Everything we have belongs to God, We are His stewards.

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Everything we have belongs to God, We are His stewards.

Stewardship is taught by Jesus in so many ways. We are to “render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21 KJV). When asked for the temple money he sent Peter out to get the necessary money in an unusual way (from the first fish he caught Mat 17:24-27) nevertheless He paid the tribute or tax.

He explained that the poor widow gave more than all the rest, (Luke 21:1-4).

In the parable of the talents there were two stewards that were faithful and Jesus proclaimed “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:21 KJV).

Everything belongs to God. Abraham had this realization when he offered up Isaac upon the altar. Even his son was God’s. When we come to this deep realization we feel blessed to have anything and are willing to let God direct us in all aspects of stewardship.

In Christ,

Greg

Prayer is the Primary Work of God

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Prayer is the Primary Work of God

Jesus Prayed in the Morning, in the evening, When He was kneeling and even when He was suffering on the cross. (Mark 1:35; Mat 6:46, 47; Luke 22:41, 23:42). He taught how to pray, in your closet, standing, believing, with two or more, for believers and for our enemies, (Mat 6:6-11; Mark 11:25; Mat 21:22, Mark 11:23, 24; Mat 18:19; Luke 22:32 Mat 5:43-45, Luke 22:32, 34, Mark). He interceded for us and in doing so He taught us to prayer for others, the church, in the Holy Spirit, and all of the above, (John 17, 14:16).

Truly Prayer is the link to God that keeps His work moving here on earth through those who believe and yield to His will. Jesus is the example to follow. He did His Father’s works, praying and watching in all things, whatsoever He did. (Devotionals, healing, casting out demons, teaching, in glory and in suffering, Jesus was here to fulfill His Father’s work and He did it with prayer).

If we can do nothing without Jesus, then we need to pray for His help in all things. Lord help me get out of bed and make it through this day and glorify You in all things today.

In Christ,

Greg

Lost People Matter to God

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Lost People Matter to God

Unit 1

Rev. Soper commented that “these are not so much the values of The Alliance, as they are the values of Jesus.” How do you see these values being lived out in the life of Jesus? Lost People Matter to God.

There are many examples where Jesus has shown compassion on lost people. Some are religious, some worship their own way, some are looking for God and some are without God.

Some of these examples are:

Religious, John 3:1-18; Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews came to Jesus by night. He was at a crisis moment in his life. He was seeking the truth and believed Jesus was a teacher from God. He believed this because he said in John 3:2 “For no man can do these miracles that you do, except God be with him.” Jesus starts to tell him that he needs to be born again of the spirit in order to enter the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus questions Jesus “how can that be?” and Jesus’ reply was, “Are you a master of Israel, and know not these things?” Jesus goes on to give Nicodemus an example from the Old Testament that would usher in the New Covenant and God’s will for salvation, in verse 14-16 “But even as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up, so that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes on Him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God” (John 3:14-18 MKJV).

Jesus has given Nicodemus an either/or decision. In a sense Jesus was saying, you are condemned or you can have eternal life because God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. BUT if you do not believe you are condemned already.

Jesus gave the religious leader of that day the truth because lost people matter to Him and in this particular situation He even met Nicodemus is private because of the sensitive circumstance Nicodemus was in.

Some people worship in their own way, John 4:6-42; The Samaritans were considered dogs or less than people. Yet Jesus while sitting on a well in Sychar, (a city in Samaria), took time to talk to a Samarian women. This is even more unusual as Jews had no dealings with Samarians much less a women, (see verse 9). Jesus begins to challenge her spirituality by offering her living water for eternal life. He then prophesizes to her about her past relationships and she recognizes Him as a prophet. After some more dialogue about worship she says “I know the Messiah comes, which is called Christ. Jesus answers her by saying, “I that speak unto you am He.”

After this the women goes back and tells her whole town and they invite Jesus to come and stay for a few days, (verses39-42). This resulted in many believing that He indeed is the Christ, the Saviour of the World.”

Jesus cares for lost people even if society thinks they are dogs.

Jesus cares for those who are looking for a sign and need to be healed. (John 5:1-9).

The Jews (John 5:16-47).

He taught and fed 5000+ and then 4000+.

He healed a man that was demon possessed and restored him to a sound mind.

There are many more examples.

Jesus cares for lost people and the proof is He came and died for them. Phil 2:5-9

In Christ,

Greg

What do you think about Hospice?

