Our Mission To love all people at all times and lead them into a new life in Christ.
Our Vision To be a church that will be multicultural and generational, having a lasting impact on the people to whom we minister.
To see the gospel extend beyond the walls of our church through various outreaches.
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“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it. Isaiah 43:18-19
How many times are we held back in entering into God’s best for us because of past blessings or failures. Past blessings can hold us back because we are wanting the same thing again. So we put God in a box that this is how He is always going to do it. We may miss on the new that God is wanting to do. Praise God for the past blessing but I believe God is doing a new thing. This is a new day.
Past failures can hold us back. Maybe we tired and it did not work out the way we prayed and believed God for. Paul tells us in Philippians chapter 3 “forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth to those things that are before.”
Let’s forget about the past-the good, or not so good -it is nothing compared to what God is doing and going to do. This a new day!!!
For I breathing on you and in my breath I birth a new day and new opportunities. You have thought it is over I am not going to try again. I tried and it did not work out look at what happen. But the Lord says to you that it was in your own strength. But now is the time to try again. For I AM renewing strength were there has been none, I AM renewing the vision again. So take a deep breath and breath out the old and breath in the new. Feel the fresh wind of my Spirit, and receive my visitation today. For in my visitation I AM breaking old traditions that have you set to do things one way for so long you have thought there was no other way. But I AM making streams in the desert and causing things to bloom again for you. Breath again my sons and daughter, yes breath again! For I have come to set upon you and you will bloom again and see my glory. It is not over.
Church I feel in my spirit a reversal taking place. It is our time.
“I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” John 17:14-16(NKJV)
Things have really changed in the last fifty years. Even then the world recognized the moral position of the church. I am not saying that there was no conflict between Biblical beliefs and worldly ideas but most of secular society still respected Biblical ideas and standards even if they did not live by them. They were willing to admit they were sinning against God and much of their activity in these areas were hidden and kept as secret as possible.
Things that were “done in secret” then are now being done openly and with no sense of guilt. The world has a different position these days. They not only refuse to live by Biblical standards but actively work to silence the Christian voice. The idea of recognizing sin but still doing it has changed to denying that it is even sin at all.
Homosexuality has always been around since Genesis. Even though people were involved in it, they still knew it was sin. Why? It was because the Bible says so. Now man has “realized” that it is just a normal part of life for some people. If people lived together without being married, they would hide it if possible. Now it is treated like it is no big thing, and society doesn’t even notice.
Has the church become so much like the world in an effort to attract them that we have lost our convictions? The church has no right to mistreat sinners, but we have standards from the Bible that cannot be lowered to attract them. If we become like the world in order to attract the world, what are we going to offer them that will change their lives when they do come? If we preach and live a Jesus life, we are certainly “not of this world.”
“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.” Proverbs 31:10
Mother’s Day is a special time for honoring those women who have made life possible. This is a secular event and not a Scripture inspired activity. In other words Mother’s Day is not part of church history. Someone came up with the idea of honoring mothers. The church thought it was a good idea, and it was incorporated as part of this May holiday in the Sunday service. I like the idea and the reason behind it.
A ministry named “Proverbs 31 Women” took Proverbs 31:10-31 to show 10 characteristics of a virtuous woman. Don’t condemn yourself if you think you are not living up to par. Just use these ideas as building blocks for your life of virtue and God will help you succeed.
