Walking out our faith; Living victorious in the Spirit.

And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified (Acts 20:32)

Galatians 5:25
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit ESV

[5:17] Pneuma (Gk): Wind of the Holy Spirit, and Sarx (socks) meaning; flesh, a piece of meat. The war between the flesh and soul the generational curse from God, enmity placed between God and man (Genesis 3:16).

The fractured relationship: We brought this upon ourselves, we need to seek reconciliation with God. [5:24] And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh and all its passions and desires- We need to repent and want to break the strongholds of our flesh.

We are powerless to do this on our own. How many times have we passed a freshly painted surface with a sign clearly saying, Caution Wet paint and have this urge to reach out and touch it anyway? This is a product of our human nature.
[5:16] But I say walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh-By the grace of God, we have freedom through the Holy Spirit. And only virtue of the Holy Spirit, we experience a lasting transformed from within.
Our encouragement, Take a hard look at these things in our life that is causing strife within us, that grieve the Holy Spirit, submit to the transformation of the Holy Spirit, let it create a bitter taste of our own desires, let it create a thirst for the sweetness of the Living water of Christ. May you be renewed this day. God bless

Re: Faith

John 14:1-3
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more that enough room in my Father’s home. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am NLT
Ordinary men with a special purpose: Jesus did not select his disciples because they came from a certain cut of cloth, or from any particular class, these men he chose couldn’t have been more ordinary. What made them special is the assignment he had for them. In order to complete this assignment, their faith needed work
(Matthew 14:19-21) And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up the twelve basketsful of broken pieces that were left over.
Luke 10 tells us that Jesus had many other disciples, though these twelve were exposed to miracles and healings of Jesus that many others hadn’t. Yet they just didn’t get it-in-fact, a couple of them lost faith altogether. We too are selected for a very special assignment for the kingdom and the growth in our faith is from the workings of the Holy Spirit in our lives, our faith is being tempered where we are most vulnerable.
John 6:5 Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?
Where will your next ounce of faith come from?

Let your spiritual roots go deep:

Mark 8:34-35

And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritence among all those who are sanctified (Acts 20:32)

Then he called the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross and follow me 35 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for the sake of Good News, you will save it NLT
The Gospel of Mark focuses on and highlights the miraculous work of Jesus Christ. A part of Jesus’ life he purposely intended for Mark and the rest of the disciples to see. We see in this part of the journey opportunities for spiritual growth was in abundance. If it weren’t enough for the constant needling of the Jews and Pharisees to trip Jesus up, there was the disciples suffered spiritual blindness. Two miracles are recorded in this passage: The healing of the blindman and the feeding of the 4000, Two miracles that spoke directly to the shortcomings of the disciples. In the healing of the blindman, he received full restoration of his sight after Jesus touched his eyes twice. Why? Spiritual maturity is a process, the greater our faith becomes, the clearer we see the work of Jesus in us. In the feeding of the 4000, He is powerful and faithful to meet our needs and He does so with abundance.
The message: The Holy Spirit of the Lord is continuously at work in us, performing miracles of healing, restoration, and moving mountains, so that we would know him as Lord and Savior

“Love”

1 Corinthians 13:2
If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge and if I had such faith and I could move mountains, but didn’t love, I would be nothing NLT
Knowledge and possession; Our built-in defenses:
Like insects, we live in a castes system, we have established hierarchies or rich vs poor, wealthy vs the marginalized, the oppressors and the oppressed. These lines of demarcation are necessary for the sake of our self-preservation-if we’re being honest, we might even find these within the walls of the church. Quite the opposite of the commandments of the Lord and our true calling. We’ve become comfortably calloused.
Paul’s message is not new, it wasn’t some cleverly prepared speech he gave-this message is timeless and the Lord’s commandment (Matthew 22:35-40, Mark 12:28-34). A commandment Jesus lived out and demonstrated for our sake. *If we do not love, we Are nothing, we Have nothing! A scary proposition because love takes faith, it is going “All-in” and forsaking all we are and have become, it takes vulnerability, it takes transparency-allowing the others to see me for who I truly am. True love can only come from a standpoint of our brokenness. *And he took the bread, gave thanks broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body given to you; do this in remembrance of Me LUKE 22:19. Sounds familiar? “True love” is Obedience. Jesus’ obedience was rooted in his love for the Father who by extension expressed His love for us. (Matthew 22:35-40) 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Our prayer is simple, we pray that as we search our hearts that we allow these barriers we have built to be broken so that we can enjoy generous amounts of God’s agape love and that it would overflow on to others. Much love, God bless

In due time; “God’s time!”

