There is NOTHING, that you have ever done in your life, that the Grace of God, through Jesus Christ, cannot cover. Yes, there is a humility, of recognizing your, failure, but don’t ever, believe the lie, that God cannot forgive you. When your heart falls on his Grace and Mercy, you are freed from the bondage of the slavery of Sin. May God deliver you today, from whatever holds you back. God Bless
Tag: Christmas
Look around you, and see if another person is your enemy? A person, who is created in God’s Image, is never our enemy.
Father, forgive us, when we judge the person, and not look at the Spiritual realm going on behind the scene.
Whom shall I turn to? The maker of Heaven and Earth, or to worldly wisdom, made up of sinful man, for their own selfish desires. What will you choose. (See notes below on an overview of the fist 7 verses of this Psalm).
121:1–8 See note on Ps 120:1–7.
The author and circumstances are unknown.
This song strikes a strong note of assurance in 4 stages that God is help and protection to keep both Israel and individual believers safe from harm.
I. God—Helper (121:1,
2) II. God—Keeper (121:3, 4)
III. God—Protector (121:5, 6)
IV. God—Preserver (121:7, 8)
We have ALL fallen short, both before and after becoming a Christian. Our failures and/or, our circumstances, do not dictate who we are in Christ. Our identity with Christ, and our continuing Faith, that he alone can change us, and renew us, and forgive us, make us a child of God. Jesus paid our debts, that we, not might, but may LIVE. Let us never think we are something, in and of ourselves, but that we are everything, in Christ Jesus.
Being labeled a cheater was especially difficult for someone who was known for being one of Major League Baseball’s most outspoken Christian athletes. One of Pettitte’s favorite scriptures at the time, in fact, was one that spoke to his desire to live above reproach and with the utmost integrity as a representative of Jesus:
”Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.“
1 Peter 4:11 NASB1995
If your faith is determined by your circumstances, it’s never going to work.” Michael McDowell – Professional Race Car Driver
Who Spiritual Beings are, and what they are like.
Father, help us when we try and put back on that heart of stone, that you have taken away. Help us to remember, Your Grace is sufficient for us, and that we must forgive ourselves, as you have forgiven us. Help us daily, to walk in that Truth and in your Spirit, that you have freely given. Help us also to forgive other, as you have freely forgiven us. Amen
What was figuratively described in v. 25 is explained as literal in vv. 26, 27. The gift of the “new heart” signifies the new birth, which is regeneration by the Holy Spirit (cf. 11:18–20). The “heart” stands for the whole nature. The “spirit” indicates the governing power of the mind which directs thought and conduct. A “heart of stone” is stubborn and self-willed. A “heart of flesh” is pliable and responsive. The evil inclination is removed and a new nature replaces it. This is New Covenant character as in Jer 31:31–34. The Lord will also give His “Spirit” to the faithful Jews (cf. 39:29; Is 44:3; 59:21; Joel 2:28, 29; Ac 2:16ff.). When Israel becomes the true people of God (v. 28), the judgment promise of Hosea 1:9 is nullified. All nature will experience the blessings of Israel’s salvation (vv. 29, 30). When the Jews have experienced such grace, they will be even more repentant—a sign of true conversion (v. 31). Ezekiel profoundly proclaims the doctrines of conversion and spiritual life. He includes forgiveness (v. 25), regeneration (v. 26), the indwelling Holy Spirit (v. 27), and the responsive obedience to God’s law (v. 27). These are all clearly presented as he prophesies Israel’s conversion. As a nation, they will truly know their God (v. 38), hate their sin (vv. 31, 32), and glorify their Savior (v. 32). † 36:32 not … for your sake. God’s glory and reputation among the nations, not Israel’s, causes this restoration to be promised (cf. Ps 115:1; Ac 5:41; Ro 1:5; 3Jn 7).
The Old Testament stories lead to Jesus…
See notes below taken from “A Study in Spiritual Warfare” – by Alan Waters
Armor #4: Shield of Faith – Verse 16
The Roman soldiers shield was about two and a half feet wide and four and a half feet high. It was designed to protect the entire body of the soldier. The shield was made of a solid piece of wood and was covered with metal or heavy oiled leather. Soldiers who carried these shields were in the front lines of battle. Normally they stood side by side with their shields together to form a long 8-16 row deep line. Anyone who stood or crouched behind the shields was protected from the enemy arrows and spears.
It says in Hebrews 11:1-2 that our faith is the substance (confidence) of things hoped for, the evidence (by divine assurance) of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a testimony. What does this all mean? True faith is not based on empirical evidence but on divine assurance, and is a gift of God (Eph 2:8). Elder here (vs 2 Heb 11) refers to all saints both men and women. God will bear witness on behalf of these men and women that they lived by faith and divine approval is granted to them. It is faith that gives us the victory over the world. It is faith that allows us to be overcomers (conquerors) of this present darkness (1 John 5:4-5)
This confidence we have of hope speaks of something that is certain, but not yet realized. The believers ultimate destiny is to share in the glory of God (Rom 8:29, 30, John 17:22, 2 Cor 3:18, Phil 3:20, 21) and this hope will be realized because Christ secures it. Christians have hope for the future because Christ purchased salvation for them on the cross in the past (Rom 5:1, 2), Sanctifies them through his spirit in the present (Gal 5:16-25), and will lead them to glory in the future (Col 1:27, 1 John 3:2, 3).
This faith and hope above all else, protects us from all kinds of Satan’s temptations to sin. Satan’s temptations are his lies and promises of pleasure, happiness and self-gratification for the moment. These temptations are the flaming arrows of Satan and just like the Roman soldiers oil treated shield quenched the flaming arrows of the enemy, our faith will quench Satan’s flaming arrows. Just like Roman soldiers, we must stand together, shoulder to shoulder, 8 to 16 rows deep in our faith, and it is together that we will resist Satan’s temptations.
Overview of different Bible Versions.
Living Waters 