“The Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ” 12/18/2016 written by bruce r. mills

Posted on December 19, 2016 by

“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org/

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

Written by bruce r. mills @  www.Godsmanforever.com

 

                       

      “The Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ” 

                              (Revised from 7/11/2013)

Here is the truth about sin, and how God’s grace through saving faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ is given by God, to those who understand and obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…

Romans 5:12… Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— (NKJV)

 

Most people believe sin began in the Garden of Eden, but it didn’t.  Sin began when God’s top angel Lucifer, decided to flex his power, and wanted to become equal to God…Isaiah 14:12-14…

Sin, by its very nature, is born into every human being, since Adam and Eve fell in the Garden of Eden, to the serpent’s (Satan’s) temptations.  This natural sin nature is part of everyone’s natural make-up, from the time they are young children, until the time that they pass on from this life.

That 3 year old, who is told NO by their parents, goes right ahead and disobeys their parents at the first chance they get.  This rebellion against their parents turns into rebellion against God, as a child grows older.  God hates sin, because it is independent rebellion against God; and will devastate the lives of everyone that remains living in sin…in bondage to Satan and the ways of the world…1 John 2:15-16…

The sad truth about sin, is that it blinds the unbeliever…

2 Corinthians 4:4… whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. (NKJV)   (More about “the light of the gospel” of our Lord Jesus Christ, later)

Satan is the father of sin (John 8:44), and a master of disguise.  The Apostle Paul warns us about false prophets, and Satan himself, in...

2 Corinthians 11:12-14… For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. (NKJV)

Thank goodness God sent His Son Jesus Christ, born to the Virgin Mary (Matthew 1:18)…who’s shed blood on the cross at Calvary, will cleanse the sins of those who are first drawn in by God…

John 6:44… No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. (NKJV)

Upon understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, the sins of the unbeliever will be replaced with the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:9…&…2 Corinthians 5:21)…as God’s free gift of grace, through saving faith alone in Jesus Christ, fills the heart, mind, and soul of the new redeemed child of God.

Ephesians 2:8-9… For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. (NKJV)

There is nothing an unbeliever can do on their own merit.  No amount of good works done in the name of the Lord, can cleanse away sins.  All of our own righteousness is absolutely worthless…Isaiah 64:6…  Jesus warns those who falsely believe that their good works done in the name of the Lord (like going to church every week), will forgive sins…when Jesus warns those around Him (and us) about this, in.

Matthew 7:21-23… “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (NKJV)

Having one’s lifetime of sins forgiven, is pure grace given to the unredeemed sinner by God.  God’s grace is given by God to those who seek Jesus Christ to become their personal Lord and Savior, through a personal one on One relationship, that is established between the unredeemed sinner and Jesus Christ.

This is accomplished through saving faith alone in Jesus Christ, through obedience to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, when the sinner realizes they can in no way save themselves, and turns to the Lord to receive God’s grace… (More about obeying the Gospel of Christ later)

So why should you desire to become a redeemed child of God ??  Very simply, to be in-dwelt with the Holy Spirit by God, to be supernaturally empowered to defeat Satan’s temptations, and our own carnal fleshly desires constantly urging us to sin… 1 John 2:15-16…

The Holy Spirit living with-in the “born again” Christian, has been given to them by God to guide and direct EVERY facet of the redeemed child of God’s life…  It is the Holy Spirit that helps the Christian grow and mature the fruit of the Spirit, which the Apostle Paul pens, in…

 

Galatians 5:22-23…  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  (ESV)

Look at this list of attributes the Holy Spirit will empower you with !!

Love, Joy, and Peace, are the most important of these 9 fruit of the Spirit…

How would you like to have a supernatural love that surpasses your mortal knowledge (Ephesians 3:19)…  A love empowered by the Holy Spirit that will enable you to love even someone screaming in your face, as Jesus tells us to do, in…Matthew 5:43-44…

And how about having a supernatural  joy that enables you to go through life’s most difficult trial, and still be able to find joy…  The Apostle James tells us about this joy, in…James 1:2-4…

 

 And wouldn’t you like to have a supernatural peace that will allow you to look upon your own death…knowing without a shadow of a doubt that you will be face to face with Jesus in heaven, the instant you breath your last breath here on earth !!  (2 Corinthians 5:8)

