tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575484142487336556.comments2023-10-23T14:18:54.152-04:00MaxEvangelWayne McCrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05937990636878211567noreply@blogger.comBlogger1154125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575484142487336556.post-56784574042667310562021-07-24T15:30:25.655-04:002021-07-24T15:30:25.655-04:00Each believer is “in Christ,” and He provides “rig...Each believer is “in Christ,” and He provides “righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1Cor. 1:30). This “holy foolishness” is illustrated further by Paul's plain manner of preaching and in the convincing power of the Spirit (2:1–5). The purpose was that the faith of the believing Corinthians would not be in man's cleverness, but in the power of God (2:5). However, true wisdom is revealed by the Spirit (2:6–13) to those who are “mature.” This maturity is like a fruit which has developed to completion and perfection; it is ripe.<br /><br />https://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2021/07/the-foolishness-of-human-wisdom.html<br /><br />#Gospel #Hope #Jesus #Wisdom #Cross #Faith #Salvation #Values #MaxEvangel Wayne McCrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05937990636878211567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575484142487336556.post-13529706563751185222021-06-26T11:24:11.135-04:002021-06-26T11:24:11.135-04:00Finally, the words of the glorious Christ spoken i...Finally, the words of the glorious Christ spoken in The Revelation come to mind. “I know thy works” says the Lord Jesus to each of the churches in Asia (Rev. 2:2, 9, 13, 19; 3:8, 15). He knows fully! Our brilliant Savior totally recognizes how you have sacrificed time, energy, money, privileges, advantages, and opportunities to advance His will. He knows your struggles as you have sought to obey Him fully…He knows when your heart is in it and when it is not. He knows those who are opposing your efforts trying to frustrate you and His work…believe me, He really does know. Never-the-less, He will reward your faithfulness at the appropriate time; therefore, remain engaged for His glory and the good of your fellowman.<br /><br />https://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2014/01/promise-of-rewards.html<br /><br />#Frustration #Patience #Promise #Rewards #Sacrifice #Service #Faithfulness #God #Labor #MaxEvangelWayne McCrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05937990636878211567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575484142487336556.post-74748277820557664952021-06-20T08:14:11.394-04:002021-06-20T08:14:11.394-04:00If you have a loss of interest in life—a loss of e...If you have a loss of interest in life—a loss of enthusiasm, a loss of productivity and energy, a loss of output—consider whether you have developed an attitude of anxiety. If so, it's up to you to take action to break the hold that worry has over you. God will help you, but you must face what you have allowed to develop in your life and take action to counteract your response of worry and anxiety.<br /><br />https://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2021/04/jesus-sermon-on-anxiety.html<br /><br />#Jesus #Anxiety #Hope #Faith #God #Worry #Needs #MaxEvangelWayne McCrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05937990636878211567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575484142487336556.post-79869119524265468502021-06-20T08:04:02.308-04:002021-06-20T08:04:02.308-04:00Yes, God still uses young people and He wants the ...Yes, God still uses young people and He wants the entire lifespan of our young people. The time for each youth to decide for Christ is now…in your youth acknowledging God, the Creator’s, claim on each of our lives. While there are many potential distractions, decide to live each day in a way that recognizes God’s ownership of it—we must steward life as managers and not owners. Each life is far more valuable in the hands of God; each contribution will be significantly more impactful in positive ways when that life is used and empowered by the Lord. Consider the possibility of ministry as your future…entertain the idea of serving God as a missionary. Why not look at the needs in the world and ask God to use you to fill those needs for His glory?<br />https://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2020/11/when-god-works-night-shift.html<br /><br />#Darkness #Night #God #Hope #Scriptures #Word #Respond #Parenting #Sin #Consequences #MaxEvangelWayne McCrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05937990636878211567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575484142487336556.post-9612455728679374442021-06-14T13:59:26.656-04:002021-06-14T13:59:26.656-04:00Corinth was a first-century church with many probl...Corinth was a first-century church with many problems: sectarianism, spiritual immaturity, church discipline, immoral practices, the roles of the sexes, and the proper use of spiritual gifts. Where these same problems exist in the modern church, the remedies are the same. Studying the godly guidelines and applying the practical insights revealed in this epistle will establish devoted disciples and heal the problems of contemporary churches that may exist—as Corinth—in a “ … land of the rude, the crude, and the lewd.”