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What do you think about Hospice?

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, (Philippians 3:20 NKJV)

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, (1 Peter 1:1 NKJV)

1Pe 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech [you] as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

The Greek words for Pilgrim and stranger are:

Paroikov having a home near, i.e. (as noun) a by-dweller (alien resident): –foreigner, sojourn, stranger.

parepidhmov  par-ep-id’-ay-mon

an alien alongside, i.e. a resident foreigner: –pilgrim, stranger.

Hospice from the Latin hospes: to host a guest or stranger

a home providing care for the sick, especially the terminally ill.

archaic

a lodging for travelers, especially one run by a religious order.

When I first heard the definition of hospice I thought wow! We all live in hospice. We are guests here on earth. Strangers as our citizenship is in heaven. We are just waiting for the inevitable death. I believe that when I die I will pass from death to life or as I like to say pass from life to eternal life.

We are called pilgrims aliens here on earth because our citizenship is in heaven. Another name for pilgrim is inmate. Think about it, not in the form of being a prisoner, but in the arena of everyday life in prison. You eat someone else’s food, live in someone else’s housing, wear someone else’s clothing, and are under someone else’s money system buying from someone else’s stores. If that is not being alienated from our citizenship and living as a pilgrim or sojourner; What is?

We are living in this world as sojourners, pilgrims, inmates, or aliens. We are just passing through this world until we reach our home in heaven. So today, I look at the world as synonymous with the word hospice we are all at different stages physically and one more day closer to the end of this life and closer to the next.

In Christ,

Greg

84 Pithy and Profound

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Sin is enmity with God

When I read through the Old Testament I realize how much God dislikes sin. He wants to eradicate sin from His presence, His people, and His church. Someone said, “God is mean because He made the law to stone them that disobeyed His commandments.” WOW! What do you say to that? God’s word says, the wages of sin is death. Friendship with the world is enmity with God. The Hebrews went in willingly when they agreed to follow God and the covenant He made with them. They said to Moses, we will do whatever God says.

When I look at the Old Testament, I think about God’s Holiness and His desire for us to be holy as He is Holy. Therefore, all sin must be eradicated from His presence, from ourselves, and from His church. “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1 KJV) The promises were in Chapter 6 verses 14-18, briefly, God will dwell in you, walk in you, and be your God…

How are you identifying the sin in your life with the death of Christ on the cross? Make a decision today to say, “Lord help me to identify the sin in my life with the cross, so I can eradicate it from my life and Your presence. Help to perfect holiness in reverence of You.”

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20 KJV)

Let us be more like Christ.

In Christ,

Greg

Jesus our Saviour Part 2

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Jesus our Saviour: Continued

John the Baptist was sent to bear witness of the Light, (Jesus). Verses 7, 15, 29.

The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. (John 1:7, 9, 29, 34 KJV)

Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Word, the Light, the life, and the way unto eternal Life. Jesus is the Savior! John was the witness in which God used to prepare the way. John the Baptist, Seeing Jesus in verse 36 said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” The Lamb of God is significant as the lamb was the sacrifice for sins. God’s plan from the beginning was substitutional sacrifice for sin. He made coats of skin for Adam and Eve to cover their nakedness. The coats were animal skin in which God sacrificed for them. Romans 3:23, 6:23 say,” For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 3:23; 6:23 KJV). There is no one who has not sinned. And the wages for sin is death. But God has made a way! Joh 1:29 Tells us that John the Baptist proclaimed “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” Jesus is our Saviour!

Jesus told Nicodemus, a Pharisee, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (John 3:5-7 KJV). He also told Him that as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness so shall the Son of man be lifted up. Jesus was fore telling Nicodemus that he was going to be the substitutional death for the new birth. Then He told him how.

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:15-18 KJV)

It is through God’s love and the giving of Himself, God’s only begotten Son, and faith. But whosoever does not believe is condemned already. Jesus paid the price for our salvation. He was crucified, buried, and arose again on the third day over coming death and then ascended into heaven so that we may receive the comforter the Holy Spirit as a seal of promise until the day of the redemption. John 1:12 says “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” If you believe in the Good News of Salvations, Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection you can become children of God! Born again! Romans 10:9and 10 say, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Whoso ever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Saved from the wages of sin, death! Eternal separation from God. Thank God we have a Saviour and He is in the world today!