This supernatural peace surpasses our mortal understanding, as the Apostle Paul pens, in…

Philippians 4:6-7… Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God,which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (NKJV)

 

All of these God given blessings will be given to you by God, if you understand and obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…  How is this done ??  You must pray to God, with what some call “the sinners prayer”, that should go something like this…

 

“Father I am sorry for my lifetime of sins…  I believe with ALL my heart, that Your Son Jesus suffered and died on the cross, shedding His blood to cleanse away all of my sins…  I believe that Jesus was buried, and rose again in 3 days…  I repent and turn from my sins with godly sorrow and a repentant heart…seeking Jesus Christ to come into my heart to direct my life…  Father, hear my plea to receive Your grace…  Grant me eternal life with You…  Fill me with the Holy Spirit…and I thank You and praise You in Jesus’ most precious name…Amen”

 

I can only tell you from my own personal experience…that I made this prayer seeking salvation several times, before God graced me with salvation.  It’s not the prayer that saves us; it is a changed heart that is regenerated by God Himself…  God knows our heart, and He will only grant saving grace to those who seek Jesus with ALL of their heart, mind soul, and strength…

God finally graced me with salvation when I prayed with true godly sorrow and a repentant heart…and I absolutely knew beyond any doubt, that I was just then a redeemed child of God…(Romans 8-16) It is   God’s decision, and God’s perfect timing, to grace someone with eternal life with Him in heaven.

Failure to obey the Gospel of Christ before you die will result in eternal separation from God, and you will forever forfeit your place in heaven…

 

2 Thessalonians 1:8-9…  in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,  (NKJV)

All Christians who are Walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16), should absolutely, positively know for sure, that they are indeed a redeemed child of God.  The Apostle Paul tells us this, in…

 

Romans 8:15-16…  For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”  16 The Spirit Himself  bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, (NKJV)

There should be no doubts for the Spirit filled Christian about where they will be headed upon their death.  No wondering if they are good enough to get into heaven.  Because none of us are good enough…

Romans 3:23…  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (NKJV)    

The power of the Holy Spirit can and will conquer sin, by those who without question, have placed their lives in the hands of the Lord.  The Apostle James says this best, when he penned this, in…

James 4:7-8… Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (NKJV)

 

My friends, these blessings of spiritual fruit are totally indescribable, and have to be experienced to be believed !!

For those who have been graced with salvation…we must do our best to remain walking in the Spirit…  We see this penned by the Apostle Paul, in…

Galatians 5:16…   I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  (NKJV)

We as Christians can only remain filled with the Holy Spirit (as the Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:18-20), if we live in obedience to God’s will and God’s ways…  Any unconfessed sin will leave us in a state of broken (or at least hindered) fellowship with God…

 

To become righteous again in God’s eyes (from a practical standpoint, because we are always positionally righteous before God), we must confess our sins before the Lord…repent of them…and turn from them… We see this very clearly, as penned by the Apostle John, in…

1 John1:9… If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (NKJV)

Living for the Lord, with the Holy Spirit in total charge of your life, is a blessing that I pray everyone will come to experience…

Heavenly Father, Your Word is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword…Hebrews 4:12-13… I pray Lord, that You would draw to Yourself those that don’t yet know You as their personal Lord and Savior…John 6:44…  And that the truth from Your Word through obedience to the Gospel of Your Son Jesus Christ, would set them free from Satan’s chains of bondage to sin and shame…John 8:32…  I pray for this fullness of Christ in all of our lives, in Jesus’ most precious name and for His sake…Amen…

 

Blessings in Christ, bruce r. mills

 

(Message me here, or send me an e-mail @ brucermillslast@comcast.net with any questions)

P.S.  For those who still believe they can earn their own way into heaven, listen to John Piper’s audio on… “Can My Good Works Outweigh My Bad?

https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/can-my-good-works-outweigh-my-bad

 

 

 

 

 

 

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“What do you know of this Christ?” 7/06/2020 Written by Gabrielle Guthrie for “See, there’s this thing called biology…~insanitybytes”

Posted on July 6, 2020 by

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Written by Gabrielle Guthrie for “See, there’s this thing called biology…~insanitybytes” @ https://insanitybytes2.wordpress.com/

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“What do you know of this Christ?”