<br /><br />https://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2021/06/an-introduction-to-1-corinthians.html<br /><br />#Carnal #Church #Sin #Help #Hope #Change #Growth #Guidance #Jesus #Fornication #Change #MaxEvangel Wayne McCrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05937990636878211567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575484142487336556.post-24398331400313113952021-05-05T06:33:29.226-04:002021-05-05T06:33:29.226-04:00Like the Apostle Paul, we too must honor, apprecia...Like the Apostle Paul, we too must honor, appreciates, and celebrate those servants who have greatly impacted our lives and ministry in the church, at home, and professionally. Have you expressed your appreciation for someone that has been a help to you along your Christian walk and service lately? It will be good for you and it will be a blessing to them if you did. We all need each other to accomplish the work of God.<br /><br />https://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2021/01/honoring-gods-servants.html<br /><br />#Apostle #Appreciate #Celebrate #Church #Friends #Help #Honor #Ministry #Paul #Servants #Service<br />Wayne McCrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05937990636878211567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575484142487336556.post-11330210457165607722021-04-17T22:03:41.455-04:002021-04-17T22:03:41.455-04:00We will miss out on the primary purposes of life i...We will miss out on the primary purposes of life if we waist them worrying and scurrying around trying to take care of basic needs. Instead of worrying, we need to be seeking the living God, and progressively realizing His righteousness in our own spiritual development. God promises to take care of the rest of our needs as we make Him the priority of our lives.<br /><br />https://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2021/04/jesus-sermon-on-anxiety.html<br /><br />#Jesus #Anxiety #Hope #Faith #God #Worry #Needs #MaxEvangel Wayne McCrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05937990636878211567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575484142487336556.post-43026087474879474222021-04-15T18:44:07.109-04:002021-04-15T18:44:07.109-04:00What we believe also matters—God raised up the Lor...What we believe also matters—God raised up the Lord Jesus from among the dead. This same Jesus who died taking full responsibility for our sin guilt before God; our sins were paid for in full by his sacrifice. Again Christ was delivered to die for our grave offenses against God; Jesus was also resurrected by the Father to the end that we may be justified before God. Therefore, believers also have by faith identified with Christ who has already died for sins, was buried and raised again. Christ has no more obligations to sin or death, nor do we who are identified with Him.<br />https://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2020/12/the-anatomy-of-justification.html<br /><br />#Jesus #Salvation #Justification #Righteous #Sinners #Gospel #Forgiveness #MaxEvangel<br />Wayne McCrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05937990636878211567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575484142487336556.post-4637803534741345972021-02-28T07:37:22.508-05:002021-02-28T07:37:22.508-05:00The overcomer will receive a white garment which s...The overcomer will receive a white garment which symbolizes the righteous activity of their lives and the full acceptance by the Lord Himself. These Believers in Sardis, likewise were evidently, radiantly, expressly Christians in their testimony in spite of the great compromising surrounding them.<br /><br /> 1. Take Hope in This Promise.<br /> 2. Take Heed to This Warning.<br /> 3. Be Steadfast in the Lord.<br />Every believer should choose a life of faith filled with spiritual activity and ministry. Though it is possible for real believers to become backslidden and carnal, the nature of real faith demands continuation and perseverance in the spiritual walk for the glory of the Lord. Therefore, the Word challenges us constantly to be faithful, uncompromising, and active in our commitments to Christ. <br /><br />https://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2017/04/christs-promises.html<br /><br />#Promise #Jesus #Hope #Overcomer #Victory #Endurance #MaxEvangel Wayne McCrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05937990636878211567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575484142487336556.post-63952130344513282942021-02-09T20:32:17.708-05:002021-02-09T20:32:17.708-05:00This is the focus of this entire study—through fai...This is the focus of this entire study—through faith in Jesus Christ alone we are justified before God. This is a present reality—we are counted as righteous before God and by God. Our spiritual account has been credited with the marvelous righteousness of God himself. The righteousness graciously given to repentant believers is identical in quality, duration, value, and perfection as that of the Triune God-head! You and I as believers in Christ Jesus are regarded by God himself as righteous! Just like himself!