Daily Devotional By Archbishop Foley Beach

In Today’s Uncertainty, “Know that the Most High {God} rules the kingdom of men {earthly governance} and gives it to whom he {God} will”

In Today’s Uncertainty, “Know that the Most High {God} rules the kingdom of men {earthly governance} and gives it to whom he {God} will”

MESSAGE SUMMARY:  Our country is NOT about “freedom from religion”. America has “freedom of religion”. Sadly, because of our abandoning God’s Laws, all of us in this country are affected – Jesus Followers and non-Christians; atheists; and followers of other religious faiths. As Jesus says in Mathew 5:45: “. . . For He makes the sun rise on the evil and the good, and send the rain on the just and the unjust.”. What can we do? The first thing we can do is pray and to fast – pray and ask God to turn our country around. We do want God involved, and God is involved.  In Daniel 4:24-25, God told King Nebuchadnezzar, through Daniel’s interpretation of the King’s dream, that God is always in control and sovereign; and that God determines those who govern us because God is the Sovereign Creator of the Universe: “this is the interpretation, O king: It is a decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king, that you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High {God} rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he {God} will.". God, the Creator of the Universe, responds to our prayers in all issues impacting our lives today – pray for God’s will respond, especially in these times of uncertainty.

 

 

TODAY’S PRAYER: Father, I confess that when difficulties and trials come into my life, large or small, I mostly grumble and complain. I realize the trials James talks about are not necessarily “walls,” but they are difficult to bear, nonetheless. Fill me with such a vision of a transformed life, O God, that I might actually consider it “pure joy” when you bring trials my way. I believe, Lord. Help my unbelief. In Jesus’ name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 94). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be ashamed of the Gospel. I will not be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes (including me). From Romans 1:16

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Leviticus 26:3-12; Leviticus 26:14-29; Daniel 4:24-25; Psalms 60:1-12

A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.

THIS SUNDAY’S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “After Jesus’ Resurrection, He Appeared Many Times to Many People and the Apostles; Today, We Have His Gift of the Holy Spirit”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/

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Jesus Followers, Are Given the Holy Spirit as “Counselor and “Helper”, and the Spirit Is, Also, a “Caller; but are you “Listening”

Jesus Followers, Are Given the Holy Spirit as “Counselor and “Helper”, and the Spirit Is, Also, a “Caller; but are you “Listening”

MESSAGE SUMMARY: Jesus, in Matthew 28:18-19, has called you along with all Jesus Followers to: 1) “make disciples” and 2) “Go”: “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,’". Even though you may not be called to be a missionary or a minister, Jesus calls all His followers in this “Great Commission”. However, Jesus does not call you without providing you the tools or gifts, through the Holy Spirit, to be successful. Paul, in Ephesians 4:11-13, tells us about God’s focus and reasons for His gifts to us through the Holy Spirit: “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints {that is all Jesus Followers} for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ . . .". Again Paul, in Romans 11:29, gives us further information about God’s fantastic gifts of the Holy Spirit that are the enablers for you as you answer God’s call – as a Jesus Follower, you are called and given gifts; but not all have answered His call: “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.". In summary, God, in His call to you, has given you the gifts of the Holy Spirit to perform His call to you.

 

TODAY’S PRAYER: Lord, I now take a deep breath and stop. So often I miss your hand and gifts in my life because I am preoccupied and anxious. Grant me the power to pause each day and each week to simply rest in your arms of love. In Jesus’ name, amen.      Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 132). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, because of I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Evil Ways. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit’s fruit of Goodness. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f).

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:10-14; Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 3:7-11; Psalms 111:1-10.

A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.

THIS SUNDAY’S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “He Is Risen: From Good Friday to Easter!”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/

DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

For Jesus Followers, God’s Grace, Through Jesus, Has Given the Means of Grace and the Hope of Glory

For Jesus Followers, God’s Grace, Through Jesus, Has Given the Means of Grace and the Hope of Glory

MESSAGE SUMMARY: When, on the cross, Jesus cried out: “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46,b), it was the only time, in all eternity that Jesus had been separated from God the Father. Jesus had always known perfect fellowship with the Father; but when He took on all our sin, His fellowship with God was broken. God, the Father, had forsaken Jesus because God cannot have anything to do with sin. Paul, in Romans 5:15, summarizes Jesus’ sacrifice and the resulting gift of His Grace available to us from our faith: “But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.”. Again, Paul reminds us, in 2 Corinthians 5:21, of the Grace resulting from Jesus’ sacrifice: "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.". At the time of His crucifixion, Jesus, who was sinless. Hence, Jesus took on all the sins of the world for eternity. Therefore, we are blessed with God’s Grace of Salvation and Eternal Life, as the author of Hebrews summarizes in Hebrews 4:15-16: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.". Jesus, through God’s Grace, has given us the means of Grace and the Hope of our Glory.