1 Chronicles 17:11-12 When your time comes to be with your fathers, I will raise up after you your descendant, who is one of your sons, and I will establish his kingdom.12 He will build a house for Me, and I will establish his throne forever HCSB

There was no question when it came to David’s heart for God. After all, he was responsible for transporting the Ark of the Covenant and all the elements of the temple. Despite his concern that God had no permanent temple, we see that God had another plans for him; plans that would ultimately affect God’s overall plan for His people. We need to understand the designated place for His temple had not yet been reached. God’s house will be built and with all the deserving splendor-That has been ordained and long been established. God knows the intentions of our hearts, therefore, aligning our hearts with the will of God should be our greatest aspiration. Only then can we appreciate that our present assignment is conditioning us for a much bigger outcome. Thursday’s Blessings

WITNESSING FOR JESUS

In anticipation for the season, I started thinking about my personal walk with the Lord,  and the level of passion for what He had done. I couldn’t help but think that my once  burning passion to know and love him has somehow dwindled to this flickering flame.  It’s time to revive my passion and renew this love affair!

John 5:31-32 “If I were to testify on my own behalf, my testimony would not be valid.32 But someone else is also testifying about me, and I assure you everything he says about me is true (Matthew 3:11-12)

Our Greatest Testimony for Jesus is in the way we Live Out our Faith in the eyes of the world.

WHAT DO I LOOK LIKE TO THE WORLD: To my friends?
John 5: 35-36 John was like a burning and shining lamp, and you were excited for a while about his message. Keep the fire from burning out.

John was Filled with Excitement:
Matthew 3:3 The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said,” He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the way for Him

They were Convicted:
Acts 4:33 The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and God’s great blessing was upon them all.

THEY WERE HUNGRY and came in eager anticipation:
Matthew 2:9 After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they has seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem.
And,
Luke 2:8 The angels of the Lord appears to the shepherds to tell them of the Savior’s birth. The shepherds then made their way to the village to see for themselves.

Therfore,

THEY WITNESSED FEARLESSLY: Confident on which authority they stood.
Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord gas anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.

Fearlessly proclaiming the Gospel

The authority in which I profess my faith

(Mark 1:21-22) And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.

(Mark 1:27) And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even unclean spirits and they obey him.”

Jesus’ first appearing to the disciples after his crucifixion, and ascension. He is headed toward Capernaum where the work of the would begin. For those who believed, this was a much welcomed event, For others, His coming was a threat.

(1:22) They were astonished at His teaching because unlike the scribes, He was teaching them as one having authority.

Jesus taught against the treasured traditions of religious law (Torah) and with the conviction of the Holy Spirit. (6:2) When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard Him were astonished. “Where did this man get these things?” they said. “What is the wisdom given to Him and how are these miracles performed by his hands?”.
He received His power and authority from the Father, the source far greater than Himself. We receive power through the blood of the cross, and the in-dwelling Holy Spirit. This is the gospel we preach.

The truth causes fear:

Chap 3. This movement must be stopped! Jesus’ preaching, and performance of miracles went against religious Law, and undermined the authority of the Pharisees (Mark 3:1-2) 1 Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. 2 And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so they might accuse him.

Proof?! You want Proof, Proof is easy, Now, Faith, takes work. P. Jillette

Countless miracles were witnessed that attested to the true identity of Jesus Christ the Mesaiah. These accounts is the substance of our faith.

 

The Perfect Sacrifice

HEBREWS 10

3 main topics: Perfect sacrifice, Exhortation to Godliness, and Warnings against “Deliberate” sin.

The “Perfect Sacrifice”

I. Atonement: (10:1) Since the Law has only a shadow of the good things to come, and not actual realities, it can never perfect the worshippers by the same sacrifices year after year. “Just” appeasement according to the Law could never be achieved as long as the biases, and prejudices (of man) influenced the out-comes (San Hedrin).

II. Sin sacrifices-Counter-intuitive to God’s plan: Served as reminders of their sinful nature-Condemnation vs Re-conciliation: (10:2) Otherwise, wouldn’t they have stopped being offered. since the worshippers, once purified would no longer have ant consciousness of sins?

