Runnin' a race

Hebrews 12:1-2
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Who are these witnesses that surround us?

Well, Hebrews 11 talks about many people who lived by faith. But I think also, that we as Christians live in a fish bowl. If it is known that we are Christians, everyone looks at our lives and judges our actions.
This is why we should "lay aside every weight, and sin", Christ has showed us how we should live, by devoting ourselves to God!
We are given a great analogy here. This life is a like a race, a long race! We will get tired as we run, but we must keep our focus on Jesus. He has already run the race.
I look at this in 2 ways. If you are behind someone in a race, you can focus on them, this helps me to not think about how much farther I have to go, I just need to keep up with that person for now. Also, with an eternal perspective, always looking to the joy that is at the end of the race.
Jesus ran the race with Joy! He endured the Cross with Joy!
Why? Because he knew what was on the other side of the cross! Eternity in Heaven! Eternity with His brothers (those who believe in Him) in Heaven!

Sometimes we need to just follow the one in front of us to maintain, but we must not loose that eternal perspective, that is where our hope and joy come from!

I would love to dive into this more, but I don't have the time. Sorry. At least this is something to think about!

In Christ,

Dave

Chris Tomlin @ Lifest

Yeah,
I just found out that Chris Tomlin will be at Lifest in Oshkosh, WI on July 9th! One day after my birthday!!

If you don't know who he is check out www.christomlin.com
I had the opportunity to visit the church that he leads worship at down in Austin Texas and meet him. He is one of the most down to earth people that I have met! On top of that his passion for what he calls the 268 generation, which is based on Isaiah 26:8, is awesome.

If you can ever catch one of his concerts I would definately recomend it!

Thank you Jesus for this wonderful man and his passion for you!

Dave

"My Grace is sufficient for you"

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Changing up the pace today...Just a few verses rather than a full chapter!

But these two verses hold so much in them! Let's start from the end.

"For when I am weak, then I am strong." What on earth is Paul talking about? Who in their right mind would agree that at my weakest point, I am actually at my strongest?
The thing to remember and the point that Paul is trying to make is that when he is weak, Christ is working through him, and the weakest part of Christ is always stronger than the strongest part of us! He says, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Christ has chosen the weak to teach the strong! He has turned this world upside down!
The people the world looks up to, the strong, the rich, the powerful, they aren't the ones that God chooses to use. Yes, God can use them, and He does! But, is not the testimony from a drug addict so much more powerful to us?

And here is the best part! "My grace is sufficient of you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
His power is made perfect in weakness! Not in our strength, but in our weakness!
Is this not one of the most comforting things you have heard? When Christ calls us to do something for Him, don't we usually fell inadequate? But His power breaks through our inadequacies and is made PERFECT!!!
Let's take a quick look at Moses, just as God is calling him to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt: Exodus 3:13-15, 4:1-17
"Then Moses said to God, 'If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me, What is his name? what shall I say to them?' God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM.' And he said, 'Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.' God also said to Moses, 'Say this to the people of Israel, The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations."
"Then Moses answered, 'But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, The LORD did not appear to you.' The LORD said to him, 'What is that in you hand?' He said, 'A staff.' And he said, 'Throw it on the ground.' So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. But the LORD said to Moses, 'Put our your hand and catch it by the tail'--so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand-- 'that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.' Again, the LORD said to him, 'Put your hand inside you cloak.' And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. Then God said, 'Put your hand back inside your cloak.' So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. 'If they will not believe you,' God said, 'or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign. If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.' But Moses said to the LORD, 'Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.' Then the LORD said to him, 'Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with you mouth and teach you what you shall speak.' But he said, 'Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.' Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said, 'Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs."

Moses came up with almost every excuse not to do what God wanted him to do! But, God was right at his side saying, I am here for you. Where you are weak, I will be there, and my strength will be perfect! "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

God has given us a wonderful gift in His Holy Spirit! We should take advantage of this yet, everyday we come up with more excuses and weaker ones than Moses.
Romans 8:31 "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"
Romans 8:37 "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." (Christ)

Lets get out there and live on the edge of our faith! Lets push our comfort zones! Lets be Fools for Christ and Jesus Freaks.

In this way Christ will be magnified through us. His Glory will shine!

