Got Liberty?

You’re either obeying all 613 commandments perfectly or you’re saved by faith alone in Jesus.  There is no in-between.

Galatians 5:1 ... Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

James 2:10 ... For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

2 Corinthians 3:17 ... Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. ❤

Unfailing Happiness!!

Here is one of the sweetest privileges of the Christian life. The Christian is God's beloved child and shares all the love and tenderness of the Father's heart!

This one thought is a fountain of unfailing happiness! 

"I am at home with God!  Once I was far off but now, I am brought near.  Once I was a stranger but now, I am His beloved child!  Once the thought of His presence was fear and dread but now it is life, and joy and peace. He is my Father, and in this Name all heart-joys meet. He knows me by name, and cares for me in all my cares. He pities me, and in tender compassion marks each tear I shed, and each sorrow that weighs upon my heart.  He opens His hand, and each day gives me all that I need. He bows down His ear and hearkens to each prayer I offer.  I have boldness and liberty to go at all times into His presence-chamber and may tell Him my every desire and ask of Him whatever is for my good."

[George Everard]

 ✞  ✞   ✞ 

Ephesians 1:5 ...  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Galatians 3:26 ... For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

1 John 3:1 ... Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. ❤

Like a Fire

When our Father uses the word “argue," clearly, He’s not implying we’re to verbally fight with Him to have our own way. For its every evil thing, NOT YHWH, that dwells with strife and self-ambition. (James 3:16) Instead, we’re to “plead and argue” our case with Him just as attorneys do in earthly courtrooms. And since we know attorneys need to research the world’s laws before arguing their cases, how much more should we research YHWH’s Laws before arguing a case before Him? For example, can we successfully argue in Heaven’s Court that the curse of poverty, disease, or confusion is bound (declared unlawful) in our lives, then loose (declare lawful) YHWH’s Laws of prosperity, health, and wisdom? Yes! Those Laws to name a few are found in: Matthew 18:18; Galatians 3:13-14; Deuteronomy 28; 1 Peter 2:24; Jeremiah 30:17; James 1:5; and Colossians 2:2-3.

But remember, we must always remain careful in our representation of the Kingdom of Heaven; we should never use our Yah-given power to “bind” and “loose” in vain by commanding laws that He DID NOT give, nor for our own selfish reasons. Otherwise, then we become the one who is actually illegal and, thereby, become exposed to all the wiles of the devil without the protection of YHWH’s Word to stand on. If the Judge of the Universe is to rule in our favor and grant our petitions, He must first determine that we are in compliance with His Law. Therefore, because YHWH watches over HIS Word, not ours, to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12), let us first research His Word for all the Laws, He’s given that specifically apply to whatever case we’re bringing before Him, then line up our prayers to agree with them, line upon line and precept upon precept. (Isaiah 28:10)

We cannot imitate what we do not know, and what we do not know has the power to destroy us. (John 7:49; Hosea 4:6) However, by studying and imitating the example Yeshua, The Word of YHWH (John 1:14; Revelation 19:13) came to give us, we’re able bring our case before His Throne of Grace EXPECTING to be proved right! And even if a case should prove to be too hard for us, never fear. For our merciful, loving Father is Elohim, Creator and Judge of the Universe, and has promised to argue that one for us.

[Tracie Justice]

Deuteronomy 1:17  ... Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.

Isaiah 43:26 ...  Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified. ❤

Real Friendship

The right friends won’t just comfort you in your pain, they’ll point you back to Jesus in the middle of it.

Because real friendship isn’t just about making you feel better temporarily. it’s about helping carry you closer to the One who can actually heal you. 

[message from the Internet]

Galatians 6:2 ... Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Proverbs 17:17 ... A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 ... Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. ❤

Change of Thinking!!

In the Interlinear Greek New Testament, Mark 11:22 is properly translated "...Have faith from God," not "...Have faith in God." Similar translations have Jesus calling us to "...have the faith of God." But what does that even look like?

As New Covenant believers, this means resting in the finished work of Christ on our behalf. (Galatians 2:20) It's embracing what God believes to be true about each one of us. It's seeing things from the Lord's perspective and agreeing with Him about His Kingdom. This requires a change of outlook, and this is what "true repentance" is all about!

The Greek word for "repentance" (metanoia) means "a change of thinking." It's not about "re-penance!" (penance on steroids) It's not about self-abasement or proving our devotion to God by our religious performance! "Metanoia" is all about letting Holy Spirit change our way of thinking to embrace all Father has given us in Jesus and acting accordingly.

We are sons and daughters; we're the bride of Christ! It's time to live like it and live loved!!

[Stephen S.J. Hill]

Romans 12:2 ... And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Acts 2:38 ...  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. ❤

You are Sons and Daughters!

