Greater Harvest Baptist Church

Love Like Jesus

Ephesians 5:2

Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. (Ephesians 5:2)

If you want to know how to love others, look to Jesus. He is the ultimate example of what it means to love others. He sacrificed Himself for us. Ask God to give you opportunities to love others by helping them. Then, when those opportunities come up, help them. This will show others the love of God.

Christ Lives in Me

I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (Galatians 2:20)

When you put your faith in Christ, His death on the cross covers your sin. Jesus sacrificed His life, to give you life. You are forgiven. Once you have been forgiven of your sins, you are free to live a new life. Jesus will come into your life. Live by faith in the Son of God and God will give you the strength to live this Christian life. Read and meditate on this verse regularly to be reminded of the truth, that Christ lives in you and that God will give you the strength to live this new life.

God Forgave You, Forgive Others

Ephesians 4:32

Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)

Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins. This allowed God to forgive you of all of your sins against Him. When you believe in Jesus and what He did for you, you will be forgiven. Now, just as God has forgiven you, you are called to forgive others. God wants you to treat people kindly and tenderhearted and forgive them because He knows that when you hold grudges against people, this will damage your relationship with Him. God loves you and wants to have a deep relationship with you. Spend time thinking about how God has forgiven you, then forgive others.

Carry One Another’s Burdens

Galatians 6:2

Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2 Berean Study Bible)

Jesus calls you to love your neighbor as yourself. When you help others with their burdens you are doing what Jesus wants you to do. Think right now about who has burdens around you. Start by praying for them and asking God what you can do to help them carry their burdens. Then, take action and help them. Always be on the lookout for ways that you can help others.

Draw Near to God

James 4:8

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (James 4:8 Berean Study Bible)

God wants to have a deeper relationship with you. Ask God to search your heart and show you if there is anything that is offensive to Him (Psalm 139:23-24). Let Him show you verses that apply to your areas of struggle. Write those verses down and study them. Memorize them. Ask God for the strength to give you victory in these areas. As you turn away from these areas of sin in your life, you will draw near to God.

And He will draw near to you.

God Wants You To Bear Much Fruit

John 15:1-5

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. (John 15:1-5)

The Father God wants you to have a spiritually fruitful life. The way to have this type of life is to abide in Christ. Abide means to remain in. For example, If you stay inside your home, you are abiding in your home. God wants you to make your home in Christ. The Father knows, that there are things in your life that are causing you to not abide Christ. You can expect The Father will prune things out of your life to allow you to abide in Christ, so you can have a spiritually fruitful life.

God Is With You

Joshua 1:9

May 2

Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

If you feel lonely and fearful, remember that the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Take a moment right now and thank God for being with you. He knows your struggles, fears, and pains. He knows you better than anybody. He cares for you. He is with you. Do not be afraid or discouraged. He loves you.

Jesus Has Risen From The dead

Matthew 8:5-6

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said! Come, see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’ See, I have told you.” (Matthew 8:5-6)
Jesus was crucified for your sins, then rose from the dead! The tomb is empty. Jesus is alive.

We love because [God] first loved us. — 1 John 4:19

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

It's all very simple. God is love. He is love's origin, example, and architect. I love because he loved me first. I know how to love because he has demonstrated it. I can love because he made me in his likeness and to share his character. He is the fountain, the motivation, and the pinnacle of love. I love because he does, first, last, and always.

My Prayer...
God of comfort, thank you for comforting me with your love. Just as a child learns from parents how to do so many things, I want to learn to love as you do: sacrificially, selflessly, and submissively so that others may know that they do not have to earn your love, only receive it. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Humble yourselves. That sounds obscene. At least to the "get ahead at all cost" and "don't look back the competition is gaining on you" culture of self-promotion it sounds obscene. Humility is a forgotten virtue. Often confused with weakness or timidity, humility is about knowing our proper place in the world without flaunting it. Only God can exalt in a permanent way, so the key is to know our place before him and let him put us in the place he chooses to honor him. James 4:10

Every year, we hope things will be different…

As the calendar turns to January, we’re filled with hope that this year is going to be different, that things are going to be better.

But, God doesn’t make us better—He makes us new!

Therefore if anyone is in Christ the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!

2 CORINTHIANS 5:17

No amount of changes we make are going to bring results that compare to actively seeking Jesus—and allowing Him to transform us.

This year, choose to make a lasting change by consistently drawing nearer to God through His Word.

