God's Faithfulness & Our Salvation

Our Salvation-

 

 

When God saves someone...they are saved. They are not halfway saved...no, completely saved! It would take very specific and rare circumstances for someone to lose their salvation! Yes, rare. God invested so much into our salvation...so do you think He would change His mind or let someone go so easily?? NO! We get shaken by happenstance, He does not. We change our mind on a whim, He does not. His mercies are new every morning...and this was spoken even before the New Covenant! 

 

Lamentations 3:22-24

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;b

his mercies never come to an end;

23 they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,

“therefore I will hope in him.”

 

 

Rom. 8: 1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

 

2 Cor. 3:9 If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God!

 

Romans 3:21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.

 

 

2 Corinthians 5:21 God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

 

 

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New converts-

 

 

Some people however will either come forward at an alter call or pray a prayer to be saved under very emotional circumstances, and not truly receive Christ...not unlike someone who would say almost anything under feelings of compulsion or hopelessness.  So, in the following verses, when he was giving instructions about choosing Overseers, this is what he had in mind concerning new converts.  

 

 

As God knows if someone has truly accepted Him, but we do not, so it is important for us to take these precautions. Then the scriptures after that is the parable Jesus told about the same issue....that there will be some that have not received Christ even though they appeared to have done so at the beginning.

 

 

 

This is my personal belief -- since I believe God meets us where we are, I also think some people are still teetering when they pray...meaning they are still in the process of being saved...and any slight wind can cause them to be swept away.

 

 

1 Tim.3: 6Must not be a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. 7And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

 

 

 

 

Luke 8: 4While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up.

 

 

 

6Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”

 

 

  

11“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.

 

 

 

14The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

 

 

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The one unforgivable sin-

 

 

 

Luke 12: 8"I tell you, everyone who confesses me before men, him will the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God; 9but he who denies me in the presence of men will be denied in the presence of the angels of God.

 

10Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, don't be anxious how or what you will answer, or what you will say; 12for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what you must say."

 

 

Against - eis (a preposition) – properly, into (unto) – literally, "motion into which" implying penetration ("unto," "union") to a particular purpose or result.

 

 

 

 

God in the flesh died for us and therefore paid an extremely heavy price...therefore He does not take it lightly when His Holy Spirit makes His home inside our heart and life. It would be compared to setting something priceless and sacred inside the finest gold...therefore a union He never, ever planned would ever be touched or removed!! Can you picture it?!  

 

 

 

 

 

We can get mad at God and even allow our human nature to run at the mouth or have temper tantrums! However, blaspheming against the Holy Spirit is very different...it is essentially tampering with that one union that God deems as the most sacred....because it is that one thing...the union between God and man...that He died for!!  It is deliberately taking action against the Holy Spirit...like, trying to extract something highly sacred and priceless from pure and fine gold -- and in so doing causing irrepairable damage.  

 

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We are saved, and God is faithful to keep us that way. If we ever get even close (which is still far) to being close to the edge of losing our salvation...God is more than faithful then too.

 

1 Cor. 11:32 When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

 

Hebrews 12:7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?

 

 

Rejoice!!

 

True Happiness

 

What brings true happiness?? Or maybe contentment is a better word. To be assured that you are in the right place in your life and you finally have security? Or does it have little to do with these things...because what's on the outside will always be changing...kids growing, society is upside-down, illnesses, business trips, breakups, job losses and gains, deaths and births --- but, then you think of when you and Jesus got together, and it was then that you got one thing that does not change! You finally have peace, a new heart and God is IN you! Awesome!! So, whatever you do or whatever happens to you, or wherever you go...you have something that is constant...a rock! This was a wonderful event! Yes, you think to yourself, I have been saved by grace, so now I don't have to do a thing -- this is the beginning of true peace and happiness! Yes!