05SundayJul 2020

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“What do you know of this Christ?” That is a fabulous question, isn’t it?

wedding ring feathers closeup

So what do I know of this Christ? I know of His kindness mostly, and how well He understands me, how patient He is. It’s a bit funny how a close encounter of the God-kind always leaves me at such a loss for words. I’m left helplessly saying simple things like, “God is so good!”

So, I encountered Jesus when I was 3 years old, sitting by a compost pile in the sunshine. I felt Him, smelled Him, and saw this bright, warm light. How did I know it was God? I have no idea, but I knew with absolute certainty that it was Him and that He was as real as the scab I was picking at on my leg. It helps to have been a child, running wide open with no guile, no skepticism, as if bumping into God is the most natural thing in the world.

He was so beautiful and that experience just left a hunger for Him in me that is hard to explain.

My grandmother was my lifeline to the world, the only stability I really had in my life. She was shot in the head in a robbery, but she survived and almost recovered. I was mad at God for allowing it to happen, for taking away all I had to hang onto. I remember sensing His sadness when He looked down on me, and I just “knew.”  I knew her recovery was temporary, I knew she wasn’t going to survive after all. I knew that even that hope was going to be snatched away. A few months later she died while trying to testify against the bad guys. Stroke from her head injury.

I was really mad at the Lord at that point! I felt like, not only did He take my lifeline away, He allowed me to think she was going to be okay, and then He prophetically revealed to me that she wasn’t going to survive for long. I was just hurt, angry, had lots of issues. What kind of a God would show me bad things coming down the road that I was completely powerless to change? It took me years to understand how kind that was, how compassionate, how He had so often emotionally prepared me for the onslaught to come, before it even happened.

Kind of an old family joke built on multiple cultural stereotypes most of them false, but thank goodness we’re Italian. My dad was anyway.  It simply means, we aren’t afraid of confrontation, we aren’t likely to walk away and give you the silent treatment. Rather then withdrawing or just being hurt, I chased God down and demanded an explanation. That is how I know of His kindness, His patience, His willingness to carefully answer all of my questions, one layer at a time.

I love Jeremiah, the weeping prophet. I just kind of hung out with him for a while, asking what kind of a God would reveal knowledge to a prophet, knowledge that He knew would be ignored, that He knew would not produce fruit? In my case it was love. What kind of a God? A loving one. A protective one. Perhaps it was true in Jeremiah’s case, too? We people can be so material, so tangible, so goal oriented, as if the whole purpose of Jonah’s tale is about saving Nineveh, rather than simply bringing Jonah himself closer to the Lord? In a similar way we often want Jeremiah to be heard and to save the whole world, but perhaps God just wanted to draw closer to Jeremiah?

Sometimes I get fearful or timid or worried and the Lord likes to tease me, to remind me  that I am the one who marched up boldly to the Creator of the universe Himself, demanding an explanation, quite prepared to set Him straight and give Him a piece of my mind. That requires a certain amount of boldness or perhaps a certain amount of hysteria, if you prefer. Regardless, it has worked out well because what I know of this Christ is His grace, His patience, His mercy, and the great love He has for us, the huge investment He has made. Nothing can snatch us from His hand.

young female demonstrating evening dress

We are the apple of His eye, often with barely an inkling of how truly loved and valued we are, barely a glimpse of how good He is. We are much like the Bible says, peering at Him through the glass darkly, even perhaps peering at ourselves that way, through a foggy glass, not quite sure what we are seeing.

“What do you know of this Christ?” I know that He leaves me breathless and without words, kind of just helplessly trying to explain Him in a language that has not yet been written. All I can know for sure is that, He is so good and I long to know Him more.

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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth for this most important days writing, about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

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“God’s Is the Victory” 7/05/2020 Posted by Alister Begg for www.truthforlife.org

Posted on July 5, 2020 by

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1 Corinthians 15:57 | CHRISTian poetry ~ by deborah ann

Posted by Alister Begg   for   www.truthforlife.org

Original post  @ https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/6/28/0/?ecid=ACsprvsRTRotApZf3u8cqEcDpSVUb4EkseiaoHwuZmHIm5NVkQx7u16hal56PDPk7FbE19cKnUP-&utm_campaign=Daily%20Devotion%20Emails&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=90291343&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-87yU4IUWXzASHJvhmPi7wOiq3ZShwU9WoSucPyDxw5ewJiV1SOsTm8bGe_MEHSK9AgNmNKBRz1jWX6ZvsVLTnby7HdNtP3-bQU78AvW0-cZMFP_-o&utm_content=90291343&utm_source=hs_email

 

DEVOTIONALS  

God’s Is the Victory

But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs.