2 Corinthians 13:14 "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."

In Christ,

Dave

Unity in New Life

Ephesians 4
Unity in the Body of Christ
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call-- one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it says, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men."
(In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

The New Life
Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!-- assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

First thing Paul does is urge the Ephesians to walk in a mannor worthy of the calling! With humility, gentleness, patience, love, and Unity in the Spirit through peace.
How often do we let ourselves get sidetracked, lead away from this? We get into arguments over the smallest of things and to what end? Paul says there is only one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all!!! This is all about Christ as Paul goes on to say! Our calling is Christ, we are to spread His Gospel and exalt His Name on High!
Paul moves on to say that Christ has given us the Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers all to equip and teach us and build us up in the Body of Christ! Many people look at Pastors and think that it is their job to be evangelists and missionaries, this is not what Paul says here, they are to equip everyone else! Yes, they should also be out sharing their faith, but they have a greater responsibility and that is to teach everyone else! James 3:1 "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness."
Also this teaching and equipping is done so that we can attain unity and knowledge of Christ and attain maturity and grow up in Christ. That we also may speak "Truth in Love" through Christ Jesus as He holds together His Body in Love.
Paul next warns us about living like we used to live before we knew Christ. He says that we lived in the futility of the mind, darkened in understanding, alienated from the life of God because of ignorance and hardness of heart. But we are to put off this old self and be renewed in the spirit of our minds and to put on the new self created in the likeness of God, in righteousness and holiness!
After putting on the new self we must speak truth to one another. If we get angry with someone, we must confront them about it so that we don't sin or give Satan any opportunity to tear us apart. We are to speak to build each other up, not tear each other down!
Also, we should not grieve the Holy Spirit. There are many different ways to grieve the Holy Spirit that Paul lists, bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and malice. But I would not limit the list here, as Paul and others have written about other things also, like sexual immorality filthiness, foolish talk, and crude joking. But, rather we are to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, and forgiving!

But one of the coolest things that Paul says is in vs. 30 "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." Wow, that is a very strong word, sealed! We were sealed by the Holy Spirit of God! When we believe in Christ and Confess His name as the only way that we can be saved, we are SEALED by the Holy Spirit! Talk about Assurance, God Himself seals us for the day of redemption!!!!

Ephesians 6:23-24 "Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible."

In Christ,

Dave

Walk in Love and Holyness

Ephesians 5:1-21
Walk in Love
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not associate with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead,and Christ will shine on you."
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Lets separate how we should live from what we should avoid.

What we should avoid:
1. Sexual Immorality
2. Impurity
3. Covetousness
4. Filthiness
5. Foolish Talk
6. Crude Joking
7. Idolatry
8. Debauchery (drunkenness)

Paul says that who does these things has no inheritance in the kingdom of God! Because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. And we are not to associate with them!

We should live as:
1. Imitators of God
2. Walking in Love
3. Giving Thanks
4. Not associating with the sons of disobedience
5. Children of Light in the Lord
6. Exposing the Darkness
7. Wise
8. Filled with the Spirit
9. Singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with all our heart
10. Submitting to one another in reverence for Christ

I do want to clarify a few things here. When Paul says that we are to not associate with the sons of disobedience he doesn't mean never to talk to anyone who isn't a Christian! This should never be used as an excuse to not spread the Word of Truth! Paul is saying that they shouldn't be in our close inner circle of friends. We need to maintain friendships with them and share the Love of Christ with them, but we should focus a lot more of our intimacy in and with the Body of Christ (believers).
Paul makes a huge point in vs. 11-14 We are to not have any part in the works of darkness, but rather expose it with the Light of Christ! This is how many of my friends have become Christians, they were living in darkness and one who was in the Light of Christ came to them and exposed them to the light. Now they are a part of that light as well!
One other thing of clarification. We live in the flesh and will fall to temptation. We cannot hold to this 100%! But, in Christ we can, because He has already done it!
Romans 8:1, 9-10, 31, 34-35, 37-39
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died -- more than that, who was raised -- who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? No, in all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

We are called to be Holy!
1 Peter 1:13-25
"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.' And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for your sake, who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable through the living and abiding word of God; for 'All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.' And this word is the good news that was preached to you."