- Faith – A Virtuous Woman serves God with all of her heart, mind, and soul. She seeks His will for her life and follows His ways. (Proverbs 31: 26, Proverbs 31: 29 – 31, Matthew 22: 37, John 14: 15, Psalm 119: 15)
- Marriage – A Virtuous Woman respects her husband. She does him good all the days of her life. She is trustworthy and a helpmeet. (Proverbs 31: 11- 12, Proverbs 31: 23, Proverbs 31: 28, 1 Peter 3, Ephesians 5, Genesis 2: 18)
- Mothering – A Virtuous Woman teaches her children the ways of her Father in heaven. She nurtures her children with the love of Christ, disciplines them with care and wisdom, and trains them in the way they should go. (Proverbs 31: 28, Proverbs 31: 26, Proverbs 22: 6, Deuteronomy 6, Luke 18: 16)
- Health – A Virtuous Woman cares for her body. She prepares healthy food for her family. (Proverbs 31: 14 – 15, Proverbs 31: 17, 1 Corinthians 6: 19, Genesis 1: 29, Daniel 1, Leviticus 11)
- Service – A Virtuous Woman serves her husband, her family, her friends, and her neighbors with a gentle and loving spirit. She is charitable. (Proverbs 31: 12, Proverbs 31: 15, Proverbs 31: 20, 1 Corinthians 13: 13)
- Finances – A Virtuous Woman seeks her husband’s approval before making purchases and spends money wisely. She is careful to purchase quality items which her family needs. (Proverbs 31: 14, Proverbs 31: 16, Proverbs 31: 18, 1 Timothy 6:10, Ephesians 5: 23, Deuteronomy 14: 22, Numbers 18: 26)
- Industry – A Virtuous Woman works willingly with her hands. She sings praises to God and does not grumble while completing her tasks. (Proverbs 31: 13, Proverbs 31: 16, Proverbs 31: 24, Proverbs 31: 31, Philippians 2: 14)
- Homemaking – A Virtuous Woman is a homemaker. She creates an inviting atmosphere of warmth and love for her family and guests. She uses hospitality to minister to those around her. (Proverbs 31: 15, Proverbs 31: 20 – 22, Proverbs 31:27, Titus 2: 5, 1 Peter 4: 9, Hebrews 13: 2)
- Time – A Virtuous Woman uses her time wisely. She works diligently to complete her daily tasks. She does not spend time dwelling on those things that do not please the Lord. (Proverbs 31: 13, Proverbs 31: 19, Proverbs 31: 27, Ecclesiastes 3, Proverbs 16: 9, Philippians 4:8 )
- Beauty – A Virtuous Woman is a woman of worth and beauty. She has the inner beauty that only comes from Christ. She uses her creativity and sense of style to create beauty in her life and the lives of her loved ones. (Proverbs 31: 10 Proverbs 31: 21 – 22, Proverbs 31: 24 -25, Isaiah 61: 10, 1 Timothy 2: 9, 1 Peter 3: 1 – 6)
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth, Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20(NKJV)
This is a portion of Scripture we refer to as “The Great Commission” as use it as a point of reference with regard to evangelism by the church. There are many ways to practice the command to “Go”. One of the ways is what we will hear about this morning. This is not new to us any more than the Scripture I used. But we all need to be reminded about doing what we can.
We have a Gideon member with us today that is doing his part at his own expense to keep the “Great Commission” vision active. The Gideon organization has taken Bibles around the world making it possible to teach all nations about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that we here in the United States have multitudes of commentaries and study books that we can use to study the Word of God.
But, what would it be like if the only thing you had was one Bible? Would you have enough information to know Jesus and how to live a Christian life? The answer is “yes.” The Bible needs no help in presenting the message of life in Christ. All the other sources are like gravy with the Bible being the meat. The Bible itself reminds us that it is “meat of the word.”
You may never have the opportunity to set foot on foreign soil, but you can plant a seed that someone from the Gideons can carry for you. You can start the process today by putting your financial “seed” in the special offering taken at the end of today’s service.
“Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things send from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And My God shall supply ALL YOUR need according to His riches in glory by CHRIST Jesus.”
Philippians 4:18-19(NKJV) AMEN!
“ Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Romans 15:13
Of all the people living on the earth we as Christians are the only ones who have true hope. Those who have not come to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior only have a finger crossing kind hope. But Biblical hope is a “confident expectation and desire for something good in the future.” Hope in God is not a statement of uncertainty but of assurance that God, who cannot lie, will come thru for us again.
The Bible talks about the full assurance of hope in Hebrews 6:11, and in verse 12 it implies that hope and faith are the same. Go after Biblical hope with all you have, and the result of that pursuit of hope is that you will be like those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Full assurance used in Hebrews 6:11 is “plerophorian” and is also used in Hebrews 10:22 where it reads, “Let us draw near with a true heart in ‘full assurance of faith’. Let us go on and hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”
As Christians we have hope because it is rooted and grounded in the faithfulness of God. Faith not only looks back to the past but to the present and the hope part of faith looks to the future with expectation of full assurance. Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Sometimes you just have to preach to yourself, and one of the best sermons when you are down is Psalms 42:5- “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help my God.”
