Notice the title reads YOU. It was written to get your attention not to cause you to foam at the mouth.
The question I am really asking is, "Can you limit God in your own life?" I believe you can and do limit God and what He can do for you.
Do you think everybody is going to heaven? (I do not)
Do you think it is God's will for you to go to heaven? (I am certain it is)
Let's look at a couple of scriptures.
2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. (1 John 2:2)(Emphasis mine)
9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) (Emphasis mine)
I read the above scriptures to say that Jesus died for all the sins of the whole world. It is also fair to read that God is not willing that any should perish. (Read God's will)
God wants everyone to be saved. Jesus has already paid the price for all your sins. So what keeps everyone from going to heaven if the price has been paid? The answer is only two words, free will. Having a free will gives each person the ability to choose Jesus as their Lord and Savior or reject His free gift of salvation.
If you rejected Jesus, you are not in God's will for your life; you are exercising your will for your life. This limits what God will do for you. Salvation is an individual decision that each of us must make. The price has already been paid; you must accept or reject His sacrifice. (Making no decision for or against Christ, counts the same as rejecting Him) We are all born into sin. (I will deal with this in a later post.)
Yesterday's post used the unbelief of the "children of Israel" to illustrate how they limited God in their life, before Jesus came. It cost each one of them their life. The same is true now, if you reject Jesus, it will cost you your eternal life. (A much higher price)
You can not limit God's ultimate plan for His creation. God's word is true. But, God works in the guidelines He set up in His word. He will use people to bring His word to pass; He just might not use you. That is why it is so important for you to study the word of God for yourself. Study your Bible today, it is the "Ultimate Owner's Manual".
Showing posts with label Blood of Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blood of Jesus. Show all posts
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
If Jesus is Sitting, Someone needs to Stand
If the Bible is the truth, and I am sure it is. Then Jesus Christ is sitting at the right hand of the Father, right now.
He is making intersession for us but He (Jesus) is finished with all He was sent here to do. I covered this on Friday, but now someone (read the church) needs to stand.
What does that mean exactly? It means when Satan starts spreading all of his lies and deception in your life, use the authority Jesus won back at Calvary, to stand against him. The Bible is clear on this, read James 4:6,7:
6But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
How do you win against Satan in your life? It is right here; humble yourself before God, submit yourself to God, then resist the devil and he will flee from you.
The word says resist, which means to actively stand against or withstand. This means to do more than say, "I need you to leave me alone devil." I read this as saying after you have humbled yourself and submitted to God's word, you than have the power to overcome the devil.
Why would Jesus leave this world and sit down in heaven, if He did not give you the power to overcome the enemy? He did and you can, but it takes effort on your part. That is where many get tripped up, they think God and Satan are some how working as a team to "make you stronger" by allowing Satan to pound you. That does not happen.
Satan is defeated and only has the power over you that you give him. I know that puts the responsibility on you but it is your life, your free will and so God is counting on you to choose His truth over Satan's lies.
So my post reads if Jesus is sitting someone needs to stand. Read what Paul says in Ephesians 6:10-18
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 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. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints (Emphasis mine)
Do you think Paul is talking to you? If you are part of the body of Christ, you are exactly who he is talking to. So humble yourself and admit to yourself that without Jesus you are nothing. Next, submit yourself to God's word. (Learn it and live it.) Then take your stand against a defeated enemy. I have covered this before but notice it says "wiles" of the devil. Not power of the devil but lies, deception schemes etc.
Wow, I wasn't even going to post anything today but this is what was on my heart, I hope it speaks to yours.
He is making intersession for us but He (Jesus) is finished with all He was sent here to do. I covered this on Friday, but now someone (read the church) needs to stand.
What does that mean exactly? It means when Satan starts spreading all of his lies and deception in your life, use the authority Jesus won back at Calvary, to stand against him. The Bible is clear on this, read James 4:6,7:
6But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
How do you win against Satan in your life? It is right here; humble yourself before God, submit yourself to God, then resist the devil and he will flee from you.
The word says resist, which means to actively stand against or withstand. This means to do more than say, "I need you to leave me alone devil." I read this as saying after you have humbled yourself and submitted to God's word, you than have the power to overcome the devil.
Why would Jesus leave this world and sit down in heaven, if He did not give you the power to overcome the enemy? He did and you can, but it takes effort on your part. That is where many get tripped up, they think God and Satan are some how working as a team to "make you stronger" by allowing Satan to pound you. That does not happen.
Satan is defeated and only has the power over you that you give him. I know that puts the responsibility on you but it is your life, your free will and so God is counting on you to choose His truth over Satan's lies.
So my post reads if Jesus is sitting someone needs to stand. Read what Paul says in Ephesians 6:10-18
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 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. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints (Emphasis mine)
Do you think Paul is talking to you? If you are part of the body of Christ, you are exactly who he is talking to. So humble yourself and admit to yourself that without Jesus you are nothing. Next, submit yourself to God's word. (Learn it and live it.) Then take your stand against a defeated enemy. I have covered this before but notice it says "wiles" of the devil. Not power of the devil but lies, deception schemes etc.