 Exodus 7:12

This incident is an instructive illustration of the certain victory of God’s handiwork over all opposition. Whenever a divine principle is set in the heart, even though the devil may create a counterfeit and produce swarms of opponents, we may be sure that God is in the work, and it will swallow up all its foes. If God’s grace takes possession of a man, the world’s magicians may throw down all their staffs, and every staff may be as cunning and poisonous as a serpent; but Aaron’s staff will swallow up their staffs.

The sweet attractions of the cross will woo and win the man’s heart, so that although he had lived only for this deceitful earth, he will now have an eye for heaven, and his mind will be set on the things that are above. When grace has won the day, the unbeliever begins to seek the world to come. The same fact is to be observed in the life of the believer. A company of enemies assailed our faith—our old sins; the devil threw them down before us, and they turned to serpents. What numbers of them! But the cross of Jesus destroys them all. Faith in Christ makes short work of all our sins.

Then the devil has launched another host of serpents in the form of worldly trials, temptations, unbelief; but faith in Jesus is more than a match for them and overcomes them all. The same absorbing principle shines in the faithful service of God!

With an enthusiastic love for Jesus, difficulties are surmounted; sacrifices become pleasures; sufferings are honors. But if faith is a consuming passion in the heart, then it follows that there are many people who profess it but do not have it; for what they have will not bear this test. Examine yourself, my reader, on this point. Aaron’s staff proved its heaven-given power. Is your faith doing so? If Christ is anything, He must be everything. Do not rest until love and faith in Jesus are the master passions of your soul!

Devotional material is taken from “Morning and Evening,” written by C.H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg. Copyright (c) 2003, Good News Publishers and used by Truth For Life with written permission. Today’s Bible Reading material is taken from McCheyne Bible reading plan and used by Truth For Life with permission. Scripture quotations are taken from Holy Bible: English Standard Version, copyright (c) 2001, Good News Publishers.

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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth for this most important days writing, about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

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“Prayers for the Nation” 7/04/2020 Written by Dawn Ivey for “Drawing closer to Christ”

Posted on July 4, 2020 by

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Written by  Dawn Ivey for “Drawing closer to Christ”  @  https://drawingclosertochrist.com

Original post @  https://drawingclosertochrist.com/2020/07/03/prayers-for-the-nation/

Prayers for the Nation

 ~ DAWN

As Independence Day, (4th of July), is approaching here in America, the word that is staying on my heart is “prayer”. We need prayers for repentance, healing, justice, equality, compassion, wisdom, peace…the list goes on and on.

2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV,  “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Photo by: Wendy van Zyl of South Africa 🇿🇦

Knowing God is sovereign over all things, people and events brings comfort. Trusting His love and protection day by day brings security. Focusing on His purposes brings perspective. I’m thankful that His ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8). When things seem to spiral out of control, He is still in control. His goodness and mercy never cease to follow us (Psalm 23:6). We are blessed to know and serve the God of creation.

No matter what part of the world you live in, I pray God’s presence and love would surround you, and that His Word would light your way. The hope we have in Jesus will never lead to shame (Psalm 25:3).

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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth for this most important days writing, about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

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“Seek the Lord while He may still be found !!” 7/03/2020 Written by Louis Mize, a Facebook friend

Posted on July 3, 2020 by

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Isaiah 55:6,7 (KJV) - YouTube

Written by Louis Mize, a Facebook friend  @  https://www.facebook.com/louis.mize

 

“Seek the Lord while He may still be found !!”

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“How Can We Know God?” 7/02/2020 Posted by David Kitz for “I Love the Psalms”

Posted on July 2, 2020 by

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                  Psalm 36:10 | Psalms, Psalm 36, Bible scriptures

Posted by David Kitz for “I Love the Psalms” @  https://davidkitz.wordpress.com/

Original post found @  https://davidkitz.blog/2020/07/01/how-can-we-know-god/

How Can We Know God?

