31 July 2016
Two-Minute Features | 07 August 2016

God Really Loves Everyone in the World (TMF:465)

Friday, August 05, 2016
Peace to Live By: God Really Loves Everyone in the World (TMF:465) - Daniel Litton
(tap or right-click link to download two-minute feature)

       We have to remember that not only does God love all of us Christians in the world, but really God loves everyone in the world. He loved the world so much that he sent his Son Jesus to die for the sins of the whole world, so that anyone who is willing can come to him and have a new life. Perhaps today you don’t know God—you don’t have a relationship with him. Maybe you’ve been listening to what I’ve been talking about and feel that you would like to get out from under legalism, but your not a Christian. Well, God leaves his door of salvation open to anyone who would believe in him. No matter who you are, God wants you to come into a personal relationship with by believing in Jesus’ death on the cross, on your behalf, for your sins—the things you’ve done in your life against God. You see, God sent his Son Jesus into the world some 2,000 years ago who died on a Roman cross for the sins of the whole world. God, in his righteousness, demands payment for sin. Most people will end up bearing God’s wrath in a place the Bible calls hell—which is eternal torment for anyone who ends up there. But God doesn’t want anyone to have to go there, and that’s why he sent Jesus to die for the sins of the whole world.

We Need to Take Up the Shield of Faith (TMF:464)

Thursday, August 04, 2016
Peace to Live By: We Need to Take Up the Shield of Faith (TMF:464) - Daniel Litton
(tap or right-click link to download two-minute feature)

       Remember, we are to “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16, ESV). Indeed, Satan is constantly accusing us before God in Heaven, but Jesus is there as our Advocate. Sixth and finally, we are to live with peace-of-mind and be thankful. The Apostle Paul tells us, “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15, ESV). We can’t be legalistic and peaceful at the same time. In order to overcome legalism, we have to trade the rigorous, legalistic behaviors for behaviors that are done out of love in peace. With Christ is true peace because we really don’t have anything we have to worry about in this life, as hard as that may seem. I think developing this mindset is a continual struggle for us all, as it takes total faith and belief in God’s ability and love for us. Having this mindset is a continual, constant process in reminding ourselves of God’s ability and love in day-to-day life. Our peace should not be dependent on are daily circumstances or what is going on in our lives.

We Should Not Remain Angry When We Fail (TMF:463)

Wednesday, August 03, 2016
Peace to Live By: We Should Not Remain Angry When We Fail (TMF:463) - Daniel Litton
(tap or right-click link to download two-minute feature)

       Fifth, we can’t remain angry with ourselves when we fail. It is true that when we do fail, or continue to struggle in overcoming a certain sin in our lives, that we may become angry at our failure. But there are a couple of things we have to remember. Number one, God has forgiven us all our sins, including the one you are angry about. Number two, when God called us into his family, he already knew we were going to have this struggle with whatever failure or sin that it is. Therefore, we can have confidence in God that he is still with us, that he is still on our side, that he wants to see us improve, and will help us improve. God loves us and wants what is best for us. That being said, he isn’t going to fight the battle for us. We have to try, we have to fight to be better as he strengthens us for the battle with his power as we have faith in him. Remember, we are to “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16, ESV). Indeed, Satan is constantly accusing us before God in Heaven, but Jesus is there as our Advocate.

We Have to Love Ourselves, as God Loves Us (TMF:462)

Tuesday, August 02, 2016
Peace to Live By: We Have to Love Ourselves, as God Loves Us (TMF:462) - Daniel Litton
(tap or right-click link to download two-minute feature)

       Now, this doesn’t mean we should be narcissistic and obsessed with ourselves, but we should care. We should care about getting a daily dose of God’s Word and spending time in prayer with God. We should care that we are fellowshipping with other believers, loving on them as they love on us. If we aren’t doing these basic things in the Christian life, then there is something wrong. We have to take care of ourselves to be healthy in Christ and building up fellow members of the body. Fourth, we should live by ‘faith’ in God that we are doing right and doing the best we can. The Apostle Paul noted, “For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:19, 20, ESV). As Paul just said, we are not to try to live under the [Jewish] Law, or any law system we have set up, anymore. We are to “live to God.” We are to rely on Jesus so much that he actually lives through us. We have to have faith that as long as we are trying our best, that God is pleased with our behavior. Like I stated before, we don’t earn God’s acceptance, but he still wants us to try the best we can.

God Loves Us Regardless of How We Perform (TMF:461)

Monday, August 01, 2016
Peace to Live By: God Loves Us Regardless of How We Perform (TMF:461) - Daniel Litton
(tap or right-click link to download two-minute feature)

       Second, let us remind ourselves that God loves us regardless of how we perform the Christian life. All of us have weaknesses, and none of us are perfect at anything we do. If you’ll remember in 2 Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul talked about the weakness that God allowed him to have, and how God’s power was made perfect in his weakness. It is okay for us, as Christians, to have weaknesses. And in fact, God has given us, or allowed us to have our weakness in order that his glory might be displayed in us. If none of us had any problems, we might become full of pride and think that we are awesome in living the Christian life. Indeed, some have deceived themselves into thinking they are perfect. But, as the Apostle Paul said elsewhere of Christ, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13, ESV). Third, we have to love ourselves, as God loves us. If God loves us as much as he does, we should definitely love ourselves. Paul noted after talking about how a man should love his wife, “For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body” (Ephesians 5:29, 30, ESV). So, if we are to love our wives more than ourselves, then we have to at least care about ourselves as people.