III. The Perfect Provision provided by God, long before Jesus’ birth. (10:5-7)
5 Therefore as He was coming into the world, He said:
You did not want an offering
but You prepared a body for Me
6 You did not delight in whole burnt offerings
and sin offerings
7 Then I said, “See-
it is written about Me
in the volume of the scroll-
I have come to do your will, God!”

A study in the book of Colossians

COLOSSIANS 1 HCSB

One of 4 prison epistles wrote by Paul. During Paul’s ministry in Ephesus, he sends Epaphras (Fellow slave) ahead into Lycras valley to visit. Along the way, Epaphras plants a church in Collosae, a city whose population consisted of Phrygians (Fre Gee Ans), Greeks, and Jews. The Jewish population was significantly higher here as was their heretics (false teachers).

“Stoicheia” Gk. Meaning Wisdom
The church however, was mostly Gentiles.
Paul forewarns his fellow workers of the challenges they will encounter during their visit, and to guard themselves against the heresy of the Jews and agnostics (unbelievers). Paul writes this letter as a theological antidote to counter the Collosian heresy which they (false teachers) called philosophy:
Remember:
[Colossians 2:11] You were circumcised in Him with a circumcision not with human hands, by putting off the body of the flesh in circumcision of the Messiah [2:8 a] Let no one disqualify you, insisting on ascetic practices and worship of angels….
As we move through the book of Collosians, pay attention and look out as Paul touches in these teachings, ascetic practices and rituals (Circumcision, human tradition, reasoning, *Sabbath observance, food regulations, festival participation, worshipping of angels).
*Asceticism; deprivation, promotion of harsh treatment of one’s evil fleshly body

1-8 Paul’s salutations, greetings: Expression of joy for the good works and steadfastness of fellow workers, and how the Gospel is spreading throughout the world, bearing fruit as a result of their efforts and many more like them. [4] for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love you have for all the saints because of the hope reserved for you in heaven [7] You have learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow slave, he is a faithful servant of the Messiah on your behalf.

WE ARE HERE RALLYING AND CHEERING FOR YOU, STAY THE COURSE
9 for this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you we are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge if His will, in all wisdom and understanding.
So remember the size of God, whom you’ve been reconciled with, and receive your power [ 15] He is in the image of the invisible God, the first born over all creation [16a]For everything was created by Him ,in heaven and on earth , the visible and invisible…

Then he closes with encouraging words to remain steadfast for the sake of the Gospel, but mostly to be fortified in spirit to stand against the Heretics [24] Now, I rejoice in my sufferings for you. I am completing I my flesh what is lacking in Christ’s affliction in His body.

SO WHAT? Remain grounded in the word and accountable to the message. John 5:39 You pore over the scriptures because you think you have eternal life by them, yet they testify about me. We must remain yoked with one another and continue encouraging each other so that we can better protect ourselves and against these false teachers and doctrine, you will know them by their fruit! Philippians 4:2-3-I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree I the Lord. [3] Yes, I also ask you to partner, to help these women who have contended the Gospel at my side, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers whose names are in the book of life

BRINGING DOWN THE GIANT

BIG FAITH
Now faith is the reality of what
Is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.
2 For our ancestors won God’s approval by it.
3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by command,
so that what is seen has been made from the things that are not visible

Hebrews 11:1-3 HCSB
QUESTION.
What more evidence and affirmation of God’s power and faithfulness do We need to make is actually step out in faith?

The truth is, God validates Himself by His completed works “Creation” and “Prophecy” bringing to pass what has not been done yet, according to His word. The substance of our faith is in the second part of this statement where our spiritual feet are held to the fire, at that point that validates exactly where we stand in this faith we profess.

Exodus 14:15-16 [15]The Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to break camp.[16] As for you, Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it so the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.

Perhaps there is a giant we are presently dealing with that is begging our attention, but because of spiritual immaturity, we won’t stare it down and slay it. The danger is the longer we avoid it, the more it matures. 1 Corinthians 9:24 tells us to commit to training, beat our bodies so that we will have the endurance to finish this race.
Our challenge, stare down the giant in front of us, slay it, and wait for our next assignment.

(1 Timothy 1:18) Timothy, my son, I am giving you this instruction in keeping with the prophesies previously made about you, so that by them you may strongly engage battle [19] Some have rejected these and suffered the shipwreck of their faith.

CONTEMPLATION, MORNING PRAYER 8.12

1 Corinthians 6:19,20

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God and that you are not your own? 20 For you have bought with a price: therefore glorify your body (NASB)

Contemplation.