01 Wednesday Jul 2020

Posted by  in Devotions, Psalm 36, Psalms

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6Reading: Psalm 36
(Verses 10-12)

Continue your love to those who know you,
your righteousness to the upright in heart.
May the foot of the proud not come against me,
nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.
See how the evildoers lie fallen—
thrown down, not able to rise! (NIV)*

img_20200621_0832487-1

A tree swallow — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
Do you know God? Are you well acquainted with Him and His ways? Are you in regular conversation with Him? I ask these questions because in this concluding portion of Psalm 36 David prays, “Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.”

Knowing God is or should be the great quest of our lives. This is our raison d’etre—our reason for being. We were created to know and love God. The Garden of Eden was first and foremost a place of communion with God. Yet so often we see ourselves running from God, or ignoring His invitation to draw close.

Jesus gives us this warning, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matthew 7:21-23).

From Jesus statement here, there appear to be two requirements for entering the Kingdom of Heaven: doing the will of the Father and knowing Jesus. I would argue that truly knowing Jesus helps us to discover and do the will of the Father. If you know someone really well you know what they want—what will please them—without even asking. We need to aim for that kind of intimacy with God.

We come to know the mind of God because we have drawn close to the heart of God through time spent with Him. Two-way prayer and meditation on His word acquaints us with God’s will and His ways—ways that do not change according to the whim of man.

God is not impressed by our prophetic or miraculous powers. He is not impressed by our power over demons. These after all are gifts from Him. God is impressed by our obedience as we seek His face and do His will.

Our God is faithful. He will continue His love to those who know Him. His righteousness will constantly flow to the upright in heart.

Response: LORD God, give me a humble heart that seeks after you. Show me your ways, O Lord. Give me a hunger for your word. I want to know you more and more. Help me to do the Father’s will today. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Your Turn: How do you get to know God better? What practices or activities grow your faith and knowledge of God?

* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth for this most important days writing, about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

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“Giving Cheerfully” 7/01/2020 Written by Pastor Jim Lee for “The Domain for Truth”

Posted on July 1, 2020 by

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The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

Online Giving – Genesis Worship Center Church

Written by Pastor Jim Lee for “The Domain for Truth” @  https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com

Original post @ https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2020/06/30/giving-cheerfully/

Giving Cheerfully

June 30, 2020 by SLIMJIM

 

Establish the need: Do you give to the Lord?

Purpose: Today we shall see the command to give generously because of five motivation plus a heart check if we do not give generously.

Command: Give Cheerfully: “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”  (2 Corinthians 9:7)

How?  5 Motivations

Motivation 1: God has given prosperously: “On the first day of every week each one of you is to [a]put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.” (1 Corinthians 16:2)

Motivation 2: Better to give than receive : “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”” (Acts 20:35)

Motivation 3: God will repay the generous: “One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, And He will repay him for his [a]good deed.” (Proverbs 19:17)

Motivation 4: Give to please God: “And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16)

Motivation 5: Treasure in heaven is secure: “Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12:33-34)

What if you struggle to give?  Heart check: “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

#1: Do you place your hope in riches (v.17)?  Know it is uncertain and secondly place your faith in God instead!

#2: Do you have pride (v.17)?  Don’t just look at accomplishment of glory this side of life but look for treasure in the future! (v.19)

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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth for this most important days writing, about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

Picture credit: https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS832US832&sxsrf=ALeKk01vzSk2guWPw_1x0unf9ooU-i5LIQ:1593602562857&source=univ&tbm=isch&q=image+2+cor+9:7&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwij-K-V-KvqAhVXXM0KHTx5C4YQsAR6BAgJEAE&biw=1203&bih=867#imgrc=ez80l1KGP20jQM

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“My Thought” 6/30/2020 Written by Karina Susanto for “Karina’s Thought”

Posted on June 30, 2020 by

“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org/

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

The Ways of God are not our Ways. – A Safe Harbor is Jesus

Written by Karina Susanto for “Karina’s Thought” @  http://karinasussanto.wordpress.com/

Original post  @  https://karinasussanto.wordpress.com     “My Thought”

My Thought

Thought of this day

 

I have never been afraid to fail, I will never fear anything in this world. But the most important thing in my life, I always fear to God Almighty.

My Thought about Disappointment

 

When we facing  a disappointment, take a step back from the original issue and remind ourselves, ” What do we really want ? ”  and  ”  is there a  solution  ? ” Disappointment aren’t meant to hurt us or keep us down. they are meant to help us  to grow and to remind us of our  priorities.

