The Family of God - 108-121

108.  How important is it to confess Christ?

• Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
• Luke 12:8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
• 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.
• Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
• 1 John 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

Jesus, my Lord, keep Your love burning so brightly in my heart that I would never deny You, even if my life were at stake! Help me to acknowledge my faith in You even when it will bring ridicule or scorn. Let me never seek to hide my connection to You or be embarrassed of belonging to You. Let me accept every privilege, responsibility and hardship that comes from being a whole-hearted Christian.

109.  How serious is it to deny Christ?

• Matthew 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
• Luke 12:9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.
• 2 Timothy 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
• 2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
• 1 John 2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

Dear Lord Jesus, give me strength today to confess You before others. Give me a willingness to publicly declare my love for You. At every opportunity that You provide, let me open my mouth to declare Your praise. May all that see me sense my dedication to You. I want You to acknowledge me before the Father and before the holy angels. Especially let me confess You before my family today, and every day, so that I may glorify You.

110.  Is it important to be immersed under the water in baptism?

• Matthew 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
• John 3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
• Acts 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the unuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
• Acts 8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
• Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Dear Lord, Thank You for repentance, and water baptism, and thank You for the infilling of Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for inviting me to enter Your kingdom. Let my baptism reflect the true experience in my life as I live for You through Christ's power.

111.  Is baptism important for a Christian?

• Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
• Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
• John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
• Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
• Ephesians 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Lord, I thank You for the beautiful symbol of baptism that You have given to all Your followers. Thank You that the old nature is buried in the watery grave, and I am raised with a new life in Christ. Thank You that through this symbol of death and resurrection, I have put on Christ, to walk in newness of life through Him.

112.  What does baptism symbolize?

• Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
• Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
• Romans 6: 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
• 1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
• Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Father, I clearly see that baptism by immersion, being lowered under water and being raised up again, is a beautiful symbol of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. It is in this symbol of baptism that I celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. You are teaching me that I can also die to my sinful past and be raised with Christ's resurrection power, to live His life.

113.  Is it important for me to meet together with Christians for fellowship?

• Psalm 35:18 I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.
• Psalm 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
• Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
• Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is ; but exhorting one another : and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
• 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Dear Father in Heaven, what a blessed privilege You have given Your followers to enjoy sweet fellowship with like believers. Teach me to love Your house, and to come to worship You with praise in my heart. Empower me to encourage my fellow brothers and sisters, and to join in exalting You as my Lord and Savior.

114.  Has Jesus given each one of His followers a spiritual gift?

• Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
• Romans 12:7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
• Romans 12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
• 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 For to one is given by the Spirit the Word of wisdom; to another the Word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
• 1 Corinthians 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

Thank You, Lord, for the spiritual gifts You have bestowed on Your followers. Teach me to appreciate the variety of gifts given by Your Spirit. Help me to use my gift for Your glory and to benefit from the gifts of others.

115.  What is the gospel?

• Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
• Luke 2:10, 11 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
• Acts 13:32, 33 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
• 1 Corinthians 15:1, Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
• 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.

Christ my Lord, You are the good news that all humanity needs. You are our Savior, born among us. You lived and died and were raised to life for each one of us. Your offer of salvation is the best news that we could ever hear. This message from Heaven is indeed glad tidings of great joy! I believe it with all my heart. Glory to God in the highest!

116.  What will the gospel accomplish?

• Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
• Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
• Romans 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
• 1 Thessalonians 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in Word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
• 2 Timothy 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

Dearest Lord Jesus, You came to bring the gospel to the poor, and we are all truly needy without You! There is power in the gospel to rescue each brokenhearted and bruised soul, to set us free from sin. You have brought immortal life within our reach through Your gospel of peace. Let me never be ashamed of the gospel, but to proclaim it loudly with great rejoicing.

117.  How many are to hear the gospel?

• Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
• Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
• Romans 16:25, 26 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
• Colossians 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
• Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

Precious Redeemer, Your boundless love shines through these texts as You declare that the gospel is to be preached in all the world, to every nation, race, language group and social class-to every single human that has ever lived on earth. You do not pass one by as unworthy of the opportunity to accept You. Thank You, Lord, for loving us that deeply.

118.  What are the consequences of not obeying the gospel?

• Romans 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
• 2 Corinthians 4:3, 4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
• Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
• 2 Thessalonians 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
• 1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Father, Your gospel carries with it a huge responsibility, it requires a definite choice. Through Your message of salvation You are calling to each person to respond to Your appeal of mercy with a willing and obedient heart. If I refused to receive the gospel, my mind would become blinded to the gospel, which would expose me to a fearful judgment. Enable me, Lord, to obey Your gospel!

119.  How important is it for us to share our testimony of the goodness of God to others?

• Isaiah 43:10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
• Psalm 66:16 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
• Mark 5:19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
• Acts 4:29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
• 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Dear Lord, as I contemplate Your marvelous power and goodness to me, I am eager to tell others about Your great love. I cannot hold it in! Make me an effective witness for You, Lord, that I may always be ready to speak Your Word with boldness, and to give my personal testimony of Your goodness.

120.  What great commission has Jesus given to every one of His followers?

• Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
• Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
• Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
• 2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
• 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Jesus, You commissioned all Your followers to go and teach Your gospel. You promised to give me power to witness for You. Help me, Lord, to accept the divine assignment of being Your ambassador, and watching for every opportunity to share Your gospel with others.

121.  Does Jesus want me to be a soul winner for His kingdom?

• Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
• Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
• Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
• Malachi 3:16, 17 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
• 2 Peter 1:12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.

Dear Lord, grant that I may be a wise soul winner for You, turning many to righteousness. Let me declare the good news of salvation to those I meet. As I interact with others, show me how to turn the conversation to spiritual things, so that people will be led to You. Please don't let me neglect this very important privilege of sharing Your truth. Teach me to look for ways to encourage others to keep You first in their thoughts.

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