February 19
Today's Reading: Leviticus 25; Mark 1:23-45
Today's Thoughts: Relationship Wins Over Religion
Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous.
When we begin a new Bible study, regardless of the book or topic being taught, we always do an overview that explains why we are sinners and why we desperately need a Savior. We usually start in Genesis Chapters one through three and discuss what happened in the Garden when man fell and sin entered the human race. After Genesis Chapter three, the rest of the Bible tells us about Jesus, our salvation through Him, and our reconciliation with our Heavenly Father. Our only hope for eternal life with our Lord in heaven rests solely on our faith in His Son Jesus Christ.
We do not teach about a religion, but about a relationship with Jesus. Jesus came and died for us so that we could have a relationship with Him, regardless of the sin that exists within us. One of the hardest struggles for Christians is resting in the work that Jesus has already done for us. Once we believe in Jesus, truly receive Him into our hearts, then, we are filled with His Holy Spirit and sealed for the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30). The seal cannot be broken.
But so often, we live as if we still have something to prove to God. So many of us are still trying to work out our salvation in our own strength. We are trying so hard to please God that we are not letting His Holy Spirit truly fill us each day. Tension and stress hurt us in more ways than just physically or emotionally. Any relationship filled with stress and strife will ultimately be in danger of falling apart. The same is true of our relationship with Jesus. He will never leave nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), but we pull away from Him, by leaving and forsaking His presence.
Our mission is to evangelize the lost and awaken the saved to live empowered lives by the Work of God and His Holy Spirit. Daily Disciples Ministries makes a difference for the kingdom of God by teaching and training believers how to be in God's Word, how to pray and how to walk with Jesus every day, as His daily disciple.
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