Thought before sleep

 

When the night comes, I always think about what will  be happening tomorrow, what kind of problem and obstacles  that  I  had to faced, if I am  able to get through it all?  When cares and fear comes in my mind, only one thing  that I do,  Pray and surrender all of my cares and fear to God. because I do believe in His love and kindness. HE will lead and guide me to through all of  my problems and obstacles. ” Dear God, thank you for Your care, guidance, strength and  wisdom. Amen “

Thought about making mistakes

There is nothing wrong with making mistakes. Mistakes are part of our lives. Out of the mistakes we made, we gain experience. So we do learn from our mistakes. Finally, we obtain happiness in their places, because of the good judgment that came through experience.  Don’t be afraid if you make mistakes, it’s the best teacher for us.

From a small things to a big things

Treat a small things same as you treat a big things because a big things always come from a small things.  Appreciate a small things just as you appreciate a big things because both of it is a grace from God.

Don’t waste your time for dreaming

“Staying up all night is a waste of sleeping, and a waste of sleeping is a waste of dreaming, and dreaming is important because the more dreams you have, the better chance you have of one coming true.”

The secret of being HAPPY

 

The Secret of being Happy is accepting where you are in life and making the most out of every day.

 

laws of sow and reap

 

* If you plant honesty, you will reap trust.
* If you plant goodness, you will reap friends.
* If you plant humility, you will reap greatness.
* If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment.
* If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective.
* If you plant hard work, you will reap success.
* If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation.
* If you plant faith in God, you will reap a harvest.

Thought about Good person

 

If you always trying to say ” Yes, I am a good one..!! ” Frankly you are not that one. Because indeed a good person will never just saying but actually prove even with action.

Thought about success

 

When you have to accomplished a goal, don’t look at it as the finish line: Look at is as being starting point for your next achievement. Life is an endless marathon, so as long as you are breathing, don’t sit idle to for to long; Instead set your sights on that next  marker point.

Thought about Friendship

 

A truly friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out

Friendship is like a gold chain. Each link is a memory from the past to present. Never let the chain break or else the friendship will be gone. Remember Gold is valuable as the friendship is

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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth for this most important days writing, about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

Picture credit: https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ALeKk02YtN7Mo1T8XEf8TWehK7r4L3Bixw:1593459183839&source=univ&tbm=isch&q=image+Gods+ways+are+not+my+ways&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlh_eE4qfqAhVBop4KHU_iAtEQsAR6BAgIEAE&biw=906&bih=577#imgrc=-Gg2tj-mFQjlcM

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“Heart and head matters” 6/29/2020 Written by Mel Wild for “In My Father’s House”

Posted on June 29, 2020 by

“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org/

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

22 Bible Verses about Repentance - DailyVerses.net

Written by Mel Wild for “In My Father’s House” @ https://melwild.wordpress.com

Original post @  https://melwild.wordpress.com/2020/06/28/head-and-heart-matters/

Heart and head matters

Posted on June 28, 2020by 

If the goal is that we grow up into Christ (Eph.4:15), which it is, then we’re going to need to re-form our hearts as well as our heads. These are both critical components for training our soul to live from heaven to earth like Jesus did. For it’s with the heart that one believes (Rom.10:10), and it’s with the head that we come into agreement with what God believes about us.

Let’s look at the heart and head connection more closely.

The Heart

The writer of Hebrews says something about Israel’s failure to enter God’s rest that we should take notice of concerning the heart:

19 It is clear that they could not enter into their inheritance because they wrapped their hearts in unbelief. (Heb.3:19 TPT)

Then, a little later he writes…

6 Those who first heard the good news of deliverance failed to enter into that realm of faith’s-rest because of their unbelieving hearts…. (Heb.4:6a TPT*)

Notice where the unbelief is residing—in our hearts.

As I’ve said before, our heart (seat of our affections, vulnerability, trust) is the gatekeeper to everything we will ever receive from God. As Proverbs 4:23 tells us, guarding it well determines the course of our life. A corrupted or hardened heart is why people don’t hear God or experience His heart for them.

