A Ray of Hope

Our Ray of Hope from the Word of God today is found in the book of
Galatians, Chapter 5 Verses 22 & 23:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith,”
“Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

Here, we are given the fruit of the Spirit.  These are 9 descriptive
attributes of the same fruit (singular); not 9 different types of
fruits
(plural).  Wouldn’t you like your life to be filled with love, joy,
peace,
longsuffering, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance
(self-control)?
You can only experience these by the Holy Spirit of God first dwelling
in
you; then having unrestricted access to every area of your life.



A Ray of Hope

Our Ray of Hope from the Word of God today is found in the book of
John,
Chapter 15 Verse 4:

“Abide in me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit of
itself,
except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.”

Fruit production requires life.  A branch must have an unobstructed
connection to the vine, allowing the life of the vine to flow into and
through it, in order for it to bear fruit.  Likewise, you and I must
have
an unobstructed connection to the Lord Jesus if we are to bear
spiritual
fruit.  If there is something obstructing our relationship with Him,
the
flow of spiritual life from Jesus into and through us will be
inhibited;
and spiritual fruit production in our lives will be hindered.

Do you have an unobstructed connection to Jesus?



A Ray of Hope

Our Ray of Hope from the Word of God today is found in the book of
Matthew, Chapter 7 Verse 13:

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is
the
way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in
thereat:”

This verse talks about the gate to the Christian life.  Many people
think
they are living the Christian life, but have never entered the gate
that
opens to it.  Trying to mimic the life of a child of God cannot
substitute
for becoming one.  In John 3:3 Jesus tells us that if we are not born
again we cannot even see the kingdom of God.  This born again
experience,
then, is the gate to the Christian life.  In John 10:9 Jesus said, “I
am
the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved…”

Have you entered through Jesus, the Gate, by inviting Him into your
life?
If so, won’t you thank Him that He opens to anyone who comes to
enter?  If
not, won’t you enter right now?


A Ray of Hope

Our Ray of Hope from the Word of God today is found in the book of II
Corinthians, Chapter 5 Verse 17:

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things
are
passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

The New Year marks a time when you can “make a new start”.
  Sometimes we
all need a second chance; a time to start over.  Today’s scripture
informs
us that when we are born again, when we are in Christ, God wipes the
slate
of past offenses clean and we become a brand new person.  We now begin
with a clean slate and a clean heart.

This New Year can you celebrate something even greater than the New
Year –
your new life in Christ?  Thank God, “…old things are passed
away…” and
“…all things are become new.”


A Ray of Hope

Our Ray of Hope from the Word of God today is found in the book of
Ecclesiastes, Chapter 5 Verse 4:

“When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no
pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.”

Do you make promises (vows) to God, only to break them once the threat
or
pressure of the moment has passed?  Here we are given a stern warning
to
do what we have promised.  The law will not allow you to sign a
contract
and then breech that contract when it is no longer convenient to honor
it,
without severe consequences occurring.  God considers a vow (a promise)
a
legally binding agreement you have made to Him.  To ignore it when it
no
longer serves your purpose is to play the fool and to invite the
judgment
of God.

Have you fulfilled the promise you have made to God?


--
God Bless You,
Prater Creek Baptist Church
J. B. Hall, Pastor
<http://www.pcbaptist.org>