All of us know the feeling of waiting. Most people don’t like to wait. We wait in traffic; we wait on the phone as we are put on hold; we wait in the fast food lane. We may often feel frustrated because there is always somewhere else to go and something to do. This mindset often carries over into our spiritual lives.
But while most of us are in a hurry, it seems God is usually not in a hurry. He always has a plan and a purpose for everything. The problem with waiting is not having all the details. It seems as if we have everything figured out, and we want God to move within our time frame. But God rarely does things according to our time frame, and because of this we can easily get discouraged.
The good news is that God never asks us to wait without Him. I have come to understand that God is just as interested in the journey as He is the destination.
We have been given the stories of the great men and women in the Bible. Yes, they went through the difficulties of life, but God was right there with them. In the end, they enjoyed the process (which involves waiting) with God and the promise of God. Waiting during the difficult times develops our relationship with God.
The Bible tells in Hebrews 6:12 “Through faith and patience that we inherit the promises of God.”
Faith–a divine persuasion generated from God.
Patience –-steadfastness and staying power
Inherit–possess
This verse tells us that the promises of God are not always a quick thing. But through a divine persuasion generated from God with steadfastness and staying power, we possess that which we know God has promised us.
In His infinite wisdom God knows best, and He sees the bigger picture– we don’t. Praise Him for that!
“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Rom. 6:4(NKJV)
One of the most talked about subjects in the Scriptures is baptism. It is discussed and argued about throughout the body of Christ and many denominations. Specific groups have formed because of their belief about baptism. It is a basic belief in Christainity yet there is much disagreement about the way it is to be practiced.
Throughout church history baptism has created many schisms in the church. Wars have been fought over it and ten of thousands of people have died from persecution because of their belief about baptism. Baptism was one of the elements that sparked the Protestant Reformation and divided the Roman Catholic Church.
With the development of Protestantism baptism became an issue among various groups or denominations. All the different doctrines of baptism were supported by interpretations of the Bible. Man began to impose his ideas about the subject and it separated many good Christians and created denominational walls.
Various practices arose concerning the method of baptism used and who should be baptized. Some groups started having infant baptism. Opposition to this arose and it was the cause of much tragedy and even deaths. Persecution arose against the Anabaptists because they believed that only consenting adults should be baptized. If they had received infant baptism it was not valid. They began to rebaptize believers. The church considered this to be heresy and tried to stop it through the Inquisition and great numbers of believers died as a result.
Methods of baptism have also led to divisions in the Church. There is imersion, sprinkling, pouring, and no baptism at all because it is “in the spirit.” It can be done sitting, standing, face down, face up, or other positions. Some believe it is only valid if done in free flowing water in the creek, river, lake, or ocean but never in any sort of container, including baptistries or swimming pools.
Can you see now what God has to tolerate in order to freely forgive the sins of man and have a testimony before men?
“For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!” I Cor. 15:16-17(NKJV)
The greatest truth of the Christian Gospel is that Jesus is risen from the tomb. He is alive and seated at the right hand of the Father. If this truth is in question, there is no other reason for Christianity to exist and be promoted as the hope of mankind. It is not worth living for much less dying for. The most prolific writer of the New Testament said it directly in the Scripture above. Do away with the resurrection and you have successfully killed the Christian faith.
Some truths in the Bible can be misunderstood by people, and they do not change the basic truth of salvation. Believing or not believing in healing will not affect your salvation experience if you have truly trusted in the Grace of God and the shed blood of Jesus. You can believe what you want about prosperity, and it will not affect the outcome of your eternal life. It is true that correct beliefs will bring the blessings of God upon the believer in every area. Even our belief about baptism will not change our security in Christ.
I am not saying that these beliefs are not important in our lives. They will make a difference in our day to day life on this earth. You need to know and believe the Biblical truth about every issue of life. Only then can you walk in all the covenant blessings Jesus bought for you at Calvary.
