Westview Presbyterian Church Associate Reformed Synod
1020 West Catawba Avenue
Mount Holly, North Carolina 28120 Phone: (704) 827-2026
Devotional
Devotional Thought
In their movie, "The Meaning of Life" the Monty Python Troupe expose numerous ways that folks try to extract meaning out of their lives. Some folks find meaning in the production of off spring. Others attempt to find it in their work. Pleasure is another avenue in which people try to pursue meaning. Most folks will admit that our time on earth is limited and for the time we are here we would like to know that our lives had meaning. In his letter to the Philippians Paul defines the meaning of his life. "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Phil 1:21). He then exhorts the Philippian Christians to follow his example and to add meaning to their lives by defining themselves as disciples of Jesus Christ and living in a manner that befits Jesus' disciple. Paul writes, "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ" (Phil 1:27). Paul consistently lived out his definition. Every decision of his life was proceeded by the question, "What would Jesus have me do?" Every situation or location in which he found himself he accepted and used so that he might be of service to the gospel. Paul lived out his definition as a disciple. Because he lived out his definition, his life had meaning. It will be the same for us.
I bought a new box of white board markers, each marker in the box was labeled "marker". The box was labeled "white board markers". The cash register receipt indicated that I purchased a box of "white board markers". Each label confirmed their definition as markers. But I decided to call them shovels. In fact, I called them shovels right up to the time I took one out of the box and began to write on the white board in the Sunday School room. That was when they truly became markers for they were living out their definition.
Do you want a life with meaning? Define your life. Select a nobel purpose for which you will live, then live faithful to your definition. Paul recommends the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the most nobel purpose that can be found and the only definition that gives true meaning to life.
In their movie, "The Meaning of Life" the Monty Python Troupe expose numerous ways that folks try to extract meaning out of their lives. Some folks find meaning in the production of off spring. Others attempt to find it in their work. Pleasure is another avenue in which people try to pursue meaning. Most folks will admit that our time on earth is limited and for the time we are here we would like to know that our lives had meaning. In his letter to the Philippians Paul defines the meaning of his life. "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Phil 1:21). He then exhorts the Philippian Christians to follow his example and to add meaning to their lives by defining themselves as disciples of Jesus Christ and living in a manner that befits Jesus' disciple. Paul writes, "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ" (Phil 1:27). Paul consistently lived out his definition. Every decision of his life was proceeded by the question, "What would Jesus have me do?" Every situation or location in which he found himself he accepted and used so that he might be of service to the gospel. Paul lived out his definition as a disciple. Because he lived out his definition, his life had meaning. It will be the same for us.
I bought a new box of white board markers, each marker in the box was labeled "marker". The box was labeled "white board markers". The cash register receipt indicated that I purchased a box of "white board markers". Each label confirmed their definition as markers. But I decided to call them shovels. In fact, I called them shovels right up to the time I took one out of the box and began to write on the white board in the Sunday School room. That was when they truly became markers for they were living out their definition.
Do you want a life with meaning? Define your life. Select a nobel purpose for which you will live, then live faithful to your definition. Paul recommends the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the most nobel purpose that can be found and the only definition that gives true meaning to life.
What must I do to be saved? (Acts 16:30)
That was the question that the Philippian jailer asked of his prisoners Paul and Silas. If you have ever asked that question in the past or are asking that same question today, let us help you with an answer.
The Bible states, in Romans chapter 10 verse 9, "if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead then you will be saved." There is a lot more information that goes along with that statement but that verse is the essence of salvation. "Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord." The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians chapter 11 verse 3, "no one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit." It is God's Holy Spirit at work in us that teaches us about Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "The Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13). The truth of Jesus Christ is that, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must saved" (Acts 4:12). When we confess that Jesus is Lord we are agreeing with God that Jesus is all that He claims to be and that His claim of Lordship over each one of us is a true and authentic claim.
Believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead. By believing the reality of the resurrection in our hearts we believe in the truth of the application of the resurrection in our lives. That is to say that Jesus came to save sinners like you and me. The resurrection is God's assurance that Jesus completed the work of salvation and that you and I can be saved, forgiven and reconciled to God. As we said, there is a lot more to it, more details to share and more truths to explain. But the Scriptures are true when they plainly state that our confession of Jesus as Lord and our heartfelt belief in His resurrection is the proof that God's grace has been applied to our lives and we are saved.
If you know that you have been saved byGod's grace through confession and belief we would be delighted to hear from you or we encourage you to share your salvation with a Christian friend. Ask them to help you to find a Christian church congregation in which you can learn and serve and worship. If you would like a list of ARP Churches in your area, please see our denominational website at www.arpchurch.org May God bless you as you live out the experience of your salvation.
That was the question that the Philippian jailer asked of his prisoners Paul and Silas. If you have ever asked that question in the past or are asking that same question today, let us help you with an answer.
The Bible states, in Romans chapter 10 verse 9, "if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead then you will be saved." There is a lot more information that goes along with that statement but that verse is the essence of salvation. "Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord." The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians chapter 11 verse 3, "no one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit." It is God's Holy Spirit at work in us that teaches us about Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "The Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13). The truth of Jesus Christ is that, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must saved" (Acts 4:12). When we confess that Jesus is Lord we are agreeing with God that Jesus is all that He claims to be and that His claim of Lordship over each one of us is a true and authentic claim.
Believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead. By believing the reality of the resurrection in our hearts we believe in the truth of the application of the resurrection in our lives. That is to say that Jesus came to save sinners like you and me. The resurrection is God's assurance that Jesus completed the work of salvation and that you and I can be saved, forgiven and reconciled to God. As we said, there is a lot more to it, more details to share and more truths to explain. But the Scriptures are true when they plainly state that our confession of Jesus as Lord and our heartfelt belief in His resurrection is the proof that God's grace has been applied to our lives and we are saved.
If you know that you have been saved byGod's grace through confession and belief we would be delighted to hear from you or we encourage you to share your salvation with a Christian friend. Ask them to help you to find a Christian church congregation in which you can learn and serve and worship. If you would like a list of ARP Churches in your area, please see our denominational website at www.arpchurch.org May God bless you as you live out the experience of your salvation.
