Your Inheritance and Identity in Christ ~

MOUNTAIN: The mountain of the Lord's inheritance in the promised land.

Key Verses: Exodus 15:17-18 -

"You will bring them in and plant them
In the mountain of Your inheritance,
In the place, O LORD, which You have made
For Your own dwelling,
The sanctuary, O LORD, which Your hands have
established.
The LORD shall reign forever and ever."

Ephesians 1:17-18

"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints."
--------

God's Best for Your Life ~~

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:14-21 --Key Verse: Ephesians 1:3

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." -

THE discovery of King Tut's tomb is considered one of the richest in history. However, archaeologists had no idea what waited for them beyond the first chamber; robbers had earlier plundered it. Yet a closer examination revealed an undisturbed sepulchral chamber and treasure room.

Excavators found priceless gold and silver items along with precious stones. There was also an abundance of rings and bracelets so ingenious and perfect in design that even a magnifying glass could not reveal the soldered joints.

With gold, silver, and priceless jewelry surrounding them, archaeologists could not help wondering why earlier intruders had stopped at the outer chamber. Did they not realize they had entered the burial chamber of a king?

As puzzling as this may seem, many of us do the same thing in our Christian walk. We plunder the outer chamber of God's blessings, never realizing there is an entire throne room waiting for us if only we would seek Him above all else.

Don't allow yourself to be robbed of God's best for your life. Ask Him to make you aware of the blessings He has for you. As you seek His will, submit all that you are to all that He is; and His wealth of eternal blessings will be yours. ~~

'Lord, I don't want to be robbed of Your best. Make me aware of the blessings You have for me. I submit all that I am to all that You are.' -
---
Into His Presence
Pastor Charles F Stanley +

Strength for All Times ~~

"He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Cor. 12:9)
-
~~~
WHEN the Bible talks of strength, it means inner fortitude of spirit, mind, will, and emotion. It is the actual energizing work of the Holy Spirit to undergird and sustain us. We receive God's strength when we are weak. Isaiah encouraged us that God "gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength" (Isa. 40:29). Paul said that "strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9).

The emotionally drained believer doesn't have to be swept into the undertow of stressful times. God will give you the strength you don't have if you will lean fully on His resources.

You experience the strength God gives as you praise Him. Something about praise is invigorating and enlivening. Although it is the very thing you don't feel like doing, praise is God's way to spiritually nourish you. Nehemiah declared that the "joy of the LORD is your strength" (Neh. 8:10).

In your weakest moments, when you feel like giving in to temptation or just giving up, realize your weakness is your opportunity to draw upon God's supernatural strength. Praise Him, as feebly as that may be, and you will be renewed and restored. His Word is His sure bond. ~~

---
Pastor Charles Stanley
Into His Presence ~~

The Wellspring of Spiritual Blessings ~~

KEY VERSE: James 4:10

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." -

THE grace of God is the wellspring of all spiritual blessings. Grace gives and gives, superabounding in its measure and effectiveness. How then can you cease striving, get off the performance treadmill, and learn to walk in such rich and plentiful grace?

Here is the key: the more you humble yourself before God, the more you receive the fullness of God's grace.

God "gives grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5:5). Not to the strong, but to the weak. Not to the self-sufficient, but to the dependent. Not to the proud, but to the poor of spirit. You humble yourself by realizing the majesty of God, worshiping Him as the mighty God.

The more you adore and praise the Saviour, the more highly you think of Him. You can do much, but it is so little when compared to what you may accomplish when God directs and empowers you.

Humbling yourself does not belittle your self-esteem or worth to God. It positions you to receive your sustenance from the Source of all good things, Jesus Christ. As a humble believer, you surrender yourself on the grace of God, leaning your full weight on Him. You draw all your strength, peace, joy, and security from the sufficiency of God's generous grace. ~

"I surrender myself upon Your mercy, O Lord. I lean on You and draw my strength, peace, joy, and security from Your sufficiency. I praise You, my Lord, Saviour, and Redeemer."

Into His Presence~
Charles Stanley

---The Wings of Grace ~

Scripture Reading: 1 Cor. 9:24-27 / KEY VERSE: Hebrews 12:1

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."

~~IN the Scriptures, the Christian life is compared to a race. Paul called us to run the race so we may win (1 Cor. 9:24). The author of Hebrews told us to run our race with endurance (Heb. 12:1).

The only means by which believers can triumphantly run and finish the course God assigned for each of us is to run on the wings of grace. The legs of performance eventually grow weak. The muscles of legalism and religion weigh us down and become rigid hindrances. Our problem is that we can understand the need for grace in salvation and glorification, but we tend to rely on other means in the interim--our sanctification on earth.

Justification, the securing of a favorable verdict by Christ's death, is by grace. Glorification, the consummate conforming of our bodies and souls to Christ's glorious image, is by grace. Sanctification, the process of growing in Christlikeness, is also by grace.

In His grace, God supplies all the gear you need for running the spiritual race--His Spirit, His Word, prayer, and fellowship with other believers.

Be strong in grace. Throw off the leg irons of works and religion, and receive the power of God's grace.~~

'Dear Lord, thank You for supplying all the spiritual gear I need for running the race--Your Spirit, Your Word, prayer, and fellowship with other believers.'

The Fullness of Your Position ~~

Scripture Reading:Ephesians 3:11-13 / Key Verse: Hebrews 10:10

"By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."
~~
UP until they accepted the Son of God as their Savior, Gentiles existed in a world of paganism. Paul wrote that their god had been their appetites of stomachs (Phil. 3:19). He meant that their selfish, lustful desires ruled their lives.

However, when the mystery of salvation was revealed, God established a new basis for spiritual living. Man's emotions and desires were no longer to have charge over him. Once he became a believer, he was given a new nature with a built-in desire for the things of God. Paul called early Christians 'saints', a word strongly related to 'sanctification'. Both words mean to be "set apart" for God. When we trust Christ as our Savior, we are spiritually taken out of the world and "set apart" for God in Christ.

Paul cautioned early believers to stand firm in their new faith because their citizenship was no longer of this world but of heaven. Therefore, they should live accordingly and not be drawn aside by the temptations of a pagan society.

God's redemptive plan is no longer a mystery ! Ask Him to help you understand the fullness of your positiion in Christ. Only then can you enjoy living completely committed to all He calls you to do.
~~~
'Dear heavenly Father, help me to stand firm in my faith. Help me to understand the fullness of my position in Christ.'Amen~