But, there is no compromise about the resurrection. Jesus either rose from the dead or He is still dead. If He is still dead, then so are we. We are still lost in our sins and there is no hope for us in this life or the next. Actually, if Jesus is not risen there is no other life to look forward to. It is not a matter of opinion about whether or not Jesus rose from the dead. His resurrection is an essential element of the Christian faith. You cannot believe it any other way and be saved. That is a very important issue is it not?
“But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.” I Cor. 15:13-14 (NKJV)
“But someone will say [to you then], You [say you] have faith, and I have [good] works. Now you show me your [alleged] faith apart from any [good] works [if you can], and I by [good] works [of obedience] will show you my faith.” James 2:18(Amplified Bible)
The age old question, “Is it works or faith that saves?” never seems to garnish a concluding argument. The truth is there is no conflict in scripture about salvation. Salvation is by grace through faith alone and only one thing on our part is necessary, that is that we believe(have faith).
What, then, do we do with the discourse in James promoting the place of works as a testimony of the believer’s faith? We believe and accept it as proof of faith. The works that James speaks of are not works that produce salvation in one’s life. Rather, they are the works produced by the salvation one receives through faith (truly believing).
Faith results in a confirmation of what we say we believe. If I really believe I am saved by faith in the atoning work of Jesus on the cross then my life will reflect my new nature given to me when I believed. Good works are the fruit of salvation. Salvation brings forth a new “creation” with the mind of Christ.
James is saying that if I really believe Iam saved I will live like it. Works are not a means of salvation but a proof that you are saved. “As a man thinketh in his heart so is he.” If you do not know that you are saved how can you live like it? Doubt nullifies any chance of living the way we should.
We look for good works in order to confirm a change in the inward nature of the individual. Depending on works as part of our salvation will never give us any security that we are saved. It only produces doubt.
“For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us[taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].” Eph. 2:10
“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.” Proverbs 22:1(NKJV)
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”(NKJV)
What’s in a name? I am sure that we have all heard that statement. The truth is that there is much in a name. It identifies a person for who he is and personalizes the character of the individual.
At one time there were five Jerrys here at New Life. If someone said, “Hey, Jerry” all of us responded, but add our surname and you personalized us. It narrowed us down to one. Have you realized each one of us has a special name given to him by God that only He and you know.
His name for you means much more than the one our parents or grandparents gave us. God has special names for us all. Some of the names are “Saint” “Saved” “Redeemed” “Child of God” “Friend” and “King” and other more personal ones between Him and you.
But, the name of Jesus is above every name and at that name every knee shall bow. Everything in heaven and on earth and under the earth shall bow before the name of the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Why is all this possible? Because God said so! We didn’t earn it. We didn’t buy it. We didn’t work for it. He just gave it. It is a gift from God for us to use and enjoy to the fullest.
I am thankful to God for His free heavenly gift. I know it came from a heart of love and I receive it with a heart of love. And furthermore, who can separate us from the love of God! He who has ears to hear let him hear!!
“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” Eph. 4:7(NKJV)
What is a gift? Isn’t it something that is given to someone? Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ birthday and the main emphasis is giving gifts. How many people ever make the connection?
The Scriptures have some interesting things to say about gifts. Many sermons have been preached about the Gifts of the Spirit with all kinds of ideas involved. Some of the ideas come from trying to make the Bible say what they want it to say. Why don’t we just take what it says and not try to interpret it saying something else?
For instance I cannot find any clear scripture that even implies that spiritual gifts were to pass away before Jesus’ return. There is no teaching in scripture that healing was to stop with the last apostle.
Why do people insist on believing things they cannot support without scripture twisting? This is usually done in order to make scripture agree with their experience. The problem with that is experiences change but scriptures do not.
Scripture is always true no matter what we may experience. If I am broke, it doesn’t change the fact that God wants His people to prosper. If I have physical symptoms of illness, it doesn’t change the fact that God heals the believer.
All of God’s gifts have one thing in common, they are all “gifts” and should be treated as such. No one earns a gift; it is freely given. As a recipient of a gift all we can do is be thankful and use the gift as it is intended.
As recipients of Christ’s gift we should be thankful and use it the way it should be used. Oh, by the way, we didn’t earn any of it by our works.