 

 

 

So then, here's another question for you. Can you think of something that happened to you at one time or another that was so sweet, and made you so happy that all you could do was smile? You walked around with a grin on your face, or a lightness in your step? It was an occurrence that you wanted to share with everyone you met! This was such an amazing thing that you became kinder and more patient because it changed you inside...and because you were so grateful for it! People looked at you wondering what the grinning was all about?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The people around you couldn't help but inquire what had happened to you? You've been blessed and you can't keep it inside...so you look for ways to pass on some of that blessing to others! So as you are out and about that day you've noticed things you had never really noticed before...and then by the time you leave the grocery store that afternoon you've helped two people...one who dropped a can and you chased it for her as it rolled down the isle and the other to reach something.

 

 

 

 

Then you started two short discussions over fresh baked bread where you were able to share your occurrence with one of them...and you let the person behind you in line go ahead which made her smile but shake her head wondering why you did such a thing! Then when you get home you are so wonderfully exhausted that you decide to get to bed early....so you call your fiance and tell them what a happy day you've had because of the engagement! WHAT? Did you think this was about getting saved or something?!

 

 

 

 

 

 

However, wouldn't this be great if we did respond this way? That we valued the gift of grace so highly and having Jesus...that Rock...that constant...in our life so much that we wanted everyone else to have Him too! So even when we hardly spoke a word our lives were a witness to others of God's love and grace!? That we considered this true happiness? To where our lives are so salty that just being around us makes people thirsty? And our light is so bright that people are either drawn to us like a moth to a flame or convicted just by being around us because our steadiness and sincere love challenges them? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are the ones that show the most love to others, because we are the ones that have the greatest love right inside of us?! And people are looking at us with either awe or hate....but never with disgust because of our hypocrisy!?

Or is Jesus worth all this fuss?

 

 

 

 

"I do all this to spread the Good News, and in doing so I enjoy it's blessings."

1 Cor. 9:23 

 

No Paperless Intermissions

Greek is the language the writers used to write all NT scripture. The above scripture in 1 Thess. is the only scripture about prayer that is interpreted as meaning to constantly be in a state of  connection with God. If you think about what the writers were doing, they knew that God was using them to write down not only their experiences, but also what God was inspiring them to write, so they had to always be in a constant state of openness to God's Spirit...and then always be ready to write it down as well! 

 

 

 

 

Therefore when they endeavored to write down what God was sharing with them about this unceasing kind of prayer, they used their own experiences...which was; never being able to take breaks without having paper with them! This in turn tells us that we are to always be in a communing and ready state with our Lord so when He wants to speak to us or use us in some way we will be ready. So! No paperless breaks for us!

 

 

Does this mean to be in a constant state of anxiety? Does this mean to be hyper-aware? No. Well, we'll probably start out this way...but this is because we're not sure how to do it yet. But it is supposed to become a natural thing...in fact it is what God wants for every spiritual practice - to become like second skin, like it was for Adam and Eve in the garden. (But of course at that time they didn't have to practice, they already had 'it' before their disobedience cut us off from it)

 

 

I would liken it to when you have a baby. At the beginning you are hyper-aware and even when she isn't crying you think she is. So every little noise you go running in there to check. Then as you practice, and as you continue to be open to her noises, you get to know what certain sounds mean and then you begin to relax and things become more natural. In fact every relationship is very similar. As you get to know each person you get more and more relaxed because you know how they sound and how they are unique in their own way...it is the very same with God. So, it takes some time and patience.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learning this is a wonderful place to be in your life and walk, as it is what ushers in learning to hear God's still small voice much better, as well as being able to be in step with the Holy Spirit...which of course is what we all want so much!  (Please  view above picture...click on it...hope it helps!)

 

 

 

Subsequently I believe prayer means much more than is normally taught. Since I was young prayer meant to bow my head, close my eyes, fold my hands and pray aloud...but, as we know, folding hands and etc. are not biblical. However, since working with kids for so long, now I know where this started! Ha! You and I also know that God can hear us just fine even when we are not speaking the words aloud...even though there will be times one can do this, as in one's prayer closet. 