We are Holy in Christ Jesus, let us conform our outer lives to our inner Spirit!
Let us "Walk the Walk!" not just "Talk the Talk."

"Therefore, be imitators of God"

In Christ,

Dave

A Life Pleasing to God

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
A Life Pleasing to God
Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to live and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may live properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

First in vs. 3-8 Paul tells us how not to live!
Gods will for our lives is Sanctification (to make holy, purify) and Paul tells us that we were not called for impurity, i.e. sexual immorality. Paul says that if we ignore this, we are not ignoring him, but God Himself! (More in this tomorrow! Ephesians 5)

So we are to live in self-control, but more than that Paul continues in vs. 9-12 that we are to have brotherly love.
Jesus said, "And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. '" Matthew 22:37-39
Paul also says to live quietly and mind your own affairs as well as work with your own hands.

What need to we have to draw attention to our lives, or for that matter pry into our neighbors lives! Yes, we need to be our sharing the Love of Christ with them, but not spreading gossip around the neighborhood! And each person is to work with his own hands.
"Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need." Ephesians 4:28

Philippians 1:9-11
"And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."

In Christ,

Dave

Submission and Suffering

1 Peter 2:13-25
Submission to Authority
Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

1 Peter 3:8-17
Suffering for Righteousness' Sake
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For "Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

Here Peter tells us to submit ourselves to "every Human Institution". Why does he say this? What if the government is evil and does all kinds of wrong and evil things?
We should submit as Peter says, for the Lord's sake. God has given the governments their power, and they have no power unless God has granted it to them. Our highest authority is of course God, and we should obey His commands first and foremost! But we are also to honor the earthly governments as instituted by God and submit to their authority over us, unless it comes in conflict with God's Commands.
If we rebel and are punished, what gain is there in that? Nothing! But if you submit to the authorities and are punished for doing good, Peter says that we will receive a blessing!

He also goes on to say the the Lord opposes the evil. And that the Lords eyes are upon the righteous and His ears hear their prayers!
That is a really cool thought! God is opposed to the evil and He looks upon and hears the prayers of the righteous! Reminds me of Romans 8:31 "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

Peter also lays out for us how we should live our lives!
1. Submit to human authorities
2. Live as free people --- not using it as a cover for evil!!!
3. Honor everyone
4. Love the Brotherhood
5. Fear God
6. Honor the Emperor --- In the U.S. the President, In England the Prime Minister and so on.
7. Have Unity of Mind
8. Be sympathetic, Have Brotherly Love, have a tender Heart, and a humble mind
9. Don't repay evil with evil, rather bless and have no deceit on his lips
10. Turn from evil and do Good
11. Pursue Peace
12. Be Mindful of Christ --- especially in suffering, because Christ suffered for us!
13. Don't fear or be troubled by those who persecute you
14. Regard Christ as Holy and always be ready to defend your beliefs with gentleness

Now that seems like a lot, but God does a really awesome thing! Let these verses just speak to your heart.
Romans 8:1, 9, 31-39
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. What then shall we say to these things? You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died -- more than that, who was raised -- who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, 'For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

If we belong to Christ we cannot be separated from Him by anything in all of Creation! His Spirit is within us to guild us and help us to live our lives in a Christ like fashion. His Spirit is also working in us to change us into the likeness of Christ. These are some awesome promises! God has standards for our lives, but He also helps us by sending us His Spirit!

Thank you Jesus, Thank You!

In Christ,

Dave

Warning Against Worldliness

James 4:1-12
Warning Against Worldliness
What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

Vs. 7-8 "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

Vs. 4 "You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."

What things do we do in our lives that make us enemies of God and friends of the World?

We must remember though that we are works in progress, we will always have a battle with the flesh! But James tells us that if we resist the devil (that is with the help of Christ), he will flee from us!
This is great, Peter describes the devil as a prowling lion looking to devour us! But, James says if with Christs help we resist the devil, he WILL flee from us!
Also if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us also! We must focus on Christ!
Peter was the only one of Jesus' 12 Disciples to get out of the boat and walk on water, but Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and focused on a large wave and began to sink. Jesus brought Peters attention back to Himself and Peter was again on top of the water.
We must keep our focus on Christ and not the things of this world! The devil will then flee and Christ will also draw closer to us!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There's a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion --
For more than conquerors we are!