How do we protect our hearts? We do so by abiding in God’s love, which we all seem to have a theology for, but it doesn’t seem to have much value because it’s not commonly practiced. Let’s look at Jesus’ words again:

9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.  (John 15:9-12 NIV*)

Our hearts begin to grow as we participate in the divine nature (2 Pet.1:4). And since God’s love is other-centered and self-giving, we begin to love others the same way He loves us. Everything God is going to do starts from rest; which means, He takes full responsibility for changing us and showing us how to live.

Jesus’ life is our life, He shows us the way to this life as we remain in His love, and He shows us the truth about God and about us.

Furthermore, Jesus said we can do nothing apart from this continual heart-connection with Him (John 15:5). Do we actually believe this? No amount of Bible study will ever transform us without this ongoing heart transformation. All our efforts will be fruitless because our hearts are not conditioned to receive from God. However, when our hearts are at rest in His love, the Spirit bears much fruit in our lives (Gal.5:22-23).

Beloved, let me be clear here. Without letting our heart abide in His love, we will not become like Christ, because this is how He was Christ! (See John 15:10) The best we can hope for is to be a weak imitation, but God’s intent for us is to be an incarnation.

The Head

Of course, our head is equally important. We must re-form and reshape our thoughts to Christ’s thoughts by the washing of the water of His Word (Eph.5:26). But, again, Holy Spirit is the One doing this:

2 Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes. (Rom.12:2 TPT*)

We do this by letting the Bible study us, which is where the head and heart work together. By letting the Living Word expose and heal our heart, our thinking can change to the mind of Christ:

12 For we have the living Word of God, which is full of energy, and it pierces more sharply than a two-edged sword. It will even penetrate to the very core of our being where soul and spirit, bone and marrow meet! It interprets and reveals the true thoughts and secret motives of our hearts. (Heb.4:12*)

We’re not to be children tossed about by every circumstance or popular doctrine that comes along (Eph.4:14). We’re to take every thought that hinders our experientially knowing God captive to what Christ believes about us (2 Cor.10:5).

Summarizing

Let me summarize how we need this balance between these two aspects of our soul. I’ll simply designate them as “Bible” for head/study, and “Heart” for abiding in God’s love:

  1. No Bible/Heart. We may be religious, but it’s agnostic in nature. Our lives are totally unchanged and unaffected by Christ and we have not experienced life in Christ. We’re very much part of the world culture alienated from Christ’s kingdom. Most believing Christians are not in this category.

  2. Bible/No Heart. We become Pharisaical, or religious in a legalistic sense. We make Christianity a transactional/rule-following system rather than a transformational relationship. We’re totally guided by logic or reason, believing what we see instead of walking by faith. We turn Lordship into dutiful obedience rather than something born out of a lifetime of experiencing God’s transforming love. We may not even trust God (or anyone else) enough to allow Him in the deepest part of our heart, so we resist the idea of abiding or Spirit transformation.

  3. No Bible/Heart. We’re driven by our emotions and seek out experiences We risk being “tossed to and fro” by the latest Christian fad. We may become almost superstitious about spiritual things. Revival becomes like a drug; we’re looking for another fix. There’s no tether to keep us grounded in Christ.

  4. Bible/Heart. This is how we grow up into Christ! It’s how Jesus grew in wisdom and stature before His Father. We allow Holy Spirit to teach us and empower us as we experientially know God by remaining in His love. We don’t identify with our old identity as sinners anymore (2 Cor.5:16-21), but only according to our new identity in Christ as the Father’s beloved sons and daughters. We train both our mind and our heart to walk in rest, according to the Spirit working in us.

Of these groups, 2 and 3 are the most susceptible to disillusionment and shipwreck of their faith. It’s people from these groups we might even see deny the faith after serving faithfully in the church for years (some in high profile ministries make quite a stir!)

When I look at this matrix, I must honestly access my own balance, because doing so is the only way you and I are going to truly grow up into Christ.

* All emphasis added.

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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth for this most important days writing, about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

Picture credit:  https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ALeKk01wY1kKXlymjfHwAwzCQuvuTR-2lg:1592437645163&source=univ&tbm=isch&q=image+for+repentance&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiEyKrBhIrqAhWYlHIEHRpDBYYQsAR6BAgLEAE&biw=869&bih=577#imgrc=GFB_NkKAcAJU5M

 

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“Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing” 6/28/2020 Written by Beth Andrews for “Deeper Roots”

Posted on June 28, 2020 by

“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

Hebrews 12:2 - fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfe ...