 

 

 

 

Then as a young Christian I heard teachings that vehemently instructed that we had to incorporate daily devotions into our lives!  The example that was given once was when the Israelites were provided with manna everyday they were instructed to not keep any extra for the next day because when the next day arrived the manna left over was wormy. So,  it was used as a metaphor to say that the devotions of one day will not last till the next day!

 

 

 

 

 However, when you and I learn more and more to allow our hearts to be open to God and have this kind of close relationship with Him...then because we are always in a peaceful, spirit of prayer, we don't have to worry about 'not missing prayer time!' So the prayer times you do have in your prayer closet, which may be at different times and needn't be planned, will be for those times when God wants you to be alone for studying His written word...praying about something specifically...worship...or whatever...but it will be what you and God wants it to be.

 

God's Character II

~click on image to enlarge~

God's way of dealing with sin is in the same way that light deals with darkness...it just exists. The purpose of light is to expose whatever was in the darkness, and then to expel the darkness (without even trying)...with the end result being to bring about life - very much like what the sun does.  If one has actually thought about it and has endeavored to understand...God's way of dealing with sinners is to be around them like *Jesus was so that His light can do all the things that it does!

 

 

 

 Using any kind of force by ostracizing (partiality or hatred) or publicly exposing their sin (unkindness) will not produce anything righteous. We cannot use the actions of the carnal nature to fight the carnal nature. We cannot be in sin as a way to fight sin! Only light can win over darkness. This is why Jesus ate with the worst sinners...because His light disarmed them just by being there. This is why we are commanded to love our enemies...for their sakes and so we stay in the light and learn to always fight from there.

 

 

If we act as though it is an inconvenience to have to deal with sinners...and how ungodly they are...and how they persecute us and get in the way of our rights...then WE had better do a humble re-evaluation of where we stand with God - more so, where we WANT to stand with God!

 

 

 

Because --
1 Tim. 1:15 "It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all"

 

 

 

St. Paul understood the whole purpose for Christ's coming was to reconcile the world to Himself....to bring all of us...as many as possible...back to God.

 

 

 

So, does it work to fight unkindness with unkindness? How about hatred with hatred? So many unbelievers, because they live in this fallen world too, have had many hurts which is why they have become angry and selfish. So, how does it help them stop sinning...or become believers...by giving them more of the same? It does not make any spiritual sense!

 

 

 And if you are going to be like them...as well as what they are used to...then how will they see the contrast - the difference in YOU that would make them want to be what you are!?

 

 

 

James 1:20
For human anger does not produce the righteousness of God.

 

* Jesus did rebuke sinners, but only after showing His love and power, and giving them a chance to repent.

 

God's Character I

 

 

I've learned that God's love has some amazing attributes. Everything God does stems from His love. God's pure love softens hearts and gives sacrificially. Because He has no darkness in Him, His intentions are never-ever evil...or never even near it for that matter. He would not inspire anything that is not of the light. 

 

 

 

 

 God's love has no darkness, yet He can still be with, and love people in darkness  - because love will set the limit of not participating in the things of darkness. In fact, His love has the profound capability to loosen the hold darkness has on sinners...because light expels darkness just by it's mere presence.

 

 

 

 

 

 He would rather never have to dole out judgment...however, because He has no darkness in Him at all, He wants the same for His children. The things that reside in darkness are destructive, which is why He rejects them, and wants us to do the same.

 

 

 

 

Everything God does has strong intentions and purposes behind them...so when looking into God's written word this is the reason to never intentionally cut corners, but to take every word, every verse and every chapter in scripture seriously...and be diligent to understand what God is truly saying by making sure you know who is speaking to who, and about what, and why, so that your study and outcome can be approved by God.