For we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), a holy sanctuary consecrated to God. Though we claim no credit for our design, we have stewardship over it and are responsible for its maintenance and upkeep, taking full responsibility for its nurturing and nourishment. This is especially true of our spirit.

Garbage in, garbage out: What we entertain, becomes our thought process. We must be continuously aware of the things we choose to feed our minds as it reflects our spirituality, it is a statement of the faith we profess, a validation of our true reverence for God. Think on these things!

Let us pray,

LORD, We lift You up and praise Your Holy name for all You do to and through us. For You are so so good! Create in me a lasting desire to pursue Your goodness, let me feast at Your table and be filled with the knowledge of You. And as I am being fed, let my soul craves for You all the more. Create a bitter taste in my mouth for every foreign thing I might ingest and put me in danger of grieving Your Holy Spirit in me. I pray for a renewing of my heart mind and spirit that I can walk with a renewed vigor in You, keep my feet steady to walk in the protection of Your will and grace for me. Let me be a vessel worthy of Your light to shine on others so they might be drawn to You.

Exodus 40:34

Then the cloud covered the Tent of the Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

I love you, LORD, I give You all the praise honor and glory and pray all these things in the mighty and precious name of Your Son Christ Jesus, Amen.  

An unquenchable thirst for God

Psalm 119:130

Pe.

The unfolding of Your words give light;

It gives understanding to the simple (NASB)

My faith is driven by a deep desire to know God, for I am humbled to have just a glimpse of His mighty hand moving in my life.  I submit wholly to Him so I remain pure in heart to have no desire to pursue the things outside of Him. I will walk in His righteousness and be showered in His resplendence, for this is my worship!

Let us pray:

LORD, my desire is to follow You in all my ways, to continuously walk in Your goodness and grace; for You are So So good! I long to be in Your presence and choose to live a life of obedience ton all Your ways so I can bear fruit pleasing and acceptable to You. Help me in my obedience to always be available to receive these things You pore into me.  And as I grow in my understanding of You, increase the tension of Your Spirit in me so I can be used to bring glory to Your name. Set my feet, O LORD, direct my steps walk in the protection of Your will and grace. Let me be light to shine on those that surround me so they will come to know Your saving grace and draw near to You. To You be all the glory!

So, LORD, I thank You for already going ahead to prepare the soil where I will labor, I thank You in advance for what You are about to do to and through me this day. I love You I give You all the praise honor and glory and pray these things in the mighty and precious name of Your Son Jesus Christ, Amen.

Contemplation, Morning Prayer 8.2

John 1:12,13

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave them the right to become children of God.13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (ESV)

I am a child of God, He calls me friend; concerning Submission and Surrender

God’s will for us is to forsake all that we are for the precious gift of salvation through his Son, that we ascribe to His calling and commit to walk in His ways. In this way, we will truly be counted as children of God, chosen to serve his good purpose. We have no other stake in our righteousness. Left not our own devices, it is impossible to continuously seek his righteousness and holiness because we are so easily distracted. The will of the child of God is to be brought to the point of complete brokenness, totally void of ourselves so the Spirit of God to assume his rightful place of honor within us. My hope and obedience is to recommit daily to our good Good Father.

Let us pray:

LORD, I thank you for calling me by name and claiming me as Your own, I am forever grateful and indebted to You for the blood covering of Your Son for only in Him I am able to stand righteous before you. I receive by Your Holy Spirit You into my life this day, let me be consumed by Your Holy Spirit so You can have Your way with me. I ask for courage to remain steadfast as I am being refined and transformed and counted worthy to be a called a child of God. Help me in my obedience in my service to You, help me to walk in the protection of Your will and grace that I may give You nothing less than my first fruit. To You be all the glory!

Order my steps this day, set my feet in the direction I should go. Take from me any desire to roam outside the protection of Your mighty hand. I love you I give you all the praise honor and glory and commit all that I am to You this day and pray all these things in the mighty name of Your Son Jesus Christ, Amen.

Contemplation, Morning Prayer 7.7

Psalm 18:30

As for God, His way is perfect, the word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust Him.

“Trust” the true test of Faith.