“O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge—by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.” I Timothy 6:20-21(NKJV)
Although the early church started out in one accord with what they preached, over the years to follow there would be great diversity in the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The apostles weren’t all dead before error crept into the message of the Gospel causing divisions in the Church to rise up. For the next two thousand years many conflicting doctrines have weaved their way into the preaching of the Gospel. Few of these came about as deliberate attempts to start a heresy. Most “leaders” in every new doctrine thought that they were right in what they preached.
Among all the variation of the Gospel that is preached there is only one truth. All of the others are false. It is critical in some areas that one believes and teaches the truth because it involves doctrine that means the difference between being lost or saved, heaven or hell, good or evil.
This fact is why Paul admonished Timothy to make sure he continues in what he was taught. It is sad to say that most people believe only what they have been told all their lives. Much of this problem comes from preachers that are preaching error. They repeat what they have learned from those who came before them.
People interpret much Scripture on the basis of their attitude. People view the Bible by the way they see the character of God. Hearing of God’s grace and love or hearing “hellfire and brimstone” can influence our understanding about God. It is important to know what God is like.
The Bible is the truth about God, life, sin, and all else; our ideas or opinions don’t count for much. Today the Bible is not given its place. Men have judged it rather than letting it judge them. Some believe some things but not others. I have heard men say that Paul’s writings should not even be in the Bible. Why? It must be because they don’t want to believe it. It conflicts with their doctrine. It is sad when we can see the truth in scripture and reject it because it does not agree with our view. We do not intend to change doctrine.
Here at New Life we desire that the truth be the truth even if we have to change what we believe to make it so. I do not claim to be right about everything I believe. But, one thing I do, I press toward the mark of truth that God has given us. I believe what I preach, not because I heard someone else preach it, but because I have studied the Scriptures to see if it be true. You all should do the same.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17(NKJV)
In case you haven’t paying attention lately, Christians in parts of the world are paying a high price for not being ashamed of the “gospel of Christ.” We in this country have some of our rights being challenged as our Christian voice is trying to be silenced. We may moan and groan about our rights being taken away, but we know nothing of what it is like in countries where you can lose your life just because you are a Christian and have a Bible.
In the middle of today’s chaos you will find God’s people, the Jews. Even though they were the source of Jesus’ trouble and finally His death, He has not abandoned them. Paul says above that the gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation for the Jew first then us who are Gentile. When it is all said and done, it was mankind that took Jesus’ life. It was through the Jewish people that God raised a Messiah to deliver them from their sins.
God made promises to the Jewish people that He intends to keep. The hatred shown toward Israel today is clear indication of man’s rejection of the Lordship of Jesus. Man rejects God’s way because he is not willing to repent and allow Jesus to be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords in his life.
Man has always thought his way is better than God’s. He cannot understand how salvation is possible without his help. No one has ever been saved by anything he did for himself. It has always been the power of God and belief in Jesus’ sacrifice for the remission of our sins. Under the Old Covenant nobody was saved by keeping the law. They were forgiven their sins because of the annual blood sacrifice on the Day of Atonement. This celebration was a “faith look” forward to the time when Messiah would come and give them peace and freedom. It has always been, “The just shall live by faith.”
“ The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7(NKJV) “Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good tidings, who proclaims peace.” Nahum 1:15(NKJV)
These statements are awesome reminders of God’s love and grace. Paul even quotes one of them in Romans 10:15 in the midst of his expose` on faith and salvation. As always it pays to put the verses within the context of Scripture where they are used. It is interesting to me that they are in the prophecies of Nahum directed at rebellion against God and a declaration of destruction on the city of Nineveh. If you read the contents of Nahum, it will chill your blood at what God declares will happen to His enemies.
Yet, it is clear that God does not take pleasure in the destruction of His enemies as He says in Ezekiel 18:23. In the middle of divine wrath God holds out hope for those who are willing to turn to Him. In the midst of declared destruction He offers the people peace. God’s desire to save and protect far outweighs His desire to judge and destroy.