Written by Beth Andrews for “Deeper Roots”  @  https://dbethandrews.wordpress.com

Original post @  https://dbethandrews.wordpress.com/2020/06/25/keep-the-main-thing-the-main-thing/

Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing

 

POSTED ON JUNE 25, 2020 BY BETH ANDREWS

There is a game I play when I need to give my brain a break from theology. It’s a “bubble-popping” game where I shoot colored balls at colored bubbles to free the little birds trapped within. It’s a mindless distraction that gives my brain a rest. I was playing the game last night and I was on a roll – popping bubbles all over the screen. There were strings of balls that would give me a lot of points. Then I saw him. The last little trapped bird – and one hit would set him free. I remembered that the point of the game was to free the birds, not take out all the bubbles. I took my shot, setting the little guy free.

There are many, many things we espouse in the church that are very important to the faith and should be passed on to every generation. We must teach (and model) holiness, righteousness, faithfulness, goodness, generosity, compassion, and obedience. These are the support structures of the Christian life. But there is only one foundation – one central truth above all else that we need to keep front and center: the Gospel. Paul said, “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Did you catch that: “first importance.” It’s the one message the world needs most to hear. Without the Gospel we’re trying to change mankind without letting Jesus save mankind.

Every other message is secondary to this one great truth: “God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). That’s the message. That’s the mission. Let’s keep the main thing the main thing.

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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth for this most important days writing, about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

Picture credit:   https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ALeKk01mwlTVXdlwMU12fxahaU545l_vdA:1593346433062&source=univ&tbm=isch&q=image+Let+us+fix+our+eyes+on+Jesus&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiE9pWBvqTqAhWOmOAKHX94A9UQsAR6BAgKEAE&biw=906&bih=577#imgrc=2lAsJ1d97T1NNM

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“Spiritual Blindness” 6/27/2020 Posted by Don Merritt for “The Life Project”

Posted on June 27, 2020 by

“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

Gospel of John - #18 - The Healing and the Attack

Posted by Don Merritt  for “The Life Project” @  https://lifereference.wordpress.com

Original post @  https://lifereference.wordpress.com/2020/06/27/spiritual-blindness-3/

Spiritual Blindness

Posted on June 27, 2020by Don Merritt

John 9:35-41

Jesus heard that the Pharisees had thrown the man out who was blind from birth, for he wasn’t going along with what the Pharisees wanted. When He caught up with the man, the man came to believe in Him and worshiped Him. This brings us to verse 39; why doesn’t anyone ever quote it?

Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.” John 9:39

I would expect that if my next post was titled “Jesus Came to Judge the World” many, probably most, of you would object, but there you have it in His own words! Of course, He also said that He had not come to judge, as the atheists like to point out as they search for something to claim is a contradiction.

What shall we say then?

This is an unusual context, isn’t it? Jesus is playing on these words to show that the Pharisees have condemned themselves by their ruthless arrogance, for they claim to know all and see all, and yet when confronted with an amazing manifestation of the power and glory of God, as they were when this poor man received his sight, all they can think of is how to downplay the whole thing so they can keep their influence. So, they conjure up their little investigation into the facts of the case, but not before they have already determined its outcome, and in the end, they have kicked the once blind man out of the assembly because he had the audacity to tell the truth.

There were some Pharisees present who overheard this exchange; look at their condescension:

Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?” (v. 40)

Can you imagine having that much attitude at that precise moment? Jesus explained:

Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains. (v. 41)

In a simple one-liner Jesus smashes any hope they might have of saving the situation. Have you ever noticed that often it is the very person or persons who should know best, who refuse to accept the obvious if it proves a threat to their position and influence? Since they admit they have the knowledge, that they should know better, they cannot claim innocence, no, not ever.

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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth for this most important days writing, about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

Picture credit: https://www.google.com/search?q=image+John++9%3A39-40&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiYw6Od-6HqAhXJDt8KHbQFBo0Q2-cCegQIABAA&oq=image+John++9%3A39-40&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQA1Ct1StYs5ssYIihLGgAcAB4AIABkQOIAfcKkgEJNS4yLjAuMS4xmAEAoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWc&sclient=img&ei=Czf3XtiRFcmd_Aa0i5joCA&bih=577&biw=906#imgrc=9z2khYvLplR_JM

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