Richard Craig, Author at GraceAndWorks

The Truth Shall Set You Free

Think you know what this means? Not so fast, my friends. As I was thinking about this particular subject, I started asking different individuals what this meant and I found most people don’t know the meaning. Most think it is about lying or not. Most of us have probably told some “Little white lies” somewhere or sometime in our life and we have heard, “Just tell the truth and that will set you free”. Soooo, what if you confess to a crime, do the police set you free? If you’ve done something wrong at home and your parents tell you to tell the truth, you do, and there are times you got in trouble and maybe even got grounded or some other consequence happened. Did that set you free? You probably felt better by coming clean with the truth, but you didn’t get set free. What if you did something really wrong at work and has to fess up the truth? There was a consequence, maybe even dismissed from your job. Did that set you free? Don’t get me wrong, it is always better to tell the truth. One nice thing about telling the truth is that you don’t have to try to remember what you said. Tell a lie, and pretty soon you are telling another one to cover for the first one and then another one and another one, and you get caught up with because you can’t remember what the lies were all about.

1) Jesus Is The Truth We Seek

John 8:32
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

John 17:17
Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.

2) Freedom Through Jesus

Romans 6:18
You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.

2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Romans 8:2
For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death.

James 1:25
But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.

1 Peter 2:16
Live in freedom, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.

Psalm 119:45
And I will walk in freedom, for I have sought Your precepts.

3) Hearing About The Truth Through Jesus

1 John 5:20
And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Ephesians 4:21
Surely you heard of Him and were taught in Him—in keeping with the truth that is in Jesus—

Colossians 3:10
and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

2 Timothy 2:25-26
He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth. / Then they will come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to his will.

4) Righteousness Lasts Forever Through Jesus

Psalm 119:142
Your righteousness is everlasting and Your law is true.

Psalm 119:160
The entirety of Your word is truth, and all Your righteous judgments endure forever.

Close:
The truth, which will set us free, still applies the same way today. Although today we don’t seek safety from the corruption of the Roman empire, we still all suffer under the bondage of sin. Perhaps today we seek safety from debt, stress and anxiety, lack of discipline, or a number of other issues. If we are focused on these worldly needs, then we will likely limit a verse like “the truth will set you free” to the things we want or need. However, what Jesus taught us in John 8:32 hits our soul, not only our minds, and is greater than our emotions.

“STAND STEADFAST”

Steadfastness in Faith
As we journey through life, we encounter various trials that test our faith. It is in these moments that our steadfastness can shine through. The Bible verses that we will examine remind us that being rooted in our faith gives us strength and helps us to endure. We need to remember that steadfastness in faith provides a solid foundation, allowing us to stand firm against any adversity. By holding onto our beliefs, we can find hope and peace, and that inspires others to do the same. Embracing steadfastness in faith unites us with Christ and assures us that He is with us through every storm.

1 Corinthians 15:58
Be steadfast, immovable, abound in the Lord’s work.

Hebrews 10:23
Hold fast to our confession of hope without wavering

2 Peter 3:17
Beware lest you fall from your own steadfastness

James 1:12
Endure temptation

Romans 12:12
rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, continue being steadfast through prayer

Steadfastness in Prayer
Prayer is a powerful practice that can bring us closer to God as we cultivate our relationship with Him. Steadfastness in prayer reminds us to remain dedicated and persistent in communicating with God, even when we face difficulties or feel our prayers go unanswered. We encourage one another to establish a routine of prayer, where we bring our hearts and concerns to God, trusting in His plan. These verses urge us to continue praying earnestly and to never lose faith in the power of our prayers. When we are steadfast in prayer, we open our hearts to receive God’s guidance and wisdom, helping us navigate our lives with greater clarity.

Colossians 4:2
Devote yourself in prayer with thanksgiving

Luke 18:1
We should always pray and not give up.

Romans 1:9
Mention others in your prayers

Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, be thankful and let your requests be made known through prayer

1 Thessalonians 5:17
pray without ceasing

Steadfastness in Love
In a world filled with distractions and chaos, we are called to love steadfastly. The Bible teaches us that love should guide all our actions, and it is an anchor that holds us steady in all that life brings us. Steadfastness in love involves being patient, kind, and forgiving not only toward our loved ones but also toward those who may challenge us. It is essential for us to embrace unwavering love as it reflects the nature of Christ, who loved us first. These verses focus on nurturing a spirit of steadfast love, encouraging us to commit to caring for one another and living out God’s love to others in meaningful ways.

