Are you a follower of Jesus?
1. You must be born again
2. Prayer a vital part of your life
3. Listen to Him
4. Believe Him
5. Obey Him
6. Love Him
7. Witness
8. Serve Him
9. Willing to suffer for Him
Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Many of us will be busy preparing for a busy Easter weekend. Passover also starts this evening at sundown. This is the most “Holy”of all times of the year for Christians and Jews. However, unfortunately many will just look at it as a holiday to enjoy with family and friends, or maybe a weekend to get away from our everyday life. Never stopping to reflect on the true meaning of why we celebrate. Jesus Died, was Buried and Rose again. Today, Good Friday, as it is called, let us STOP and think of the suffering that JESUS endured on the cross to pay for our sins. All His pain and agony was for us. He deserves time to give Him all our praise and worship.
Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
The Bible says that Jesus was 3 days and 3 nights in the tomb before His resurrection. Biblical Scholars have different opinions of when He died. Some think Wednesday and others say Friday because time was calculated differently than our calendar today. Whenever you believe Jesus died, is not as important as you knowing and believing that Jesus died, was buried and rose again so that you might be saved. As Christians we can have different opinions about the times but we must agree to disagree “agreeably” and love one another.
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Luke 14:23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
The USA is in trouble within. Far too often there is news about a school being attacked, usually by a student. Children are killed or injured. Police officers are in constant danger, and some are shot doing their duty. Unrest—murders, robbery and every kind of sinful activity is reported everyday. It is discouraging to see the news on TV, social media or radio. When will it all end? The Bible says there is hope for our Nation. Christian it is up to us. We need to put God first, humble ourselves before Him. He will heal our land. If we don’t things will only get worse.
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Sometimes Christians are so busy we forget the importance of getting alone with God. We are doing good things, family time, work, maybe teaching Sunday School or even preaching. The easiest time to get away from God is when we are doing God’s work. Even Jesus went away from the crowds to be alone with the Father. We must not neglect our devotion time everyday. It is vital to our walk with God.
Psalms 70:4 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.
“Soul winning is the main thing with God. If it isn’t first with the preacher, the preacher isn’t right. If soul winning isn’t the first thing with the church, the church isn’t right. If soul winning isn’t first for a Sunday school teacher, he or she is not a good Sunday school teacher. If soul winning isn’t the main reason for a Christian school, it is not a very good Christian school. If soul winning isn’t the main thing for a Christian newspaper like the SWORD OF THE LORD, then it is off the track and not what a Christian paper ought to be. The first and main thing with God is soul winning. Every preacher, if he is saved, has this Great Commission. If you don’t win souls, you have failed in your Christian life. No one is a good Christian who doesn’t win souls.” By Dr. John R. Rice (1895-1980)
Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
We have looked at several stages of Christianity in the last few days. The fruit of the Spirit is what a mature Christian should strive for. Are you fully grown as a Christian or are you still a baby or child in your Christian life?
Yesterday we saw what a baby Christian is like. Today let us see what a Christian is like who is saved and has grown a little but has not yet matured. Children can be sweet, obedient, full of questions and like to learn new things. However, they are selfish, willful and sometimes disobedient. Young Christians have some of the same traits. If you are a young Christian, learn how to grow. Develop good habits. Go to a good Bible believing church, study the Bible daily, pray and fellowship with mature Christians. Also, learn to be a witness and tell friends and family about your faith in Jesus. Get rid of old things that would cause you to fall into sin. No matter what your physical age is, your spiritual age is the most important.
Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
Did you remember to set your clocks ahead? Those of us who live in certain States in the USA have a time change twice a year and a lot of us do not like the change. Our internal time clocks have readjust to the one hour difference. If you are one who loves “Daylight Saving Time” or you would rather stay on “Standard Time” there is one thing we as Christians should remember. God’s timing is always perfect. Maybe He is amused at our attempt to make time change. There is still 24 hours in everyday no matter what the clock tells us. This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Genesis 1:5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
Center for Evangelists 
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