Tina Tapp

Ever want more of Jesus, more of the Kingdom of God but don't understand why you don't increase? Often, we don't grow because we are hoarding up what we have. We don't give away what we already have to make room for more. We don't trust God to provide. Let's give away our time, talents, money, etc. and see if God doesn't provide an increase.

Jesus just didn't talk about who He was. He demonstrated who He was. His faith was evident by His works. Sadly, too often we talk about our faith rather than demonstrating what we believe. Our faith should be evident by our actions.

In I Corinthians 7, Paul talks about marriage and divorce. He talks about spouses meeting each others needs and not depriving each other. Paul also talks about marriage and divorce between a believing spouse and unbelieving spouse. Paul also discusses the advantages of remaining single.

The Father is sending out invitations to all people for the wedding supper of the Lamb. No one will be able to attend this wedding without accepting the invitation. Accepting this invitation means that we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives. There is no other way to attend this wedding. No wedding crashers.

In the Old Testament, every year priests would sprinkle the blood of bulls and goats on the altar to atone for the sins of the people. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice and His blood washed our sins away. God remembers them no more. They are gone. We must renew our minds to no longer remind ourselves of our former selves. We must fill our minds with God's word and who He says we are.

While preparing for Passover every year, Jews were required to remove all leaven from their homes. Jesus became our Passover lamb and we celebrate Passover every day. Leaven represents sin. We are to keep our houses, our hearts, swept daily.

Jesus told the church in Ephesus that they had left their first love. They were going through the motions and doing the right things but their love was cold. Jesus told them to return to their first acts. What they did when they were first born again. Jesus wanted them to remember their first love.

The Corinthian church had allowed sin in it midst and did not deal with it. A man was sleeping with his stepmother and believers did not confront it. Some had prospered and did not need God. The truth is we need God every day. We depend upon Him for everything.

When men do not want to obey God's word, they either try to make the word say what they want or just ignore it all together. They exchange the truth for a lie. Men want to satisfy their lusts and desires. This is where people call right wrong and wrong right.

When building a house, a solid foundation is crucial. A solid foundation will allow builders to construct the home without fear of collapse. In the event of storms or fires, the foundation is left standing. Jesus is the foundation of our faith. We must build on the truths of the Bible so we will not be shaken in the storms of life.