1 Corinthians 13:7
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always endures.

Romans 13:10
Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

1 John 4:16
So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in them.

John 15:12
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

Ephesians 4:2
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Read first: Joshua 6:1-20

THE WALLS OF JERICO

7 Lessons from the Fall of the Walls of Jericho

1. Follow God, even if the journey seems impossible or unexpected.

The walls of Jericho should have been strong enough that no one could have gotten in. What Joshua and the Israelites were up against may have seemed impossible to overcome. But they followed God anyway with full trust and hope in His promise, and faithfulness that He would indeed fight for them to claim the land that was promised to them. Christians can rest assured that even if the path seems impossible, or is not what we expected, when we prayerfully follow God’s good plans for us, it will be worth every step of the way. This biblical story reminds us how crucial it is to lean on God and put our trust in Him, because that is when the impossible can happen.

2. When we listen, we can hear God speaking to us.

God spoke to Joshua. And Joshua listened. Because Joshua took the time to listen to God and seek His direction, he heard clearly from the Lord what steps to take. Christians today learn a valuable lesson about the importance to hear from God. When we stop and take the time to listen – reading Scripture, spending time in prayer, being still, and worshipping, – we may hear from God and see how He is guiding our steps.

3. God is purposeful, not random.

God did not instruct Joshua and his army to storm the city upon arrival. He had steps for them to take to achieve the desired outcome of victory. God was very specific and purposeful in how He orchestrated the walls of Jericho falling. If God is that purposeful about helping the Israelites claim the city, we can be confident that God is also that purposeful in each of our lives. The ups and downs of life may feel unexpected and catch us off guard, but God knows what is coming and will make good out of all circumstances for those who love Him. Our lives are meaningful and significant because God is writing each of our stories.

4. The outcome may not be instant, so keep waiting on the Lord.

The Israelites were not given permission by God to simply storm the city when they were ready. They had to wait seven days. They marched, they camped, and they waited on God to move. Perhaps some of the armed men wondered as they were marching around the walls if this was really the way to claim victory over Jericho. Maybe others thought it would be best to win the city with a proven strategy. We may find ourselves thinking similar thoughts when it comes to waiting on the Lord. The answer is to keep waiting on the Lord. Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength (Isaiah 40:31). Waiting on the Lord deepens our faith, increases our trust in Him, and while we wait with faith, God will certainly transform and renew us.

5. We are not sufficient in and of ourselves. We need God.

The Israelites could have marched around the walls of Jericho a million times, they could have blown a thousand horns, and shouted until they lost their voices, but without God’s power, the walls of Jericho never would have fallen. We are not entirely self-sufficient; we truly need God. We need God to win our battles, to have us to love others, to overcome challenges, and to make an impact in the world. We need God in our friendships, our careers, our marriages, and our families. When we are tempted to think otherwise, let us find wisdom from this biblical story that we do need God in all areas of our lives.

6. Obedience in God matters.

If the Israelites had resisted the instructions given by God to Joshua, the walls of Jericho would not have come down. The Israelites would have lost and been forced out of the Promised Land. Their obedience to God mattered. This is still true for Christians today. Living righteously according to God’s ways, rather than our own ways, makes the difference. We find encouragement from this passage to be obedient to God.

7. What God promises, He will fulfill.

God promised the Israelites this land. The fall of the walls of Jericho is a reminder that God fulfills what He promises. A huge amount of time passed between when God initially promised the land to the Israelites, and when they actually came to enter and claim that land. Regardless of how much time passes, God will always make good on His promises. We can trust that God is faithful to His promises.

A Reminder of God’s Power
The account of the walls of Jericho coming down is a significant part of God’s promise coming to pass that the Israelites would indeed enter into and possess the Promised Land. This passage in the Book of Joshua holds many valuable lessons that we as Christians can learn from and apply to our lives and understanding of God. Perhaps you are waiting on God, or maybe you are wondering if He’ll come through. Whatever your situation, the fallen walls of Jericho remind us of God’s power and faithfulness that we can believe in and put our hope in.

Is God In Control?