His Word shall not fail you -- He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Hebrews 12:2
"Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Let us live our daily lives with an ever increasing focus upon Jesus Christ, the founder and perfecter of our faith!

In Christ Jesus

Dave

Taming the Tongue

James 3
Taming the Tongue
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways, and if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

Wisdom from Above
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

The whole point that James is making here is this:

Luke 6:43-45
"For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of the evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."

Matthew 12:33-37
"Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

Matthew 15:10-20
"And he called the people to him and said to them, 'Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.' Then the disciples came and said to him, 'Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?' He answered, 'Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.' But Peter said to him, 'Explain the parable to us.' And he said, 'Are you also still without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.'

That what comes out of our mouths is directly related to what is within our hearts!

Romans 10:8
"But what does it say? 'The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart' (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim)"

1 Corinthians 2:9-16
"But, as it is written, 'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him'-- these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 'For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?' But we have the mind of Christ."

We have the Spirit of God, the mind of Christ, and the Word of God is in our Hearts! (That is if we have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior!)

What comes out of our mouths is directly related to what is within our hearts!
Is Christ there? Is the Word of God there? Or is it filled with the things of the world?

I think we all struggle with this...there are times in my life when something comes out of my mouth that I have no idea why I said it or where it came from, but it sends a small reality check right back to my heart! What is in there? Where did that come from? Jesus please clean my heart out and make it your home!

"Only one life, twill soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last." John Piper

Humbly In Christ,

Dave

Check out this article

What is going on in this world. The Pastor never condemnd the Pope. He merely stated that one must be born-again to receive entrance into heaven. That is Biblical Truth. And he got fired? Arrrgh....this world is out of hand! Anywho....here is the link...Christian Happy-Talk
http://www.worldviewweekend.com/news/

Walking by the Spirit

Galations 5:16-26

Walk by the Spirit
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Here Paul gets right to the point! The Spirit and the flesh are opposites, they are opposed to each other.
If you live by the flesh which includes (but not limited to):
1. Sexual Immorality
2. Impurity
3. Sensuality
4. Idolatry
5. Sorcery
6. Enmity
7. Strife
8. Jealousy
9. Fits of anger
10. Rivalries
11. Dissensions
12. Divisions
13. Envy
14. Drunkenness
15. Orgies
Paul says that if you do these things, You "will not inherit the Kingdom of God."

It is a good thing Paul doesn't end there!!!

He also tells us what it is to live in the Spirit of God, and the evidence is the Fruit:
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self-control

So, what is more evident in your life? The desires and passions of the flesh or the fruits of the Spirit?
One thing to keep in mind also, is that no one is perfect! We all fall back into the flesh at times, but what is the trend in your life? What is done more? Is there a pattern moving from one to the other?
Have you as Paul says in vs. 24 "Crucified the flesh"?
Back to Romans, Paul says in 8:9 "You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him." And in 8:1 "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

If you have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, He has given you His Spirit and that Spirit is working in you to produce the Good Fruits. Let the Spirit work, Crucify the flesh and it's desires and live in "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." You have been set free in Christ Jesus to do this!

Ephesians 6:23-24
"Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible."

In Christ,

Dave

Live in the Spirit

As promised last time,

Romans 8

Life in the Spirit
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Heirs with Christ
So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Future Glory
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

God's Everlasting Love
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Paul says in vs 9, "You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you."
Do you have the Spirit of God? Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior?
Here is how you can know for sure....Romans 10:9 "because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Romans 8:11 "If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through the Spirit who dwells in you.

Paul moves on to talk about the difference of living in the flesh and living in the Spirit. Vs. 13 "For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live."
This is a great part here in vs 14-17 "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the Spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God and if children, then heirs -- heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."
We are God's Children! We are a part of His family!!!

From here Paul again moves on, in the last part he said "provided we suffer with him". So we are going to suffer, but Paul makes a clear point from vs 18-30 that this suffering that we will go through cannot compare to the Glory that we will enjoy in the future. He aslo says that the Spirit will help us through our weaknesses, interceding for us. And one of the best parts in in vs. 28 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." All things work together for Good!!! God must truly love us....but wait Paul moves straight into that! Vs. 31-39
Vs. 31 "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" and vs. 37 "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." And finally vs. 38-39 "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

GOD TOTALLY LOVES US!!!!!!!! And nothing can ever take that Love from us!!!!!!
1 John 4:19 "We love, because HE (God, Christ) first loved us."