 

TODAY’S PRAYER: Father, I can only bow to you before such unimaginable loss and suffering. I join with Spafford and pray to you: “Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul.” In your Son’s name, amen.    Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 105). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Lust. Rather, I will abide in the Lord’s Perfect Provision. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Mathew 27:51-52; 2 Corinthians 4:7-15; Romans 4:16-17; Psalms 59a:1-8.

A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.

THIS SUNDAY’S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “After Jesus’ Resurrection, He Appeared Many Times to Many People and the Apostles; Today, We Have His Gift of the Holy Spirit”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/

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Pride Is a Barrier Between You and God, but the Holy Spirit Cleans Your Mind and Heart by Providing “a no-pride solution”

Pride Is a Barrier Between You and God, but the Holy Spirit Cleans Your Mind and Heart by Providing “a no-pride solution”

MESSAGE SUMMARY: Pride takes many forms, but pride always puts a barrier between you and God – especially in your prayer life. We are all sinners, and we only are only able to be saved from eternal death by God's mercy and Grace. Your prideful self-sufficiency will prevent you from entering God’s throne room (The place of God’s presence for His prayerful communion with you). You can come to God because of His mercy and gift of the Holy Spirit. As Paul tells us in Romans 8:26: “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." Also, in Mark 7:20-23, Jesus provides His perspective regarding pride: “And he said, ‘What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.’”. It is so easy to begin a prayer when both your heart and your mind are cluttered with your life’s stresses and the sinful thoughts and desires which you have permitted the enemy to leak into your being. Stop a moment and call upon the Holy Spirit (God’s helping gift to Jesus Followers) to clean your mind and heart while walking with you and your prayer into the presence of God – a no-pride solution to your prayers.

 

 

TODAY’S PRAYER: Abba Father, I admit that I am often afraid and embarrassed to openly tell you all that is going on inside me — even though I know you know it all anyway. Teach me what boldness in prayer looks like as I draw near your throne of grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.  Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 112). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that, because I am in Jesus Christ, I will live as Jesus would. (Philippians 1:27). “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”. (Philippians 4:14).

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Romans 8:26-28; Mark 7:20-23; 1 John 2:15-17; Psalms 58:1-11.

A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.

THIS SUNDAY’S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “After Jesus’ Resurrection, He Appeared Many Times to Many People and the Apostles; Today, We Have His Gift of the Holy Spirit”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/

DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

By a Mocking of God and His Institutions, Threats to Our Churches, Country, and Jesus Followers Are Exacerbated

By a Mocking of God and His Institutions, Threats to Our Churches, Country, and Jesus Followers Are Exacerbated

MESSAGE SUMMARY: Our way of life is slipping quickly away from us, but our way of life is not just about elections and politics. This risk arises from direct threats to both our Christian faith-based institutions and our country’s related founding principles. The news, 24/7, confirms that this risk is to our churches, to our country, and to our way of life. This threat is coming from a constant state of conflict among institutions, cultures, and individuals. The Bible provides examples of similar institutionalized conflicts throughout the ages. However, today’s conflicts, in and among organized religion, are over the basic principles of Biblical teachings and Jesus’ Gospel; and these conflicts make one wonder where the path for a way out of this descension and conflict will emerge.  From Clergy, Politicians, and the men and women in the street, God is mocked daily along with His institutions. Paul tells us, in Galatians 6:7, that: “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap." Some ask, in a mocking fashion, “Where is Jesus; He is supposed to be the Peacemaker?”. Jesus answers this question in Matthew 10:34-35, 38-39: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law . . . And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." 

 

The risks from this conflict, arising from the mocking of God and the large numbers of institutions walking away from the Christian principles upon which America was founded, will only be addressed by a change in our hearts. The hearts of the people will not change until we have a true “spiritual awakening”. As Jesus tells us in John 14:1: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.”. Additionally, Isaiah tells us in Isaiah 35:4: “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”. A spiritual awakening is needed not only to save souls from eternal damnation but to save our way of life. This “Spiritual Awakening” begins by proclaiming Christ faithfully to the nations.

