1 John 3:9–10 Those who have been born from God don’t live sinful lives. What God has said lives in them, and they can’t live sinful lives. They have been born from God. This is the way God’s children are distinguished from the devil’s children. Everyone who doesn’t do what is right or love other believers isn’t God’s child. John 1:12–13 — Those who receive Christ are given the right to become children of God, born not of flesh but of God. Romans 6:6–7 — Our old self was crucified with Him so that we would no longer be slaves to sin. Romans 8:9–10 — The Spirit of God dwells in believers, enabling righteousness. Galatians 5:16–17 — Walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
CHECK YOURSELF HOW ARE YOU LIVING ARE YOU A CHILD OF GOD
Romans 12:6–8 God in his kindness gave each of us different gifts. If your gift is speaking what God has revealed, make sure what you say agrees with the Christian faith. If your gift is serving, then devote yourself to serving. If it is teaching, devote yourself to teaching. If it is encouraging others, devote yourself to giving encouragement. If it is sharing, be generous. If it is leadership, lead enthusiastically. If it is helping people in need, help them cheerfully. 1 Corinthians 12:4–7 There are different spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. There are different ways of serving, and yet the same Lord is served. There are different types of work to do, but the same God produces every gift in every person. The evidence of the Spirit’s presence is given to each person for the common good of everyone. Acts 6:8 “Stephen was a man full of God’s favor and power. He did amazing things and performed miracles among the people.” Stephen is described as having both grace and power, suggesting multiple gifts at work. Some believers are gifted in both teaching and encouragement. Others may have discernment and intercession. These gifts often work together to fulfill a calling or assignment. God equips each person uniquely for the role He’s designed for them.
DO YOU KNOW YOUR GIFTS? ARE YOU USING YOUR GIFTS? LET US WALK IN OUR GIFTS.
Isaiah 59:2 But your wrongs have separated you from your God, and your sins have made him hide his face so that he doesn’t hear you. This verse highlights two consequences of sin: • Separation from God • Silencing of prayer and communication Jeremiah 5:25 – “Your wickedness has turned these things away. Your sins have kept good things from you.” This verse teaches that persistent sin blocks the flow of God’s blessings. Micah 3:4 – “Then they will cry to the LORD, but He won’t answer them. He will hide his face from them at that time because they have done evil things.” DON’T LIVE YOUR LIFE IN A WAY THAT WILL CAUSE GOD NOT TO HEAR YOUR PRAYERS. DON’T LIVE YOUR LIFE IN A WAY THAT WILL BLOCK YOUR BLESSINGS.
DON’T LIVE YOUR LIFE IN A WAY THAT WILL SEPARATE YOU FROM GOD.
1 Thess 5:14–15,22 We encourage you, brothers and sisters, to instruct those who are not living right, cheer up those who are discouraged, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. Make sure that no one ever pays back one wrong with another wrong. Instead, always try to do what is good for each other and everyone else. Keep away from every kind of evil.
ALLOW THIS WORD FROM GOD TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE.
Matthew 6:1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. Proverbs 11:25 The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered. Jeremiah 17:7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord And whose trust is the Lord. Psalm 115:14 May the Lord give you increase, you and your children. Psalm 106:3 How blessed are those who keep justice, who practice righteousness at all times! Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Hebrews 13:16 And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
ALLOW THIS WORD FROM GOD TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE.
Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be arrogant, but be friendly to humble people. Don’t think that you are smarter than you really are. Proverbs 8:13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, evil behavior, and twisted speech. Galatians 5:26 We can’t allow ourselves to act arrogantly and to provoke or envy each other. Proverbs 11:2 – “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
ALLOW THIS QUICK REFRESHER TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE.
When we truly believe Jesus is Lord, the way we live will change. Matthew 16:13-18 The question hung in the air like a thick morning fog. Imagine the silence from the disciples when Jesus asked, “Who do you say that I am?” (Matt. 16:15). They may have been too scared or uncertain to speak. But then Peter looked at Jesus and declared, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (v. 16). Calling Jesus “the Christ” was consequential in the first century. Such a statement led to the death of many believers, as the Jewish and Roman authorities persecuted Christians who were willing to take a stand for their faith. Even those who walked side by side with Jesus and excitedly took part in His ministry would be taking a huge risk to call Him by such a title. So they sometimes remained silent while continuing to work for the kingdom. Isn’t it interesting that today’s church often has the opposite problem? Many people are quick to exclaim, “Jesus is Lord!” but then fail to go about His work. If there’s a gap between what you profess with your mouth and what you’re doing for the kingdom, remember that Jesus calls us to be consistent in testimony and deed. If your confession is “Jesus is Lord,” then your life should reflect your bold stance. What can you do today to demonstrate your faith to others. 1 John 3:18 – “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
ANOTHER QUICK REFRESHER FROM GOD. ARE YOU ENJOYING OUR QUICK REFRESHERS?
When Christians die, they depart to be with Christ, Phil. 1:23. Absent from the body is present with the Lord, 2 Cor. 5:8 , which is “far better,” Phil. 1:22, 23 , because in His presence there is fulness of joy, Psa. 16:11. When the church is translated, living believers and the resurrected dead in Christ rise together to meet the Lord in the air, 1 Thess. 4:13–18. They will stand before the judgment seat of Christ, Rom. 14:10 , not to be punished but to receive rewards for things done in the body, 2 Cor. 5:10. Their works will be tried by fire, but their salvation will not be affected, 1 Cor. 3:13–15. After the Lord is united with His bride, the church, Rev. 19:7, 8 , He returns to the earth, Luke 12:36 , with all His saints, 1 Thess. 3:13. He sits on the throne of His glory judging the nations, Matt. 25:31. Christians are with Him, judging the world and angels, 1 Cor. 6:2, 3. At that time their knowledge will be vastly increased, 1 Cor. 13:12. Eternal life will mean knowing the true God and Jesus Christ, John 17:3. The horizons of believers’ minds will expand forever as they grow in the knowledge of the God who creates no two snowflakes alike. They are destined to sit with the Lord on His throne, Rev. 3:21 , and to reign with Him forever, Rev. 22:5.
DID YOU ENJOY AND RECEIVE FROM THIS QUICK REFRESHER?