Wow, I wasn't even going to post anything today but this is what was on my heart, I hope it speaks to yours.
Friday, March 21, 2008
New Again-Passion of the Christ Video
Friday is video day, so in keeping with the season and my posts earlier on The Passion Week and Good Friday, I wanted to show a video about the price Jesus paid for you and I.
There are so many videos to choose from about the crucifixion, I choose a song I had never heard, this song is by Brad Paisley and Sara Evans, I thought you would enjoy it.
Remember Jesus paid this price for you.
There are so many videos to choose from about the crucifixion, I choose a song I had never heard, this song is by Brad Paisley and Sara Evans, I thought you would enjoy it.
Remember Jesus paid this price for you.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Traditions of Man or the Word of God
Yesterday I opened a big ol' can and got some people stirred up. I am not saying I have all this figured out about the "Sovereignty of God" but where does it say in the Bible, God controls everything?
In Mark 7, Jesus teaches on defilement mostly, but I believe His teaching fits with what I have been saying.
8 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.”
9 He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.
My question to you is this, "Is Sovereignty (total control) a truth or tradition of man?
Hear what Jesus said next:
13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.”
Remember a stronghold is a rigorously defended position. There are good and bad strongholds in your life that you defend daily. Some are traditions of man and not the truth of God. I am asking you to revisit where you heard the "Sovereignty of God" teaching and why you believe it.
Ask yourself this question, "Is this from God or man?"
In Mark 7, Jesus teaches on defilement mostly, but I believe His teaching fits with what I have been saying.
8 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.”
9 He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.
My question to you is this, "Is Sovereignty (total control) a truth or tradition of man?
Hear what Jesus said next:
13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.”
Remember a stronghold is a rigorously defended position. There are good and bad strongholds in your life that you defend daily. Some are traditions of man and not the truth of God. I am asking you to revisit where you heard the "Sovereignty of God" teaching and why you believe it.
Ask yourself this question, "Is this from God or man?"
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Passion Week and the Sovereignty of God
This is Passion week. Christians will celebrate Easter Sunday all around the world.
Part of me is excited and part of me is solemn. I am excited because the grave could not hold my Lord and Savior! I am solemn because I am reminded of everything Jesus did for us.
What a great God we serve. I have been in a discussion with other Christians about why God would allow suffering to go on in this world. My response was God is bound by His word and He gave dominion and authority to Adam.
He did not tell Adam if you mess this up I will take it back. No, He gave Adam the right to mess it all up. Adam did mess up, he gave his authority to Satan and Satan is now the prince and power of this world. God did not create suffering, Satan did.
Satan, in my opinion, is the one who deserves the credit for all of the bad. Satan is the one who tempted Jesus. Satan is the reason Jesus had to die on the cross. By dying, Jesus made a way for everyone to live.
He paid the price for the whole world. Read 1 John 2:2
And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
Jesus paid the price, but the individual must accept by faith the grace of God. Jesus did more than redeem us from sin, He totally freed us from the power of Satan. But like salvation we must appropriate it to our lives.
He became poor so we might become rich, by His stripes you were healed, the chastisement of peace was upon Him. He bore it all on the cross, but we must accept it by faith.
That is where many struggle, they don't feel worthy. Let me let you in on a secret, you are not. None of us are, but Jesus completed His work anyway. When He said, "It is finished." The price was paid in full. You name your problem in the flesh; Jesus paid the price.
I know many people think this is over the top but I think anyone who would assign bad things to God after the New Covenant, is not honoring all Jesus did at Calvary.
Why do people suffer? Because sin entered the world. The spiritual law of sowing and reaping did not get turned off, so many suffer because of the sins committed by others. It is as simple as cause and effect. Jesus paid the price, but you must use your faith to appropriate the grace of God for your life.
So what about the Sovereignty of God. It is easier to blame God, than to blame of ourselves. We don't come right out and blame God, instead, we use a (lazy) teaching like the Sovereignty of God to do it for us.
My definition the Sovereignty of God is:
God is supreme, the absolute top, answering to no one. God is everywhere, knows everything and can do anything without getting permission. God is not subject to time, He is the Beginning and the End. God has no limits in heaven.
God's word will come to pass but God can be limited here on earth. (This is for another post, this is way too long already.)
Jesus said, "Be of good cheer I have overcome the world." The war has been won but the battle is still raging here on earth. I believe it is up to His body (the church) to make His enemies His footstool.
The whole concept of One Drop of Blood is we (the church) defeat Satan by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. (Revelation 12:11) It is all about what God has done for us and through us, but we must open our mouths and tell others.
Remember, your life is all about giving God the Glory. How much glory can God get from giving you cancer? What kind of sick God would give you cancer to show you how much He loves you? That is where the extreme Sovereignty of God teaching takes you. If God controls everything, then He picks and chooses who gets cancer, who gets rich, who gets saved, etc. Not much for you to do except praise God, go to church and hope God does not "bless" you with a disease or calamity.
