We are no longer slaves to sin…we have put to death the flesh with all its lusts and cravings through our faith and trust in Jesus. Our corrupt nature has been nailed to the Cross… once, for all…and we’re set free.
Tag: voice of the lord
II Peter 1:21 ” For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
The difference between a prophet and a false prophet is where their word come from. If it’s based on selfish wants and desires…that’s a false prophet. But if the person is attentively listening to the prompting of the Holy Spirit…inspired and motivated only by His voice…that is true prophecy.
Psalm 92: 14-15 ” They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, ‘ The Lord is upright; He is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in Him.’ “
I see it everyday…dear elderly saints of the faith, out and about working for the Lord. Still having passion and purpose in their lives, they untiringly reach out to help others. But I also sadly see the opposite…bitter old people, alone and resentful, complaining that the Lord has left them. The problem is not God, He hasn’t gone anywhere. The problem is their self-absorbed, sullenness…refusing to take their eyes off themselves to look at others.
Galatians 3:22 ” But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.”
We are all bound up by this corrupt, wicked world…every one of us under the influence of sin daily. But the good news is , while we still must be of this world, we don’t necessarily have to be in it. For we have these precious promises of Christ that assure us that our faith and trust in Him will never fail.
Job 2:12 ” When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him…”
Job’s three friends – Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar had come to be with their friend who was going through tough times. But as they approached, they barely knew him. Granted, the horrible sores on Job’s body may have disfigured him greatly…but grief also played a major role in his appearance. Job’s countenance was changed by the profound sorrow he was going through… of losing all his children…his livelihood…and finally grappling with the stark question… why Lord? It’s almost impossible to hide those innermost private emotions and struggles from showing on our face.
Acts 16:30 ” He brought them out and asked, ‘ Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ “
Paul and Silas had been thrown into prison, and were holding a prayer and hymn fest for their fellow prisoners. When suddenly, a violent earthquake shook the doors open and broke off everyone’s chains. The Jailor came running in, fearing all had escaped, when Paul shouted, ” We’re all here!” There was then an abrupt role reversal as the Jailor then addressed Paul and Silas with respect and urgency as he asked how he might receive this salvation they had spoken of.
James 1:22 ” Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
The Lord doesn’t want us to just causally receive His Word and maybe entertain His commands only if we feel so inclined . By doing so, we’re just fooling ourselves with a lukewarm form of Christianity…and are totally useless for the Lord.
Jeremiah 31: 18-19 ” Restore me, and I will return, because You are the Lord my God. After I strayed, I repented; after I came to understand, I beat my breast. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.”
When we’re young we think we know everything…but in reality, how foolish and stupid we really are. But if we can but realize our folly, and turn back to God with a changed heart…the Lord can then do mighty things not only in us, but through us for His glory.
Psalm 31: 14 ” But I trust in You, O Lord; I say, ‘ You are my God.’ “
Today, I was going through my binders of writings, when the Lord had me stumble upon something I had written seven years ago today. My husband and I were working in the garden when he collapsed that day in 2008 and was rushed to the ER by ambulance. Initially, thinking it was another heart attack, it turned out to be atrial fibrillation, which has been controlled by medication since. The biggest thing I remember about that day was the peace I felt…that God was holding me together – like a safety-pin. And I remember the handful of safety-pins I received in the mail a few days later from a dear friend who I had sent safety-pins to when she started her battle with cancer. God’s safety-pin love held both of us together during those desperate times.
Acts 11:26 ” The Disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.”
For the early Church, the label “Christian” was anything but a compliment. It was actually a derogatory name given to mock and ridicule Believers by others. Thus the Disciples and other Followers of the Way did not use this term to identify themselves.
Safetypinlove 