raised from the dead

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Romans 10:9 Are You Saved?

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

All over the world there are people who understand the concept of claiming something and believing in it. Motivational speakers will talk about how one must claim something, believe it and than see it actually occur.

Often this is done to motivate one’s own self to accomplish some difficult or crazy task or to attempt something new. This belief will come from the core of the person’s heart, giving him strength to overcome any obstacles, but it is always done by self alone.

The overall message that Paul was proclaiming to the people was that one has to declare that Jesus is Lord, believe that He was raised from the dead and he would be saved.

People around the world see the many troubles and struggles that this world has. Many do not see any hope in things changing or getting better.

Some will try to do good things in order to satisfy themselves that they are worth it and maybe some good will come about. In the process of doing this, many are trying to earn their way into heaven.

God does not allow for people to ‘earn’ their way into heaven. There is no sliding scale as to who did enough to get into heaven. It is the same for every person, regardless of who he is, where he came from or what he did.

The first thing a person must do is make a statement that Jesus is Lord. This is that Jesus is the Master, Absolute Controller of his life. In doing this, one will also repent from and turn away from all sin.

Then he must believe that Jesus rose from the dead to save him. Once these things are done, God will save him from his sins.

If you have not made the choice to believe in Jesus, today is the day to do it. Take time to read through the bible and see who God is and who Jesus is.

See the truth of God’s word. Instead of seeking things of this world, that will fade away and fall apart, seek God.

Turn from your sins, repent, and declare that Jesus is Lord of your life. Believe that He rose from the dead and will save you.

Are you saved today?

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Savior; that you will make Jesus your Lord; that you will believe Jesus rose from the dead; that you will turn away from all sin towards God; and that you will know that Jesus is saving you today.

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Romans 7:4 Die To The Law To Bear Fruit

So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. Romans 7:4

Most people on the earth desire freedom from some law or another. Very few people like to have restrictions placed upon them, though most get used to having those restrictions.

People like to do what they want, when they want and how they want. They will break the law in order to do what they desire.

Paul tells the people that, in Christ, they have died to the law so that they may bear fruit for God.

It is common for some believers to push talking about the law. They are quick to point out what a person can and cannot do as they follow the letter of the law.

Others in the church are the exact opposite. They point out that they have died to the law, so they don’t have to follow the law. In doing this, they often live in purposeful sin.

Dying to the law is a person who is no longer following the law in order to be saved, but obeying the law because of his great love for God and people. The more a person strives to obey the law in his own power, the more he realizes that he cannot do it. Only in Christ can a person obey the law of God.

Once a person dies to the law to be saved, he is free to be able to do more for God, bearing fruit. His heart is no longer focused on trying to be saved, but knows he is and lives that way doing the work for God.

At the moment you repented and believed in Jesus, you were saved from sin. You do not have to do any special works in obeying the law to be saved.

Now as a believer, you have to do works because of what God has done for you and out of love for Him. Focus your attention on doing what God wants you to do, and you will not have time to disobey His law and sin. As you bear fruit for God, you will not walk in sin.

God has more for you to do, than sin has for you to do.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Savior; that you will be free to be His witness on this earth; that you will know you are saved by faith in Christ Jesus; and that you will obey God out of love, not to earn salvation.

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John 11:14-15 A Negative Used For Good

So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” John 11:14-15

No one likes to see bad things occur to someone they love. It is painful to see a loved one suffer or to die.

When a loved one is suffering badly and has a great possibility of dying, most people will do whatever they can to prevent the death and alleviate the suffering. All that can be seen is the pain and suffering and that it must be stopped.

Lazarus had been sick and Jesus chose not to go to him. Later Lazarus dies. Jesus was glad He did not go to Lazarus while he was sick, but now goes to him. Jesus had the power to heal Lazarus and prevent death, but was glad that He did not do that. He had something greater in mind.

Humans can only see the here and now, they cannot see the future or even the bigger picture. God is greater than any thing that can come against a person. He can turn around a situation in a moment, but often does not.

The purpose of allowing suffering is to build a person in his faith. Healing a person is a great miracle, but raising one from the dead is even a greater miracle. One builds the faith some, while the other builds it a lot.

There are times God allows a time of pain and suffering to occur to allow a person to draw closer to Him. Believers are to rely completely upon God and trust His way of doing things. As one does this greater things can occur, the dead is raised to life, rather than just another healing.

As you are going through life, there will be times of pain and suffering. As you cry out to God for mercy, do not allow yourself to think that there is only one way to fix the problem. Put your trust in God, His timing and His ways.

God can do things in a greater way than you can imagine. He will do things in a way that will be for your benefit.

Allow Him to build your faith and trust in Him. Believe that God knows what He is doing and will do it in the best way possible.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Savior; that you will know you can trust God’s ways of doing things; that your faith in God will grow; and that you will see greater miracles of God being performed.