Sorry, The God I serve does not use bad things to "bless" me. And if He won't do it to me, God will not do it to you.
Romans 2:11 For there is no partiality with God.
That is not to say that God does not correct me, He does, like any good father would. But He does it in love and uses things other than cancer, disease, etc. (God actually uses His word most of the time to get my attention and get me back on track.)
So Rejoice this week and again I say Rejoice, because Jesus arose from the dead. Meditate also on all Jesus did for whosoever believes in Him. It will make you rejoice even more.
Part of me is excited and part of me is solemn. I am excited because the grave could not hold my Lord and Savior! I am solemn because I am reminded of everything Jesus did for us.
What a great God we serve. I have been in a discussion with other Christians about why God would allow suffering to go on in this world. My response was God is bound by His word and He gave dominion and authority to Adam.
He did not tell Adam if you mess this up I will take it back. No, He gave Adam the right to mess it all up. Adam did mess up, he gave his authority to Satan and Satan is now the prince and power of this world. God did not create suffering, Satan did.
Satan, in my opinion, is the one who deserves the credit for all of the bad. Satan is the one who tempted Jesus. Satan is the reason Jesus had to die on the cross. By dying, Jesus made a way for everyone to live.
He paid the price for the whole world. Read 1 John 2:2
And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
Jesus paid the price, but the individual must accept by faith the grace of God. Jesus did more than redeem us from sin, He totally freed us from the power of Satan. But like salvation we must appropriate it to our lives.
He became poor so we might become rich, by His stripes you were healed, the chastisement of peace was upon Him. He bore it all on the cross, but we must accept it by faith.
That is where many struggle, they don't feel worthy. Let me let you in on a secret, you are not. None of us are, but Jesus completed His work anyway. When He said, "It is finished." The price was paid in full. You name your problem in the flesh; Jesus paid the price.
I know many people think this is over the top but I think anyone who would assign bad things to God after the New Covenant, is not honoring all Jesus did at Calvary.
Why do people suffer? Because sin entered the world. The spiritual law of sowing and reaping did not get turned off, so many suffer because of the sins committed by others. It is as simple as cause and effect. Jesus paid the price, but you must use your faith to appropriate the grace of God for your life.
So what about the Sovereignty of God. It is easier to blame God, than to blame of ourselves. We don't come right out and blame God, instead, we use a (lazy) teaching like the Sovereignty of God to do it for us.
My definition the Sovereignty of God is:
God is supreme, the absolute top, answering to no one. God is everywhere, knows everything and can do anything without getting permission. God is not subject to time, He is the Beginning and the End. God has no limits in heaven.
God's word will come to pass but God can be limited here on earth. (This is for another post, this is way too long already.)
Jesus said, "Be of good cheer I have overcome the world." The war has been won but the battle is still raging here on earth. I believe it is up to His body (the church) to make His enemies His footstool.
The whole concept of One Drop of Blood is we (the church) defeat Satan by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. (Revelation 12:11) It is all about what God has done for us and through us, but we must open our mouths and tell others.
Remember, your life is all about giving God the Glory. How much glory can God get from giving you cancer? What kind of sick God would give you cancer to show you how much He loves you? That is where the extreme Sovereignty of God teaching takes you. If God controls everything, then He picks and chooses who gets cancer, who gets rich, who gets saved, etc. Not much for you to do except praise God, go to church and hope God does not "bless" you with a disease or calamity.
Sorry, The God I serve does not use bad things to "bless" me. And if He won't do it to me, God will not do it to you.
Romans 2:11 For there is no partiality with God.
That is not to say that God does not correct me, He does, like any good father would. But He does it in love and uses things other than cancer, disease, etc. (God actually uses His word most of the time to get my attention and get me back on track.)
So Rejoice this week and again I say Rejoice, because Jesus arose from the dead. Meditate also on all Jesus did for whosoever believes in Him. It will make you rejoice even more.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
The Body of Christ
Have you ever wondered what the body of Christ looks like? I really do not have much to say today. (Somebody take my picture!)
I have it (The body of Christ) pictured as one (spiritual) body moving as the Holy Spirit guides it; to do the Father's will and bring His word to pass. This body will also be used to destroy the works of the devil.
So how do you think His body is doing? Unity is the word that keeps coming to my mind and the one thing I find lacking in the body today.
Many are either doing their own thing or picking a fight with another part of the body. Not much unity or movement against a common enemy. What can bring us together? I really believe it is something we all have in common; the blood of Christ.
I have it (The body of Christ) pictured as one (spiritual) body moving as the Holy Spirit guides it; to do the Father's will and bring His word to pass. This body will also be used to destroy the works of the devil.
So how do you think His body is doing? Unity is the word that keeps coming to my mind and the one thing I find lacking in the body today.
Many are either doing their own thing or picking a fight with another part of the body. Not much unity or movement against a common enemy. What can bring us together? I really believe it is something we all have in common; the blood of Christ.
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