So you may be thinking, "This all great, but you didn't really tell me how to live in the Spirit."

Patience, Patience! Baby Steps on to the bus, baby steps down the isle, baby steps to the seat. (What about Bob! Such a great movie!)

We will get to this tomorrow, but if you need to read ahead the text will be from Galations 5:16-26

In Christ,

Dave

Another look at living as Stewards

Romans 7

Released from the Law
Or do you not know, brothers--for I am speaking to those who know the law--that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives? Thus a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.
Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve not under the old written code but in the new life of the Spirit.

The Law and Sin
What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, "You shall not covet." But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. Apart from the law, sin lies dead. I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.
Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

This is very encouraging, that Paul would write about his struggles! We are going to struggle to walk on the path less traveled, to follow Jesus Christ.
Paul says that we were in essence married to sin, we were bound to it. But Christ died to set us free from sin. Now we are bound to Him, as His followers. He released us from the written law which Paul say can only bring death because we become aware of sin through it. The Law itself is from God and is righteous, but sin seizing opportunity through the law brings death. Vs. 6 "But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve not under the old written code but in the new life of the Spirit."
In vs 14-20 Paul talks about the two natures at battle within him. The good and the evil fight for dominance, but the evil is not who he truly is. Vs. 22 "For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being," Yet he still falls to temptation, vs 23 "but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members."
But here is the best part, vs 24-25 "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin."
It is an all out war! Who are we going to serve? Jesus said no one can serve two masters! Are we going to give into the flesh and live in sin? Or, do we choose to live in the Spirit? (Topic for Monday!!!)
Christ has set us free from sin, choose to live for Him!!!

In Christ,

Dave

Live as Stewards of Grace

1 Peter 4
Stewards of God's Grace
Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. The time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies--in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Suffering As a Christian
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"
Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Steward
1. One who manages another's property, finances, or other affairs.
2. One who is in charge of the household affairs of a large estate, club, hotel, or resort.
3. A ship's officer who is in charge of provisions and dining arrangements.
4. An attendant on a ship or airplane.
5. An official who supervises or helps to manage an event.

In this case deffinition 1 is the most fitting! One who manages another's property, finances, or other affairs.
Everything belongs to God and we are just managers.

Ok,
The first point that Peter makes here is that we are going to have sufferings, Christ suffered and so shall we, but Peter makes another good point, we are to arm ourselves with against this by realizing that our suffering comes because we have ceased from sin, so that we can live for the rest of the time that we are in the flesh for God rather than for human passions.
Peter lists some human passions...living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.
We are to stay away from these, but others wont understand and they will make fun of you for it.
We are to live as self-controlled, sober-minded, loving one another earnestly, showing hospitality without grumbling.
For we will all give an account to God!
Peter goes on to say that we should expect sufferings because they are coming and it will be to test us. But we are to rejoice in these sufferings because we are sharing in Christ's sufferings. Also vs. 14 "If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you." He says that we should not be ashamed to suffer as a Christian but we should glorify God through it. Vs. "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" And finally vs. 19 "Therefore let those who suffer according to Gods will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good."

So, suffering will come as we put off our old nature and reject the ways of the world. We are to expect it and praise God for it! Romans 8:28 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:31 "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing you pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing you pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord Blessed be your name

Matt Redman

Blessed be the Name of Jesus Christ Forever and ever!

In Christ,

Dave

Two of the Promises

1. The promise that our Home is Heaven
2. The promised that We are changed

2 Corinthians 5:1-6:13
Our Heavenly Dwelling
For we know that if the tent, which is our earthly home, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened--not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

The Ministry of Reconciliation
Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, "In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you."
Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.

1. The Promise that our Home is Heaven!
2 Corinthians 5
Vs. 1 "For we know that if the tent, which is our earthly home, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
Vs. 20 "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us."
Vs. 6 "So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith not by sight."