<br /><br />https://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2021/02/the-proof-of-justification.html<br /><br />#Justify #Salvation #Grace #Faith #Jesus #Peace #Assurance #Guilt #MaxEvangel <br />Wayne McCrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05937990636878211567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575484142487336556.post-66986614804696161602021-01-13T20:58:37.185-05:002021-01-13T20:58:37.185-05:00How could we not appreciate such a marvelous examp...How could we not appreciate such a marvelous example of devoted service to our Lord? Certainly such believers should be appreciated and appropriately celebrated as such devotion is indeed exemplary and should be followed by us all. Paul was an incredible servant of the Lord Jesus, but according to this great chapter, he had the privilege of working with some noteworthy servants of the Lord and he cherishes them as such. Now that we've gained an overview of this chapter in the previous article, let's dive into more of the specifics, beginning with verses Romans 16:1–16.<br /><br />https://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2021/01/honoring-gods-servants.html<br /><br />#Apostle #Appreciate #Celebrate #Church #Friends #Help #Honor #Ministry #Paul #Servants #Service <br />Wayne McCrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05937990636878211567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575484142487336556.post-27967515222598857322021-01-11T15:26:14.157-05:002021-01-11T15:26:14.157-05:00Some people remember names but not faces, while ot...Some people remember names but not faces, while others have faces etched in their minds but can't recall names to save their lives. It appears that Paul, however, remembered a lot of names and faces. People he had met, worked with, helped, and been befriended by were people he would never forget, no matter how far away they were.<br /><br />https://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2021/01/treasuring-gods-people.html<br /><br />#Jesus #Church #Christians #Service #Ministry #Appreciation #Treasure #MaxEvangel Wayne McCrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05937990636878211567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575484142487336556.post-63580030508210994802020-12-30T12:54:28.863-05:002020-12-30T12:54:28.863-05:00Regarding race and ethnicity, such distinctions sh...Regarding race and ethnicity, such distinctions should not be over emphasized or underscored. The idea of multiple races is actually rooted in human pride as one ethnic group seeks glory for its members. All the chatter these days about racial distinctions ignore the fundamental fact that God created only one singular race, the human race, with great ethnic diversity. We all descended from Adam and even more specifically, from Noah. Beloved, God created for His glory and not ours nor for any ethnic group.<br /> <br />https://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2020/09/god-created-human-race.html<br /><br />#Creation #Creator #Purpose #Race #Ethnicity #Humanity #Division #MaxEvangelWayne McCrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05937990636878211567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575484142487336556.post-53270803500755105522020-12-29T20:19:16.250-05:002020-12-29T20:19:16.250-05:00Beloved, we are not justified in a weak system of ...Beloved, we are not justified in a weak system of justice, but in one marked by extraordinary power and force. Our legal status before God is not make-believe, fictional, or a stretch of the facts...nor the overworked product of our active imaginations. Believing in justification by faith alone is not an exercise in mental gymnastics; this is truth! A thousand times no! Our justification is as real as the resurrection of Jesus Christ. If he is alive then so are we alive in him…so are we guiltless before God…so are we declared as positively righteous in the divine court of law. God declares this to be the case and so it is. Beloved, the perfect righteous God-Judge has the final say.<br />https://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2020/12/the-anatomy-of-justification.html<br /><br />#Jesus #Salvation #Justification #Righteous #Sinners #Gospel #Forgiveness #MaxEvangel Wayne McCrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05937990636878211567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575484142487336556.post-17608751147593364642020-12-23T09:28:40.583-05:002020-12-23T09:28:40.583-05:00John 5:17, But Jesus answered them, My Father work...John 5:17, But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.<br /><br />According to John 20:21, The Lord Jesus is unmistakably the Son of God sent by Father God—God’s sent One. Jesus is operating in full harmony with the Father’s will and goals, and here as the sent One he commissions his disciples/apostles and sends them into the world to evangelize.<br /><br />Up to the point when the Son starts His public ministry, the Father is busy preparing, situating, designing, and sovereignly bringing about his great purpose of redemption. Jesus says, “My Father worketh hitherto….” He is organizing and providentially guiding history on a course that provides salvation to humanity—preparation. This is the labor of the Father; His incredible contributions to the plan of reconciliation.