 

 

 



 

Also, when He inspired the writers of scripture He would never have had them write something that would be out of His character. Therefore, we first must make sure we keep in mind that the actual author was not human, but God Himself. So when we are looking for answers it is important to realize they  may not sound logical to what our human brain is used to!

 

 

 

-Click on images to enlarge-

 

 

 

 

God has high ideals, so we are to humbly study, seek and learn to be good at hearing from God, so that we are never allowing our human nature to be in charge so as to try and bring God down to our level...but instead we are always reaching upward...higher and higher...to His!

 

 

 

 

 

God showed us His character when He came down and dwelt among us in bodily form. Jesus was the exact representation of the Father. He walked among sinners and ate with them...in fact He went out of His way to be with those who were hated, and His love softened their hearts and disarmed them.

 

 

 

 

So any rebuking of sinners was either after they had rejected Christ's determined show of God's love for them...or because they were abusers, who were in the way of people coming to know God's love and plan for them. Time after time after time Christ showed God's amazing love....which was why people followed Him in droves. Then later on, St. Paul explained in words what Christ had already exemplified...so that we can walk as He walked.

                  

 

                  

Yes, He rebuked others. He rebuked those that tried to keep children away from Him. He rebuked demons and the devil when he tried to tempt Him. He also rebuked His disciples for their lack of faith, or if they said things that those who actually spent as much time with Jesus as they did should never say, then He would.

 

 

 

 

God wants so much for everyone to be saved. Therefore He wants us to learn to live in the world without being of it...therefore to be as patient as we can with unbelievers before we decide to brush the dust off our feet. To treat them the way we would have wanted to be treated if we were in their shoes. They do not have the new nature and the power of the Holy Spirit to help them deal with sin.  Please click on this URL to read 1 Cor. 5 -http://niv.scripturetext.com/1_corinthians/5.htm

 

 

 

I just recently wrote a post about walking with Christ...becoming yoked with Him. When we decide to do this, we also have to be willing to walk in the light. SO, what is IN the light anyway?

More to come....

Dear God, When Can I Just BE?

 

 

 

 

Everything has been met in Christ. Every requirement. Yes. Above are just some of the scriptures that tell us how Christ has satisfied and met the demands of each of the important areas of the Christian's life... 

 

 

 

 

Then because this is true, there is only one requirement...one thing God wants from Christians such as you and I. Because everything is already satisfied in Jesus, then wouldn't it make sense to begin following Him? Yes, I know that you have already accepted Christ as your Savior and even your Lord as far as trying to trust Him with the various areas of your life. But have you begun following Him in the true sense? Have you begun this journey of walking with Him? 

 

 

 

 

Following and walking with Him, and then after time you're walking like Him...and then in time you begin feeling right at home and find that you are not 'doing' anymore...no, you are being! You begin growing again, and even in how you see God. He has not only made His home in you, but you have in Him. 

 

 

Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

 

 

 

He wants you to have an abundant life. He wants to teach you how to be a true "be-er" Christian...which is much much better than being a doer Christian.

 

 

1 John 2:6
Whoever claims to live in Him ought walk as Jesus did.

 

 

 

 

Ephesians 3:14-19

"14When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. 17Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God."

 

 

 

Can you understand how much God wants to be not just a part of your life...but to BE your life? Spiritually it has already happened if Christ is in you...but has it happened in how you live? You were created in His image, and this is why God wants you to mature in your walk...as you begin walking closely with Christ Who will help you to become much closer to who you were originally created to BE!!

 

 

 

 

1 Cor. 6:17
But the person who unites himself with the Lord becomes one spirit with Him.

 

 

 

If you notice up in the picture, under Gifts...that scripture tells us that the gifts and callings He has given each person cannot be withdrawn...or your bible might say, "without repentance". The gifts He has bestowed on you, you can't walk away from and then later ask forgiveness for doing something else instead. Why?