 

TODAY’S PRAYER: Lord, everything in me resists following you into the garden of Gethsemane to fall on my face to the ground before you. Grant me the courage to follow you all the way to the cross, whatever that might mean for my life. And then, by your grace, lead me to resurrection life and power. In Jesus’ name, amen.   Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 100). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, because of I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Despair. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit’s fruit of Joy. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f).

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): John 20:19-25; John 16:33; John 14:27; John 1:14; 1 John 1:9; Luke 24:46; John 3:16; John 5:24; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Romans 5:8; Romans 10:10; Romans 8:1; Romans 8:38-39; John 1:12; Psalms 52:1-9.

A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.

THIS SUNDAY’S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “After Jesus’ Resurrection, He Appeared Many Times to Many People and the Apostles; Today, We Have His Gift of the Holy Spirit”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/

DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Some Turn Away from God in Political and Heath Uncertainties at Just the Moment they Most Need Him

Some Turn Away from God in Political and Heath Uncertainties at Just the Moment they Most Need Him

MESSAGE SUMMARY: The Lord wants to bring His Grace and His peace into our lives. Because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and God’s "New Covenant" Grace for us, God can make us whole again. Jesus can bring His peace and His joy into our lives. Why will some, who have separated themselves from the Lord, not seek Him and return to God? Jesus tells us that if we return to Him that He will return to us – no matter where we are. Also, the Lord tells us in Isaiah 44:22: “I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.".

 

TODAY’S PRAYER: Father, I confess that when difficulties and trials come into my life, large or small, I mostly grumble and complain. I realize the trials James talks about are not necessarily “walls,” but they are difficult to bear, nonetheless. Fill me with such a vision of a transformed life, O God, that I might actually consider it “pure joy” when you bring trials my way. I believe, Lord. Help my unbelief. In Jesus’ name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 94). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Fear. Rather, I will abide in the Lord’s Faithfulness. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV):  Joel 2:12-13; Psalms 51:12-15; 1 Thessalonians 3:7-10; Psalms 48:1-14.

A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.

THIS SUNDAY’S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “After Jesus’ Resurrection, He Appeared Many Times to Many People and the Apostles; Today, We Have His Gift of the Holy Spirit ”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/

DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB 

Jesus Followers Are Given the Incredible Gift of the Holy Spirit - “your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way’”

Jesus Followers Are Given the Incredible Gift of the Holy Spirit - “your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way’”

MESSAGE SUMMARY:  In Isaiah 30:21, Isaiah tells us: "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.". We know from the New Testament that Christians are given the Holy Spirit to walk with them -- "a word {voice} behind you". As a Jesus Follower, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in you; and the way the Lord speaks to you is through the inward witness of the Holy Spirit -- the Spirit will speak, and you will know that it is the Lord. As God told His people in Exodus 19:5-6: “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”.

 

TODAY’S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus’ name, amen.     Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM A CHILD OF GOD. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. John 1:12f

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): John 14:23-27; Acts 2:1-4; Exodus 19:1-6; Psalms 55b:13-23.

A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.

THIS SUNDAY’S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “After Jesus’ Resurrection, He Appeared Many Times to Many People and the Apostles; Today, We Have His Gift of the Holy Spirit” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/   

DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

God’s Grace Allows Jesus Followers to Know God Personally, Like a Father Knows His Son

God’s Grace Allows Jesus Followers to Know God Personally, Like a Father Knows His Son

MESSAGE SUMMARY:  There is a difference in knowing about someone and really knowing them. Jesus’ New Covenant permits you to know God in a personal way and not just to know about God. This means to know the Lord God was fulfilled in Jesus the Christ. In Romans 8:26, Paul tells us that the pathway for knowing God, personally, is through our prayers; and the Holy Spirit is with you to help you with your prayers: “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.". There is a great deal of difference in knowing about God through study and knowing God by developing a personal relationship with Him through your prayers and the New Covenant that is in Jesus. The Apostle John, in John 1:1-5, clearly identifies that Jesus is the “Word” {Jesus} who is the Creator of the Universe: “In the beginning was the Word {Jesus}, and the Word {Jesus} was with God, and the Word {Jesus} was God. He {Jesus} was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.". Therefore, God’s Grace, through Jesus, has given you the opportunity to have a personal relationship with our Triune God (i.e. God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit). Jesus provides this opportunity for you to have a personal relationship with God, the Creator of the Universe, who can become the cornerstone of your life. Have you established your personal relationship with God? If not, why not?

