There’s the Law of works and the Law of faith. The Law of works tell you that if you’re perfect and do enough good works down here on earth, you can somehow “work” your way into heaven. But in the end, the only thing you’ll see is depression, anxiety, and discouragement…for no one can live a perfect life, and despite how many good works you do, it’ll never be enough. On the other hand the Law of faith frees us from that condemnation and self-loathing that loves to torture us when we fail. Within the Law of faith there is not only that freedom, but saving grace and mercy… all in the name of Jesus.
Month: September 2016
Deuteronomy 5:32 ” So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left.”
It takes real self-discipline to keep the ways of the Lord. We need to remain faithful, not veering off track when our eye catches a glimpse of something enticing…for that can be our downfall. Our gaze must remain straight ahead, for the way is narrow and evil lurks on either side.
I Corinthians 12:12 ” The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.”
“No one will miss me…nobody will even realize I’m not in Church.” The enemy does it all the time – convincing us that we don’t count, that we aren’t important enough, or that no one will even notice if we’re not in Church. But if someone took your brain, or your heart, or your lungs you’d notice real quick! Just like the human body, the Church is composed of many working parts, each with a specific task, but all working together for the common good of the body. No one part can function separately from the body…it will die. Never allow the enemy to persuade you that you aren’t important, or that your presence in Church is insignificant…you are very needed within that Body of Believers for it to function well.
Jeremiah 32:19 ” O great and powerful God, whose name is the Lord Almighty, great are Your purposes and mighty are Your deeds. Your eyes are open to all the ways of men; You reward everyone according to his conduct and as his deeds deserve.”
Elsewhere in the Old Testament it declares, ” For a man’s ways are in full view of the Lord, and He examines all his paths.” (Proverbs 5:21) We may think we’re being so sly…so cunning…so sneaky, that no one knows about our secret sin…but the Lord does. We may think we’re pulling the wool over everybody’s eyes…but God sees all…hears all…and knows all.
John 14:2 ” In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”
We all long for a place to call our own. A safe, quiet place, full of peace and security, where we can feel loved. That’s what your Heavenly Father is making ready for you right now. A place for you to dwell and remain in, not like anything else you’ve ever lived in before. It is beyond anything you can imagine…but it will be perfect for you in every way.
James 1: 2-3 ” Consider it pure joy my Brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”
Trials and temptations…we don’t like them. We would rather live blissfully in some kind of bubble insulated from the world and all bad stuff, but this scripture tells us otherwise. It says as Believers we need to look upon trials and temptations with happiness… because by them we are refined in the crucible of Christ …becoming more like Him everyday.
Acts 26: 16 ” Now get up and stand to your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of Me and what I will show you.”
Jesus was speaking to Saul, but He could well be speaking to any of us. “Get up out of the gutter I’ve found you in and stand to your feet. You’ve been called out of the muck and the mire to follow Me. My plan for you in this journey will be a lifetime of Me revealing Myself to you…of you experiencing revelations and being changed by them.”
Mark 13: 21-22 ” At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect – if that were possible.”
Jesus warns us of people who will try to seduce us away from the truth. Pseudo-christs acknowledge Jesus…but then claim to actually be Him, while anti-Christs oppose the true Jesus Christ and His power. Both will amaze the multitudes with wonders…both come in sheep’s clothing to deceive the nations. But the very last phrase of this scripture gives all Christians confidence. “…to deceive the elect – if that were possible.” The elect are us…chosen by God, and we won’t be deceived, for with the prompting of the Holy Spirit we will be able to discern good from evil…a testing of the spirits if you will, to know deep down when something just doesn’t look or sound right.
Psalm 41:12 ” In my integrity You uphold me and set me in Your presence forever.”
If you’ve asked Jesus Christ into your life…if you call yourself a Believer…if you love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind – nothing can or will ever take you from Him. Your destiny and eternal life is securely established in Him forever.
Daniel 1:6-7 “Among these were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.”
Daniel’s Hebrew name meant – God is judge, while Hananiah’s meant – the Lord is gracious. For Azariah his name meant – the Lord is my help, and Mishael’s was – who is like God? Their new names incorporated Babylonian foreign gods and thus contradicted and maligned who they really were. We all get labeled by the world…we’re fat, or old, ugly, or dumb. But that’s not who we are inside, and any negative label doesn’t have to define us. For the Lord has given you a special name…precious child of God. So anytime the world hits you with a cruel label…remember your name.
Safetypinlove 