 

 

 

 

Because, when God created you He had a specific plan for your life that would fulfill you and make you you and make you whole...so you feel good in your own skin, and are vital and productive! But you will not "be made complete with all the fullness of life and power" until you make it your goal to actually begin taking steps to follow...putting His yoke upon you...and begin walking with Christ in all you do.

 

 

 

When you decide to walk closely along side Him, Jesus said in Matt. 11:30 that His yoke will be easy and His burden is light.  

 

 

 

Enjoy your relationship with Him as you spend time getting to know Him in a closer way...as you open up your heart to scripture and Christ's words in the gospels, and allow yourself unceasing communication (prayer throughout the day that should come more naturally then planned) and letting Christ guide your days...keeping in step with His Spirit. (Gal. 5:22-23) 

 

 

1 Thess. 5:17-18
Pray without ceasing. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

 

 

 

Col. 2:3

Christ, In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

 

 

 

He wants to spend time with you and teach you what it truly means to "be crucified with Christ and it is no longer you who live, but Christ that lives in you" (Gal. 2:20)...then in so doing you end up finding you! 

 

 

 

 

Eph. 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.

 

 

 

 

1 Peter 4:2
As a result you may spend the rest of your earthly lives, governed not by human passions (Gal. 5:19-21), but by the will of God.

 

 

Blessings!!!

(If you have questions, let me know:) 

It All Pointed To Jesus

 

 

 

 

If you think about it, what would you say are the unique and essential principles of the New Testament in particular? Principles, that if not there, would prove that it should not have been called a NEW Testament! 'New' meaning, not an extension, but an entirely original testament. Not totally unlike any other book that has sequels...where each sequel is completely separate and new, yet altogether completely related to it's predecessor in content with no intended contradictions...meaning, any and all contradictions are added by the readers, not the Author.

 

 

 

That said, let's focus on the essential guiding principles that make the Old Testament separate with it's own unique and very special purpose...which made it indispensable in it's relation to the New Testament. ~

 

 

~ The OT let us see the first two human beings make a choice that ended up ushering in the fallen world we live in now. This most significant event shows us some important things. Namely, that God did not create puppets that have only a limited will and humanness. Therefore because of our innate human will we were given, we made a choice.

 

 

~ The Old Testament made it very clear that there would be a sequel in it's content, from beginning to end. It 'begged' for a sequel as God showed us all the way through from Genesis to Malachi His amazing love, mercy and power in His determination to bring mankind back into relationship with Himself.

 

 

 

~ The OT is full of 'types'. Metaphorical situations and stories that strongly reflect what was to come, namely the once and for all shed blood of the Lamb of God - Jesus Christ.  For one example; the tabernacle (video below) 

 

 

 

~ The OT is jam-packed with shows of bravery,  wisdom, faith, amazing  power, miracles, as well as fear. For instance how God can bring down a giant by a little boy with a sling shot!

 

 

 

Note: notice what the people did immediately following recieving the 10 Commandments after God gave them to Moses. They had a party, but was it a celebration of graditute? Ah, I don't think so! What does this event show us?

 

 

 

~ The OT shows how the various segments of sinful mankind responds on a daily basis, and in various situations, to living by the law ....which in comparison helps mankind see our ultimate need for grace by showing us the specific ways in which we are not capable of working our way to heaven. As the law exposed our weakness to think and act unlike God, when we were originally created to be like Him. It showed us plainly our human nature's typical response (or lack there of) to viewing other's with the same importance we view ourselves...meaning, it showed us our sin nature, but without remedy.

 

 

 

~ The OT shows God's character, capabilities and judgments. God wants us to see "with our own two eyes" what He truly could do if He chose to, so we can better comprehend and appreciate the mercies He has chosen to pour out on us instead.

