Honoring our first love becomes more and more difficult the longer we live. The warfare we face becomes more and more subtle the longer we find ourselves in this relationship. The enemy continues to infiltrate our affections for God and redirect them to something a little less. We have to keep a vigilant watch over our affections to ensure that they are always pointed at the creator and not a creation. Facing distractions of the world may be easy to spot, but what about the distractions of our heart. A precise tool to be used in measuring the balance of our affections is the conviction of our consciousness. The Lord speaks to our hearts everyday. Whether we choose to listen to His voice is totally up to our free will. When we hear Him say, you haven't open your bible in a while or you haven't spent time talking with me lately, that is the actual God of the Universe specifically using His Holy Spirit to align your affections back to Him. Remember these words; “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple", (Luke 14:26).
There is a cost to following Christ and when we first began this journey it was easy to give up everything and follow Him. Now after we have accomplished living more years and acquiring more things (even those we believe came from God), it becomes a lot harder to hear those same words. God never wants us to hate our families, spouses, children, and co-workers. He does want us to Love Him more!!! "He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother”, (Matthew 12:48-50). There is nothing wrong with hobbies and liking nice things, they only become an issue when they are enjoyed more than being in the presence of our Lord and Savior and doing His Will. The hardest thing to put into check is our work for the Lord. Certainly our call to perform a work cannot be questioned by the Lord, could it? "The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven”, (Luke 10:17-20). Even our "good works" cannot take precedence over our personal relationship with God. God has to be the greatest receiver of our affection. Put everything else in it's proper priority after Him, and you will find that you and your First Love will be more intimate than ever!!! Be encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying your First Love on purpose!!!!!
Revelation 2
To the Church in Ephesus
1 “To the angel[a] of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Soldiers of God
Ever ready for the Charge
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
First Love Volume 1, Issue 2
"Whatever you did to get her; you have to keep on doing, to keep her"!!! This was great advice that I received on my wedding video from a very wise woman. Many times in our pursuits of love once we feel like we have "obtained" our goal, we get complacent and stop doing all the things we once did. Our actions change considerably and we expect the other person to keep up the actions that they once performed. Upon receiving this advice I took away that character is everything. Who we are before in our pursuit of love must be consistent in our continuation of that love. Marriage to ones spouse is much like the relationship we have with God. First, if we are really smart, we realize early in the relationship that there is truly nothing we can do to make our partner love us. Their love comes from a free will. Second, we can learn what language of love they enjoy and the things in which produces happiness inside of them. Third, we can allow their influence in our lives to balance us and change us for the better. The number one key to success in a marriage though is not to keep up the same actions (just like our pallet changes in what we like to eat as we get older, so can your partner's love language/actions change), what must stay the same, is your motive for loving them. It must be pure in that we love them at a sacrifice of ourself for the benefit of them. All motives of ones heart will eventually be revealed in one's words and actions!!!
Mankind's greatest battle is always to release oneself from the idea that we can earn anything from or accomplish anything for God. The enemy knows if he can get us wrapped around trying to earn our salvation or keep our salvation then we will be outside of the Will of God. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast", (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our own pursuit of "getting right/staying right" with God will become our graven Idle. What brought us to the saving knowledge and acceptance of Jesus Christ was the realization that we could not earn our own salvation. We accepted Christ based on our self awareness of our sickness and the fact that He was the only Physician who could heal us. "On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners”", (Mark 2:17). Our first love was produced out of our humility and seeing one greater than ourselves. Our love for God and life long journey with Him, has to come from a pure motivation of humility and reverence. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God", (Matthew 5:8). It is never about judging actions with God, it is the HEART, that is what He always judges!!! "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart", (Hebrews 4:12). Coming back to our First Love, is repenting from our pride and once again putting God in His proper place as Creator and God of Grace!!! Be encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying your First Love on purpose!!!!!
Revelation 2
To the Church in Ephesus
1 “To the angel[a] of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Mankind's greatest battle is always to release oneself from the idea that we can earn anything from or accomplish anything for God. The enemy knows if he can get us wrapped around trying to earn our salvation or keep our salvation then we will be outside of the Will of God. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast", (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our own pursuit of "getting right/staying right" with God will become our graven Idle. What brought us to the saving knowledge and acceptance of Jesus Christ was the realization that we could not earn our own salvation. We accepted Christ based on our self awareness of our sickness and the fact that He was the only Physician who could heal us. "On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners”", (Mark 2:17). Our first love was produced out of our humility and seeing one greater than ourselves. Our love for God and life long journey with Him, has to come from a pure motivation of humility and reverence. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God", (Matthew 5:8). It is never about judging actions with God, it is the HEART, that is what He always judges!!! "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart", (Hebrews 4:12). Coming back to our First Love, is repenting from our pride and once again putting God in His proper place as Creator and God of Grace!!! Be encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying your First Love on purpose!!!!!
