Tag Archives: Christianity

Transformative Faith

9When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” 

Luke 7:9

It’s important to note that while God can and does perform miracles, faith doesn’t guarantee that every prayer for healing will be answered in the way we hope. God remains sovereign, and His ways are higher than ours. Even when healing doesn’t come in this life, those who trust in Christ have the assurance of ultimate healing and restoration in eternity.

How can we cultivate this kind of transformative faith in our daily lives?

**Immerse yourself in God’s Word: Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17).

**Practice trust in small things: Build your faith muscle by trusting God in everyday decisions.

**Remember God’s faithfulness: Reflect on times when God has proven trustworthy in your life and in Scripture.

**Surround yourself with faith-filled community: Iron sharpens iron; let the faith of others inspire and challenge you.

**Step out in obedience: Faith without works is dead (James 2:17). Let your belief lead to action.

**Persist in prayer: Even when answers seem delayed, continue to bring your requests to God with confidence.

The story of the centurion’s faith leaves us with a profound question: What would our lives look like if we trusted God’s Word as completely as this Roman soldier did? How would it change our prayers, our decisions, our relationships?

Biblical faith is not a crutch for the weak, but a powerful force that can move mountains. It’s the confidence to believe when circumstances say otherwise, the courage to obey when the path seems uncertain, and the comfort of knowing that the God of the universe holds us in His hands.

Today, let’s challenge ourselves to cultivate a faith that would amaze Jesus. A faith that believes without seeing, that places its trust fully in God, and that receives the gift of salvation with open hearts. For it is through such faith that we truly experience the transformative power of God in our lives.

Tony French

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Enter His Rest

Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’”

And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.” And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”

Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

Hebrews 4:1-11

How do we access Christ’s rest?  He has promised us His peace and contentment. Let us offer three ways to enjoy the “rest” Jesus has for us day by day.

**Trust and be thankful for the salvation you received from the Lord (1-3)

**Grow in sanctification through the Word of God, prayer and the Church(4-7)

**Submit to God each day and commit to follow Christ (8-11)

Tony French

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Instruction

So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness, where your ancestors tested and tried me, though for forty years they saw what I did. 10 That is why I was angry with that generation; I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.’ 11 So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ” 12 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 14 We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. 15 As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” 16 Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? 17 And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies perished in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? 19 So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.

Hebrews 3:7-19

Let us remember three applications from the Scripture above…….

**Christan, Hear God’s Word

**Christ-Follower, Obey God’s Word

**Believers, Encourage One Another To Be Faithful

Let us go and do likewise.

Tony French

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Why Follow Jesus?

Why should we seek to live for Christ? Why do we need to seek holiness? What are the results of living for Christ? There are many! Here are three for today.

*We should live for Christ because of what Christ has done for us. He has given us His Spirit and bought us out of the bondage of sin.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God , and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

*We should learn His Word and live His Word so that we can know His will. As our minds are transformed by seeking Christ through His Word, the Church, and His Spirit, we learn to discern God’s will about life situations.

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world , but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

*Finally, we should strive to live as Jesus lives because He has forgiven us. Our sins have been forgiven through His death on the cross. A life of holiness will be reflected in the ability to forgive. We forgive because the Lord forgave us.

Colossians 3:12-13  So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience ; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

I pray that you will be exhorted to right living this week!

Tony French

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The Ministry of The Savior

11 Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. 12 He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.” 13 And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.” 14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a erciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Hebrews 2:11-18

Jesus And His Ministry

Three points about Jesus’ Ministry………………..

**He Has A Sanctifying Ministry (11-13)

**He Has A Subduing Ministry (14-15)

**He Has A Sympathetic Ministry (16-18)

God Bless you all!

Tony French

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The Confirmed Messiah

22Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. 23And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

Luke 7:22-23

As we consider Jesus as the long-awaited One, let’s ask ourselves:

** How has Jesus fulfilled God’s promises in my life?

** In what areas do I need to stop striving and rest in Christ’s righteousness?

** How can I follow Jesus’ example in loving others while standing firm in truth?

** Have I fully embraced Jesus as my only hope for salvation?

The message of Jesus is as relevant and revolutionary today as it was two thousand years ago. He came to save the lost, heal the brokenhearted, and give abundant life to those who trust in Him.  May we, like those tax collectors and sinners of old, find ourselves drawn to this Jesus – the Messiah, our standard, our example, and our only Savior.