 

 

~The OT introduces us to great faith and great humanity....as God  introduces us to the Prophets as they point to the Messiah to come. Who will totally fulfill...through His coming, ministry and death...everything the Prophets had proclaimed and taught. Referring back to their faith, proclamations and even their antics is inspiring....however, we must always remember that they would never want us to stop with them....but to always end up with our eyes, focus and awe back on Jesus Christ and what He did, as our ultimate destination.

 

 

Synopsis ~

 

 

The creation of the world - glimpse of what it was like to walk and talk with the God in a sinless world - then what the Old Covenant life would be like for us if God's Spirit did not live inside people and only came down at certain times - in a world where there were many meticulous laws that had to be put in place - which were instructions on how to either directly or indirectly treat people or animals - and how to keep oneself 'pure' before a holy God as a type of what Christ did for us - examples of people that had close relationships with God, as they were being used by Him to help prepare the world for the Messiah to come - to the celebrations - then to the tabernacle and the prophets - then Song of Solomon being a type of Christ and the church, and then Psalms. Everything...every single point...directed us to the need for a Savior so as to reconcile the world to it's Creator.

 

 

 

 

 

Acts 3 22Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people. Listen carefully to everything he tells you.’ 23Then Moses said, ‘Anyone who will not listen to that Prophet will be completely cut off from God’s people.’

24“Starting with Samuel, every prophet spoke about what is happening today. 25You are the children of those prophets, and you are included in the covenant God promised to your ancestors. For God said to Abraham, ‘Through your descendants all the families on earth will be blessed.’ 26When God raised up his servant, Jesus, he sent him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful

 

 

 

The Tabernacle...a type of Christ.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Will You Say?

Will It Be...

Or YES?

 

1 Corinthians 7:23 God paid a high price for you, so don't be enslaved again by what the world does.

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We said YES to Him when we called out to God for salvation...now the evidence of His entrance into our lives naturally comes after that...so, now we just follow His lead?What do you say? 

 

 

 

 

YES!?! ~ So then, what is it that grows more and more out of an authentic Christian? OH, I know! We naturally listen and obey Christ's command...you know, because we are so happy to do whatever He wants!!!...or maybe our mind says, I DON'T LIKE THE WORD OBEY!!...and THE WORD COMMAND either!! ((BIG sigh))

 

 

 

 

Hmmm...BUT then why would those words scare us?? When the God who loves US and knows EVERYTHING is the One commanding!?! However, maybe He saved us for another reason???? Hmmm...To create a church that would enforce our idea of a moral society...or perhaps to form another special interest group and  stand up for our rights??? ?

 

 

 

 

 

Hmmm...Did He save us so we could enjoy life and send money to the missionaries so they could do the work...or make prayer shawls for Christian charitable organizations?  Hmmm...

 

 

 

 

 Well, maybe we are supposed to rally together and make laws that keep certain sinners from choosing how to live! (Yeah! That'll show 'um!) Perhaps we ARE supposed to learn and understand the most important doctrines and mysteries of God so we can finally know how to please Him? ? 

 

 

 

 

Or did Jesus save us so we could become more like Him, so we serve when there is a need? Or, maybe so we could be more happy, successful and prosperous?

 

*

 

 
1 Cor. 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

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Col. 2:2 I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God's mysterious plan, which is Christ himself.

 

 

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So, why did God call us into the Christian life? To be really nice and friendly people with big grins on our face all the time? Or people that are authentic and truly treat others with the same care we would care about ourselves. Or maybe our purpose is to be a part of a body of believers that are glad and ready to help whenever another part of the body is in need? Well, those all sound good, but I think we have to spend our time now that we're saved, to focus on trying real hard to keep sin out of our lives!??