If you are feeling on edge, worried, or anxious you are not alone! Uncertainty quickly leads to fear and fear erodes away at our faith. Fear can be powerful. In fact, fear is one of Satan’s most used tactics to get us to doubt God. We have the power to overcome anxiety and fear with God’s promises. Despite what we feel, we need to remind ourselves that God is in control. When everything around us feels out of control, we can allow Scripture to prove to us that God has been, is, and will be sovereign over our lives and world. He is our peace and comfort.

List of Scriptures that show God is in Control:

Isaiah 55:8-9
My thoughts are not your thoughts
My ways are not your ways

Deuteronomy 31:8
He will not leave you or forsake you

Psalm 23:3
He restores my soul
He leads me in paths of righteousness

Psalm 73:26
My flesh and heart fail
God is my strength

Psalm 125:2
The Lord surrounds his people from this time and forever

Ecclesiastes 3:9-15
Rejoice and do good
Whatever God does, it is forever and can’t be added to
Or subtracted from

Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing

John 14:27
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid

Hebrews 11:1-4
We have to have faith

SMILE, God loves YOU!! Have a good day all.

Time is something you will never get back.
In America a lot people are wasting time and wasting their lives on things that are meaningless.
Young men and women today are playing video games all day instead of doing something productive.
Wasting time is dumbing down our society.

Who or what is your main priority?
Is it Christ?
Are we wasting our lives on worldly things?
We need to place our focus on Christ. Time is precious.

Make time for the Lord in prayer.
Walk with Him daily.
The world teaches us that it’s all about me, but this should not be.
Put others before yourself.
We must stop this comfortable Christianity and seek to tell others about Christ.

People are losing their salvation, that should affect us.
Sometimes we truly don’t realize how short life is.
I’ve talked to people one day and not too long after, they were gone.
On the day of Judgement it’s going to be too late for everything.

It’s going to be too late to accept Christ.
It’s going to be too late to get to know Christ more
It’s going to be too late to teach.
Don’t put off doing God’s will.
We have to stop being lazy.
What is going on with our relationship with Christ?
Let’s not waste our lives!

“Short as life is, we make it still shorter by the careless waste of time.” – Victor Hugo

Save the excuses. It’s not about “having” time. It’s about making time. If it matters, you will make time.

“You have eternity to enjoy the honeymoon, but only a short time to prepare for the wedding.” Woodrow Kroll

What does the Bible say?

Psalm 90:7-12 Teach us to number each of our days so that we may grow in wisdom.

Psalm 39:4-5 “LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered–how fleeting my life is.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 There is a season for everything, and a time for every purpose under heaven:

Ephesians 5:15-17 So be very careful how you live. Do not live like those who are not wise, but live wisely. Use every chance you have for doing good,
because these are evil times. So do not be foolish but learn what the Lord wants you to do.

Ephesians 5:11 Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the bad they are.

Colossians 4:5 Be wise in the way you act with those who are not believers. Use your time in the best way you can.
Take your eyes off of the world and put them on the Lord.

Hebrews 12:1-2 Let us git rid everything that hinders us and the sin that so easily ensnares us.
And let us run with endurance the race set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of faith.
For the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Discipline yourself!!

Proverbs 6:6-11 How long will you lie there, you lazy person? How long will you do nothing?

Proverbs 12:24 The diligent will take control, but the lazy will be put to forced labor.

Proverbs 19:15 Laziness casts into a deep sleep, And an idle man will suffer hunger.

Proverbs 14:23 In all toil there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty.

Don’t allow yourself to procrastinate!!

Proverbs 6:4 Don’t allow yourself to sleep or even to close your eyes.

Matthew 8: 18-22

A Potpourri Of Thoughts We Have

We think negative–God thinks positive.
For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer.