Contemplation:

Brought to total abandonment of self and ascribe to a power greater and outside of myself; a power greater than anything seen or unseen, this was David’s testimony. In time of turmoil and tumult, its easy to focus on the mountain and lose sight of the creator. In our circumstance, we attempt to seek resolve on our own only to get in the way of God’s mighty hand doing its finest work in our season. I pray for courage that this season can be used to bring me into total abandonment temper my faith and come into total worship of Him.

Prayer:

LORD, I pray that this and every season will be used for the good, for me to learn to increase my dependency on You, the author and finisher of my faith. I pray for a change in my heart and a new perspective to focus on the promise and not the peril, for You are good! I pray for patience to wait in You as You bring all things into alignment with Your sovereign will. I ask this not only for myself, but for those who surround me that might be in seasons of their own, that they will be brought to the saving knowledge of You and ultimately bring glory to Your name.

LORD, I thank you for already going ahead to prepare the path I will take this day, thank you for ordaining its finish. May all I do bring glory to you. In Jesus’ mighty and precious name I pray, Amen.

Pure and virtuous, a holy people Undefiled.

(Leviticus 19:18)

You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Contemplation.

“You shall” connotes a very serious message for children of God who had to coexist in a foreign land.  As the nation of Israel passed through the different regions in the wilderness, they were easily tripped up because their hearts remained obstinate and unyielding to God and his plan. A difficult journey became much more difficult and challenging. Beautiful saints, we are to take these “You shalls” to heart and walk them out if we are to navigate and survive the wilderness we are in. Our heart-check this day is to examine ourselves, check all these areas where we remain obstinate to God and others by hanging on to feelings of ill will. Pray that these area be taken from us so we might be examples of hope to the world.

Prayer.

Take this heart that causes me to react begrudgingly to my brothers and sisters in Christ,? help me to be more compassionate and understanding, forgiving to those of the world who offend me, who do not know you. I pray for a steadfast spirit that continues to train after you and not be shaken by anything of this world. I pray for strength to walk according to your ordinances so I might be used to accomplish Your will and bring glory Your Holy name. LORD, I thank you for what you will do to and through me this day, thank you for every provision you have made for me, let me use them for Your glory. I love you I give you all my praise and worship and pray all these things in the mighty name of Your Son Christ Jesus, Amen.

Naked before the Cross

Jeremiah 23:24

Can anyone hide himself in secret place, So shall I see him? “Says the LORD. ”Do I not see him? “Says the LORD, Do I not fill heaven and earth?” Says the LORD.”

Hide; to conceal, make opaque.

I see him; reveal, uncover, in plain sight.

Contemplation.

There is no amount of pain, no amount of shame we can hide from our creator. After all, he purposely molded and wired us to be this way to have fellowship with one another and above all, have communion with His Holy Spirit. By virtue of His Holy Spirit; everything we feel; everything buried deep within us is brought to light. I know this, because the thoughts I keep stir my own heart and spirit, I’m convicted with a guilty conscience when I grieve His Spirit, equally, my spirit is light when I delight in Him. Unlike my earthly relationships, I’s impossible to pick and choose what I share, no, every hidden thing in every crevice of my souls is exposed and brought into the light and cause me to come into repentance before him.

Prayer,

LORD, I thank you for the convictions of Your Holy Spirit in me. Thank you for bringing these things that grieve Your Spirit to the surface for me to examine and bring these into repentance before you. I pray for courage to standfast against these things as they present themselves, change my heart, O God, help me to think thoughts worthy of praise and pleasing to you. I bring these things you exposed in me, I take these feelings of guilt and shame and leave them at the foot of the cross. LORD, I pray that you direct my steps this day., let me walk in the protection of Your will and grace.  Help me to keep occupied on the things you set before me, these things that bring glory and honor to you. LORD, I thank you for going already going ahead to prepare the path I will take this day, thank you for each and every provision you made for me this day, may they be used for your glory. I love you I give you all my praise and s and pray all these things in mighty and precious name of your Son Jesus Christ, Amen.

CONTEMPLATION, MORNING PRAYER 2.5

(Nehemiah 6:3,5)

3 so, I replied by sending this message to them: I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working and come and meet with you?  [5] So on October 2 the wall was finished-just fifty-two days after we had begun NLT

Nehemiah was not distracted, he wouldn’t allow adversity and circumstance move him away from his determination to complete his assignment.