Hellfire and brimstone are real, but they are not the main message of the Gospel. But so many preachers only have that kind of message. John 3:16 is often referred to as “the Gospel in a nut shell.” If so, then what does it say? Is it hellfire and brimstone or is it the love of God for His creation.
The Bible says it is not God’s will that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Repentance is turning away from sin and toward God. Some preachers seem to take pleasure in preaching sinners into hell, they would even hold the door open for them if they could. Can you imagine Jesus ever saying of a sinner, “Hell is too good for him.” The nature of God is not to destroy but to save. I was once told by a well know preacher, “If you tell someone that they are going to hell, do it with tears in your eyes.” It seems that too many people do it with pleasure and enjoy it. The love of God constrains me. How about you?
“You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.” Gal. 5:4(NKJV)
During the many years I have been involved in the church and ministry I have heard many sermons preached and many references to this verse of scripture by many preachers and teachers. The problem is that most of them were not preaching what the verse says.
So many times it was said that this verse is talking about falling from grace back into a life of sin. This is in no way what Paul was talking about and it is clear if you read the context of this portion of scripture. The subject is about being justified by the keeping of the law.
A group of Jewish Christians had come to Galatia and were teaching the gentile believers that they must be circumcised to be saved. Paul wrote this epistle to address the problem this was causing the gentile believers. He was trying to get the Gentiles to understand that it is by believing in Christ and that alone that they were saved. It is never Christ plus anything including keeping the law.
The Gospel of Christ teaches that grace is the highest level of relationship with God. Grace is what sent Jesus to the cross to die for our sins. Paul is saying that trying to be right with God by keeping the law is futile. If you add any conditions other than grace to give you salvation,Paul says “you have fallen from grace.”
Salvation is not a mixture of grace and the law. It is by grace alone. “For by grace you saved have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast.” Eph. 2:8-9(NKJV) Christian salvation is not found in embracing a doctrine but by loving a person, Jesus Christ and accepting the fact that He died for your sins so you could have His righteousness.
So, do not lower yourselves by trying to add the law to grace. It is by grace and grace alone that you are saved. The life you live afterwards is not a “free-for-all” without accountability for disobedience. Paul says “Shall we sin that grace may abound?” “God forbid!” When one really has a saving experience with Jesus Christ, his “want to” will change. He will not follow after sin because his new nature is not at peace doing so. One can never live a life of perfect performance no matter how hard he tries. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin and makes us righteous. Check this out-Romans 6:14. Quit trying so hard and rest in His peace.
“Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin” Rom. 6:6(NKJV)
“For he who has died has been freed from sin.” Rom. 6:7(NKJV)
That seems simple enough. If you are dead, you are no longer under the influence of sin. That isn’t exactly what Paul was talking about and that is something that can make a big difference in your earthly life. Paul is talking about being dead while you yet live. “Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom 6:11(NKJV) The life that we have in our newly created spirit is not under the dominion of sin like our fleshly life was. (I Cor. 5:17) It is important that we believe that sin has no power over us now. Since we are no longer under the law, we are no longer slaves to sin. Sin no longer is present in our new spirits which are only alive to God.
“For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” The only strength of sin is the law. Paul says in Romans 7:8 that apart from the law sin was dead. That is why we cannot depend on following the law to give us favor with God. The law tells us what is sin but it has no power to help us overcome sin. On the other hand, grace is the power of God to overcome sin and not just the forgiveness of sin. The faith of Jesus Christ in us is the source of our dominion over sin.
Believe it or not.
“And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!” II Tim. 4:18(NKJV)
Are you confident enough in your God to make the same declaration as Paul does in the verse above? To me, this statement is one of the most powerful in the entire Bible. There is no evil work that can keep the apostle down. He is sure that the Lord will never leave him nor forsake him. His God will never let him down.
There is no “if it be His will” in this statement, there is no speculation, and there seems to be no doubt by Paul. It isn’t “wishin’ and a hopin’’ or wondering whether it will be done. To be like Paul you have to know that you know “the Lord will DELIVER me from every evil.”
Paul also makes another very powerful and important confession that the Lord will preserve him for His heavenly kingdom. Paul isn’t hoping he makes it, hoping he can hold on, or wondering if he will. He is solidly assured and confessing that the “Lord” will do the preserving for the rest of his life. He can safely rest in the Lord’s hands to get him home.