 

 

NAH!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I KNOW why He saved us!!! It's all about His grace...and I mean, it is ALL because of grace that I have complete access to Jesus now ~ the King of Kings!! Halleluia! Perhaps the completely new person I am inside will naturally grow when I do just one simple thing ~ fix my attention on my Savior ~ then take His words and HIS ways in the Gospel AS my example! It is right then that I have accepted His yoke upon me!!...that yoke that is easy and light! Wow! Think of it! I can actually walk and talk with Him...the God of the universe...and learn from Him. AMAZING! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

1 Peter 2:21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

1 John 2:6 Those who say they live in God must live their lives as Jesus did.

  


 

 Hmmm...Well!!! Was it so we could get holy, healed and relish in being abundantly blessed? OR, perhaps it's so we could warn people of God's wrath and form a group that only accepts those God deems truly worthy of being in church? You know...us regular sinners who only gossip, quarrel and secretly lust - not those extreme ones who are homosexual!

 

 

Mark 2:17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to callthe righteous, but sinners."

 

 

 

OR maybe our purpose is to say YES to the call God has placed on each one of us - to show the mighty love of Christ as God gives us opportunity each day, so others can be drawn to Him and be saved too? BUT, doesn't the grace we have now free us to do nothing?But, that would be boring...and it sure would not be truly satisfying!

  

Galatians 5:13
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.

 

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Matthew 22: 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. ~ Love God and your neighbor as you love yourself.

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So, what will you say when God calls you?

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James 1:20 For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

 

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Eph. 5:2 Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

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Gal. 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

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* I found this video on my friend's blog - http://mountaintopmemories.blogspot.com/  She is a wonderful servant of God...please also go on over and visit her inspiring  blog when you get the chance!!

 

The Spiritual Abusers Of Jesus Day

Jesus rarely showed anger, so when He did, those were the times we had better take heed and ask ourselves, why?! The one segment of the population that He showed the majority of His anger towards were the Pharisees and the like.

 

 

I submit that there was one prevailing reason why He chose these guys to pour the majority of His wrath on...spiritual abuse!!

 

 

The Pharisees took their knowledge and used it to crush people by enthusiastically pointing out their sins and getting them to see the weight and darkness of their deeds, because of not having the humility that comes from seeing their own utter sinfulness.

 

This intimidating attitude in turn caused them to forcefully "be in people's face" about those giant sins, and then as a result, any redemption that would be offered would seem quite small  and ineffectual in comparison. So essentially, they, who looked and talked as though they represented God, completely misrepresented Him.

 

 

So, what the Pharisees actually did was to make people focus on their sin, instead of what is MUCH greater, the Redeemer that came to forgive all sin!

 

 

 

Most of the following verses are self-evident as to why the Pharisees were the obvious villains that they were...however, why is it apparent that so much of what Jesus said to them was recorded for us to read? To me, I see what was said to the Pharisees, was also meant for us as a warning, of what the gospel clearly is and what it isn't...to those who say they are presenting the gospel and to those who have been hurt by the Pharisees that are present today. 

 

 

If you notice in verse 11...Jesus, after reminding the Pharisees of all the things they do to try to be great in God's Kingdom, He then tells them in just a few words what it truly takes! Becoming a servant of all.

 

 

Then in 13 Jesus tells them that their behavior turns people away from coming to God, and then when they do happen to make a convert in verse 15 that person becomes even worse than they are.

 

 

From there as we read down...then in verse 24 where it says that they 'strain gnats"....this was a wonderful metaphor of what it is to major on the very minor things, instead of majoring on the things that should be majored on.

 

 

 The law spoke specifically about what they were not to eat, as in Deut. 14: "19All flying insects that swarm are unclean to you; do not eat them. 20But any winged creature that is clean you may eat." So, the Pharisees would sip their wine through their teeth so as to keep the gnats from being swallowed. This is what Jesus was referring to, that they were very careful about not swallowing gnats, but they absolutely ignored the important things that were so apparent!

 

 

 

Then as we read through to verses 29-36 God is telling them how they say they revere the Prophets, yet the ones God is sending today to speak the truth, they are fighting against....and they will not be the only ones that are accountable for this harm, but also those that allow this to happen.