Let us pray:

Dear LORD, I thank you for watching over me through the night, thank you for your great mercy that woke me again this morning. LORD, I thank you for my plate is full and overflowing, you continue to pour out on me and bless me beyond measure! I come before you and ask for discernment and obedience so I can steward these blessings in ways that are pleasing to you. I ask for discernment that I may apply these blessings to my walk of faith and be brought to maturity in you, more so, that others will see the workings of your hand in me. I ask for discipline to keep returning to the well to be refreshed in you. I pray for endurance to keep my hands to the plough and continue to labor in the vineyard and produce pleasing fruit. Let this be my worship! So, let your living waters flow, O LORD, help me be an approved worker and bring praises to Your mighty name!

LORD, I thank you in advance for bringing these things in alignment with Your will, thank you for Your fresh anointing over Your servant. Thank you for these provisions you have made for me this day, for they are more than enough. LORD, I give you my heart, I give you my soul, come have Your way in me! In Jesus’ mighty and precious name, Amen.

24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one gets the prize? So run to win! 1 CORINTHIANS 9:24

The Word of God and accountability

Romans 51:10

 

so what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?2 Considerable in every way. First, they were entrusted with the Word of God. HCSB

Making concessions to the word of God to accommodate our understanding. There were two types of people present at the time this message was given, the genuinely curious and those who came to mock God’s word.

The question: What makes them (Jews) better than us, what’s the difference between the way we live and understanding God?  Those who were there to mock God came to question His faithfulness and grace, they came to conform to their depravity and ignorance in the knowledge of God.

(3:3) What then? If someone did not believe, will their unbelief cancel God’s faithfulness? Would the unbeliever be exempt from God’s grace, wrath? Absolutely not! Every will be judged and judged according to their deeds, whether we believe God’s word or not.

We know and crave understanding because of God’s word because we fear it. We are obedient to it because we can testify to His faithfulness. We know the inherent danger of conforming His word to our own understanding. We know God’s word is exactly that!

(John 5:39) You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you have eternal life. These are the very words that testify about me.

God’s word is never subject to our interpretation: (2 Peter 1:21) For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man but spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. We are stewards of His word and accountable in how we divide it. Blessings.

Worship and the law

 

The same yesterday, today and forever

Romans 4:21

But now apart from the law, God’s righteousness has been revealed-attested by the Law and Prophets-HCSB

Justification by faith, cleansed by the blood of the Lamb:  Doctrine (law) has no power to save, only by the blood of the Lamb can we be made worthy and be reconciled back to God. The citizens of Rome were caught up in idolatry, worshipping pagan gods, worshipped Cesar and wealth. Those who sought God immersed themselves in religious practices, they attended prayer service regularly, they tithed and tended their responsibilities (to the church), they observed all the festivals and laws. They worked fervently to earn God’s favor and acceptance.

Now comes the revelation of a radical change to how we worship. The worship of being saved by grace though faith in Christ Jesus. Repentance, baptism, acceptance and sanctification into the power of God’s Holy Spirit. No more spinning and toiling for God’s favor.

Doctrine is necessary to define the parameters of worship, they outline the core beliefs of the church, however, doctrine is not our worship. Our worship in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our work and service is out of our obedience and benevolence to the body. Our worship is in our full surrender and adoration of the author and finisher of our faith. Our worship is in our sanctification, the walking and working out our faith with fear and trembling for God, continuously dying to ourselves to be made Christ-like in preparation for our redemption.

Our encouragement is to re-align ourselves to the cross, to refocus on the finished work of Christ Jesus. Our encouragement is to strain forward to the promise of eternal life in heaven. This is our worship. Blessings..

Soldiering on for the sake of the Gospel of Salvation:

Romans 1: 16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew and also to the Greek HCSB

Proclaim the Good News of salvation, testify of its transforming power even in this hostile territory. The Apostle Paul and his work in the gospel was met with the greatest opposition here in the heart of the Roman empire. Like David who stepped up to slay the Philistine giant or Benaiah who descended into the pit to slay the lion, Paul made his way into this hostile region, faced adversity head on for the sake of the gospel, God’s saving grace.

Armed with the in-dwelling Holy Spirit of God, he fiercely proclaimed the gospel purely on his testimony of the works the Lord was accomplishing in and through him. Now, more than ever, we must proclaim the gospel of our faith in this hostile environment of human brokenness. We testify to the transforming power of His Holy Spirit and faithfulness of the Lord our God. Despite opposition and push back we mustn’t shrink back from our assignments, instead, we will continue in our good work:

(1:17) For in it God’s righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith ROMANS 1:17. To God be all the glory!