We say: “It’s impossible”
God says:
Luke 18:27—All things are possible

We say: “I’m too tired”
God says:
Matthew 11:28-30–I will give you rest

We say: “Nobody really loves me”
God says:
John 3:16 and John 13:34—I love you

We say: “I can’t go on”
God says:
2nd Corinthians 12:7-10–My Grace is sufficient

We say: “I just can’t figure things out”
God says:
Proverbs 3:5-6—I will direct your steps

We say: “I can’t do it”
God says:
Philippians 4:12-13–You can do all things

We say: “I’m not able”
God says:
2nd Corinthians 9:6-8–I am able

We say: “It’s just not worth it”
God says:
Romans 8:28–It will be worth it

We say: “I can’t forgive myself”
God says:
Romans 8:1 I forgive you. (If God can forgive you, then you should be able to forgive yourself)

We say: “I can’t manage”
God says:
Philippians 4:19-20–I will supply all your needs

We say: “I am afraid”
God says:
2nd Timothy 1:7–I have not given you a Spirit of fear

We say: “I’m always worried and frustrated”
God says:
1st Peter 5:7 and Philippians 4:6-7–Cast all your cares on ME!!

We say: “I don’t have enough faith”
God says:
Romans 12:4-8–I’ve given everyone a measure of faith

We say: “I’m not smart enough”
God says:
1st Corinthians 1:30—I give you Wisdom

We say; “I feel all alone”
God says:
Hebrews 13:5–I will never leave you or forsake you.

SMILE God loves YOU!! Have a GREAT day all.

Damaging words come in many different fashions–Insulting, Verbal Abuse–Yelling–Intimidation–Name Calling–Making Fun of Someone
Show of Power–Bullying–Show of Pride–Backbiting, etc. AND GOSSIP

Almost everyone has experienced the harm of gossip before. Whether the people talking didn’t mean direct harm, or not,
the result of gossip is almost always broken trust and hurt feelings. Gossip can be defined as information about the behavior or personal life of other people,
often without the full truth revealed or known. God’s Word warns us to stay away from people who gossip and to guard our words when we speak about others!

Scripture also uses the word slander which means making a false spoken statement damaging to a person’s reputation.
Slander can destroy someone’s reputation, marriage, job, wealth, and family. The tongue has power and we must be careful with how we use our words.

Proverbs 10:18 Spreading slander is foolish

Proverbs 16:28 Whispering separates the best of friends

Proverbs 26:20-22 If there is no Tailbearer strife ceases

Romans 1:28-32 Re-Read vs 32

2nd Corinthians 12:20 Backbitings and Whisperings

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt word come out of the mouth

James 1:26 If the tongue can’t be bridled, religion is worthless

James 4:11-12 Do not speak evil of another

James 3:2-10 Be careful of the tongue

Damaging Words–Re-Read part of intro.

“I PROMISE”

It’s the time the year many start thinking about New Years resolutions. Some of these might be:
Lose weight
Start working out–getting a gym membership
Stop smoking
Stop drinking
Eat better
Get a better job
Find a nicer place to live
Get a better car
Make myself a better person–That’s what I want to talk about here.

I want to look at some of the commands Paul has given to the Church and people in Phillipi

Philippians chapter 2 has many of these.

Verses 1 an 2
Be like minded
Have the same love
Being of one accord
Being of one mind

Verse 3:
Do nothing through selfish ambition
Do nothing through conceit
Esteem others better than himself

Verse 4:
Look out for not only your interests, but others interest as well

Verse 5:
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ

Verse 12:
Be obedient–work out your own salvation with fear and trembling

Verse 14:
Do all things without complaining
Do all things without disputing

Verse 15:
Be blameless and innocent children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation

Verse 16:
Hold fast the Word of Life

Chapter 4:

Verse 4:
Rejoice in the Lord–ALWAYS!!

Verse 5:
Be gentle to all men

Verse 6:
BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING
Pray–Let your requests be known

Verse 8:
Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–Meditate of these things.

Take these commands and make them your resolutions. Become that better person!!

FIGHT! CONTEND! DO BATTLE!

Fight! Contend! Do Battle!

When abandonment of religious belief arises, when false teachers emerge, when the truth of God is attacked, it’s time to fight for the Faith.

Only the Christians that are spiritually solid can stop the issues.

This letter focuses on a common Salvation by those who believe in Jesus. Jude challenges them to do battle for the faith.

False teachers invade the Church doing as they please.

Christians should not be caught off guard!!

The challenge is great, but so is God. He is able to keep Christians from stumbling.

Jude verses 1 and 2:
Identifies himself as the brother of James and a bondservant of Jesus.
It’s addressed to those called, sanctified, and preserved in Jesus Christ.

Verses 3-16
The sin and doom of ungodly people.

Verses 17-23
The call to persevere

Verses 24-25
The closing comments to his letter.