I serve a risen Savior

He’s in the world today.

I know that He is living,

Whatever men may say.

I see His hand of mercy;

I hear His voice of cheer;

And just the time I need Him

He’s always near.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.

He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know He lives?

He lives within my heart.

2

In all the world around me

I see His loving care,

And though my heart grows weary,

I never will despair;

I know that He is leading,

Through all the stormy blast;

The day of His appearing

Will come at last.

3

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian,

Lift up your voice and sing

Eternal hallelujahs

To Jesus Christ the King!

The Hope of all who seek Him,

The Help of all who find,

None other is so loving,

So good and kind.

Jesus our Saviour: John 1:1-4

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Jesus our Saviour: John 1:1-4

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. (John 1:1-4 KJV)

What does the first verse of John 1:1 tell us? In the beginning was… First of all, the Word was from the beginning. Second, the Word was with God, and Third the Word was God. The question is, “Do you know who the Word is?” The scripture tells us in John 1:14 That, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” And in 1 John 1:1 the scripture says, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;” (1 John 1:1 KJV) Jesus is the Word Who was in the beginning, and was with God, and the Word is God. From John 1:1 we can say that the Word was God and therefore Jesus, the Word is co-eternal with God the Father. Jesus, the Word is co-existent as He was with God, and Jesus the Word is co-equal because the scripture says “and the Word was God”.

Verse 2 reiterates that Jesus co-existed with God the Father from the beginning.  But Verse 3 gives us the insight that Jesus is the creator. “All things were made by Him” and if there is any doubt verse three continues to say, “and without Him was not anything that was made.” The is quite definitive. There was not anything made in all creation in which Jesus did not create. Everything was created by Him! Jesus is our creator and only God can create something from no-thing, nothing. Even life itself! It is eternal Life “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;” (John 5:26 KJV) it is an everlasting source of Life. It is true Life It is the Life which is the Light, and truth. It shines the way in the darkness of this fallen world.

Verse four tells us, “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” Life is in Jesus. The source of all life is in Jesus. Life, true life! Which is pure as light itself. For where there is Light there is no darkness. The life which Jesus gave to us at our salvation is the spiritual life which is the light, the truth, and the way to a walk of holiness.

Hope

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Hope

We can have Hope.

Where does our hope come from, our hope comes from the Lord. The maker of the Heavens and the earth.

Our hope was foretold in the Old Testament and revealed in the New Testament. When you are without or just need a boast in your spiritual walk mediate on the scriptures of Hope.

Hope is Foretold

Ac 23:6 ¶ But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men [and] brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

Ac 24:15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

Ac 26:6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:

Ac 26:7 Unto which [promise] our twelve tribes, instantly serving [God] day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.

Ac 28:20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see [you], and to speak with [you]: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

Contrary to those with no hope.

No Hope

1Th 4:13 ¶ But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

Ignorance of Jesus Christ our Saviour

Jesus is our hope For God commends His love for us in that while we were yet sinner Christ died for us.

Jesus is our Hope

Heb 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope [did]; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

1Ti 1:1 ¶ Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, [which is] our hope;

Ro 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. {substance: or, ground, or, confidence} (Hebrews 11:1 KJV)

Ro 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Jesus is our Hope in which we now live in and live for. All for Jesus, is our Motto!

Living in Hope

Ro 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

 We are living in Love and we are also living in all joy and peace.

Ro 15:13 ¶ Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Living in the presence of hope, Jesus

Heb 6:19 Which [hope] we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil;

Future Salvation

Ro 8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, [then] do we with patience wait for [it].

Yes, we are waiting for the fruition of the hope of our salvation.

Present Salvation

1Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

Romans 10:9-13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (KJV)

Now for those who believe Christ dwells in you, the Hope of Glory.

 

Christ the Hope in you

Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: {in: or, among}

Stand fast and believe

Now and the future Hope

1Pe 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

Application of Living Now in Hope

1Jo 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure.

Be ye holy as the Lord God is Holy. Purify yourself…

1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: {fear: or, reverence}

1Pe 1:3 ¶ Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, {abundant: Gr. much}

1Pe 1:13 ¶ Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; {to the end: Gr. perfectly}

 

 

Future Hope

Col 1:5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

Eternal life in Heaven our citizenship is in Heavenly places is our future hope

Rewards for your faith in action 5 Crowns

1Th 2:19 For what [is] our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? [Are] not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? {rejoicing: or, glorying?}

We shall receive crowns one of which is the crown of rejoicing. You can receive a crown of rejoicing when you lead someone to Christ for salvation.

