just referred to wicked and evil people:

“Pray, too, that we will be saved from wicked and evil people, ...”(2 Thessalonians 3:2)_ We have evil and wicked people that are in existence. Such think evil and imagine evil ever ready practicing it.

Paul continues by telling the people he was confident they were practicing what they had been taught by the apostles. It is good to know things, but more important to practice them.

Our passage ends with Paul’s prayer that God would bring the Thessalonians into an ever deeper understanding of the love of God and the endurance that comes from Christ.

We love to hear and read about the love of God. However, endurance is also part of our faith. Endurance is the quality that makes you go through a long, unpleasant experience without it destroying you. It is also part of our faith.

Do not worry too much about the existence and activity of Satan, demons and wicked, evil people. God will make you strong, guard you and help you to endure. Your God will keep you.

Do not spend your time, energy and emotions on evil (whether from Satan or evil people). They won’t succeed. Rather spend your time on ideas and developing/advancing. God will help you.

PRAYER - Dear Lord, thank you for your Word and prophecies concerning my life and family. But you are faithful and you are my strength and my guard against evil and wicked men. I grow in ever deeper understanding of God's love as I bring the Gospel even for those around me in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen.

Charles Stanley (April-22-2023) Daily Devotional: Lord of Lords

Jesus is Lord over our infinite universe, and He is also Lord over our heart.

Philippians 2:5-11 - Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

What does it mean when we say that Jesus is Lord? We hear the word Lord so frequently that it sometimes loses its power and magnitude, but this is far more than a mere title Scripture gives to Jesus. 

Philippians 2:9-11 tells us that God bestowed on His Son “the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow” and “every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” This means the name given to Jesus is none other than Lord. You see, Lord is not something Jesus does; it’s who Jesus is: Our Savior is, and will always be, the sovereign ruler of everything in heaven and on earth.

Therefore, when we express that Jesus is Lord, our life should reflect His authority over us. Is there anything you attempt to hide from Christ? Have you refused to do something that He has called you to do? Scripture says that someday everyone will recognize Christ as Lord (Phil. 2:11). So we should invite Him into the dark areas of our life and allow Him to conform us to His image. A good place to begin is with the simple yet profound confession “Jesus is Lord.” 

Daily Devotional (March-21-2023) The Lord is My Guide

Scripture Reference: Psalms 16:7 (NLT) - “I will bless the LORD who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.”

Have you ever had a deeply complex situation, way over your head, you were not sure what you were going to do, and then someone who was very familiar with your situation, showed you the way out? What a blessing! There is nothing worst than being in a deep forest and not know where you are. How thankful I was to have a guide who knew every square inch of the deep terrain we were in. It is that way in life. Every day has new challenges. Just when you think you know the terrain, you turn a corner and “bam” you don’t know where you are. Panic, frustration, doubt and fear start to set in and then you remember, “Why am I worried? The Lord is my guide!” And He is. David believed this. He knew what it was to depend on God. He knew what it was to be in circumstances where he wasn’t sure which way to turn. So he blessed the Lord who was his guide. This same God who instructed him during the night. Today, try it. Let God guide you. Call out to Him for wisdom, instruction, help and strength for all you do. He will be your guide.

Prayer: Father, be my guide. I need Your wisdom, Your strength, Your guidance. Thank You, Lord, that You love me and long for me to come to You for help. I come now, Lord Jesus. AMEN

Kyiv Symphony Orchestra & Chorus: "Precious Lord Take My Hand"

For the musicians of the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus (KSOC), music is both profession and calling. Our members are graduates of the world-renowned Tchaikovsky National Music Academy and now regularly perform in Ukraine and tour the U.S. and Canada. They have appeared at National Opera Theater in Kyiv and played in numerous churches, colleges, and concert halls throughout the world.

The KSOC was founded and began performing sacred masterpieces of classical music in 1993. These pieces—including Handel’s Messiah, Brahms’ Requiem, and Mendelssohn's Elijah—were banned under Communist rule. As the Iron Curtain lifted and this music became known to Ukrainian musicians, they described it as “an explosion of light.”

These time-honored compositions powerfully communicate texts that come directly from Scripture, declaring God's glory to the nations.

Joyce Meyer (February-22-2022) Daily Devotional: Humbly Leaning on the Lord

Humility is knowing we cannot succeed by trusting in ourselves and our own human effort. Instead, we trust in God, thankful that He does what we cannot. As we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and lean on Him at all times, He always equips us to do what we should be doing. Most human failure comes from people trying to do things in their own strength without relying on God.

I have found that when I feel frustrated, it is because I am exerting fleshly effort trying to do something that only God can do. I suggest that when you feel frustrated that you stop and ask yourself if you are doing the same thing. Works of the flesh equal frustration and works of the flesh mean that I am working with- out God.

We can live the joyful, overcoming life God has for us when we realize God helps those who know they cannot help themselves—those who realize they are totally dependent on Him and are grateful that He will provide everything they need.

Prayer Starter: Father, I am thankful that I do not have to depend on my own strength or best effort to get through life. Thank You that You are here to guide me and help me each day. I trust You and I place my life in Your hands, amen.

John MacArthur - Watch Sermon: One Lord, One Faith, One God: The Exclusivity of Christianity

David Wilkerson - Watch Sermon: It is Time to Trust the Lord