Revelation 2
To the Church in Ephesus
1 “To the angel[a] of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Monday, September 12, 2011
First Love Volume 1, Issue 1
Circumstances of life affect us all in many different ways. Difficult circumstances may produce anger, fear, sadness, discontentment and bitterness. Positive circumstances may produce pride. The enemy we have in this life has a great way of taking our focus off of our Savior and placing them on the circumstances of life. We are all able to be drawn away as many sheep are from the flock and the Shepherd. Our great Shepherd has an unconditional Love that allows us to always turn back and acknowledge Him. He never left us because He cannot go against His Word; "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you”, (Hebrews 13:5).
We turn from our Shepherd and go after the desires of our heart. Every temptation is a desire that the enemy already knows you have in your heart and exploits it to create ways to draw you form your First Love. "O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open", (2 Corinthians 6:11-13). Dealing with the desires of our hearts is one of the best ways to keep from being tempted by the enemy. By setting our affections on God and His Word, you will be able to fight a good fight that keeps you centered in God. Setting your affections means to set your Joy in knowing God more intimately through reading His Word, conversing with Him regularly, and reflecting on the truths of God within the community God has set around you. Have a conversation with the Father, He hears, He cares, and most important He wants to talk with you. Be encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying your First Love on purpose!!!!!
Revelation 2
To the Church in Ephesus
1 “To the angel[a] of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
We turn from our Shepherd and go after the desires of our heart. Every temptation is a desire that the enemy already knows you have in your heart and exploits it to create ways to draw you form your First Love. "O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open", (2 Corinthians 6:11-13). Dealing with the desires of our hearts is one of the best ways to keep from being tempted by the enemy. By setting our affections on God and His Word, you will be able to fight a good fight that keeps you centered in God. Setting your affections means to set your Joy in knowing God more intimately through reading His Word, conversing with Him regularly, and reflecting on the truths of God within the community God has set around you. Have a conversation with the Father, He hears, He cares, and most important He wants to talk with you. Be encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of enjoying your First Love on purpose!!!!!
Revelation 2
To the Church in Ephesus
1 “To the angel[a] of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Be Still Volume 1, Issue 3
Fighting the good fight can drain a saint of everything that they have if they are not being still. We know that we fight not with flesh and blood. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms", (Ephesians 6:12). But, sometimes we forget that the fight is not ours, but the Lords!!!
"Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still”", (Exodus 14:13-14).
"You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you", (2 Chronicles 20:17).
“The LORD has driven out before you great and powerful nations; to this day no one has been able to withstand you. One of you routs a thousand, because the LORD your God fights for you, just as he promised. So be very careful to love the LORD your God", (Joshua 23:9-11)
"Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!” (Nehemiah 4:20)
"Blessed be the LORD my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me", (Psalm 144:1-2)
"Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together." (Isaiah 31:3)
"And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee." (Joshua 1:19)
"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:12)
As we can see from the beginning, God has been fighting for and through His Children. If He did it then would He not still be doing it today? As the scriptures state in our age we might not fight and lose our life but our fight is one of Faith. We know that our faith is found in Christ and if He is for us, who can stand against us!!! We must position ourselves and stand still, then let the Holy Spirit fight through us!!! Be encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of being still before the Lord on purpose!!!!!
Psalm 131
A Song of Ascents. Of David.
1 LORD, my heart is not haughty,
Nor my eyes lofty.
Neither do I concern myself with great matters,
Nor with things too profound for me.
2 Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul,
Like a weaned child with his mother;
Like a weaned child is my soul within me.
3 O Israel, hope in the LORD
From this time forth and forever.
Zechariah 2
10 “Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the LORD. 11 “Many nations will be joined with the LORD in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you. 12 The LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem. 13 Be still before the LORD, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.”
"Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still”", (Exodus 14:13-14).
"You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you", (2 Chronicles 20:17).
“The LORD has driven out before you great and powerful nations; to this day no one has been able to withstand you. One of you routs a thousand, because the LORD your God fights for you, just as he promised. So be very careful to love the LORD your God", (Joshua 23:9-11)
"Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!” (Nehemiah 4:20)
"Blessed be the LORD my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me", (Psalm 144:1-2)
"Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together." (Isaiah 31:3)
"And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee." (Joshua 1:19)
"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:12)
As we can see from the beginning, God has been fighting for and through His Children. If He did it then would He not still be doing it today? As the scriptures state in our age we might not fight and lose our life but our fight is one of Faith. We know that our faith is found in Christ and if He is for us, who can stand against us!!! We must position ourselves and stand still, then let the Holy Spirit fight through us!!! Be encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of being still before the Lord on purpose!!!!!