Look at this! We are ambassadors! We have our Heavenly dwelling and a place to live in the foreign land in which we serve!
We have ambassadors from the U.S. in every major country in the world. Some of these countries are very hostile to Americans. These ambassadors however have a place to stay and work out of, their tents so to speak because they aren't permanent. But back in the States, they have a permanent home that wont be taken away.
God does this for us as well. We are His ambassadors here on Earth, but our real home is Heaven!
Once in Heaven we will live with and see God, but here on earth, we must walk by Faith.

2. The promise that We are Changed
Vs. 2 "For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling,"
Vs. 4 "For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened -- not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life."
Vs. 16 "From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer."
Vs. 17 "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Wow! This is great, not only is our True home in heaven, but through Christ we have been made new! We have a longing to be with Christ, that is wanting to put on our heavenly dwelling and we want to be further clothed, that is in our heavenly garments. Paul tells the Corinthians that he no longer regards anyone according to the flesh! Meaning that everyone has an eternal soul and this is how he looks at people. He also says, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away!" We were born into the service of darkness, but Christ has changed us and made us new, now we are of the kingdom of Light! We serve Christ!

So, what should we do with this?
Vs. 5:18-6:1 "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Working together with him, then we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain."
We are to go out and tell of the Good News of Jesus Christ!
Why?
Vs. 5:10 "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil."

Paul also tells us that it will be a hard road to walk, but he tells us how to walk it and what will happen to us along the way. This is found in 6:4-10

2 Corinthians 4:7-9
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;"

Romans 8:31
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

In Christ

Dave

More on Assurance

2 Peter 3-21
Make Your Calling and Election Sure
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

Christs Glory and the Prophetic Word
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

There is a lot in there, but the main things that I would like to focus on are:
1. Through Christs power we have escaped the corruption of this world
2. How to live our lives
3. This Christian thing is not a myth

1. Through Christs power we have escaped the corruption of this world
This is in vs 2-4,
Christ has granted us knowledge of himself and has called us to His own Glory and excellence. He has given us through His power things that pertain to life and godliness and also given us promises that we can hold onto so that we can escape the corruption that is in this world because of sinful desire.
How has all of this happened? Christ came to us in person! His life was written about (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), and the promises that He made were also recorded in scripture.

2. How to live our lives
This in in vs 5-15
First things first, We must have faith in Jesus Christ!
Now, we supplement this faith with virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. These qualities keep us from being ineffective and unfruitful in our knowledge of Jesus Christ. If we lack these qualities, Peter say we are nearsighted to the point of blindness because we have forgotten that we have been cleansed from our former sins. Also Peter says that if we continually practice these qualities and increase in them, we will not fall, that is away from Christ. We will still sin, but if we increase in these qualities we will not loose our salvation. "For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance ito the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
Peter also tells us to remind each other of this! "I think it right, as long as I am in the body, to stir you up by way of reminder".

3. This Christian thing is not a myth
This is found in vs 16-21
Peter states that he and the other disciples didn't follow a cleverly decised myth. He was an eyewitness to the majesty of Christ! "For when he received honor and glory from God the Father and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,' we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain."
Even more than this Peter says that we have the "prophetic word" this is the Old Testiment, which we would do well to pay attention to. There are many prophecies in the Old Testiment that point to the Messiah and Peter says that these were not just written by men, they were produced by man as they"spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." Jesus has fulfilled all of the prophesies of the Old Testiment. He is the Messiah, the Christ.

We have assurance of eternal life with Him, because it comes through Him!
We must press on in this sinful world and allow Christ to develop within us the qualities of virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love.

Press on through the Power of Christ

Dave

Assurance

As Posted last Friday, God is Holy! That is the standard by which we are all measured!

Which brings up a question.
If Perfection is the standard by which I am measured, how will I ever be sure that I can stand up to the test? I sin everyday, there is no way that I can be seen as Righteous and Holy, is there?

Well, I'm glad you asked!

Romans 10:17 "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."
Romans 1:1-6 "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ"
Romans 5:1-2 "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God."
Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

This is the promise of Eternal Life!
Here we see that we receive faith (in Christ) by hearing the word of Christ, the word of God, the Bible. God then justifies us through this faith as a gift of grace. Meaning we do not deserve it, but God chooses to grant it to us anyway. Through this justification we enter into Gods Grace and in that Grace we have been saved, not of anything we have done, but by God.
We hear Gods word and He allows us to understand what He has done for us. This is an amazing gift of Grace that allows us to believe in Christ, which offers more grace in Justification and Salvation.