Into His Presence
Pastor Charles Stanley~

--BEARING
THE NAME ~
Acts 11:19-26
____
The disciples were
first called Christians
in Antioch.
---Acts 11:26 -
~~~~
We who follow Christ bear His name. In Luke's record of the early church, he said: "The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch" Later, Peter urged the early believers not to be ashamed of suffering as "a Christian" (1 Peter 4:16). The term 'Christian', once directed at Jesus' followers in scorn, was embraced by them as a badge of honor, a mark of allegiance to Him.

E.M. Blaiklock, former Chair of Classics at the University of Auckland, wrote that in the first century the term 'Christian' had "a certain appropriateness, for it implied loyalty and acceptance of a person, and that person, the Messiah (Christ)...The true modern use of the word follows the same tradition...The Christian is one who accepts, whith all its implications, the lordship of Jesus Christ."

As followers of Christ today, we gladly bear His name as our Savior, Lord, and Friend.

Just what do Christians look like?
What sets their lives apart?
They're ordinary people
Who love God from the heart. -
--------

Don't be a Christian in name only. Never be ashamed of our Blessed Lord, Creator, King of kings, JESUS! He Loves YOU!

ODB/DM

God's View
of Mankind ~

READ/Hebrews 2:6-18
--
TO understand the purposes and ways of the Lord, we need to comprehend His perspective of mankind. So often, we rely on our human viewpoint instead of trying to see ourselves through His eyes. All that He does on earth is guided by His care and love for the human race. Consider three elements of God's perspective of humanity:

*Created in God's Image. Of all the creatures that the Lord fashioned, only the man and woman were made in His image. They had a mind, will, and emotions as well as a spirit, which enabled them to worship and relate to God. Being sinless and perfect, they were destined to live forever in intimate relationship with their Creator.

*Corrupted by Sin. But an act of disobedience broke their relationship with the Lord. The divine image was marred by sin, which infiltrated human nature and corrupted every person born thereafter. Mankind stood spiritually dead, without hope, and condemned before a holy God.

*Worthy of Redemption. Yet the Lord considered them worthy of restoration. Through the redemptive work of His Son, all who believe in Jesus are made spiritually alive again, and the broken relationship between God and man is reconciled. One day--in heaven--sin will be no more, and a perfect environment will be reinstated. --
---
Amidst life's pace and trials, we easily lose sight of divine viewpoint. When we're overwhelmed by criticism, trouble, or suffering, it's vital to recognize our worth in the Lord's eyes. That realization can energize our service and renew our love for the One who gave Himself to bring us back to God. ~

In Touch
Charles Stanley

--A Job or a Life?
Joshua 1

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)-

As military strategist and Moses' assistant, Joshua was ready to be the next Israelite leader. Any problems that would arise with his new position would be eased by the assurance of God's guidance. Joshua's one directive was to "lead these people to inherit the land I swore to thier forefathers to give them."

He would need strength, courage, and obedience to the law. Unlike other professions, there would be no time off, weekends, or vacations. His instructions were "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everthing written in it. Then you will be successful" (v.8). It was a daunting challenge, but Joshua would not undertake it alone.

God goes with us, too, in our daily occupational efforts. More importantly, He leads us in the battle of our whole lives as we seek to live for Him, standing up against sin in this world. It's more than a job. It's a life...a life already lived out perfectly for us in Jesus Christ.
---
Success comes from the sovereign hand of the Lord as you faithfully work for Him, knowing that your triumphs and even failures are for His glory.

Haven Today Ministries ~~

You Inheritance and Identiy in Christ ~~

SALVATION ~~

'Salvation isn't what liberals or conservatives in this country think it is. It's about getting my life straight. It's not about ultimate significance. Salvation is about an adventure that was made possible through the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, through which I am made part of a community who will tell me who I am.

You are not free to make up your life as a Christian. Your life is not like a gift, your LIFE IS A GIFT. That is a very important grammatical point. Until you learn to receive your life gift, you are lost. And many other people are lost.
---
[We are on this planet to tell others about the life-changing adventure we have in Jesus Christ. Salvation is a FREE GIFT. But to be a gift, it MUST BE ACKNOWLEDGED and RECEIVED.]
---
Stanley Hauerwas
1001 Quotes/ Life,Gifts

--The Source of Victory
Ephesians 1:3-10

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." (Ephesians 1:3)-

WHEN attempting to explain the greatness of this mystery we have in Christ, a pastor once said, "It takes just a second to get saved, but then we spend the rest of our lives finding out what happened."

Often there is a moment in time when we consciously respond to the call of God to believe the gospel and receive Christ as our Savior. Then we begin to understand things like the fact that we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Think about that: every spiritual blessing that is possible is ours in Christ right now. Those blessings are not something we work at gaining; they are ours now. What are those spiritual blessings? More than I can delineate in this limited space!
Consider forgiveness, love, holiness, joy, and peace, to name a few. Later Paul prays that we will be strengthened in our inner man so we will be able to grasp this. You see, without God's grace it is incomprehensible. The blessing we have in Christ that brings victory over sin is that great.
HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD! -
--
Take time to consider the spiritual blessings given to you in Christ; then, bask in the glory of the One who gave them.
Anchor
Haven Today Ministries ~

--Got Rewards?
Matthew 6:1-4

"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." (Matthew 6:1)-

Christians try to teach themselves and young ones that giving and acts of service ought to be done selflessly with no thought for our personal reward. It's awfully hard to stick to that. What does the Bible teach us about how to serve the Lord?
Clearly, Jesus taught that if we are looking for financial reward or accolades from others, then that is probably all we will get. And we soon realize how temporary and fleeting those rewards are.

But did Jesus teach that we should not expect reward at all? No. In fact, He taught the opposite. When we are not looking for reward from our fellow man--or as Jesus said, when we do good deeds in secret--then our Father who sees in secret will reward you. No ifs, ands or buts...He will reward you!

Perhaps our problem is that we are too easily satisfied with things like money or admiration. If we understood the Lord's ideas of reward, we would do our good in secret and look to the greater reward: a life in Christ!~~
--
Do you find your greatest pleasure in material things or in God? His great reward is really Himself. The Lord is my portion.
Haven Today Ministries ~~

--Diamonds in the Rough ~~
1 Corinthians 1:1-3
---
"...to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ..." (1 Corinthians 1:2)-

~~Consider a diamond. When it is first dug from the earth, it appears to be just another rock. It is a diamond nonetheless. Only after the diamond cutter performs his great skills does it take on the visible, dazzling characteristics we associate with that gem.

All who are "in Christ" are as the diamonds. We may look like plain old rocks. But as the Lord employs His diamond cutting skills on us, we begin to shine and reflect His glory.

The Bible speaks of sanctification in two different senses: a past, completed act; and an ongoing, progressive condition. Progressive sanctification speaks of our growing as Christians and learning to live a life that shows God's glory as a result of how much we enjoy Him. It is merely God's cutting away on us to reveal what we are in Christ--diamonds in the rough.

In Christ, you are already sanctified, made holy. You 'are' a diamond; you're being polished to look like one. Don't give up! We press on in Jesus Name, to His high calling!
---
Enjoy Jesus and let Him change you into His image. Your light will then shine more than you know. -

--Haven Today Ministries

--The Spirit-Filled Life
By: Pastor Charles Stanley

-
The Spirit-Filled Life
1 JOHN 2:3-6

There was a time when I was so disheartened that it made me wonder whether I should remain in the ministry. How could I tell people that Jesus would give them peace and joy when I felt discouraged by my own failure to be godly? I understood what "fruit of the Spirit" (Gal. 5:22-23) meant but was never sure which of those qualities, if any, would be apparent in me from day to day.

God let me stew in my anxiety until I was fully committed to finding out if His Word was true or not. I encountered my answer in a biography of Hudson Taylor, the founder of China Inland Missions. For a long time he, too, felt that his efforts fell short of the Lord's expectations. Then Taylor discovered that God wanted believers to take His promises literally. So when Jesus said to abide in Him, He meant that His followers were to stop striving and struggling. Instead they were to trust Him to subdue their flesh.

As a child, I was taught that a person got saved and then went to work for God. You did the best you could to act godly, think right, and speak wisely. When your best wasn't good enough, well, you tried harder. Such an impossible expectation was wearing me out. This idea of letting Jesus Christ work through me sounded both biblical and liberating.

A grape branch doesn't bear fruit because of its determined efforts to get sunshine; rather, it simply abides in the vine, and fruit appears. The vine does all the work. In the same way, believers are to be in union with their Savior so that spiritual fruit can grow in their life.

REDEEMED!

What did 'Christ's act of redemption' mean?

"Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin."
So Somebody had to pay the price WE could NOT pay. Christ Jesus!
He Has paid the full penalty! Praise His Holy Name!

----
Redeemed!

"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." (1 Peter 1:18-19)--

How glibly we use the terms redeemed, redemption, and ransom. But what do they mean, and more importantly, what did Christ's act of redemption mean?

Three Greek words and their derivations are used in the New Testament to denote various aspects of this truth. In our text, "redeemed" comes from the Greek word lutroo, which means to set free, to buy back, or to ransom. Christ's innocent blood, sacrificed for us, bought us back. "By his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us" (Hebrews 9:12).

But redeemed from what or from where? From slavery to sin. Jesus taught, "Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin" (John 8:34). Thankfully, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law" (Galatians 3:13). The Greek word used here is exagorazo, meaning to buy up, to ransom from the market place (i.e., agora), which could be called "the slave market of sin." He ransomed us, He redeemed us from the horrors of slavery to sin by His death on the cross.

The final root word is apolutrosis, which means "to ransom in full." He has paid the full penalty! Nothing more need be paid or done!

Indeed, ! "It is finished" (John 19:30), He said as He died. In Him, and in Him alone, "we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" (Ephesians 1:7).

Each of us needs to *appropriate His plan, "for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:23-24).

[*Each and every person "must be born again to inherit the kingdom of God." John 3:3]

Days of Praise
ICR/JDM

God's Provision ~
Pastor Charles Stanley

'Hardships are chances to trust your Creator and to know Him better.'...

God's Provision
MATTHEW 14:22-34

No one gets through life without trials. Realistically, you are either in a storm, just getting out of a one, or about to enter a turbulent time. That is the bad news. Thankfully, we serve a good God who provides beautifully—especially during the dark periods of life.

Today's passage tells of a stormy night on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus provides for us today just as He did for His disciples in that unsettling situation. Today, we will focus on ways that He does this.

First, the Father gives Christians His presence and the promise that He will never leave (Heb. 13:5-6). This is, perhaps, the greatest gift because from this awareness, He offers a sense of comfort, courage, and confidence.

Second, the Lord blesses His children with a pathway through trouble. He is in total control of our storm and will use the trial for His purpose. We may not understand, but we can trust His hand to guide us and accomplish good. Sometimes the reason and benefit of a difficulty will becomes obvious, while in other cases, it may never be clear.

Third, the Father offers believers the potential to grow. Hardships are exercises in trust and times to learn more fully who God is and how great His power and love are.

No one enjoys trials. But remember to express gratitude for God's hand in your life and the way He will use the adversity. Hardships are chances to trust your Creator and to know Him better. Of course, they are painful, but don't waste the opportunity to become all the Lord has planned for you. -

--A LASTING
IMPRINT

Matthew 5:13-20
---
Let your light so
shine before men,
that they may see
your good works
and glorify your
Father in heaven.
--Matthew 5:15 --
~~~~
Caerleon is a Welsh village with deep historical roots. It was one of three sites in the United Kingdom where Roman legions were posted during Rome's occupation of Britain. While the military presence ended some 1,500 years ago, the imprint of that occupation can still be seen today. People come from all over the world to visit the military fort, the barracks, and the amphitheatre that are reminders of the days when Rome ruled the world and occupied Wales.

It amazes me that 15 centuries later, the evidence of Rome's presence can still so clearly be seen in that small community.

I wonder about another kind of imprint--the imprint of Christ on our lives. Do we allow His presence to be seen by others? Is it possible for people who interact with us to know that Jesus occupies our lives?

Jesus calls us to make known His presence in our lives to the glory of God the Father. He says, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matt. 5:16). Through the light of our testimony and the impact of our deeds of service, people should be able to see evidence of the presence of God in our lives. Is it true? Can they see His imprint?

The Christ of God to glorify,
His grace in us to magnify;
His Word of life to all make known--
Be this our work, and this alone. --
----
Let your testimony be written in large enough letters
so the world can always read it.
ODB/BC

Why God Speaks
JAMES 1:23-25-
Pastor Charles Stanley
---
God is not one to speak in generalities. When He whispers from the pages of Scripture or confronts through a friend's words, the Father directly addresses issues in His children's lives. With that in mind, let's look at His three goals for communicating with believers--namely, for us to:

1. Comprehend the truth. God wants us to learn His ways and principles, to recognize our own frailty, and to identify the needs of others. He does more than offer this as head knowledge--He makes truth applicable to our lives. For example, the Lord assured Paul that His strength was sufficient to carry the apostle through anything (2 Cor. 12:9). Circumstances taught the apostle that God's Word was true.

2. Conform to the truth. Our lives are shaped by our belief system. What we hold as true influences our thinking. In turn, how we think affects our character, conduct, and conversation. God is determined to mold His children into Christlikeness so that they reflect His gospel to the world.

3. Communicate the truth. Every child of God is called to make disciples (Matt. 28:19). Believers can know the Lord and walk in His light but still fall short of this expectation. We must share the gospel by sharing God's truth with others and explaining how His words played out in our lives.

Notice that each goal builds on the one preceding it. Christians are a light reflecting God's glory to this world. We shine brightly by being attentive to God's voice and following His will. And when someone takes an interest in the source of our light, we are prepared to share the good news of Christ.

--ARMOR OF
GOD ~
Ephesians 6:10-18
--
Therefore take up the
whole armor of God,
that you may be able
to withstand in the
evil day, and having
done all, to stand.
--Ephesians 6:13 --
~~
We are in a spiritual battle daily. It does not end until we reach the Celestial City, with our Lord Jesus. That is why we have been given His armor for protection. But we must put it on! The devil is real.

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour.

"Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." (1 Peter 5:8-9)

Paul urged the Ephesians to "put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Eph. 6:11). This protective covering includes truth, righteousness, readiness, faith, salvation, and prayer (vv.14-18). Although these spiritual resources guard us each day, we need to remember them when disaster strikes and the enemy tries to undermine our confidence in God's love and care.

Use God's spiritual armor! Take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (v.13).

