Hoping Your In

TOPIC: Genuine Faith

SCRIPTURE: "Jesus will send forth His angels,
and they will gather OUT OF His kingdom all stumbling blocks... (Matthew 13:41) the angels will come forth and TAKE OUT the wicked from among the righteous (Matthew 13:49)

OBSERVATION: We see from these verses that there are true and false believers in church. As I read today, I was reminded of yesterday's reading in Matthew 12:33 which says,
"..for the tree is known by its fruit."
That led my mind straight to Matthew 7:15-23 "Beware of the false prophets, whom come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. So then you will know them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. MANY will say to Me on that day, "Lord, Lord, did we not do all these things in your name? And then I will declare to them, depart from me for "I NEVER KNEW YOU"


APPLICATION: Imagine with me for a minute...
Imagine being there on that day and hearing those words spoken to you?

DEPART FROM ME FOR

I NEVER KNEW YOU

I don't know about you

BUT I believe

It's time for a test!!!

2 Corinthians 13:5 says "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! OR do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ IS IN YOU - unless indeed you fail the test?

Is your tree producing the right fruit?

Here's how you know...

Galatians 5:22 says. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfullness, gentleness, and self-control..."

2 Peter 2:8 says, "for if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the TRUE knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."


PRAYER: You may want to pray to begin your relationship with Jesus right now. Here's a sample prayer.

Lord Jesus,
I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross
for my sins. I open the door of my life, and
receive You as my Savior and Lord. Take control
of my life, and make me the kind of person
You want me to be. AMEN