Happy Valentines Day. If you have a spouse show special love today. If your love has gone on to Heaven then give thanks for the special relationship God allowed you to have. If you feel lonely today remember the greatest love you have is the Lord Jesus. He loves you with an everlasting love that will never end.
1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
Matthew 5 is about being distinct in character. How a Christian is to be clearly different from this world, noticeably different in a good way. This particular teaching was coming from the mouth of Jesus Himself. He not only said how we are to be distinct, but when we are, we are blessed with a true happiness & peace that only God gives. Plus He tells what we would obtain for being distinct. We are called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Christ urges us to be a good example. I challenge you to read Matthew chapter 5 and be determined to be distinct in this world and watch for your blessings.
Matthew 5:13-16 (KJV) Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
“My sheep hear my voice” is what the scripture says, not “my sheep can hear My voice” or “My sheep should hear My voice” but that they do hear His voice. Note also that God directs His voice to His sheep. He doesn’t say “My intelligent follower”, or “the popular or kind”. No, He says, “My sheep”. The sheep knows the sound, the inflection, of its shepherd’s voice. So we are to know the voice of God in our life as a Christian. How does God speak to us, His sheep? Clearly He speaks through His Word. Read it, study it, and listen to it.
John 10:3b (KJV) “…the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them… “
John 10:14 (KJV) “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”
Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.”
In life, we need the help of Christ to stay focused, so make His Word personal. Say the verse above, Colossians 3:17 by using your name and personal pronouns. An example is below.
Whatever (your name) does in word or in deed, let me do all in the name of Jesus and give thanks to God my Father through Jesus.
What a wonderful Savior Jesus is. He warns us against things that Satan will use to harm us or cause us to question God. Satan wants to steal our purpose, vision, joy, and family through doubt and discouragement. One thing Satan cannot steal from a Christian is salvation. When you trust Christ as your Savior, believe He died on the cross for your sins and repent, you are accepting the gift of Salvation which is your eternal security.
Romans 8:38-39 (KJV) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Do you put Jesus in your life as first priority? He will direct your paths in all areas of your life if you put Him first.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
The SOS Events office is full of activity as the new year begins. Time for tax deductible receipts to go out, revision of the manual, scheduling for trainings and events for 2017 and plans for new areas and events.
When the staff is busy there is the enemy who is busy also trying to upset whatever we do for the Lord. The devil has already been defeated by our Lord and Savior Jesus. So we will put our trust in Him and just keep keeping on. If you are discouraged when things seem to be going wrong, look to Jesus in faith to bring you through.
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Are you ready for a new year? Many will make resolutions that they cannot keep because they do not have the wisdom or willpower to follow through on the changes they want to make in life. There is only one way that we can change from our old ways to new.
That is by trusting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, then asking him to change our behavior. There are many promises in the Bible that tells us we can depend on Him to help us make the changes in our lives that we desire to have. So do not make resolutions for New Year’s but put your trust in Jesus to make your life what you want it to be.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
SOS Events has a wonderful office staff who keeps the ministry going and growing. Diana Giuliano, office manager, Beka Williams, assistant, Alice Thomas, chief correspondent and in charge of scheduling and Hailey Levins, general office work. These ladies do a wonderful job keeping the ministry running smoothly and every one of them go above and beyond what the typical office workers do.
Please keep SOS Events staff in your prayers as in everyone’s life there are personal trials that we all face. The enemy especially likes to discourage people who work for the Lord but we know that by faith and prayers we can be victorious through our Lord Jesus.
If you are facing a trial today turn to Jesus, he will give you the victory if you trust in Him.
1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll,
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Chorus:
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul
Many are still celebrating Christmas and looking for ward to New Years Activities, but some people are hurting. Today there is a funeral for a father of 3 who was killed in an accident 2 days befor Christmas. Another friend’s brother died from cancer last week. As Christians we can say even in the midst of tragedy, it is well with my soul. If you are hurting our prayer for you is to lean on Jesus who can give you the peace and comfort you need through this difficult time.
This song was written by Horatio G. Spafford in 1873 when he was over the spot where his 4 daughters were drowned when the ship they were traveling on sank. He was on his way to comfort his grieving wife when the “peace that passes understanding” prompted him to write this beautiful hymn.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Center for Evangelists 
You must be logged in to post a comment.