Philippians 3:9 ” …that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ – the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.”

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.

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.

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.

Luke 21:34 ” Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.”

Dissipation…such an interesting word to be used here.  It’s disgust and self-loathing, not to mention the hang-over from too much alcohol consumption.  When our lives revolve around partying …it starts to take a toll on us physically and emotionally.  We think we’re having fun…but are we?  None us know the day we will die, and thinking that we’ll get right with God when we’re older and have sown our wild oats may never happen.

I Corinthians 1:10 ” I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.”

There is nothing sadder than a Church that is divided and then splits…it’s a no win situation for everyone.  Family and friends are forced to take sides they don’t want to…words are taken out of context…feelings get hurt.  The very first thing we must do when Church gossip and problems are getting out of hand is to recognize it as a ploy of the enemy. A divided Church is a weakened Church, is a dying Church.  We need to agree in a Spirit of unity to work through conflicts and attitudes in an open, respectful fashion.  The Church Body can become healthy again when it is united in mind and sentiment.

Romans 1:17 ” For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’ “

Our Christianity  hinges on one little word…faith.  We believe what we can not see.  We put our trust in someone we’ve never physically  met.  We have confidence that when we die we’ll have eternal life.  Our spiritual walk from beginning to end is entirely based on  assurances we’ve  read in an ancient book.  Yes, Christians are a curious lot…a group of people who stand on faith alone and live by it daily.

I Corinthians 1:5 ” For in Him you have been enriched in every way – in all your speaking and in all your knowledge.”

Take a moment to remember yourself as a brand new Christian…now look at yourself today.  From the beginning, the Lord has been pouring into you  divine revelation and understanding.  He’s been improving, refining, and endowing you in all aspects in order that you might  fight the good fight.  And today you stand, having been  built up in Christ…strong, and full of Godly wisdom.

I Corinthians 11:23-26 ” The Lord Jesus, on the night He as betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘This is My body, which is for you, do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this , whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me. For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.’ “

The Eucharist…Holy Communion…the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper – these verses are used often to explain and give enlightenment to this sacred act.  But sadly,  the  receiving of Communion is often rushed or so common place that the Believer isn’t allowed the time to truly dwell on what the elements they hold in their hands mean.  Communion is a reminder of  who Jesus is and what He  has done for us.  It’s a chance to ponder where we’d be without Him.  The next time you take Communion…look at the bread and cup carefully…reflect on His goodness and mercy…meditate on what He’s done for you…and declare your thanks.