Ephesians 3:12 "in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him."
(The in whom, refers to Jesus Christ)
1 Timothy 1:12-17 "I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen."
Hebrews 10:22-23 "let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."

We have confidence through faith in Christ Jesus!
Paul in 1 Timothy is speaking in a past tense, God has already judged him. The verdict was a unanimous Guilty! Yet he has already received mercy! Through grace and faith in Christ Jesus. Jesus came to save us, for we are all sinners. We all receive mercy just as Paul did that through us who believe in Christ Jesus, He "might display His perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life." We have "assurance of faith" and "he who promised is faithful."
What was the promise? Eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord!
Who made that promise? God
"He who promised is faithful."

Nehemiah 9:33 "Yet you have been righteous in all that has come upon us, for you have dealt faithfully and we have acted wickedly."
Psalm 89:14 "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you."
Psalm 111:7-8 " The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy; they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness."

God is Righteous, Faithful, Just, Trustworthy, Having Steadfast Love, all which lasts forever and ever! God doesn't break His promises, we do!
We have Assurance of Salvation because it was promised to us by Jesus Christ, by God Himself!

"My heart and flesh cry out, for you the Living God. Your Spirit's water to my soul. I've tasted and I've seen, come once again to me. I will draw near to you, I will draw near to you." Better is one Day, Matt Redman

Let me every draw nearer to you Lord.

Dave

Holiness

What does this word mean?

According to Easton's Bible Dictionary @ Crosswalk.com

in the highest sense belongs to God (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 15:4), and to Christians as consecrated to God's service, and in so far as they are conformed in all things to the will of God (Romans 6:19,22; Ephesians 1:4; Titus 1:8; 1 Peter 1:15). Personal holiness is a work of gradual development. It is carried on under many hindrances, hence the frequent admonitions to watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance (1 Corinthians 1:30; 2co 7:1; Ephesians 4:23,24).

According to Dictionary.com The word Holy means:

1. Belonging to, derived from, or associated with a divine power; sacred.
2. Regarded with or worthy of worship or veneration; revered: a holy book.
3. Living according to a strict or highly moral religious or spiritual system; saintly: a holy person.
4. Specified or set apart for a religious purpose: a holy place.
5. Solemnly undertaken; sacrosanct: a holy pledge.
6. Regarded as deserving special respect or reverence: The pursuit of peace is our holiest quest.

My own definition:

Perfection

In 1 Peter 1:15, Peter states: "but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy."

God sets the bar! He is Holy there for we as His people are called to be Holy!

But how can any of us be perfect?

The simple answer....We can't! Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"

The Long answer....Through Jesus Christ! Romans 3:24-25a "and we are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.
It is the process of Sanctification that God is working in us. He changes us and molds us into His own Righteousness or Holiness (if you will)!

Last night my buddy Dan made a good point. God sees us as either Unrighteous (which we are in and of ourselves because of sin) or Righteous (which is not from ourselves but from Christ). Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been save through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before hand, that we should walk in them."

God did something for Isaiah in the 6th Chapter of Isaiah, but put yourself in his shoes, God does the very same thing for us through Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 6:1-8
"In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said; 'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!' And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: 'Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!' Then one of the srephim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the alter. And he touched my mouth and said: 'Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for." And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here am I! Send me.'

Just as Isaiah had his sin atoned for (the price of sin had been paid for Isaiah), Christ has paid the price for us. If you believe in Christ Jesus, He is working in you and sanctifying you, making you into the likeness of His Holiness. We are called out to live Holy lives, to live as Saints of the Living God. And only through the Grace of Jesus Christ is this possible for us!

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
"Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it."

In Christ

David

One for the Guys

When does a boy become a man?
What is a man?
What is Authentic Manhood?

Paths to Manhood:
1. Community - Many, many people groups have initiation ceremonies to usher boys into manhood, this consists of but is not limited to: Rituals, Ceremony, Celebration, and Initiation
2. Family/Father - The father tells the boy he is now a man and teaches him how to be a man
3. The Body of Believers - Teaching what the Biblical definition of a man is

While the first two let the boy know that he is now a man, what kind of man will this boy turn out to be? Only the type of man the the community or father already are.
The last way, allows God to shape and form the boy into a Man of God.