Home is where the heart is. Where is your heart? Is it fixed on the things of this world or is it set on the Lord and His heavenly kingdom? Choose ye this day life or death.
Meditate On
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I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.
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Psalm 139:14
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You Are God’s Masterpiece
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The Bible says that you are fearfully and wonderfully made, a marvelous work of God. Do you believe that? Or are you saying, “I wish I were taller. I wish I were slimmer. I wish I had a smaller nose…then I will find success”?
My friend, don’t base your self-worth and ability to succeed on your looks or people’s negative comments. Don’t compare yourself with others—the models in fashion magazines and others in the public eye that seem to have it all together because of their looks. I’m certainly not advocating shabbiness, but whatever your height, weight or nose size, you are what God says you are—His masterpiece, fearfully and wonderfully made!
Begin to see your true self and worth in the mirror of His Word, and praise Him for it daily. It will cause you to treat your body well and give you such an inner beauty and strength that people can’t help but want to treat you favorably! Joseph Prince
David: A Man After God’s Own Heart
When you think of David, what is your first thought? Do you remember the story of the triumph over the giant Goliath? Do you remember David as the man who committed adultery with Bathsheba? Do you remember his failures as a father? Do you remember Him as a humble shepherd? Do you remember David as the “Sweet Singer of Israel?”
Have you ever thought how God remembers David? In the Acts 13:22, Paul quotes God and tells us that God looked at David as “a man after His own heart!” God remembers David as a man who cared about the things that He cared about, and whose heart beat in time with His. This aspect of David’s character is revealed in the desire of David’s heart.
One thing have I desired of the Lord, that I will seek after , that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord , and to enquire in His temple. Psalms 27:4
Those of us who grew up in church remember the stories of David. Many Sunday school lessons and sermons have been written on the life of David. As inspiring and encouraging they are many of them are written during times of trouble, loneliness, isolation and fear.
The house David dwelt in most of his life was not a building. There were no stain glass windows or carpeted floors, air conditioner or heat. His altar was a barren rock, his bed the grass under his back and the songs that he sung were not from a hymn book but came from his heart.
There were three things David said that he desired and would seek after: to dwell in the house of the Lord, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.
David a man after Gods own heart…..
IT IS TIME TO LIVE AGAIN (Ezekiel 37:1-14)
There was a prophet in the Bible named, Ezekiel. The hand of the Lord was upon him, and the Lord brought him out in the Spirit and set him down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. And He caused him to pass round about among them, and behold, there were very many [human bones] in the open valley or plain, and behold, they were very dry. And the Lord said to Ezekiel, Son of man, can these bones live? And Ezekiel answered, O Lord God, You know!
Ezekiel was brought by God’s Spirit to a valley full of dry bones. As we can see, it is a scene of desolation and death. These bones represented the nation of Israel, carried off to Babylon in captivity. It is an image of sin and despair, and yes, a reminder of defeat.
How many times have we gone and revisited a place in our lives where we have been hurt in some way. We have allowed that one thing to determine the entire course of our lives. And now all we see are dead bones. For each one of us it can be something different. Maybe it was a failed marriage, a failed ministry, a child that did not go in the direction they were raised to go, wrong choices when we were younger.
I have always said nothing can be healed till it is revealed. If we don’t deal with the brokenness in our lives, sooner or later it will deal with us. It comes out in many different ways. Sometimes it is with drugs, illegal or prescription, excessive spending, overeating, anger. You may not know why but you know something is not quite right.
We want God to change the external aspects of our lives, our circumstances, but we don’t want to change on the inside. Helaing comes from the inside out. God is not about the band aid fix. He wants you to look at it for what it is. Ezekiel was brought to the valley of bones and passed among them. He saw they were very dry. He saw them without life-dead.
But Glory to God death does not have the final word at the end of our life or now in our everyday living. God is sovereign over death. Hope has the final word and as long as you have got breath in your body, you have a living hope for things to be better.
It may seem as if it is too late. But I have good news for you today-today is the first day of the rest of your life!!
Restoration in 2015
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