When Satan launches his attack,
We must take heart and pray;
If we submit ourselves to God,
He'll be our strength and stay.
~~~~
God provides the armor, but we must put it on!

"ABOVE ALL, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked....and the sword of the Spirit, which is the WORD OF GOD." (Eph 6:16-17)-

ODB/DM

--The Living Water
Isaiah 55:1-11

"The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." (Isaiah 58:11) -

DO you ever feel as though you are wandering through a barren desert? Does your thirsty soul long for something more in a "dry and weary land where there is no water" (Psalm 63:1)? Have you been looking to the waters of this world to satisfy, only to be left wanting?

Jesus said that those who drink the waters of this world will thirst again, but those who drink the water He gives will be completely satisfied (John 4:13-14). He is the Spring whose waters never fail, and He beckons you this day to come and drink freely the water of life (Revelation 22:17).

Trees need water in order to survive and bear fruit. We, too, must soak in the Living Water if our lives are going to flourish and bear God-honoring fruit. As the earth opens wide to receive God's gift of rain, so must our hearts break open wide to drink of His fertile, lifegiving Word (Deuteronomy 32:2).

When we do this, He causes rains of grace to fall upon a sun-scorched soul, yielding new life with the green of spring.
---
Those who drink the Living Water of God's Word become "oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified." (Isaiah 61:3b). -

Haven Today Ministries ~~

--AMAZING GRACE/ I'VE BEEN SET FREE / By: Chris Tomlin

My chains are gone, I've been set free. My God, my Savior has ransomed me!

You are forever mine! -



I once was lost but now I'm found, was blind but now I SEE!

VALID ENTRY

John 14:1-10
---
Jesus said to him,
"I am the way, the
truth, and the life.
No one comes to the
Father except through
Me." --John 14:6 -
---
ON a teaching trip outside the US, my wife and I were denied entry into our country of destination because of visa problems. Although we were under the assumption our visas had been correctly issued by the country we planned to visit, they were deemed invalid. Despite the efforts of several government officials, we weren't allowed in and we were placed on the next flight back to the States.

That experience with my visa was inconvenient, but it can't begin to compare with the ultimate entry rejection. I'm speaking of those who will stand before God without valid entry into heaven. What if they were to present the record of their religious efforts and good deeds? That would not be enough. What if they were to call character references? That wouldn't work. Only one thing can give anyone entry into heaven. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6).

Christ alone, through His death and resurrection, paid the price for our sins. Only He can give us valid entry into the presence of the Father. Have you put your faith in Jesus? Make sure you have a valid entry into heaven.

There aren't many ways into heaven;
The Bible says there's only one;
Good works won't gain anyone entrance;
It's only through faith in God's Son ~
---
Only through Christ can we enter the Father's presence.

ODB/BC

The Believer's Transformation
Ezekiel 36:25-27
--
I marvel at the metamorphosis of a caterpillar. A crawling, slimy, and spiky bug disappears into a chrysalis spun from its own body, and before long, a delicate and graceful winged butterfly emerges. It is magnificent!

Our change at the moment of salvation is just as radical and miraculous. From a death-bound, sinful, and depraved heart, God brings about a brand-new creature--one that is forgiven, made righteous, and designed to be the place where He Himself resides (2 Cor. 5:21; John 14:17).

Have you ever wondered why, then, we continue to struggle with sin after trusting Christ as Savior? Shouldn't all the habits and tendencies of our old heart have vanished? The answer is that the term "new creature" refers to our position in Christ. It is true that believers are forgiven and eternally secure as children of the heavenly Father. Yet we remain in fleshly bodies, and as long as we are on earth, there will be an ongoing battle between spirit and flesh.

Throughout our life, God is transforming us to be increasingly like Jesus--His Spirit residing within helps us to combat sin and teaches us how to live. This process, called sanctification, is a journey that will last until we are called home to heaven.

While salvation is a one-time event, sanctification is a life-long adventure. And though the Lord sees believers as righteous, we still have the capacity to sin. Thankfully, God's Spirit guides and empowers us to become more like Jesus, and as we yield to Him, our behavior and thoughts will change.
---
Lynn, I believe "My Redeemer Lives" (song), is posted somplace else. Yet I can't find it now. So, enjoy! YES and AMEN! MY REDEEMER LIVES! The tomb is empty! Because He lives we have salvation! And the Holy Spirit will help us make it 'home' through our 'sanctification' process.

Thank you Russ, Laura and Herb Allure for allowing the Lord's Word to go forth on your forum. He's coming to get us soon!

--SANCTIFICATION
By: C S Lewis
--
"When a man turns to Christ and seems to be getting on pretty well (in the sense that some of his bad habits are now corrected), he often feels that it would now be natural if things went fairly smoothly. When troubles come along...he is disappointed. These things, he feels, might have been necessary to rouse him and make him repent in his bad old days; but why now? Because God is forcing him on, or up, to a higher level: putting him into situations where he will have to be very much braver, or more patient, or more loving, than he ever dreamed of being before. It seems to us all unnecessary: but that is because we have not yet had the slightest notion of the tremendous thing He means to make of us.

"I find I must borrow [a] parable from George MacDonald. Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing.

He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently he starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense.

What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of--throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage; but He is building a palace.

He intends to come and live in it Himself." -

--Mere Christianity
C.S Lewis
Book IV, Chapter- 9

--WHEN ROYALTY
COMES TO TOWN

1 Corinthians 6:12-20
--
Your body is the
temple of the Holy
Spirit who is in you.
--1 Corinthians 6:19-

MY friend Tim Davis tells the story of being in Trinidad as a little boy when Queen Elizabeth came to visit their town. He recalls going with his missionary parents to join hundreds of others who gathered to greet the queen. Waving his little flag, he watched as the entourage came down the street--first the soldiers, then the mounted guard, and then the limousine from which she waved to the cheering crowd. He looked on as the queen drove out of town, leaving everyone to return to life as usual. In Tim's words, "Royalty came to town and nothing changed!"

For those of us who have accepted Jesus as Savior, there was a day when royalty arrived--in our heart. As paul put it, our body is "the temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor. 6:19)--a reality that has huge ramifications. His residence in our life is intended to transform us to live in a way that brings glory to Him. Our relationships, the way we serve our employer, how we use our money, how we treat our enemies, and everything else in our lives should reflect the wonderful reality that royalty lives within.

Has anything changed since King Jesus came into your heart? Does your world notice or do they think He was just passing through?
---
If Jesus has taken up residence in us,
the world should notice a lasting change.
ODB/JS

The Blessings of God
Ephesians 1:3-14
--
Everyone experiences periods of difficulty in life. In such painful times, we may feel as though God is not blessing us. But even then, we are experiencing many of His amazing gifts, despite the fact that they might be escaping our notice.

Below are several examples of blessings that we can enjoy on bright or dark days:

1. We are assured that our almighty God chose us before the foundation of the world (v. 4). He predestined us to be adopted as His children (v. 5). We can feel special and wanted because the Sovereign of the universe selected us.

2. Jesus provided our salvation through His death and resurrection (v. 7). He redeemed us from sin that causes separation from God and ultimately leads to death. As a result, we receive a brand-new nature and daily forgiveness of iniquities (2 Cor. 5:17; 1 John 1:9).

3. The Holy Spirit resides within us. He guides, warns, and fills us so we are never without counsel or comfort. He also seals us so that our eternity is secure (Eph. 1: 13).

4. Our Father prepares an inheritance for us that is imperishable (1 Peter 1:4). We may experience momentary troubles, but we can look forward to living eternally in God's presence, where there is joy and no suffering.

In the midst of painful situations, it may be easy to feel as if God's hand is not resting on your life. But believers have wonderful spiritual blessings at all times. Without the four permanent gifts listed above, fear and emptiness would be overwhelming. So express gratitude, even in difficulty.

--In Touch / JESUS IS LORD!

Jesus Calling ~
By: Sarah Young

"Give up the illusion that you deserve a preblem-free life. Part of you is still hungering for the resolution of all difficulties. This is a false hope! As I told My disciples, 'in the world you will have trouble'. Link your hope not to problem solving in this life but to the promise of an eternity of problem-free life in heaven. Instead of seeking perfection in this fallen world, pour your energy into seeking Me; the Perfect One.

It is possible to enjoy Me and glorify Me in the midst of adverse circumstances. In fact, My Light shines most brightly through believers who trust Me in the dark. That kind of trust is supernatural: a production of My indwelling Spirit. When things seem all wrong, trust Me anyway. I am much less interested in right circumstances than in right responses to whatever comes your way."
-----
JOHN 16:33 ; PSALM 112:4, 7 -

--Clay in The Potter's Hand
By: Pastor Jack Graham

The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: "Arise, and go
down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear my
words." So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was
working at his wheel. And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.

Then the word of the LORD came to me:
"O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has
done? declares the LORD. Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel."
Jeremiah 18:1-6


It was Benjamin Disraeli who once said concerning life, "Youth
is a blunder, maturity is a struggle, and old age is a regret."
Well, let me tell you why that's certainly not true for those in Christ.

The ancient art of making pottery is virtually unchanged even today. It's been my privilege to visit Israel and to see this art practiced just as it was thousands of years ago.

A potter will take a helpless, lifeless lump of clay and then knead it and squeeze it until it's soft and pliable. And then when he gets it just right, he takes that piece of clay and he does something called throwing, where he places the clay on a spinning table.

And as that clay is placed upon that turning wheel, the potter's hands then begin to pressure the clay and work it until he makes something beautiful out of that old ugly piece of clay.

Here's the lesson God wanted Jeremiah to hear: He is the true
master craftsman. He is a potter who is making something beautiful out of every life. He will take the old ugly mistakes and sins and make them into something completely new!

Benjamin Disraeli was wrong because when you truly know God, you can live victoriously! So whatever the ugliness is in your life, be assured that through the blood of Christ, God molds you and makes you into something beautiful!

LIFE'S BLUNDERS AND SINS DON'T HAVE TO STICK WITH YOU
FOREVER BECAUSE IN CHRIST, GOD WILL FORM YOU INTO SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL!
--

-WHEN DEATH BECOMES BIRTH
by Max Lucado
--
You, as all God's children, live one final breath from your own funeral. Which, from God's perspective, is nothing to grieve. He responds to these grave facts with this great news: "The day you die is better than the day you are born" (Eccles. 7:1). Now there is a twist. Heaven enjoys a maternity-ward reaction to funerals. Angels watch body burials the same way grandparents monitor delivery-room doors. "He'll be coming through any minute!" They can't wait to see the new arrival. While we're driving hearses and wearing black, they're hanging pink and blue streamers and passing out cigars. We don't grieve when babies enter the world. The hosts of heaven don't weep when we leave it.

Oh, but many of us weep at the thought of death. Do you? Do you dread your death?

Is your fear of dying robbing your joy of living? Jesus came to "deliver those who have lived all their lives as slaves to the fear of dying" (Heb. 2:15).

If Scripture boasted a list of the famous dead, Lazarus would be near the top. He lived in Bethany, a sleepy hamlet that sat a short walk from Jerusalem. Jesus spent a lot of time there. Maybe he liked the kitchen of Martha or the devotion of Mary. One thing is for sure: he considered Lazarus a friend. News of Lazarus's death prompts Jesus to say, "Our friend Lazarus
has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up" (John 11:11).

And now, four days after the funeral, Jesus has come calling. Literally calling, "Lazarus, come out!" Can we try to picture Lazarus as he hears those words? Heaven-sent Lazarus. Heaven-happy Lazarus. Four days into his measureless days. By now he's forming fast friendships with other saints.
King David shows him the harps. Moses invites him over for tea and manna.
Elijah and Elisha take him for a spin in the fiery chariot. Daniel has promised him a lion of a Bible story. He's on his way to hear it when a voice booms through the celestial city.

"Lazarus, come out!" -

Everybody knows that voice. No one wonders, Who was that? Angels stop. Hosts of holy-city dwellers turn toward the boy from Bethany, and someone says, "Looks like you're going back for another tour of duty."

Lazarus doesn't question the call. Perfect understanding comes with a heavenly passport. He doesn't object. But had he done so, who could have faulted him? His heavenly body knows no fever. His future no fear. He indwells a city that is void of padlocks, prisons, and Prozac. With sin and death nonexistent, preachers, doctors, and lawyers are free to worship.
Would anyone blame Lazarus for saying, "Do I have to go back?"

But he doesn't second-guess the command. Nor does anyone else. Return trips have been frequent of late. The daughter of the synagogue ruler. The boy from Nain. Now Lazarus from Bethany. Lazarus turns toward the rarely used exit door. The very one, I suppose, Jesus used some thirty earth years
earlier. With a wave and within a wink, he's reunited with his body and waking up on a cold slab in a wall-hewn grave. The rock to the entrance has been moved, and Lazarus attempts to do the same. Mummy-wrapped, he stiffly sits up and walks out of the tomb with the grace of Frankenstein's monster.

People stare and wonder.

We read and may ask, "Why did Jesus let him die only to call him back?"

To show who runs the show. To trump the cemetery card. To display the unsquashable strength of the One who danced the Watusi on the neck of the devil, who stood face to clammy face with death and declared, "You call that a dead end? I call it an escalator."

"Lazarus, come out!"

Those words, incidentally, were only a warmup for the big day. He's preparing a worldwide grave evacuation. "Joe, come out!" "Maria, come out!"
"Giuseppe, come out!" "Jacob, come out!" Grave after grave will empty. What happened to Lazarus will happen to us. Only our spirit-body reunion will occur in heaven, not Bethany Memorial Cemetery.

When this happens-when our perishable earthly bodies have been transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die-then at last the Scriptures will come true:

"Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?"
(1 Cor. 15:54-55)

With Christ as your friend and heaven as your home, the day of death becomes sweeter than the day of birth. --
_________________________
from 'Come Thirsty' / Max Lucado

Unshakeable Peace
Philippians 4:6-7
--
Anxiety is the enemy of a peaceful life. People go to great lengths to get rid of stress: travel ads promise that vacations will sweep you away from it; gyms offer to help you “sweat it out”; and popular magazines suggest ways to lessen it by adjusting schedules or habits. The problem is that no one can adequately shift circumstances to achieve total freedom from heartache, burdens, or trouble.

However, we can have unshakeable peace during anxious times. Jesus said to seek peace in Him because He has overcome this troublesome world (John 16:33). The key is to shift our focus from the scary problem onto God, who lovingly provides whatever we need from His limitless resources and power (Ps. 50:10; Rom. 8:11).

Serenity can’t be manufactured—it’s a gift from our heavenly Father. The Holy Spirit produces a sense of calm in believers who seek the Lord’s protection against anxiety (Gal. 5:22). The Greek word translated as guard in today’s passage literally means “to garrison about.” God wraps hearts and minds in peace, effectively safeguarding both against all-consuming worry or fear. Notice that He doesn’t make problems go away—we may still be under pressure or prone to weep, but we’re cushioned against anxiety and surrounded by peace instead.

Today’s verses tell us to pray rather than give in to anxiety. These words are Paul’s orders for doing battle against the stresses and troubles of this world. Prayer keeps your mind and heart garrisoned with peace. Keep trusting in God so that your defenses are strong and anxiety cannot slip in.-

--In Touch

-Living Above Circumstances
Philippians 1:12-18

While under house arrest, Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians. The apostle could receive visitors but couldn’t travel. Despite living in a home, Paul was more than likely chained to a Roman soldier 24 hours a day. Moreover, because he knew that a trial was years away, these were his living conditions for the foreseeable future—perhaps for the rest of his life.

Under such circumstances, Paul might have been tempted to cry out to heaven for release. After all, God had called him to preach, to disciple believers, and to reach the Gentiles. But he was stuck in Rome, unable to plant new churches or visit those whom he was nurturing by letter. Beside being unjust, the imprisonment was keeping him from important work. Surely, if anyone had a right to gripe, it was Paul, who’d endured persecution, shipwreck, and beatings for the gospel. Yet he never once complained. His letter to the church at Philippi is filled with rejoicing, as focusing on God let him live above his circumstances (Phil. 4:8). -

The more we talk and complain about a situation, the worse it looks, until the problem looms larger in our mind than our faith does. Conversely, carrying challenges straight to God keeps matters in perspective. The Lord is bigger than any hardship. On His strength, we rise above the difficulty.

Problems can look so big and unwieldy that they distort our perspective. God invites us to live above our circumstances by fastening our eyes upon Him. The trials of this life shrink when compared to our loving, powerful Lord, who exercises His might in defense of His people. ~~

--In Touch

-Thoughtful Living
-PSALM 25:8-15

Are you living thoughtfully and intentionally—or automatically? It's so easy to get up each morning, do our work, enjoy some relaxation or entertainment, and fall into bed each night without giving any thought to God's involvement in our lives. But to be ignorant of how He has blessed, guided, protected, and warned us is a foolish way to live. Just consider the benefits of keeping our spiritual eyes and ears open throughout the day.

Those who are aware of the Lord's presence during their daily activities enjoy the peace of knowing that He is always in control and working to accomplish His good purposes. Every day's experiences with Him teach them to know and love Him more.

When we learn to see God's footprints in our days, we will become aware of the scope of His involvement in our lives. Maybe He strengthened you for a task or opened a door of opportunity. Perhaps He guided your decisions or helped you respond in a godly way to a difficult person.

If our ears are open to the Lord's warnings and instructions, we won't repeat the same mistakes again and again. But those who are deaf to His voice will continue in unhealthy thought patterns, negative emotions, and foolish responses.

Each night before you go to sleep, take some time to reflect on the day's activities. The Lord is constantly with you, guarding and guiding your way. He wants you to see Him in everything and understand life from His perspective as you rely on His wisdom and power to face any challenge.

--In Touch

Chosen Before Time Began

BIBLE MEDITATION-

"According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love." Ephesians 1:4 -

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT-

Did you know that God chose you before He laid the foundations of the earth?
You talk about "old time religion"! Well, friend, you can't get much older than that! Before there were any trees, mountains, birds, and bees, God chose you to be one of His children. Charles Haddon Spurgeon said, "God certainly must have chosen me before I came into this world because He never would have chosen me afterward."

That means you and I cannot take credit for our salvation. First John 4:19 says, "We love Him, because He first loved us."

Somebody asked a little boy, "Have you found the Lord?" And the little boy said, "I didn't know He was lost." How miraculous that God has chosen us! When left alone to ourselves, we would never have chosen Him.

ACTION POINT-

Though election is a divine mystery, it can bring great assurance to a believer's heart. Allow God's Word to teach you further what it means to be chosen.
--
Read Matthew 20:16, 24:22; Luke 10:20; John 6:37-39; Romans 8:28-39; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Ephesians 1:9-11; 2 Timothy 1:9.

-How to Listen to God's Word

NEHEMIAH 8

How is it that two people can sit in the same pew, hear the same sermon about the same portion of Scripture, and walk away with two different reactions ? One is joyful and the other unaffected. I think the reason is that some people do not know how to listen to the Word of God.-

Nehemiah 8 is an amazing scene of God's people coming together to hear His Word. Remember that they didn't have individual copies of Scripture to read. For generations, the events of Genesis though Deuteronomy were passed down from parent to child. Moreover, the people had been in captivity for many years. This was the first time most of them heard the Word read. Imagine their excitement as they listened attentively for the Lord to speak to them.

The Israelites were hungry for God's Word. Are you? Do you listen eagerly and with an expectant mind and heart? The length of a person's attention span is directly related to the intensity of his hunger for something. If you crave to know more of God, then your mind is going to be fastened on what He's saying through your pastor or your personal reading. And the reality is that nothing in the world matters as much as what the Lord has to say.

So many things clamor for our focus but few truly deserve it. The Lord is worthy of nothing less than our undivided attention. He has something to say to every person. So whoever listens to God's Word with an open heart and alert mind will receive from Him.

--In Touch

-LOST AND
FOUND

Luke 15:1-10
---
Rejoice with me,
for I have found my
sheep which was lost! -
---
Let's think about the "lost and found" parables of Luke 15--the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. Whenever we wander away from God, whether intentionally like the prodigal son or unintentionally like the sheep, God looks for us.

Even though we may not "feel" lost, if we have no relationship with God, we are. To be found, we need to realize that God is looking for us (Luke 19:10) and admit that we are separated from Him.

By giving up our waywardness, we can be reunited with Him and restored to His family.
---
The Lord has come to seek and save
A world that is lost in sin;
And everyone who comes to Him
Will be restored and changed within.
---
TO BE FOUND, YOU MUST ADMIT YOU ARE LOST.

ODB/JAL
<http://youtu.be/V8eOGhLzuVA> GOD WITH US!

-WHAT ARE YOU
KNOWN FOR?

Philippians 2:25-30
----
--Philippians 2:25
Epaphroditus, my
brother, fellow
worker, and fellow
soldier.
--
IN the Roman Empire, pagans would often call on the name of a god or goddess as they placed bets in a game of chance. A favorite deity of the gambler was Aphrodite, the Greek word for Venus, the goddess of love. During the roll of the dice, they would say "epaphroditus!" literally, "by Aphrodite!"

In the book of Philippians we read of a Greek convert to Christianity named Epaphroditus. He was a close companion of Paul who served him well in his missionary enterprise. Of his friend, Paul wrote: "Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier (Phil. 2:25).

Epaphroditus was a spiritual brother in Christ, a faithful worker who shared ministry efforts, a brave sodier of the faith, and the carrier of the inspired letter to the church at Philippi. He modeled brotherhood, a work ethic, spiritual endurance, and service. Certainly, Epaphroditus had a well-deserved reputation that showed he did not live by a pagan deity but by faith in Jesus Christ.

Even more important than our name are the Christian qualities that are seen in our life: dependability, care, encouragement, and wisdom. What words would you like others to use to describe you?
---
If we take care of our character,
our reputation will take care of itself!

ODB/DF

-Releasing the Holy Spirit's Power
-ROMANS 8:26-27

The Holy Spirit indwells believers at salvation, which means His power is available from that moment (Eph. 1:13). God created a simple way for us to access that strength every single day.
--
First, we must accept the truth that within ourselves, we are powerless to live out God's will. No matter how capable we may be, our own strength and wisdom are insufficient. Sometimes Christians get proud over the good they have done or the number of years they've been saved. Imagine how much more we could serve the Lord if we would humbly get out of God's way and let Him work through us.

Second, we surrender our entire life to the guidance and governing of the Holy Spirit. In other words, we choose to conduct our spiritual walk—as well as our vocation, finances, family, and relationships—as God desires. His Spirit is not going to release supernatural power into a life that is continuing in rebellion.

Third, we exercise faith, which means demonstrating belief and trust in the Lord. Faith is the "switch" that releases the Spirit's power. It's like saying, "I believe You've got a plan, God, so I'm going to trust You to give me what I need in order to do Your will." Then He will move heaven and earth to provide for your need, whatever it may be.

Merely memorizing and reviewing the steps isn't enough. Instead, commit to these principles as a way of life. Get used to thinking, I can't but God can— I'll submit to His will because His plans are for my good and His glory. That's the kind of life that surges with the Holy Spirit's power.

---In Touch

-The Holy Spirit's Dwelling Place
1 CORINTHIANS 6:19-20

Every time the news programs report a story about vandalism at a church, believers cringe. It's hard for us to bear the thought of anyone spray-painting graffiti on sanctuary walls or damaging the stained glass windows, let alone setting fire to a place of worship. It's a desecration! The church is a sacred place.

I'm saddened by the fact that many Christians don't have the same qualms when it comes to harming the temple of the Holy Spirit—their own bodies. Some put junk into their stomachs, their veins, or their lungs. Others wear themselves down under a weight of stress or exhaustion. Some folks justify these abuses as their right: It's my body, I can do what I want. But that isn't true.

First Corinthians 6 says that believers are the Lord's possession (v. 19).- He has fashioned these earthen vessels to serve Him and carry out the work He's planned for us to accomplish. God created us with a mind, body, and spirit—of the three aspects, the body is the one that allows us to interact with our environment. People cannot reach their full potential while neglecting the proper care of their bodies. What good are education, talent, and gifts if we're too tired or sick to complete tasks well?

Here in the world, we can do nothing apart from our physical body. Since it is the only one we'll have in this life, we should do our best to keep it in good condition. Believers should also recognize their responsibility to treat the earthly frame like the sacred and special dwelling place that it is.
--In Touch

-The Role of Our Conscience
-1 TIMOTHY 1:18-20

God gave every person a conscience, which is like a radar system meant to send warnings when a behavior or decision might be harmful. This makes it possible for people to distinguish between what is morally right and morally wrong, especially as it applies to their own lives. We ignore the conscience at our own peril.

In a believer, the conscience is a tool of the Holy Spirit. He programs it with principles from God's Word and sharpens it to respond quickly. Even so, our radar's sole purpose is to send a signal; what happens next is up to us. Either we ignore the warning, or we stop to hear what the Spirit has to say about the situation. The Holy Spirit reveals God's will or reminds us of His principles so we can make a wise decision about the warning bell ringing in our conscience.

Paul's letter to Timothy mentions people who had rejected God's leadership and guidance in their lives—they'd paid no attention to the alarm of their conscience (1 Tim. 1:19). The result was shipwrecked faith. When something appears on radar that speaks of disobedience to God, we have to reject that action. Otherwise, the detection device becomes impaired and won't work right. If we keep ignoring the alarms, it will eventually go completely silent.

We all know people who've "run aground" in life. A shipwrecked faith is inevitable when believers ignore their conscience and rationalize or defend disobedience. It's far better to turn yourself over to the great captain of your soul, Jesus Christ. His Holy Spirit will guide you correctly.

--In Touch

-Can You Trust Your Conscience?
-1 TIMOTHY 1:5-7

Let your conscience be your guide. This bit of folk wisdom seems to make sense since our conscience is designed to help us discern right from wrong. However, people cannot always trust their internal radar to steer them correctly; this is the case particularly with unbelievers, who don't have the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and offer guidance for wise decisions. And while Christians do have God's indwelling Spirit, they should be careful not to harbor sin in their lives, as that can interfere with the way their morality sensor functions.

A trustworthy conscience is programmed with scriptural teaching. Believers build a stable and sensitive spiritual radar system by applying God's truth to their lives. They are committed to thinking and acting in ways that honor and please the Lord. Then, when sinful thoughts or choices come across that radar, it will deliver a sharp warning.

A person with a reliable conscience will have a strong desire to obey God. He won't settle for what feels right or looks good, but instead prayerfully seeks the Lord's will. In other words, he does not rely solely on his conscience but incorporates all of the Holy Spirit's tools into his daily life: Scripture, prayer, etc. Moreover, when his spiritual radar sounds the alarm, he is quick to draw back and reject unwise choices.

A conscience isn't designed to be our guide; it is a tool of the Guide. The Holy Spirit not only convicts us of sin, but He also brings to mind godly principles and leads us on a righteous path. He uses a variety of tools to conform us to the likeness of Christ (Rom. 8:29).

--In Touch

-Levels of Faith in the Believer's Life
-MARK 11:20-24

It's a good idea to pause every now and then to evaluate where we are in our spiritual development. All Christians operate on one of three levels of faith. Although we all spend time in each one at various points in our lives, our goal should be to continually advance upward.

Level 1 is Little Faith. This stage is characterized by struggling to believe God. We hope He'll answer our prayer, but we're just not sure. Sometimes doubts creep in because we're looking at the situation, not at the Lord and His Word. Or maybe our problem is that we just don't know what God has said in the Bible, so we have nothing to anchor our faith.

Level 2 is Great Faith. I like to call this phase "reaching faith" because it involves stretching to believe the Lord more and more. Christians at this level are beginning to stand on the truth of Scripture. When we let the Word of God shape our thinking and petitions, we can know that He will grant our requests.

Level 3 is Perfect Faith. This one is characterized as resting in the confidence that the Lord has already accomplished what we've asked. When our requests align with His will, it's a "done deal." Our job is simply to thank Him and watch His promise become a reality.

No matter where you are, the Lord wants you to continually progress. Being in His Word is the only way to move upward. How can we believe Him if we don't know what He has said He will do? But if you know what He has promised, hang on, and don't let go.

-In Touch / JESUS IS LORD!

-DRESS ME, JESUS
-By: David Wilkerson

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).

Dear Jesus,

You told me to resist the devil and he would flee from me,
But I have no resistance.

You have all the power and resistance I’ll ever need,
So give me the power to resist.

You told me I could move my mountains
If I had faith even as a mustard seed;

Yet my mountain won’t move
Even though my faith in you is as great
As I can conceive it.

You made the heavens and earth;
Please move my mountain.
You said, “Flee the very appearance of evil!”

So I ran hard,
But sin overtook me
In my finest hour of effort.

You have power
Over all the power of the enemy
With miracles, signs and wonders.

Deliver me from the trap of Satan, Lord Jesus.
I don’t even have the strength to put on the whole armor,
So dress me as my armor-bearer.
Do for me what I know I cannot do for myself.
----
Thank You, Jesus!

-The Right Focus for Tough Times
PHILIPPIANS 1:12-20-

Paul did not picture himself as a victim. Despite tremendous physical discomfort and emotional turmoil, he believed he was under God's sovereign hand. So instead of growing resentful and walking away from the faith, the apostle turned to the Lord and continued to mature spiritually.

We can learn much from Paul—He was determined to focus on God's sovereignty rather than his own will. It's easy to be bitter over the mayhem that another person has caused in our lives. However, the minute we start thinking that our enemies are in control, we're defeated. The Bible says that God "has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all" (Ps. 103:19). He is in absolute control. We may not understand His reasons for permitting hardship or pain in our lives, but His plan is always for our good and His glory (Jer. 29:11).

Moreover, believers can learn from Paul's commitment to focus on positive results rather than on personal agony. Pain, whether in the body or the heart, often absorbs all of a person's attention. But there is no victory to be had in dwelling on our hurts. God has a plan for that anguish, and Paul is a good example. He rejoiced when the gospel spread to the Praetorian Guard—his jailers.

Difficult circumstances are a crossroads in the believer's life. If we take the path of blaming God for our strife, we'll be dealing with resentment and negativity. But if we focus on our heavenly Father's love and provision, we will find trust and hope as we seek to go His way. -

--In Touch

-Our Cross: Death Of Pride
-By: Connie J. Horn

“Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).

Some in evangelical circles today would say that one’s “cross” is some particular suffering, such as a chronic illness or the death of a loved one. However, the Bible speaks about a daily cross that is universal to all believers. Where Christ speaks about the “cross,” the context always includes the believer’s daily dying to oneself. “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 10:39).

Note our verse for today. It is significant that one of the major factors in this denial of oneself is a willingness to put aside the pride that loves the praise of men more than the praise of God. In fact, the first discourse on the “cross” in Matthew 10, although directed specifically to the apostles, is instructive to us, as well. It includes the admonition, “beware of men” (10:17), and “fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (10:28).

“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: . . . And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me” (10:34–38).

Let us determine that we will shoulder the cross of the death of pride daily, “not ashamed of the gospel of Christ” (Romans 1:16), and, like Moses, esteem “the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt” (Hebrews 11:26).

ICR/CJH

--Make A Real Impact for Jesus Christ!

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
--Colossians 3:23-24

Years ago I was in a souvenir shop and ran across an interesting little machine. It had all kinds of knobs on it, and when you turned and pulled the knobs, there were whistles and bells that sounded. I had so much fun playing with that little thing!

When I turned it over, I laughed when I saw it was called a “Do-Nothing Machine.” It did absolutely nothing except make a lot of noise and cause a lot of movement. But the reality is that despite the show it put on, it was really completely useless for anything.

That reminds me of many Christians today. There’s a lot of action in their lives… serving on committees, doing service projects, going to church every Sunday, but they never win people to Christ. And not only that, they never truly abide in Christ. That’s the sad state of the Church today!

As you look at your life of service to Christ, are you really doing something? Or do you tend to make noise but not really serve how you should? Make an impact for God’s Kingdom by not just looking and acting like a servant, but truly giving your life to make known Jesus Christ!

-DON’T JUST GO THROUGH THE MOTIONS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. MAKE A REAL IMPACT FOR JESUS CHRIST!

-The God Who Forgives
-Matthew 6:9-13 (recommended reading/ The Lord's Prayer)

Jesus Christ gave His followers a pattern for prayer that includes seeking forgiveness daily. The invitation to regular repentance is not a means of renewing our salvation, but rather a maintenance plan for our fellowship with the Lord. When we trust Jesus as our Savior, our sins are forgiven forever. The stains from our past, present, and future wrongs are wiped from our record; however, we're a fallen people so we do continue to commit sin.

With the exception of Jesus Christ, no person is perfect. Sin is simply a fact of human life. The Lord's payment for our transgressions means that we can look forward to an eternity spent in God's presence instead of getting the punishment we deserve. On this side of heaven, though, we still have to contend with our tendency to do wrong--and we must also deal with the consequences. The Lord's admonition to seek daily forgiveness is a reminder to confess our sins and turn away from them because we are forgiven.

God's grace is not a license to sin; instead, it's a reason to pursue righteousness. Bad attitudes, thoughtless actions, and unkind speech do not fit who we are as children of light. We're new creatures in Christ, bought for a price and set free to live as partakers of His grace.

Salvation makes a way for us to enter God's presence, while regular confession and repentance keep the pathway well maintained and free of obstruction (1 John 1:9). A saint (follower of our Lord Jesus), will tap into God's forgiveness every day of his or her life.

--In Touch

-Developing Patience
-Read | James 1:1-4 (recommended reading)

When people confide to me that they are praying for patience, I often ask what else they're doing to acquire a calm and gentle heart. Patience isn't so much something believers receive as it is an attribute that they develop over time and through experience.

Think of patience as a muscle that you have to use in order to see it build. To that end, believers should recognize difficulty as an opportunity to flex their patience. The human instinct is to cry out to God in bewilderment when tribu-lation comes knocking. We blame. We resist. We complain. What we don't do is say, "Thank You, Father--it's time to grow in patience!" People aren't trained to think that way, but according to the Bible, that is exactly how Christians are to respond.

James tells us to consider trials a joy (1:2). But we often fail at this, don't we? Humanly speaking, praising the Lord for tribulation is unnatural. However, doing so begins to make sense to believers when they cling to God's promise that good comes from hardship (Rom. 8:28). We are not waiting on the Lord in vain. We can praise Him for the solution He will bring, the lives He will change, or the spiritual fruit He will develop in us.

Accepting hardship as a means of growth is a radical concept in this world. Even more extreme is the believer who praises the Lord for the storm. But God's followers have cause to rejoice. Tribulation increases our patience so that we can stand firm on His promises and await His good timing.
--In Touch

--You Are Qualified to share in His Inheritance, in Light!

May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
---Colossians 1:11-12

-I heard about some prospectors who were mining for gold in Colorado years ago. They came upon a large amount of gold, and they agreed with one another that they wouldn’t tell anybody where they found it.

So the day came when they had to go back to the city and get fresh supplies and provisions. And when they went back to the city people began to notice something was different about them based solely on the looks upon their faces. They couldn’t keep it to themselves!

When you have abundant life in Jesus Christ, it’s going to show up. You can’t keep it to yourself! You won’t have to look for people to share Christ with; they’ll be looking at you if you truly have the joy of the Lord. And you’ll have the privilege of telling them that the difference is the Lord Jesus Christ!

In every situation in life—the good and the bad—Jesus makes all the difference. It’s the unspeakable joy we have in Him that makes life really worth living. It’s in following Him that we find meaning and purpose. And when we do, the lives we live will be markedly different because we have a hope beyond compare!

-MAKE JESUS CHRIST THE CENTER OF YOUR LIFE AND YOU’LL EXPERIENCE REAL JOY THAT GOES BEYOND YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES.
--Jack Graham

-We’re God’s Idea

‘I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. Psalm 139:14”

We’re God’s idea. His face. His eyes. His hands. His touch. We are him!

Look deeply into the face of every human being on earth and you’ll see his likeness. Though some appear to be distant relatives, they’re not. God has no cousins, only children.

You aren’t an accident or an incident; you’re a gift to the world. A divine work of art—signed by God.

One of the best gifts I ever received is a football jersey signed by thirty former professional quarterbacks. For all I know it was bought at a discount sports store. What makes it unique are the signatures.

The same is true with us. What makes us special is not our body, but the signature of God on our lives. We’re his works of art, created in his image.

Significant, not because of what we do, but because of whose we are!

‘I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. Psalm 139:14”

--Max Lucado

-Which Matters Most?

As we took Communion one Sunday morning, I heard a small boy asking, “What’s that, Daddy?”

The father explained the meaning of the bread. Then he prayed. The boy was quiet until the cup was passed. “What’s that daddy?” His father again explained. Then he prayed.

I chuckled at the colossal task the father was tackling. When I turned to give him a knowing nod, I realized it was David Robinson, NBA basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs. On his lap was his six-year-old son. Less that 24 hours earlier David had led the Spurs in scoring in a playoff game. In 24 hours he’d be doing the same in Phoenix. But sandwiched between nationally televised, high-stakes contests was David, the dad—-explaining Communion to David, the son.

Which matters most? What will make the biggest difference? Watching his dad play basketball or hearing him whisper a prayer?
--Max Lucado
-------------
-1 Corinthians 11:23-26 NASB / The Lord's Supper
(vs.23) For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was 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 He took the cup also after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."
(v26) For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.
-----

-Get in the Zone
-John 15:9-11

"Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." (John 15:4)

When you look up a plant in a gardening book, you will see a reference to the geographical zone where that plant grows best. Some plants can grow elsewhere, but that takes extra care. It's often not even worth the bother to grow a plant outside of its zone.

Christians have only one zone where they can grow, and it's not a geographic area. Rather, it is the zone of trust and dependence on Christ. It's what Jesus called abiding in Him. Unlike plants, Christians will not grow outside their zone no matter how hard they try. In quietness and trust, the prophet Isaiah tells us, is our strength (30:15).

Our salvation depends upon what Christ has done for us and in us. Our fruitfulness, the ability to be like Him and bless others as He did, depends on where we are abiding today. That's why we need a daily check-up about the zone we're in.

Where are you abiding today? Are you trusting in your willpower or determination to make you like Jesus? You can try that. Or you can get in the right zone....and grow!
---
A plant that grows outiside its zone is still a plant. But a plant that grows in its zone is productive. Get in the right zone.
The right Zone is a Person, JESUS!

---Haven Today/ TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS! (Alan Jackson)

-Heavenly Rewards-
--Read | Luke 14:12-14 (recommended reading)
---
Children aren't the only ones who like to get rewards. Our Creator knows that adults are also motivated by incentives. His Word makes exciting promises for those who walk in His way.

Some of these benefits are available here on earth--like fulfillment, joy, and good favor--and other blessings will be bestowed in heaven. As believers, we need never fear the judgment (Rom. 8:1); we are clothed in righteousness through the blood of Jesus and will not face divine wrath. But the Lord will weigh the substance of our works and decide upon the reward we deserve.

To help us understand this, Scripture describes four crowns. The first, which is called incorruptible, is given to those whose great desire is to walk obediently before God. Through struggles and even failures, they continue to die to the flesh and follow the Spirit.

Second, the crown of life is granted to believers who stand firm, enduring trials without giving up or losing heart.

Third, the crown of righteousness is bestowed upon those who long for Christ's appearing and walk godly lives through Him.

Fourth, God will give the crown of glory to those who share His Word with others. And as the Bible tells us, we will be awed by Jesus' glory and honored just to lay our crowns at His feet.

The supreme reward is for us to manifest God's glory throughout eternity. We will experience ultimate joy in His presence forever, but we don't have to wait: we can invest today by serving Him obediently and humbly. Done with the right motive, service blesses us now and in our life to come.

--In Touch

-The Source of Our Adversity
-Read | Isaiah 45:5-10 (recommended reading)

When we experience hardships, we usually wonder why God allows these painful situations to come our way. It just doesn't seem to fit with His role as our loving heavenly Father. We struggle to reconcile our suffering with His love for us and His power to prevent or stop it. In order to understand what's going on, we need to consider the possible sources of adversity.

-A Fallen World: When sin entered the world, suffering came with it. God could have protected us from these harmful effects by making us like puppets who could not choose sin, but that would mean we'd also be unable to choose to love Him, because love must be voluntary.

-Our Own Doing: Sometimes we get ourselves into trouble with our foolish or sinful choices. If the Lord stepped in and rescued us from every negative consequence, we'd never grow into mature believers.

-Satanic Attack: The Devil is our enemy. To hinder anything the Lord wants to do in and through believers, Satan will never cease to harass us. His goal is to destroy our lives and our testimonies, thereby making us weak and useless for God's purposes.

-God's Sovereignty: Ultimately, the Lord is in charge of all adversity that comes our way. To deny His involvement contradicts His power and sovereignty over creation.

For us to accept that God allows--or even sends--afflictions, we must see adversity from His perspective. Is your focus on the pain of your experience or on the Lord and His faithfulness? As believers, we're assured that no adversity comes our way unless He can use it to achieve His good purposes.

--In Touch

-THE MISSION OF GOD
-By: Gary Wilkerson

I love the Latin phrase missio Dei — which
means “mission of God.”

In the first chapter of Genesis we see that the missio Dei, the mission of God, was to reveal Himself to man, to make Himself known in all His wonderful glory and goodness.

Genesis 2 introduces us to Adam and Eve, whose fall caused that mission to be broken. There was no longer the fullness of revelation that enabled man to see things as they were intended to be seen. Then in Genesis 3 we see Adam and Eve
covering themselves in shame and being driven out of the Garden. They were running from God, no longer intimate and walking with Him.

From the Garden of Eden to the book of Revelation the Bible reveals the mission of God, showing us clearly what God’s purposes are for His people.

When the church doesn’t understand the mission of God — when it becomes diminished, ignored and perverted — the church loses its power. When the mission of God is set aside, the church becomes introverted and takes on a form that God didn’t intend for it. Then the church continues building on itself,
becoming a type of the 'Tower of Babel' that just keeps going up until its weight causes it to crumble.

In Acts 1:8 Jesus said, “And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Jerusalem.” Is that really what He said? No! He said, “And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end [uttermost parts] of the earth” (ESV). He knew that this mission of God was meant to bless those in Jerusalem but then it should spread to others.

If you limit the mission of God to being only what He has blessed you with, you will shortchange your own blessings. You will block the flow of what God has for you because His blessings are meant to come to you and then flow through you to
others, to the world.
---------

-Imputing Righteousness to Your Account

-BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works." Romans 4:6

-DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
God imputes righteousness to you through His Son. What does "impute" mean? To put on your account. At the moment you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, God makes you righteous. Romans 4:8 says, "Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin." A woman was asked one day what it felt like to be saved and she replied, "It feels as though I am standing in Jesus' shoes and He is standing in mine." A scholar or theologian couldn't have said it any better.

"For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21).

-ACTION POINT:
Thank God that though you are a sinner, He doesn't impute it to you, and though you are not righteous, He imputes--puts into your account-- that to you!

--The Trying of Faith Works Patience

--BIBLE MEDITATION:
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
--James 1:2-4

--DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
--What does God want out of you? He wants you to experience the fullness of Christ. And the way to this is through trials and tribulations. Can you be patient during this process? If you’re like most people, probably not. We become like children who don’t know the difference between “No” and “Not yet.” If you say, “Wait a while,” to them that is, “No.” They want it now. But God is interested in maturing you. A Danish proverb says, “Give to a pig when it grunts and give to a child when it cries, and you will have a fine pig and a bad child.” Tribulation brings patience, and patience makes us mature.

--ACTION POINT:
-What are you waiting for? What are you struggling with? Give it to Jesus. Trust in His timing and His provision.
--Adrian Rogers ~~/ LORD REIGN IN ME/ Brenton Brown~~
<http://youtu.be/ZzEkhTwiODc>
----

--RESTORED BY
-THE MASTER ~~

-Read: Colossians 3:8-17
-------
-[You] have put on
the new man who is
renewed in knowledge
according to the image
of Him who created him.
--Colossians 3:10
-----
-OVER the centuries, many attempts have been made to restore damaged and time-worn masterpieces of art. While some of these efforts have skillfully preserved the original work of artists, others have actually damaged many works of genius, including ancient Greek statues and at least two paintings by da Vinci.

In Paul's letter to the Christians at Colosse, he described a restoration process that is impossible in the world of art. It is a restoration of God's people. Paul wrote, "You have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him" (Col. 3:9-10).

This is no attempt at renovating the work of a deceased artist. It is a spiritual renewal from the living God who created us and gave us new life in His Son, Jesus Christ. His forgiveness brightens the colors of our lives while His grace sharpens the lines of His purpose for us.

The canvas of our lives is in the skilled hands of our Lord who knows who and what He designed us to be. No matter how sin-damaged and dirty we may be, there is hope for renewal and restoration. The Master Artist is alive and at work within us.

----JESUS SPECIALIZES IN RESTORATION.~~
--ODB/DM=/ POWER OF YOUR LOVE/ Darlene Zschech
<http://youtu.be/eA4narr2wyE?list=RDZzEkhTwiODc>

--Jesus Made Baptism a Priority~

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
--Matthew 28:18-19

--Baptism should be important to followers of the Lord Jesus Christ because it was important to Him, plain and simple!

Not only was Jesus baptized at the outset of His ministry, He concluded His ministry with baptism. So don’t you think we should make it a priority too? I think so!

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, and you have never been baptized, then I want to challenge you today to do so. Let me share with you why…

-First, baptism is a sign of your commitment to Jesus Christ. If you are truly committed to Jesus, then you need to make a public statement of that commitment, much like a wedding ring is a public expression of a commitment of a husband or wife.

-Second, baptism is a symbol of your salvation. You need to publicly symbolize the sacrifice of Christ on your behalf and your submission to Him in your life.

-Third, baptism is a sign of obedience. While there are many things you and I cannot do like Jesus Christ did, baptism is one thing that we can do exactly like He did! And when you are baptized, you are publicly declaring your obedience to Him.

-Finally, baptism is a statement of your faith. When you’re baptized, you’re declaring to the world that you believe and belong to Jesus Christ. You are saying to everyone that you love Christ and want to follow Him with your whole heart.

-Now, understand that being baptized doesn’t save you. But I would encourage you today… if you’re a believer and you’ve never been baptized… to prayerfully consider following Christ in this step of obedience. Through it, you will give a beautiful testimony of your faith in Him.

--JESUS MADE BAPTISM A PRIORITY, AND SO SHOULD WE.
--Jack Graham-[Good Lord, Show me the way to follow in Your steps. "Go ye therefore and baptize all men in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."]
<http://youtu.be/d9FLFTF600s>

--ACCEPTING OUR INHERITANCE IN CHRIST~~
--Read | Ephesians 1:11-22

"in Him, we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory."(vs. 11-12)

The word 'inheritance' usually brings to mind the money and real estate handed down from one generation to another. But God has an even greater legacy to share with His children—one that they are given the moment they enter His family.

-Galatians 4:7 tells us that believers are God’s heirs. First among our priceless treasures is a living hope in Jesus Christ that cannot be taken away (1 Peter 1:3-4). What’s more, He pledged to supply our needs according to His riches (Phil. 4:19). In other words, we already have all that we need for an abundant and victorious life.

However, some folks get stuck in spiritual poverty because they refuse to view themselves as adopted children. Failing to tap into their inheritance, they wander through this big angry world, hoping to hold on to their meager scrap of faith until they’re lucky enough to die and go to Heaven. If we live like this, of course we miss the blessings available in this life, because we’re not looking for them.

How differently people see themselves when they look through the eyes of Jesus. Christians who live like the beloved, empowered heirs that they are will lavishly spend their inheritance of grace to benefit everyone they meet.

God gives all believers the pledge of an inheritance out of the unsurpassed riches of His infinite grace. We are spiritually rich citizens of Heaven who have nothing to fear in this world. Choose to live boldly for Christ, and see how abundantly your Heavenly Father pours out blessing from the legacy already set aside for you.
--IN TOUCH~~/ EL SHADDAI=THE ALMIGHTY GOD -By: Micahel Card ~~
http://youtu.be/ldUEIpjmwsQ
-----

--Promoted from Guilt to Righteousness

--BIBLE MEDITATION:
“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:5

--DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Justification is God’s act whereby He declares those who have trusted in Christ to be as righteous as His Son is righteous. Salvation is not based on our works.Do you know what God sees when He looks at me today? He sees Jesus Christ. You may be thinking, “That’s arrogant, Adrian.”

No, it’s not. It is the Bible. I am in Christ and therefore God cannot see my sins (see 1 Corinthians 1:30). He only sees the righteousness of His Son.Justification is more than just a pardon. It is a promotion. God doesn’t just forgive our sins, He makes us righteous. Only God can take someone who is guilty and give that person righteousness. It is the saving work of God. What is the basis of our justification? His grace.

--ACTION POINT:
Do you see yourself today as defeated, wrapped in the guilt of failure and regret? Look through another lens: the Father sees you clothed in white—the righteousness of His Son.

--Adrian Rogers

[Once we belong to Jesus, the Holy Spirit empowers us for everything that is required on the way of righteousness; loving God with our whole heart, loving our neighbors, and carrying out the Lord's purposes. His plans are to take precedence over our own. In contrast to the disappointments on the broad road, every divine promise is guaranteed.
The broad road leads to Hell. The narrow road leads to eternal life with Jesus, Heaven. It has a small entrance, because there is only one way to be reconciled to God--through faith in Christ. Traveling on this path requires a commitment to the Savior and a lifestyle of dependence, sacrifice, and trust.

Each of us must choose which path to take: the wide one that ends in hopelessness and eternal separation from the Lord, or the narrow one leading to life everlasting. If you desire a relationship with God through Jesus, confess you are a sinner in need of the Savior Jesus, and ask Him to forgive you of your sins. He never turns away a sincere heart. Once you have done that, you are 'saved.' Saved from sin, hell and the devil. The choice is up to you. "Choose this day who you will serve. But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord Jesus."
--IN TOUCH
The 'decision' is always left up to each person who wants to spend eternity in Heaven. No, it's not easy. It was not easy for Jesus and it will not be easy for us. But He promises to be with us and help us in our time of need, if we just call and ask Him.] ~~
/I Have Decided / Amy Grant
<http://youtu.be/kDVsAAN76rg>
-----

-Three Important Truths We MUST Tell Others About JESUS!

'Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
--John 14:6

--There are three essential truths that we as Christians must fearlessly defend and declare when we tell others about Christ.

**First, as Jesus says in today’s verse, stand up and declare that Jesus Christ alone is God, This an explosive truth that divides people, but it’s a truth you and I must be willing to tell others.

**Second, Jesus’ death on the Cross atoned for the sins of the whole world. In our day and time, you can get away with talking about Jesus being a great moral teacher, an influential leader, or even a revolutionary. But start talking about Jesus dying for our sins, and people bristle. This truth goes against the pride and the arrogance and the ego of our culture.

**Third, God is sovereign over the destinies of human beings. He has chosen each of us who are saved. This is a difficult truth, but the Bible says in Ephesians 1:3-4, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.” Now, when you share Christ, someone may say, “How do I know I am chosen?” The answer is simple—ask Jesus into your life right now and you will know you are chosen.

So take time today to share the good news of Jesus Christ with someone you know. He is the only truth by which we can be saved!

--SHARE THE TRUTH THIS DAY!~~
--PP/JG
[As believers and followers of Christ it is our 'job/mission' to share the Truth of who Jesus is. The Holy Spirit does the convicting and changing of hearts. But 'WE' are to spread His Word to a lost and dying world. TELL SOMEONE TODAY. Nobody is ever promised tomorrow.]'Jesus Use Me' / Daivid Gaulton
<http://youtu.be/iWAnvQ1VM68>

--RECEIVE THE COURTESY OF CHRIST ~~

--My wife has a heart for single moms. She loves to include them at the table when we go to a restaurant. Through the years I’ve noticed a common appreciation from them. They love it when I pull out their chair. More than once they’ve specifically thanked me. One mom in particular comes to mind. “My,” she said, brushing the sudden moisture from her eye, “it’s been a while since anyone did that.”

Has it been a while for you as well? People can be so rude. We snatch parking places. We forget names. Could you use some courtesy? Has it been a while since someone pulled out your chair? Then let Jesus! Don’t hurry through this thought. Receive the courtesy of Christ. He’s your Groom. (Rev. 21:2, 21:9, 22:17)-

Let Christ do what he longs to do. For as you receive his love, you’ll find it easier to give yours away!

--Love Worth Giving/ML- SONG OF THE BEAUTIFUL BRIDE / Paul Wilbur
<https://youtu.be/MX7WRUavnRI>
------

--The Christian's Life~~

----Filled with Fruit
“Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:11)

The unique phrase “fruits of righteousness” has many supporting teachings, the most famous of which is where the Lord Jesus compares Himself to a “vine” and we who are His adopted sons and daughters to “branches” (John 15:1-6).

Paul reminded the Philippian church that the fruits ultimately result from Jesus Christ, just as Jesus illustrated. We “cannot bear fruit” by ourselves (John 15:4). Not only does our very life come from God, but the ability to produce godly fruit can only come through and by God.

Isaiah noted that all of our self-produced righteous deeds are like “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). The fruit for which we are “ordained” (John 15:16) has its source in the thrice-holy Godhead and its manifestation by the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23).

Those Holy Spirit character traits are the innate property of the vine that becomes instilled in the branches, or us. This enables us to bring forth the fruit that represents the “DNA” of the vine in which we are abiding. Being connected to the vine makes it possible for us to “walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).

The “husbandman” (God the Father) is superintending the vineyard (John 15:1). When branches wither and do not produce fruit (see also Matthew 13:18-23), they are taken away. The branches that do produce are purged (Greek kathairo, “cleaned up”). As Peter noted, “his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3).

--With God, “all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). Without Him, “[we] can do nothing” (John 15:5).
--ICR/HMM III

--JUDGMENT FOR BELIEVERS~~

---(Please Read: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10)

As believers in Christ, we are assured of our salvation. We need not fear eternity, because we know we will dwell with the heavenly Father forever in paradise. What blessed assurance!

But salvation is about more than just getting into heaven. It’s about the process of becoming increasingly like Jesus while living on earth. In fact, we’ll someday be asked to account for the way we used our opportunities, abilities, and resources.

In His parable of the talents, Jesus shared the importance of investing wisely all that our Father has bestowed on us. (See Matt. 25:14-30.) God gives His children different types and amounts of wealth, gifts, blessings, and circumstances. What matters to the Lord is the way we make use of them, not how much we have. Do we take what He has given and selfishly utilize it all for our own good and protection? Or do we generously and cheerfully use those gifts and talents to serve Jesus Christ? These are the questions that Christians will answer at the believers’ judgment.

Of course, this accountability won’t be the basis for our spending eternity in heaven (that issue is settled when we trust in Christ). Rather, we will be rewarded for the way we invested our life. And if we didn’t spend our time and resources wisely, we will experience loss.

Consider your blessings. How do you utilize all that the heavenly Father has bestowed upon you—namely, time, abilities, and finances? Each one of us must choose how we are going to live. It is our responsibility to be faithful servants of the living God, doing whatever He calls us to do.
--IN TOUCH~~

---THE BELIEVER'S TASK~~
--(Please Read: Romans 12:6-8)

--Christians sometimes misunderstand the gift of salvation. It is not given, as some believe, for the purpose of making our lives happy, easy, and “smooth-sailing” (in fact, verses such as James 1:2-4 indicate trouble can be expected in this life).

Instead, our heavenly Father has a number of other reasons for redeeming us. In addition to being able to express His great love, He also wants to be glorified through the lives of His children. This happens as His followers become increasingly conformed to the image of Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:29), make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19), and do the good works He created us to do.

-Ephesians 2:10 states, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” The Father blesses each of us with abilities and circumstances that enable us to do His work—He planned all this even before we were born. In addition, when we are saved, He gives us spiritual gifts that perfectly fit His purpose for our lives.

The Lord wants us to discover our unique talents and spiritual gifts so that we will be able to use them for His glory. That is the only way we will find genuine joy and fulfillment in this world.
-IN TOUCH~~
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[There are some churches that teach we must 'WORK' to be saved. So they go from door to door and try forcing their doctrine on the person listening. I have had this happen several times. It is most annoying and not true. In fact they can be quite rude. An elderly neighbor of mine was frightened almost to tears, as they relentlessly kept banging on her door. Then proceeded to tell her how to have Jesus as her Savior. She is already saved. What have they done? Harmed the body of Christ.

** Let's see what Pastor Max Lucado has to say regarding 'your spiritual gift'.
[Peter said that each believer has been given at least one gift to use to serve others. We are told to be good servants of those gifts.
Want to know God's will for your life? Then answer this question: What ignites your heart? Forgotten orphans? Untouched nations? The inner city? The outer limits?
Heed the fire within!
'Do you have a passion to sing? Then sing! Are you stirred to manage? Then manage! Do you ache for the ill? Then treat them? Do you hurt for the lost? Then teach them. Ask the Lord to lead you in the direction that He knows is best suited for you to operate in His 'spiritual gift'.
"He that winneth souls is wise."-( Proverbs 11:30) We don't do this for our glory. We always point others to Jesus. As Paul said, "Some plant the (spiritual) seed, some water, but it is God that gives the increase." (see 1 Corinthians 3:5-8)~]
--

---YOUR ADVOCATE ~~

Not all guilt is bad. God uses appropriate doses of guilt to awaken us to sin! We know guilt is God-given when it causes “indignation…alarm…longing…concern…readiness to see justice done” (2 Corinthians 7:11 NIV). God’s guilt brings enough regret to change us. Satan’s guilt, on the other hand, brings enough regret to 'enslave' us. Don’t let him get his shackles on you!

Remember “your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). When He looks at you, He sees Jesus first. In the Chinese language the word for 'righteousness' is a combination of two characters, the figure of a lamb and a person. The lamb is on top, covering the person. Whenever God looks down at you, this is what He sees– the perfect Lamb of God covering you. Do you trust your Advocate or your Accuser?
--From/ 'God is With You Every Day'/ML~~/--'EVERLASTING GOD'- Brenton Brown~~
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuudVoMyZyE>
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--WHERE TO DISCOVER WHO GOD REALLY IS ~

--“‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
--(Matthew 4:4)

--In Greensboro, North Carolina, there’s an institute called the Center for Creative Leadership that exists solely for the purpose to advance the understanding, practice, and development of leadership all over the world.

Years ago, the institute conducted a study to determine how ideas are transmitted from person to person. They looked at secular organizations, government entities, and churches, and found that the most effective way of communicating truth to an individual and having him or her retain it is by telling compelling stories.

As we read the Bible, we see that’s how the authors (and the ultimate Author) communicated truth to us as well. Yes, there are some sections that are theological treatises, but more is actually communicated about God through story than any other way! -[Our Lord spoke in parables, as they could not understand the Spiritual meaning, as the Holy Spirit was not sent yet. He came after Pentecost.]

The Scriptures were designed for the real purpose of us being able to immerse ourselves into them. It’s His story of 'Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Glory' that pulls us in and reveals who God really is. Dive deeply into the pages of God’s Word. It’s meant to be savored!

-FEAST ON THE SCRIPTURES REGULARLY AND DISCOVER WHO GOD IS AS YOU IMMERSE YOURSELF IN HIS WORD!
--PP/JG~~

---THE FATHER'S GOOD GIFTS~~
----(Please Read/ Matthew 7:7-11)

--One of God’s most generous assurances to His children is found in today’s reading from Matthew 7. Not only are we granted permission to come to the Father with our requests, but He also promises to answer our prayers. However, you may be thinking, 'If this is true, why hasn’t He given me what I asked for?'

The key to understanding this passage is found in verses 9–11: “What man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? ... If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!” Think in terms of parenting. A child may want the latest video game, but his parent knows that a different gift would be better for him. In the same way, the God who made us is more keenly aware of our needs than we are (Matt. 6:8).

Because of spiritual immaturity or the limitations of our humanity, we may ask for what we perceive as good and necessary, when it isn’t truly in our best interest. But our Father gives what He knows is more beneficial. The qualities of Christlike character are among His best gifts, but these develop through trials and testing. We may feel He’s given us a snake instead of a fish, but the problem is with our lack of understanding, not with the Lord’s goodness.

--When it seems that the Lord isn’t answering your requests, remember that He’s a loving Father, and consider what good gifts He is giving instead. Although it may take years to gain a godly perspective, in time you’ll say, “Lord, You were right. Thank You for giving me exactly what I needed.”
**--IN TOUCH~~**
[ Most of our prayers are for selfish reasons. Whereas they should be firstly to "THANK JEHOVAH GOD FOR ALL HE HAS ALREADY DONE FOR US." "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." ALL!, that includes you and me. Repent of your sins, ask God to forgive you and to help you to live according to His Word. "Does not the God of all the earth do right?" He's the Creator, of course He does right! Dare we question his wisdom and knowledge? NEVER! He will answer in His timing and according to what 'HE KNOWS IS RIGHT' for you. Give your problems to the Lord and leave them there. Yes, keep praying, but TRUST HIM! JESUS LOVES YOU! (Please Read Colossians Chapter 1). Jesus rescued us out of darkness and transformed us into His glorious light. JESUS IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD! There are only 4 Chapters in COLOSSIANS. Take time to read His Word, and 'then' you will see Him working in your life.

"You are loved with an everlasting love and underneath are His everlasting arms. Jesus died to save you from Hell. Please do not let another day pass if you have not already invited Him into your heart, repented of your sins, and do read His Holy Word, the Bible, daily. When we pray, we speak to our Lord Jesus. When we read His Word, the Holy Bible, He speaks to us. Ask Him to show you how to live according to what is right in 'HIS' eyes. Jesus loves you!
Jesus died for us to go Heaven. Let's live for Him to spend eternity praising our Maker, Creator, Savior, Redeemer, and Lord above all lords.// 'He is exalted~Great is the Lord'/ Maranatha Singers~
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic1UBwVHGGU>
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--YOUR NAME IS WRITTEN ON GOD'S HAND ~~
--[Isaiah 49:16]

---When I see a flock of sheep I see exactly that—a flock. A rabble of wool, all alike. But not so with the Shepherd. To him every sheep is different. Every face is special Every sheep has a name. And that includes you. The Shepherd [Jesus Christ] knows you. He knows your name, and he will never forget it.


He says in Isaiah 49:16, “I have written your name on my hand.” -- Your name is on God’s hand, your name is on God’s lips. Perhaps you’ve never seen your name honored or heard it spoken with kindness. If so, it may be more difficult for you to believe that God knows your name. But he does! Written on his hand. Spoken by his mouth. Your name! You just keep listening. Be sure to hear when God whispers your name.

--'Your Name Is Written on God's Hand~'//ML~~
[Friend, It would be wonderful if you would memorize Psalm 23. It reminds you that you belong to Him, Jesus Christ. Nothing can ever pluck you out of His hand. Stay close to the Shepherd. 'You are loved with an everlasting love and underneath are His everlasting arms.' If you have not yet invited Jesus into your life please prayerfully repent of your sins ("All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."--[Romans 3:23] ) Jesus will forgive you. There is no sin that He will not forgive. Take it to the Lord. Jesus loves you so much that He died just for you. As you read the Bible take it as a personal love-letter from our Creator, Savior, and Redeemer, JESUS.

--LIVING IN LIGHT OF ETERNITY / WE ALL WILL LIVE FOREVER ~~

--" And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."
---(Hebrews 9:27) --

--Recently we attended the funeral of a twenty-three year old man. At the age of fourteen he had been hurt in a farm accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. He glowed with cheerful vitality, then one day he was found in his bedroom--gone. Here one minute, gone the next. Despite his adversity, the young man had adopted Philippians 4:13 as his motto: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

One minute after death, what will we experience? The beginning of timeless existence--eternity! The thought of eternity chills the unbeliever but thrills the child of God. How is it with us? Do we have a secure anchor extending beyond this life and reaching into eternity? It is easy to shout hallelujahs when all goes well, but quite another when we experience reverses and difficulties. If our trust reaches into eternity, we can face adversities with confidence as JOB did. And like the young man, we can endure all things though Christ.

Often in our hurried and frustrated microwave-style living, we forget the most important issues of life. Satan has his ways to distract us from eternal values, other through the pursuit of wealth. "Godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Timothy 6:6). If we lose sight of this great truth, we are within Satan's reach.

Fear is another formidable enemy that can distract our attention from God and eternity. Fear can easily affect a whole country during a national emergency. Many people panic and soon empty the shelves in grocery stores. Those who trust in Christ can rest confidently, believing that in eternity they will experience what He said: That where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:3).

--BSW/DY~

---GOD IS SPIRIT ~~

"God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24) -

Mankind has always struggled with this aspect of God. The Second Commandment prohibited any attempt to represent God by any physical shape (Exodus 20:4-5). The triune God cannot be contained by finite attributes.

“Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:17)
“Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:16)

Were it not for the Second Person of the Godhead, He whom the apostle John identifies as “the Word,” we would have no possibility of knowing God (John 1:1-14). Philip asked to see the Father, and the Lord Jesus replied: “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (John 14:9).

But how can this be? Paul explained to the Philippian church that Jesus Christ emptied Himself, took on the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men (Philippians 2:7). Our Lord Jesus, our Redeemer and Savior, the same Creator who spoke the worlds into existence, “was made flesh” (John 1:14) in order to provide all that was necessary for the thrice-holy God to “be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Romans 3:26).

Jesus insisted “no man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him” (John 6:44). Salvation is not possible unless “he that cometh to God [believes] that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). Jesus Himself told the Samaritan woman, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

--ICR/HMM IIII

--SOVEREIGN OR NOT?~

--"The LORD has established His throne in the
heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all."
--[PSALM 103:19]

---YOU WILL NOT make wise decisions unless you wholeheartedly believe one basic, theological fact--the truth that God is absolutely sovereign. That He is indeed God and that He rules over all things, at all times, in all circumstances. Why is this important? Because it will make all the difference as to whether you obey Him or not.

For example, take David (1 Samuel 17). When he was a young man, the champion of the Philistines, Goliath, challenged the bravest of Israel's soldiers to a duel. Sadly, Israel's warriors were all terrified of the mighty Goliath.. That is, all except David--who understood that the battle wasn't about human strength, but about the divine power of God. David was able to triumph over Goliath because he was confident that the Lord was sovereign--and that He didn't like His name being taken in vain.

Likewise, God may direct you in ways that seem absolutely impossible or that you don't understand. Ask yourself: is He the omnipotent, omniscient God or isn't He? Answer that question and you'll have the confidence to do as He asks. ~~

--"Lord, You are God! You deserve both my respect and trust. Help me always to obey You. Lead me on Your everlasting path, in Jesus Name. amen."
--IN TOCH~