 

 

Then He ends with His ultimate and contrasting desire....that we all be gathered together, and realize His mercy and tenderness, as His dear children.

 

 

 

Matthew 23: 1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2"The scribes and the Pharisees teach with Moses' authority. 3So be careful to do everything they tell you. But don't follow their example, because they don't practice what they preach. 4They make loads that are hard to carry and lay them on the shoulders of the people. However, they are not willing to lift a finger to move them. 5"They do everything to attract people's attention. They make their headbands large and the tassels on their shawls long.

 

 

 6They love the place of honor at dinners and the front seats in synagogues. 7They love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have people call them Rabbi. 8But don't make others call you Rabbi, because you have only one teacher, and you are all followers.

 

 

 9And don't call anyone on earth your father, because you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. 10Don't make others call you a leader, because you have only one leader, the Messiah. 11The person who is greatest among you will be a servant of all. 12Whoever honors himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be honored.

 

13"How horrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. You don't enter it yourselves, and you don't permit others to enter when they try.

 

15"How horrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You cross land and sea to recruit a single follower, and when you do, you make that person twice as fit for hell as you are.

 

16"How horrible it will be for you, you blind guides! You say, 'To swear an oath by the temple doesn't mean a thing. But to swear an oath by the gold in the temple means a person must keep his oath.' 17You blind fools! What is more important, the gold or the temple that made the gold holy? 18Again you say, 'To swear an oath by the altar doesn't mean a thing. But to swear an oath by the gift on the altar means a person must keep his oath.'

 

 

 19You blind men! What is more important, the gift or the altar that makes the gift holy? 20To swear an oath by the altar is to swear by it and by everything on it. 21To swear an oath by the temple is to swear by it and by the one who lives there. 22And to swear an oath by heaven is to swear by God's throne and the one who sits on it.

 

23"How horrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You give [God] one-tenth of your mint, dill, and cumin. But you have neglected justice, mercy, and faithfulness. These are the most important things in Moses' Teachings. You should have done these things without neglecting the others. 24You blind guides! You strain gnats, but you swallow camels.

 

25"How horrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You clean the outside of cups and dishes. But inside they are full of greed and uncontrolled desires. 26You blind Pharisees! First clean the inside of the cups and dishes so that the outside may also be clean.

 

27"How horrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You are like whitewashed graves that look beautiful on the outside but inside are full of dead people's bones and every kind of impurity. 28So on the outside you look as though you have God's approval, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

 

 

29"How horrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the monuments of those who had God's approval. 30Then you say, 'If we had lived at the time of our ancestors, we would not have helped to murder the prophets.' 31So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 32Go ahead, finish what your ancestors started! 33"You snakes! You poisonous snakes! How can you escape being condemned to hell?

 

 

 

34I'm sending you prophets, wise men, and teachers of the Scriptures. You will kill and crucify some of them. Others you will whip in your synagogues and persecute from city to city. 35As a result, you will be held accountable for all the innocent blood of those murdered on earth, from the murder of righteous Abel to that of Zechariah, son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36I can guarantee this truth: The people living now will be held accountable for all these things.

 

 

37"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you kill the prophets and stone to death those sent to you! How often I wanted to gather your children together the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings! But you were not willing! 38Your house will be abandoned, deserted. 39I can guarantee that you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!'"

 

 

 

A Pastor I had a number of years ago once said, that if each and every human being truly realized the darkness of the sin that came into the world at the fall, of which we each are an equal part of, it would literally crush us. Conversely if we actually realized the profound love that God had that prompted Him to carry out His plan of redemption, we would not be able to contain it to where we would jump up and then run down the street screaming!

  

 

We must engage the mind and heart of Christ to get things done for the Kingdom...and make Him our pilot, not co-pilot. Repent of putting our opinions and attitudes ahead of God's. Let Christ's love lead...as He commanded. Become a servant of all.  Eph. 4:15