Walk in the Spirit

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.  (Galatians 5:16)

God is interested in our whole lives, not just our spiritual life. We must submit every part of our daily life to God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can submit our spiritual, physical, intellectual and social aspects of life and grow closer to Him. Paul says that because we’re saved, we should act like it! Are you living like it today? Don’t let anything or anyone else determine your values and standards in any area of your life.

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Sunday’s Coming!

He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: (Luke 24:6)

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We will meet the King!

If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.  (John 14:3)

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Are you looking?

 

For whoever finds me finds LIFE and receives favor from the LORD. (Proverbs 8:35)

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Pay Attention!

He who gives attention to the word will find good, And blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. (Proverbs 16:20)

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Walk and Live in the Word!

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the word of the Lord, and who meditates on his word day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.(Psalm 1:1-3)

As we walk through each day, we perform certain actions. Without actions, we would never arise from bed in the morning. The psalmist points to a progression of actions in verse 1–walking, standing and sitting. His actions have prevented the blessed man from being consumed by this world of sin, but how? Continue reading in verse 2.  His delight is in the written word of God, from the Bible. He reads it and mediates on it day and night. This activity (action) has fed his spiritual life with living water and because of his strong roots in God’s word, he will be prosperous in his personal relationships with others and God.

We live in a busy world that tells us that we don’t have time for God.  I challenge each of you to devote 5 minutes a day in God’s word and in prayer. Once you get started, I’m sure you will get hungrier and that time will increase and more importantly, so will your relationship with our LORD!

Only the word of God can satisfy our desires!

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Do you believe enough to follow?

 The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. When they saw Him, they worshiped,but some doubted.(Matthew 28:16-17)

Read Matthew 28.  How do you think you would reacted to this news? Would you have doubted? Do you still doubt? 

As Christians, we are to share the Good News of Christ. It should come easily to us all … does it? We have been given a commission to share this news to all people. Who have you shared “your story” of rescue with this past week?

We must follow only one Master!

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After the election … our one true King!

It is a trap for anyone to dedicate something rashly and later to reconsider his vows. (Proverbs 20:25)

The Election is behind us, but our Christian duties are not. Politics divide us, but our faith UNITES us!  I am so thankful for the Word of God. No matter who our president is today, tomorrow or in the years to come, I know that Christ is our King! 

 

Daniel 2:12 : HE controls the course of world events; HE removes kings (Presidents) and sets up other kings (Presidents). HE gives wisdom to the wise . . .

 

Romans 13:1 : For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.

 

James 1:5 : If any of you lacks wisdom, he (YOU) should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

 

GOD is STILL in CONTROL!

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It’s really a slow fade … do you realize what you are doing?

Do not love the world or the things that belong to the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For everything that belongs to the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s lifestyle—is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world with its lust is fading away, but the one who does God’s will remains forever. (1 John 2:17).

We were created by God to be in fellowship with Him for eternity. So what are we doing in light of what we were made for?  For most of this world, we scoff at the Lord’s existence, curse His name and live selfishly and ignore others in need.  Everyday is filled with decisions, defining moments that shape our days, weeks, years and ultimately, our eternity. Most of us selfishly choose to satisfy our own wants and desires. Beware, when we choose this world over our Lord, we slowly fade away from living in His will. So ask yourself, what are you living for today? Who will you choose? Christ … or yourself?

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Think God!

Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things. (Philippians 4:8)

Most Christians take time to pray before meals, bedtime or for a family member, friend or co-worker in their time of need. Elliott reminds us that we must focus on God all the time, not just when we are praying.

Paul reminds us of this too. As we go throughout our daily lives, we must do what is honorable in the sight of God. We must speak the truth while seeking God’s truth. We must love one another and seek to adhere to God’s standard of life.  When we can do this, we honor and praise His name!

THINK GOD!

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There is no favoritism with God!

He will repay each one according to his works: eternal life to those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality; but wrath and indignation to those who are self-seeking and disobey the truth. (Romans 2: 6-8)

I’m guilty … how about you?  Have you looked upon someone and judged them for how they may look, talk or act?  It’s human nature to have an opinion, but are you taking it too far?  When we judge others, we are condemning ourselves, because we often do or have done the same things (Ro. 2:1).  Sound familiar? 

God is the only true Judge! God’s judgement is based on truth, not opinion. God loves you, he loves me, he loves us all! His grace should bring us into repentance of our sins, but our hearts are hardened and often unrepentant. We must understand that our works will not get us into heaven. Only our faith will declare us righteous and our works will be a product of a true believers faith.

God will judge our works based on our faith. A person of faith who seeks to bring honor and glory to our Lord’s name will be assured of eternal life. But be warned, to the person who lives an unrighteous life, disobeying God’s truth will suffer the wrath of God and face his eternal destiny separated from the Father.