Here are the two types of men:
1 Corinthians 15: 45-49
"Thus it is written, 'The first man Adam became a living being'; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and sas is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven."

1. The first man = Life Separate from God

• Manhood set on a natural course
• Manhood based on instinct and reactions
• Manhood that draws life from others
• Manhood without transcendent meaning

2. The second man = Life in Union with God

• Manhood influenced by Spiritual direction
• Manhood based on Faith, not flesh
• Manhood full of transcendent meaning and sense of destiny
• Manhood that gives life

1 Corinthians 15:22

"For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive."

Pillars of Authentic Manhood:

1. A Man Rejects Passivity
2. A Man Accepts Responsibility
3. A Man Leads Courageously
4. A Man Expects the Greater Reward (God's Reward)

1. A Man Rejects Passivity

God created Males to be aggressive (NOT Violent). Look at Adam before the fall, he names the animals and has dominion over the earth, then the snake approaches the woman. Adam is right there, he's not off in some other part of the garden, he is watching and listening yet doesn't speak up to protect his wife. He has become Passive. After the fall, he renames woman and calls her Eve. This is a step forward in rejecting the passivity that he let take over just before the fall.

2. A Man Accepts Responsibility

This is Accepting God's will, work, and woman for our lives. Jesus says, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work." John 4:34 We Must have the Will to Obey God, we are going to serve somebody, Who is it going to be? We have Work to do, who's work will you choose? And we will have Women to Love and Protect, Our Mothers, Sisters, and wife's. We must Accept this Responsibility and Obey God, Do His Work, and Protect His Daughters.

3. A Man Leads Courageously

Christ was the Ultimate example of a True Leader! He gave Direction, Protection, and Provision. 1 Corinthians 11:3-4 "But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God." Christ has provided for us and modeled how to be a leader to us, now we need to do that for our loved ones.

4. A Man Expects the Greater Reward (God's Reward)

We must have Great Expectations, Hebrews 12:1-3 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." What kept Jesus in the race? The Joy that was set before him! Look at Moses also in Hebrews 11:24-26 "By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin." Moses knew that there was a Greater reward with God than what was offered in sin. We must also choose which reward we want. The Fleeting pleasures of sin or Eternal Life with Christ!

Authentic Manhood is a call to real life!

1 Corinthians 2:9 "But, as it is written, 'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him'"

John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

1 Timothy 4:8 "for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."

1 Timothy 6:6-7 "Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world."

What is an Authentic Man?

An Authentic Man is a Man who:

1. Rejects Passivity
2. Accepts Responsibility
3. Leads Courageously
4. Expects the Greater Reward (God's Reward)

1 Corinthians 15:49 "Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of Heaven."

Manhood Commitments:

1. I commit to bond my soul with the Spirit of God, my person to reflect the image of God and to live my life to the Glory of God.
2. I commit to live by the biblical definition of masculinity where I: Reject passivity, Accept responsibility, Lead courageously, and Expect God's greater reward.
3. I commit from this day forward to purity in relationships with women, sexual abstinence until marriage and faithfulness to my wife in marriage.
4. I commit to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world through my Christian Faith.
5. I commit to seek out mentors in my life and to disciple other men in their Christian Faith.
6. I commit to be a member of a group of peers who will help me to process life personally and spiritually for a lifetime.

Ephesians 5

Walk in Love

1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

3But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7Therefore do not associate with them; 8for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead,and Christ will shine on you."

15Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, 20giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Wives and Husbands

22Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

25Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.[a] 28In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30because we are members of his body. 31"Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." 32This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband."

Generation Sigma Men's Fraternity

In Christ

David

Dead to Sin, Alive to God

Romans 6:1-14
"What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in you mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and you members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace."

Romans 12:1-2
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of you mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

1 Peter 1:16
"since it is written, 'You shall be Holy, for I am Holy.'"

We sinned. Christ died. We believe. Christ Purifies. Live as one who is called out for, "You shall be Holy, for I am Holy."!
Nuf Said!

Thank you Jesus

David