Tony French

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Jesus, The Superior One

So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. The Son Superior to Angels For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father’’? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son” And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire.” But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” 10 He also says, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 11 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. 12 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.”  13 To which of the angels did God ever say, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? 14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Hebrews 1:4-14

Facts about Jesus from Hebrews 1……………………….

**Jesus is the Son of God

*He is superior to angels

*He is superior to earthly messengers

**Jesus Will Rule and Reign

*He will have a Righteous Reign

*He will have an Eternal Reign

*He will have a Powerful Reign

**Jesus Will Defeat all Enemies

*There is Only one Jesus

*There is Only one Lord

*There is Only one Savior

This is your Savior. You are blessed, Dear Christian!

Tony French

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Jesus, The Example

29And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. 30But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.

Luke 7:29-30

Jesus is our Example

Luke 7 goes on to describe how Jesus interacted with various groups of people, including tax collectors and sinners. This aspect of His ministry often drew criticism from religious leaders, but it exemplifies a crucial truth: Jesus meets people where they are while calling them to something higher.

We see Jesus willing to associate with those considered outcasts by society, showing love and compassion without compromising truth. He didn’t condone sin, but He also didn’t let it be a barrier to reaching people with the good news of God’s kingdom.

This challenges us to examine our own attitudes and actions. Are we willing to step out of our comfort zones to reach those who are different from us? Can we love unconditionally while still holding fast to the truth of God’s Word? Jesus shows us it’s possible to do both.

Tony French

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Messiah

18Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things. 19And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” 20When the men had come to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’ ” 21And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight. 22Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. 23And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

Luke 7:18-23

In a world filled with uncertainty and confusion, we often find ourselves searching for answers, direction, and hope. The Gospel of Luke offers us a powerful glimpse into the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, the long-awaited One who came to fulfill ancient prophecies and bring salvation to humanity. Let’s explore a crucial aspect of Jesus’ identity and mission that can transform our understanding and deepen our faith.

Jesus is the Messiah

From the very beginning, God promised a Savior who would come to redeem His people. Throughout the Old Testament, prophets spoke of this coming Messiah, building anticipation for generations. In Luke 7:18-23, we see an intriguing exchange between Jesus and the disciples of John the Baptist. John, imprisoned and perhaps experiencing a moment of doubt, sends his followers to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

Jesus’ response is both profound and practical. Instead of a simple yes or no, He points to the evidence of His ministry: “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” These miracles and acts of compassion were not random acts of kindness but the fulfillment of messianic prophecies.

In our own lives, we may sometimes question God’s plans or presence. Like John the Baptist, we might need reassurance. The lesson here is to look at the evidence of God’s work in and around us. Where have we seen His hand moving? How has He fulfilled His promises in our lives and in the world?

Tony French

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Not Of The World

14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

John 17:14-16

As followers of Christ, we’re called to be “in the world but not of the world” (John 17:14-16). This means engaging with our culture and society while holding fast to the values and truths of God’s Kingdom. It’s a delicate balance, but one that leads to a life of purpose, impact, and eternal significance.

So how do we navigate this tension? Here are a few practical suggestions:

  1. Cultivate gratitude for God’s provision, recognizing that everything we have is a gift from Him.
  2. Seek satisfaction in Christ above all else, making time for prayer, worship, and studying God’s Word.
  3. Find joy in serving others and building God’s Kingdom, rather than pursuing selfish pleasures.
  4. Prioritize pleasing God over gaining human approval, even when it means standing alone.

Remember, the path of following Christ may not always be easy, but it leads to true life, both now and in eternity. As Moses challenged the Israelites, “I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life” (Deuteronomy 30:19).

Today, we face a similar choice. Will we chase after the fleeting promises of this world, or will we embrace the abundant life found in Christ? The decision is ours, but the invitation is clear: Choose life. Choose Christ. For in Him, we find a joy, peace, and fulfillment that the world can never match.

As we go about our daily lives, let’s keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, “the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). Let us strive to focus on long-term values and priorities rather than material possessions.  For where our treasure is, there our hearts will be also (Matthew 6:21).

Tony French

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