<br /><br />https://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2020/07/the-first-leg-of-race.html<br /><br />#GreatCommission #Missions #Worldwide #Evangelism #Missionary #God #MaxEvangelWayne McCrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05937990636878211567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575484142487336556.post-66462091969440940982020-12-23T08:06:48.649-05:002020-12-23T08:06:48.649-05:00Matt 2:1, Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of ...Matt 2:1, Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,<br />Matt 2:2, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.<br />We Today Must Understand the Great Wisdom in SEEKING HIM in Every Department of Our Lives. We Must SEEK HIM to Know Him Personally and Intimately, to Secure the Sweet Knowledge of His Precious Will, and to Discover Another Place in Our Lives in Which We Can WORSHIP HIM.<br /><br />https://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2014/12/seek-lord-jesus-for-christmas.html<br /><br />#Christmas #Jesus #Holiday #Faith #Hope #MaxEvangel<br />Wayne McCrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05937990636878211567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575484142487336556.post-62375031606081582722020-12-14T16:59:34.487-05:002020-12-14T16:59:34.487-05:00To fulfill a natural appetite by using divine powe...To fulfill a natural appetite by using divine power in response to Satan’s encouragements is a direct act of disobedience to God. As Christians we do not take marching orders from the Devil! This is the same appeal Satan enticed Eve with in the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3:6 (“good for food”). John classifies this temptation as “the lust of the flesh” (1 Jn. 2:16). Our corresponding temptation is to live for the gratification of natural desires, to choose a pathway of comfort instead of seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness. The devil says, “You have to live, don’t you?” Instead of trusting God for all our needs, we sometimes reserve the right to control matters that relate to our legitimate needs. We must resist the desire to be controlling and self-sufficient. It is always right to depend on God, His way and timing.<br />https://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2020/12/jesus-defeats-devil-battle-of-flesh.html<br /><br />#Jesus #Victory #Temptation #Devil #Provisions #Needs #Priorities #Scripture #MaxEvangelWayne McCrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05937990636878211567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575484142487336556.post-23176323576539515062020-12-14T09:33:44.307-05:002020-12-14T09:33:44.307-05:00God’s design of equality in personhood and importa...God’s design of equality in personhood and importance should also be pointed out. Just as the Persons of the Trinity are equal in their full existence and distinct Persons, so it is with men and women. They both are equal in personhood and importance. Male and female are created equally in God’s image and both reflect the character of God (Gen. 1:27; 5:1, 2). The Bible repeatedly emphasis this equality in personhood and importance regarding both sexes (Proverbs 31; Acts 2:17-18). Both are worthy of honor and respect and each individual should be thankful to God for what he made them. In New Testament times, the Lord Jesus was an outstanding advocate of this equality as evidenced in his teachings, illustrations, ministry, and actions toward women. Both are valuable and gifted members of Christ’s body (1Cor. 12:7, 11). Paul in Galatians 3:27, 28 clearly articulates this reality of equality in the church.<br /><br />https://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2020/10/gender-wars-and-battles-of-sexes.html<br /><br />#Gender #Marriage #Roles #Battle #Conflict #Man #Woman #MaxEvangelWayne McCrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05937990636878211567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575484142487336556.post-85405723036384452862020-12-14T08:59:09.783-05:002020-12-14T08:59:09.783-05:00Have you thought much about the singular human rac...Have you thought much about the singular human race lately? With all the talk about race these days you would think there are multiple races. While there are many ethnic groups, there is really only one race. God only created one! In Genesis 1 and 2, the focus is on how the universe and human beings came into existence and why God created humanity in the first place.<br /><br />https://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2020/09/god-created-human-race.html<br /><br />#Creation #Creator #Purpose #Race #Ethnicity #Humanity #Division #MaxEvangelWayne McCrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05937990636878211567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575484142487336556.post-22687767673160501322020-12-14T08:54:42.958-05:002020-12-14T08:54:42.958-05:00Whether through the written law of Scripture or th...Whether through the written law of Scripture or the inward law of conscience, until a person acknowledges his basic sinfulness and inability to perfectly fulfill the demands of God’s law, he will not come repentantly to seek salvation. Until he despairs of himself and his own sinfulness, he will not come in humble faith to be filled with Christ’s righteousness. A person who says he wants salvation but refuses to recognize and repent of his sin deceives himself. Salvation is deliverance from sin, and a person cannot: want to keep his sin and at the same time want to be free from it. He cannot truly want the new Christ-life of righteousness without renouncing the old self-life of sin.