Also, there are the

Crown of Life

Crown of Righteousness

Crown of Glory

And the incorruptible Crown

Crown of Life

The Crown of Life is referred to in James 1:12 (Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (James 1:12 KJV) & Revelation 2:10 (Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. (Revelation 2:10 KJV); it is bestowed upon “those who persevere under trials.”[4][5] Jesus references this crown when he tells the Church in Smyrna to “not be afraid of what you are about to suffer…Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”[6]

Incorruptible Crown

The Incorruptible Crown is also known as the Imperishable Crown, and is referenced in 1 Corinthians 9:25.[1] (And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. (1 Corinthians 9:25 KJV) This epistle, written by Paul of Tarsus, deems this crown “imperishable” in order “to contrast it with the temporal awards Paul’s contemporaries pursued”.[7] It is therefore given to those individuals who demonstrate “self-denial and perseverance“.[7]

Crown of Righteousness

The Crown of Righteousness is mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:8,[1] (Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8 KJV) and is promised to “those who love and anticipate” the Second Coming of Christ.[8] These Christians desire intimacy with God.[9]

Crown of Glory

The Crown of Glory is discussed in 1 Peter 5:4 and is granted to Christian clergy, who “shepherd the flock in unselfish love being a good example to others”1 Peter 5:2-3 [10][11]

(The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; {which…: or, as much as in you is} Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. {being lords over: or, overruling} And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. (1 Peter 5:1-4 KJV)

Crown of Exultation or Rejoicing

The Crown of Exultation is also known as the Crown of Rejoicing.[1] Delineated in 1 Thessalonians 2:19 (For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? {rejoicing: or, glorying?} (1 Thessalonians 2:19 KJV) and Philippians 4:1, (Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. (Philippians 4:1 KJV) it is given to people who engage in evangelism of those outside the Christian Church.[12] In the New Testament, Paul earns this crown after winning the Thessalonians to faith in Jesus.[13]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Crowns

Future Hope

Tit 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; {In: or, For}

Tit 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Heb 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; {glorious…: Gr. the appearance of the glory of the great God, and of our Saviour Jesus Christ}

Mediate on these scriptures of Hope.

In Christ,

Greg

83 Pithy and Profound

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 Will you also go away?

Happy Resurrection Day!!

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? {were: or, are} Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: (Romans 6:3-5 KJV)

Are you walking in the power of the resurrected life? Or…

Will you also go away? John 6:67 says. When Jesus spoke to those who were following Him and turned away when Jesus wanted them to commit whole heartedly. He said you must eat of my flesh and drink of my blood. They thought that this was too hard to understand. So they left. Then Jesus turned to His disciples and asked “Will you also go away?” Peter said “But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68 NKJV).

How are you looking at God’s truths? Are you looking at them in a worldly way or a spiritually way?

I am crucified with Christ never the less I live yet not I but Christ lives in me…

Spiritually we must mortify the old man as if we hang ourselves on the cross to die. We are not united with Christ unless we relinquish our sin and our whole way of looking at the world, ourselves, and our thoughts. If we only half step and say everyone else is doing it, what does it matter? We will only be hurting ourselves. “Will you go away, also?” or are you going to say, where shall I go? Jesus has the words of eternal life. I will walk with Him and seek the life in power of the resurrection.

Take a stand for Jesus. He is counting on you.

 

In Christ,

Greg

82 Pithy and Profound

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 Is there another way?

What do you think when Jesus said “If it be possible, let this cup pass from me”?

“Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:38-41 KJV)

Surely Jesus is talking about the crucifixion and the whole process which He had to go through when He says “this cup”. He knew He had to go through the suffering, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension in order to fulfill the scriptures, (e.g. Is 53, Ps 22). For the wages of sin is death and He was the eternal vicarious atonement for all mankind past, present, and future.

I believe Jesus said this not because He did not know the will of God the Father, for they are one and the same, but for our knowledge. The knowledge that there was and is no other way in which the wrath of God can be appeased against all sin for eternity. Jesus fulfilled God’s will and said “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” (John 17:4 KJV)

This to me is the greatest epitaph epitomizing the life that we all should live for Jesus.

In Christ,

Greg