There is no escape from God’s judgement!

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Are you ashamed?

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. For in it God’s righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith. (Romans 1:16,17 HSCB)

How do you feel about the gospel? The gospel simply means good news … so who wouldn’t want to share it with others right? Paul considered himself a servant of Jesus Christ and he lived it in his daily life! Paul is a great example of a sinful man who was called into service for Christ. Paul was on a mission to teach others about the saving grace of Jesus. He lived among his brothers and sisters; he boldly shared the good news to anyone who would listen and he taught people how to live in obedience to God.

How many people do you know that call themselves Christians? Of those people, do their lives represent their faith? There are so many lost people in this world. People who have never heard the good news. People with false beliefs. People living contrary to God’s Word. What are we doing about it? What are you doing about it? It only takes one person to make a difference in someone’s life. I pray that each one of us will step out in obedience to God’s calling to boldly share our faith with others. Faith is not just words, faith is a demonstration of friendship, faith is a demonstration of compassion, faith is a demonstration of love for others. Jesus has extended his hand to each of us, why shouldn’t we do the same for others?

Demonstrate righteousness!

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Keep your eye on the future!

“I assure you: You will weep and wail, but the world will rejoice. You will become sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy.” (John 16:20)

Jesus explains that his disciples will be plunged into grief for a time, but then their tears will turn to joy. Jesus is referring to his death and resurrection. His friends will mourn his death, but then rejoice for ever at his risen life. I recently lost my father; although I mourn his death and miss him dearly, I know that one day we will be reunited in the presence of our Lord! No matter what our struggles or difficulties in our life now, one day we will rejoice. Keep your eye on the future and on God’s promises!

We weep, but will rejoice!

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The Mystery of Time

A Time for Everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1–8)

There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven: a time to give birth and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build; a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; a time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace and a time to avoid embracing; a time to search and a time to count as lost; a time to keep and a time to throw away; a time to tear and a time to sew; a time to be silent and a time to speak; a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace. What does the worker gain from his struggles?I have seen the task that God has given people to keep them occupied.He has made everything appropriate  in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts, but man cannot discover the work God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and enjoy the good life. It is also the gift of God whenever anyone eats, drinks, and enjoys all his efforts. I know that all God does will last forever; there is no adding to it or taking from it. God works so that people will be in awe of Him. Whatever is, has already been, and whatever will be, already is. God repeats what has passed.

Life is made up of seasons and opportunities. The seasons come again, but opportunities may not. Being born and dying are things we do only once on earth, for this, we have no choice. For other things, our dash–the time between birth and death, we must choose how that time is used.  Our actions in life, our relationships and our decisions must be appropriate and representative of our relationship with Christ. If it is not, don’t you think it is time to take advantage of this one opportunity to live for God?

Praise the One True God!

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Whiter Than Snow

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. (Psalm 51:7)

James Nicholson, c. 1828–1876

God’s people have been placed in their particular circle of influence so they can demonstrate purity and a concern for righteousness. If we do not fulfill this role, who will? It is easy, however, to become so accustomed and hardened to the lust and sin all about us that we lose that fine edge of our Christian witness. In fact, without God’s daily cleansing and renewal, we are easily infiltrated with and influenced by the very lifestyle that we reject in others.

Unconfessed sin becomes a destructive poison in our lives, not only spiritually but also emotionally and physically. Repentance and confession are always the starting points for a restored fellowship with God. Like the psalmist David did in his prayer in Psalm 51, we all need to experience God’s cleansing and forgiveness. Only then will we be effective for God in helping others and directing sinners to Him (Psalm 51:13).

This is another fine hymn text written by a Christian layman. James Nicholson spent his entire life as a clerk in the post office in Philadelphia, yet he was always active in the work of the Wharton Street Methodist Episcopal Church. The hymn was first published in a pamphlet titled “Joyful Songs” in 1872. The hymn’s popularity greatly increased with its inclusion in the well-known Gospel Hymns series published by Sankey and Bliss. It has since provided a musical prayer that needs to be expressed by every Christian on a daily basis:

Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole; I want thee forever to live in my soul, break down ev’ry idol, cast out ev’ry foe—Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

Lord Jesus, look down from Thy throne in the skies and help me to make a complete sacrifice. I give up myself and whatever I know—Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

Lord Jesus, for this I most humbly entreat; I wait, blessed Lord, at Thy crucified feet. By faith, for my cleansing I see Thy blood flow—Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

Lord Jesus, Thou seest I patiently wait; come now and within me a new heart create. To those who have sought Thee Thou never saidst “No”—Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain: Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow—Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

Only One Name!  

Share today’s message by clicking on one the social media buttons below: Twitter; Facebook; StumbleUpon, Google+, Pinterest, or E-Mail.  “Then He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.” Mark 16:15 HCSB