<br /><br />https://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2020/09/why-law.html<br /><br />#Law #Grace #Evangelism #Salvation #Jesus #Hope #Sin #Life #Grace #MaxEvangelWayne McCrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05937990636878211567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575484142487336556.post-66472079829185602502020-12-14T08:32:00.424-05:002020-12-14T08:32:00.424-05:00Let us focus on the Work of God deep within the be...Let us focus on the Work of God deep within the believer and within the heart of a congregation for positive change. To become like Christ requires the work of God deep within our thoughts, motives, and desires. What is God doing in your heart today? What motives and desires is He installing in your sensibilities? What character qualities is He weaving into the fabric of your soul? Are you responding to Him? Are you obedient...are you changing for the better? It matters to God how we respond.<br /><br />https://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2020/08/your-response-matters-to-god.html<br /><br />#PositiveChange #SpiritualGrowth #Jesus #Obedience #Faith #Christlike #MaxEvangelWayne McCrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05937990636878211567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575484142487336556.post-31907629955703435882020-12-13T16:58:35.877-05:002020-12-13T16:58:35.877-05:00Consider this powerful principle from the Apostle ...Consider this powerful principle from the Apostle Paul in the book of Romans, "For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself" (Rom. 14:7). Clearly, we influence the lives of others; therefore, we lovingly seek to have a positive impact. We take measures to guard against needless offenses. We are moved by a loving interest to edify and build up fellow believers in the Christian Faith. Beloved, we are accountable to God for how we interact and treat fellow Christians. <br /><br />https://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2015/12/why-fuss-over-christmas.html<br /><br />#Christmas #Jesus #Hope #Holiday #Faith #Liberty #Conflict #MaxEvangel<br />Wayne McCrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05937990636878211567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575484142487336556.post-26201272980407557132020-12-09T22:20:59.852-05:002020-12-09T22:20:59.852-05:00Bildad the Shuhite asked the question we will seek...Bildad the Shuhite asked the question we will seek to answer in this article in Job 25:4, saying, “How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?” Bildad longed for some reasonable way for us to be found innocent before God, but he fully recognized the incredible sinfulness of us all. With every heartbeat, our conscience pronounces guilty…Guilty…GUILTY!...guilty! The Apostle Paul explains in detail how it is wonderfully possible to be justified before God, and faith in Jesus Christ is key. Note carefully what Romans 3:22-26, says....<br /><br />https://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2020/12/the-perfect-judge-has-spoken.html<br /><br />#Justice #Judge #Jesus #Salvation #Justification #Peace #Guilty #MaxEvangel #Law #Save Wayne McCrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05937990636878211567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575484142487336556.post-63017479637642322192020-11-16T18:02:27.643-05:002020-11-16T18:02:27.643-05:00Darkness and night in the Word of God often denote...Darkness and night in the Word of God often denotes seasons of general ignorance about God and His Word (Matt. 4:16). Sometimes it refers to episodes of judgment because of pervasive moral and spiritual decay in a country or an individual’s experience (Hos. 4:1-8). These are precisely the conditions we find in this account in the life of young Samuel. It is a season of darkness and night in the land. Yet, this chapter reveals that God can still take initiatives of mercy and grace…even in the night. While we must live with the consequences of our past actions, we can respond correctly to the Lord because He remains our real hope during the night.<br />https://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2020/11/when-god-works-night-shift.html<br /><br />#Darkness #Night #God #Hope #Scriptures #Word #Respond #Parenting #Sin #Consequences #MaxEvangel Wayne McCrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05937990636878211567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575484142487336556.post-5364760190871966602020-11-07T16:42:09.366-05:002020-11-07T16:42:09.366-05:00So then regarding the Spirit’s sealing believers c...So then regarding the Spirit’s sealing believers can know they belong to God, is secure in salvation, and their profession of faith is genuine. Then regarding the earnest of the Spirit, believers are assured of a finished transaction. They are guaranteed all the inheritance provisions will be realized fully for each child of God. If the ‘down payment’ was God the Spirit, what in eternity will the full payment be! <br />https://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2020/11/why-spiritual-sealing-matters.html<br /><br />#Assurance #Authenticity #Christ #Guarantee #HolySpirit #Seal #Salvation #MaxEvangel <br />Wayne McCrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05937990636878211567noreply@blogger.com