Psalm 131
A Song of Ascents. Of David.
1 LORD, my heart is not haughty,
Nor my eyes lofty.
Neither do I concern myself with great matters,
Nor with things too profound for me.
2 Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul,
Like a weaned child with his mother;
Like a weaned child is my soul within me.
3 O Israel, hope in the LORD
From this time forth and forever.
Zechariah 2
10 “Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the LORD. 11 “Many nations will be joined with the LORD in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you. 12 The LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem. 13 Be still before the LORD, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.”
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Be Still Volume 1, Issue 2
One of the biggest and most frequent hiccups we face as we journey with the Lord is our straying from His path. Sitting still in His presence gives us the opportunity to understand instruction upon which He specifically has for our lives. The word "still" as an adjective means to remain in place or at rest; motionless; or stationary; free from sound or noise, as a place or persons; silent, which we spoke about yesterday. Today, we will look at the use of "still" as an adverb which means in the future as in the past. We stray from our path because we either stop trusting in God's Word or we soon forget what He once Spoke to us. David said, "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand", (Psalm 16:11). "You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way", (Psalm 18:36). Walking the path that God created for you, must "still" be your heart motivation.
We see examples in scripture when our brothers turned from their path because of circumstances or due to unbelief. "“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”", (Matthew 14:29-30). There are many times on our journey where God gives us a command and we start in obedience, then while on that journey our circumstances start to change or because we feel like it is taking more time than what we would like, we start to stray away from the path. We soon forget that God is "still" in control. We have to have a faith that reminds us to be "still" on that path until God sends a message to move. If we are not seeing the results we desire or the changes that we want to come to past, that doesn't mean that God is not at work or that you should change the path He put you on. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts", (Isaiah 55:9). If the reason we want to stray from the path is because of fear, then we already know that that is not of God. We have to understand that life is not a sprint; it is a marathon. God is never in a rush to do anything!!! To be in a rush means to have an exterior force of pressure pushed upon you which produces a time restraint, God is outside of any time restraint!!! There is no Authority greater than God!!! God said through Jeremiah; "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future", (Jeremiah 29:11). The question we have to ask ourselves, "Is God, still saying that to me today"? Today, still follow the path God has for you and believe with all your heart that "being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ", (Philippians 1:6)!!! Be encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of being still before the Lord on purpose!!!!!
Psalm 131
A Song of Ascents. Of David.
1 LORD, my heart is not haughty,
Nor my eyes lofty.
Neither do I concern myself with great matters,
Nor with things too profound for me.
2 Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul,
Like a weaned child with his mother;
Like a weaned child is my soul within me.
3 O Israel, hope in the LORD
From this time forth and forever.
Zechariah 2
10 “Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the LORD. 11 “Many nations will be joined with the LORD in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you. 12 The LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem. 13 Be still before the LORD, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.”
We see examples in scripture when our brothers turned from their path because of circumstances or due to unbelief. "“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”", (Matthew 14:29-30). There are many times on our journey where God gives us a command and we start in obedience, then while on that journey our circumstances start to change or because we feel like it is taking more time than what we would like, we start to stray away from the path. We soon forget that God is "still" in control. We have to have a faith that reminds us to be "still" on that path until God sends a message to move. If we are not seeing the results we desire or the changes that we want to come to past, that doesn't mean that God is not at work or that you should change the path He put you on. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts", (Isaiah 55:9). If the reason we want to stray from the path is because of fear, then we already know that that is not of God. We have to understand that life is not a sprint; it is a marathon. God is never in a rush to do anything!!! To be in a rush means to have an exterior force of pressure pushed upon you which produces a time restraint, God is outside of any time restraint!!! There is no Authority greater than God!!! God said through Jeremiah; "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future", (Jeremiah 29:11). The question we have to ask ourselves, "Is God, still saying that to me today"? Today, still follow the path God has for you and believe with all your heart that "being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ", (Philippians 1:6)!!! Be encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of being still before the Lord on purpose!!!!!
Psalm 131
A Song of Ascents. Of David.
1 LORD, my heart is not haughty,
Nor my eyes lofty.
Neither do I concern myself with great matters,
Nor with things too profound for me.
2 Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul,
Like a weaned child with his mother;
Like a weaned child is my soul within me.
3 O Israel, hope in the LORD
From this time forth and forever.
Zechariah 2
10 “Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the LORD. 11 “Many nations will be joined with the LORD in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you. 12 The LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem. 13 Be still before the LORD, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.”
Monday, July 25, 2011
Be Still Volume 1, Issue 1
In our society today, it is ever becoming harder and harder to just sit still. Technology has created such an ability to watch and listen to whatever we want, whenever we want from a device that rests in our pocket. The time that we may once had in years past to be still and meditate on the word of the Lord or to just be still in His presence is being disturbed by the influence of technology. While technology has allowed us to be connected to great literature and lectures of God that we would have in other generations not been able to connect with, there is still a great need to sit in front of our Lord and Savior. Sitting and being still in front of our Lord and Savior allows us the benefit to listen to His heart on so many matters that we would otherwise miss. Having no external stimuli to distract us from our thoughts and the meditations of our hearts is a hard place to be.
When our relationship with Him becomes centered in knowing Him in intimacy, we gain such a wisdom and love that cannot be produced in our natural selves. It definitely costs a great deal to sit in front of our Lord, but the reward is greater than we can ever imagine. Standing still before the pure light which is our Lord and Savior exposes the depths of our hearts and minds. Nothing is shielded and we take a sober look at who we are and the impact of Grace and Mercy that was given us. When we sit in front of Him and make Him our high priority, we find that there is always another level that He is calling us to in the sanctification process. In any relationship you have on this earth, if there is not a regular occurrence of face to face time, the relationship is in serious lack. It lacks communication, intimacy, honesty, trust, safety, and love. We must turn off the T.V., shut down the laptops, ipods, mp3 players, notebooks, tablets, and smart phones!!! Today, resolve to spend some face to face time with our Lord and Savior, His schedule is always open, will you make the time for Him? Be encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of being still before the Lord on purpose!!!!!
Psalm 131
A Song of Ascents. Of David.
1 LORD, my heart is not haughty,
Nor my eyes lofty.
Neither do I concern myself with great matters,
Nor with things too profound for me.
2 Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul,
Like a weaned child with his mother;
Like a weaned child is my soul within me.
3 O Israel, hope in the LORD
From this time forth and forever.
Zechariah 2
10 “Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the LORD. 11 “Many nations will be joined with the LORD in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you. 12 The LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem. 13 Be still before the LORD, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.”
When our relationship with Him becomes centered in knowing Him in intimacy, we gain such a wisdom and love that cannot be produced in our natural selves. It definitely costs a great deal to sit in front of our Lord, but the reward is greater than we can ever imagine. Standing still before the pure light which is our Lord and Savior exposes the depths of our hearts and minds. Nothing is shielded and we take a sober look at who we are and the impact of Grace and Mercy that was given us. When we sit in front of Him and make Him our high priority, we find that there is always another level that He is calling us to in the sanctification process. In any relationship you have on this earth, if there is not a regular occurrence of face to face time, the relationship is in serious lack. It lacks communication, intimacy, honesty, trust, safety, and love. We must turn off the T.V., shut down the laptops, ipods, mp3 players, notebooks, tablets, and smart phones!!! Today, resolve to spend some face to face time with our Lord and Savior, His schedule is always open, will you make the time for Him? Be encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of being still before the Lord on purpose!!!!!
Psalm 131
A Song of Ascents. Of David.
1 LORD, my heart is not haughty,
Nor my eyes lofty.
Neither do I concern myself with great matters,
Nor with things too profound for me.
2 Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul,
Like a weaned child with his mother;
Like a weaned child is my soul within me.
3 O Israel, hope in the LORD
From this time forth and forever.
Zechariah 2
10 “Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the LORD. 11 “Many nations will be joined with the LORD in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you. 12 The LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem. 13 Be still before the LORD, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.”
Thursday, July 14, 2011
No Condemnation Volume 1, Issue 4
Psalm 103
Of David.
1 Praise the LORD, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
15 The life of mortals is like grass,
they flourish like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children—
18 with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.
19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Praise the LORD, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.
21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.
22 Praise the LORD, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the LORD, my soul.
Be encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of experiencing no condemnation on purpose!!!!!
Romans 8
Life Through the Spirit
1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Of David.
1 Praise the LORD, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
15 The life of mortals is like grass,
they flourish like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children—
18 with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.
19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Praise the LORD, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.
21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.
22 Praise the LORD, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the LORD, my soul.
Be encouraged!!! Have a wonderful life of experiencing no condemnation on purpose!!!!!
Romans 8
Life Through the Spirit
1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)