 

TODAY’S PRAYER: Father, I confess that when difficulties and trials come into my life, large or small, I mostly grumble and complain. I realize the trials James talks about are not necessarily “walls,” but they are difficult to bear, nonetheless. Fill me with such a vision of a transformed life, O God, that I might actually consider it “pure joy” when you bring trials my way. I believe, Lord. Help my unbelief. In Jesus’ name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 94). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because I am in Jesus Christ, I will seek God’s perspective on my situation. For I know that in all things God  works together for good to those of us who love Him and are called according to His purpose. From Romans 8:28

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): John 12:44-50; Luke 12:4-12; John 15:12-17; Psalms 55a:1-12.

A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.

THIS SUNDAY’S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “He Is Risen: From Good Friday to Easter!”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/

DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Fasting and Prayer Release Your Spiritual Power by Making God Strong in Your Life Through Your Weakness from Fasting

Fasting and Prayer Release Your Spiritual Power by Making God Strong in Your Life Through Your Weakness from Fasting

MESSAGE SUMMARY:  There are times when you need clarity, understanding, knowledge and insights from the Lord about the specific issues that you are facing. The Lord will speak to you, but sometimes it takes your listening AND fasting to hear Him. For example, when Joel received a Word when the land was to be destroyed, he called a fast (i.e. Joel 1:14): “Consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD.”. Some things you are facing in your life must be dealt with by both prayer and fasting. Fasting releases a spiritual power – in your weakness, God is made strong in your life. Daniel’s prayer, from Daniel 9:3-5, provides a context for asking direction from God: “Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, ‘O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules.’". Also, Daniel provides a great context for your prayers – Praise, Thanksgiving; and Confession before you ask for God’s intervention into your life and personal needs.

 

TODAY’S PRAYER: Father, I know how often I am carried away by too many concerns and demands and projects. I have felt the violence to my soul. Deliver me from this whirlwind around me and in me. Heal my tired and weary spirit, allowing the wisdom that comes from rest in you to flow deep within me. In Jesus’ name, amen.       Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 124). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, because of I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Inconsistencies. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit’s fruit of Faithfulness. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f).

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Joel 1:13-16; Matthew 6:16; Daniel 9:3-7; Psalms 54:1-7.

A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.

THIS SUNDAY’S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “He Is Risen: From Good Friday to Easter!”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/

DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Remember those Soldiers and First Responders Who, Having Jesus’ Agape Love, Place Themselves in Positions to Sacrifice Their Lives for Us

Remember those Soldiers and First Responders Who, Having Jesus’ Agape Love, Place Themselves in Positions to Sacrifice Their Lives for Us

MESSAGE SUMMARY: As we watch TV news and the inevitable “war scenes”, often, we see scenes from the National Cemeteries here and overseas. From these scenes, we cannot help but be reminded of Jesus’ Agape Love. In John 15:12-14a, Jesus told of the actions that represent the self-sacrificial Agape Love taken by many of those soldiers interred in these cemeteries: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends . . .”. We are made in the image of God; therefore, we are supposed to be perfect mirrors of God's Agape Love (i.e. self-sacrificing love). In 1 John 4:16-17, John tells us about God’s Love: “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world." Sin is our failure to act as our God of Agape Love acts -- the opposite of Agape Love is our self-love. Also, in 1 John 4:18-19, John presents us with the fruits of Agape Love, within the context of God’s model for Agape Love: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us.". Let us all remember all those who have Jesus’ Agape Love and who place themselves in a position to sacrifice themselves and their lives for us if needed, like soldiers and first responders, out of their love for us – their Agape love.

 

TODAY’S PRAYER: Lord, I come this day inviting you to cut those deeply entrenched chains that keep me from being faithful to my true self in Christ. In doing so, may my life be a blessing to many. In Jesus’ name, amen.      Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 44). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Resentment. Rather, I will abide in the Lord’s Compassion. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): 1 John 4:18-19; Psalms 51:1-2; Romans 5:2-5; Romans 8:31-39; Psalms 107a:1-11.

A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.

THIS SUNDAY’S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “He Is Risen: From Good Friday to Easter!”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/

DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB