RANDOM THOUGHTS
April 22, 2018
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Jesus says we must be BORN AGAIN.
Not baptized into the “church” as an infant. That is an empty man-contrived ritual. Not “confirmed” at the age of majority. That is affirmation of the previous empty ritual (infant baptism) and rote training in doctrine. Thirty years ago, when I told the Lord I was concerned about not going to church, He responded that it was okay – He didn’t go either.
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September 13, 2016
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“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 1 Peter 4:18 Instead of focusing on the second part of that question (that other guy really has a big problem); the context of the verse (it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; vs. 17) requires that we examine our own condition. Re-read the verse replacing "If" with "Since", "Seeing as", or "Whereas" to get a clear understanding of the message. The message is clear -- it is hard for the righteous to be saved! So, I consider myself among the righteous, but where do I really stand? Am I truly living by faith? Is my Savior, Jesus Christ, truly the LORD of my life? Do I live my life today and every day having died to my Self? Am I centered on Jesus Christ; or on a religion, denomination, preacher, ministry, job/career, or any of a million other distractions (supply your own)? I'm reminded that the way to salvation is narrow and God speaks of a mere remnant. There's no substitute for encountering the LIVING GOD! |
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1.
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We must come to a place of total commitment to the Lord – Discipleship.
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i.e.
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The purest goal is to come to God and submit to Him because He is God;
abandoning all reservations, preconceptions, terms, and stipulations; not motivated by self-interests. This is sanctification! |
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2.
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Christian faith is based on personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
not based on: philosophy, a body of teachings, formulas, ritual, doctrine, Scripture, religion, or behavior (including, but not limited to, good deeds and sacraments). There is no substitute for encountering the Living God. |
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3.
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Each and every believer has a total and absolute call on their life, and a vital function in the Body. None is greater than another.
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4.
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God does not need us or our labors to accomplish His purposes. He is all-sufficient. He simply chooses to love us. All His workings in our lives are for our benefit - not His. All that He requires of us is for our benefit - not His. He didn’t need us before he created us, and He doesn’t need us now. He created us for His pleasure and as an object of His love -- not to fulfill a need in Himself.
Acts 17:25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. (NIV) He allows us the privilege of participating in what He is doing. |
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5.
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Provision --
From Easton’s Bible Dictionary: “At this point there is a blank in the patriarch's history of perhaps twenty-five years. These years of peace and happiness were spent at Beer-sheba. The next time we see him his faith is put to a severe test by the command that suddenly came to him to go and offer up Isaac, the heir of all the promises, as a sacrifice on one of the mountains of Moriah. His faith stood the test (Heb. 11:17-19). He proceeded in a spirit of unhesitating obedience to carry out the command; and when about to slay his son, whom he had laid on the altar, his uplifted hand was arrested by the angel of Jehovah, and a ram, which was entangled in a thicket near at hand, was seized and offered in his stead. From this circumstance that place was called Jehovah-jireh, i.e., "The Lord will provide." The promises made to Abraham were again confirmed (and this was the last recorded word of God to the patriarch); and he descended the mount with his son, and returned to his home at Beer-sheba (Gen. 22:19), where he resided for some years, and then moved northward to Hebron.” My note: It was when Abraham gave up his own dearest hope, that God revealed Himself as Jehovah-jireh, i.e., "The Lord will provide." The very best path for us to walk is with Jesus. In desiring for our very best, the Lord will provide for our needs that enable us to so walk. (see 1John 5:14-15) |
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6.
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The remedy for both legalism and license alike is relationship through and with Jesus Christ.
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