Who is the Holy Spirit?
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever… JOHN 14:16

If you consider yourself a follower of Jesus, then the Holy Spirit is always with you, equipping you to live a life that honors God and encourages others. But although we have access to the Spirit at all times, living a Spirit-filled life involves intentionally seeking God every day.

When we allow God’s Spirit to convict, challenge, and change us, He transforms the ways we think and act. But, who is the Holy Spirit? And what does living by the Spirit even look like?

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. — Psalm 30:5

Thoughts on Today's Verse....
God is the God of all comfort (see 2 Cor. 1). Even when he deals harshly with our sin and rebellion, it is for our good. It will last only a short while and then it gives way to rejoicing. If you are in a time of discipline or facing the cruel consequences of sin, please don't give up. Morning will come, and on that dawn will come God's grace. It's more than worth the wait!

My Prayer...
Father, please bless your children who are facing hardships and difficulty. Please help them endure through "the night" so that when your dawn comes, they can experience the great rejoicing that lies ahead. Please bless the following people, dear Lord, and help them find your joy.... In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

One essential way to connect with God is through critical analysis of His Word. One way to do this is through understanding and breaking down His use of Biblical numbers. There are connections and patterns throughout the Bible, and by researching them we see deeper meanings. The patterns do not exist by chance, but are specific to God’s design. Each has a specific symbolism attached. Here are the sacred codes and significant numbers in the Bible.

Number One
The number one is used frequently throughout the Bible. Most notably, it refers to God Himself as being the “one true God” with only one of Him. The first commandment echoes this, saying “thou shalt have no other gods besides Me” and again in Deuteronomy 6:4 which says “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one.”

God is also one with us. Instead of being two separate entities, God is always by our side and in our hearts. Whenever someone is alone in the wilderness in the Bible, whether it is Moses, or Elijah, or Jesus, they are not really alone. Rather they are closest they may ever be to the one true God than at that moment.

Number Two
Two is the symbol of unity in the Bible. For example, the man and the women became one flesh in Genesis 1:27. Animals were sacrificed in twos throughout the Old Testament, and the disciples and the apostles were sent out in twos (Matthew 6:7). This is God’s way of saying two people can be united together to share a common bond.

Number 22
The number 22 has a much more mathematical approach in the Bible. It is believe that the perfect shape is the circle, because it has no corners. Twenty two divided by seven is a good approximation of pi, or the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. From the first epistle to the end of the Bible holds 22 books, which can tie in with what is known as the Canon Wheel. The Bible can be divided into three sections of 22 books each. The first is comprised of Genesis to the Song of Solomon, the second from Isaiah to Acts, and the third from Romans to Revelation. The first may be thought of as representative of the Father, the second of the Son, and the third of the Spirit.

There are 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet. Revelation ends the whole Bible on a 22nd chapter. If the patriarchs’ ages, as given in the Bible, are added up, then Abraham’s birth year was 2167 BC. From then to the death year of Jesus, 33 AD, is 2200 years precisely. Jesus quotes the opening of Psalm 22 while in agony on the cross, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” The chronology of men from Adam to Jacob totals 22 names. Jeroboam reigned for 22 years.

Number 12
The number 12 means end and foundation. There were 12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles, and the Tree of Life gives 12 kinds of fruit. The city of Jerusalem has different parameters that are equal to number 12: 12 gates and 12 precious stones at the basement. Daniel is also concerned with the time of the end, and Daniel has 12 chapters. Daniel 12:12 states, “Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.” 1 plus 3 plus 3 plus 5 equals 12.

Seek God … and you’ll find Him.

No matter what your situation is right now, as you ground yourself in God’s Word, God will root you in His love. And staying rooted in God’s love can transform the way you view yourself and the world around you.

So what are you searching for today?

Whatever questions you have, whatever answers you need, whatever hope you’re looking for—draw near to God right where you are through a Bible Plan, and let His words transform the way you view yourself and the world around you.

Celebrate moms that inspire you.

They’re the women who consistently care for their families. The ones navigating busy schedules, messy rooms, and sometimes, empty homes. They’re the women who mentor others with love, and who lead others with compassion. And they’re the women who keep showing up—even when life gets hard.

These women show us what it means to be a Mom. They are worthy of being loved, known, and celebrated.

Today is a great day to tell a mom in your life how much you appreciate her. Take a moment to thank God for the moms He’s placed around you, and then share this special Verse Image with someone who inspires you.