YHWH sent us the Spirit of His Son because He desires that we know Him as Abba-Father (or, Daddy-God). He is NOT God-too-High-or-far-off-from-us but through His Son is “God with us”. 

And with Almighty YHWH, Creator of Heaven and Earth, not just FOR US but living WITH US as Abba-YHWH, can anything be too hard or impossible for us? (Ephesians 2:13; Jeremiah 32:27; Matthew 1:23; Romans 8:31; Mark 14:36) 

And since our Daddy-God is KING of the Universe, doesn’t that make each of us either a PRINCE or PRINCESS of the universe, as well?

[Tracie Justice]

Romans 8:15 ...  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Galatians 4:6 ... And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. ❤

Don't Look Back!!

Fire was falling, mercy was moving, and deliverance had already been given. God had taken Lot and his family by the hand and pulled them out of a place that was moments away from judgment. The command was simple, clear, and urgent: do not look back. Yet, in one moment, one glance, one longing for what God had already called her out of, everything was lost. 

Luke 17:32 reminds us that Jesus himself gave the warning in the gospels: remember Lot's wife. Two words, not 'remember Sodom' or 'remember Lot,' but 'remember Lot's wife,' because her body left Sodom, but her heart did not. She was delivered physically, but she was still attached spiritually, and many are in that same place today. 

God brought you out of addiction, out of relationships, out of bondage, out of the sin that was slowly destroying your soul. He broke chains you could not break yourself, silenced voices that tormented you, and set you free, putting your feet on solid ground. But now, the enemy whispers, 'Just look back, just a small visit, just entertain it, just once.' But what you look back to, you will eventually walk back into, and what you walk back into can destroy you.

Genesis 19:26 says, 'But his wife looked back from behind, and she became a pillar of salt, a monument, a witness, a warning to every generation that would come after her.' God's grace delivered her, but her longing betrayed her. Here's the truth clearly: grace is not permission to return to what God saved you from; grace is the power to walk away and never go back. Many today want a watered-down message that makes room for the flesh, a message that says holiness is optional, a message that says you can live however you want and still walk in the fullness of God. But God's word has not changed. 

1 Peter 1:5-16 says, 'Be ye holy, for I am holy.' Holiness is not punishment; holiness is protection. It keeps you free, keeps your vision clear, and keeps your heart from hardening. The same God who calls you to holiness gives you his Spirit to help you walk in it. You were never meant to overcome the flesh alone. 

Galatians 5:16 says, 'Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.' Notice it didn't say you might not; it says you shall not, because the Spirit gives you power the flesh never had. The enemy wants you to believe you're missing something, but the truth is, you were dying there. God didn't bring you out to watch you go back; he brought you out to bring you into life, freedom, purity, and purpose. Sodom was behind her, safety was ahead of her, but she chose to look back. 

Jesus said, remember her, because in these last days, many who have been delivered will be tempted to return to old chains, old identities, old sin. But here's the truth: you are not who you were, you are not where you were, and there is nothing behind you worth losing your soul over. The fire is falling, mercy is still leading, but don't look back. 

[End Times Prophecy]

✫❤•°*”˜˜”*°•❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫

Leaning on Paul's Instruction

You don't have to go to a church to be Born Again.  You don't have to tithe for God to bless you. You don't have to dress in a certain way to please your Heavenly Father.

Once you understand how Grace works and how Christ changed what we couldn't, then you will fully understand how God simply want our fellowship, not our allegiance. 

This is why we lean on what Paul instructed, that every person walk according to their own conscious and work out one’s own salvation with fear and trembling. But resting in the fact that Christ is easy and his yolk is light.

[Christopher Gregory]

 ✞  ✞   ✞ 

Philippians 2:12-13 ... Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Matthew 11:29-30 ... Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Galatians 5:1-4 ... Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. ❤

Preaching Into Heaven ...

Most ministers dare not speak hard truths, for fear of offending but it is better to offend men, than to flatter them into Hell! It has become tragically common that, no matter how a person has lived whether in open rebellion against God, mockery of His Word, or a life utterly void of repentance and faith the minister preaches him into Heaven at his funeral.  This betrayal is not merely a sentimental error it is a grievous sin against God, a deception to the living, and a dishonor to the truth of the gospel.

God has solemnly charged His ministers to proclaim the truth without fear or favor. Yet too many of them care more about their paychecks and pleasing men than in pleasing the God who sees and judges all things in truth.  They comfort the hearers with lies, rather than confront them with the solemn realities of death, judgment, and eternity. Ministers who love popularity and money more than truth, will always preach the kind of gospel that fills pews and Hell!  To tell the unconverted that they are safe while they continue in sin, is to murder their souls with a lie!

The prophet Jeremiah condemned the false prophets of his day who committed the same evil: "From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit! They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. 'Peace, peace!' they say, when there is no peace!" (Jeremiah 6:13-14) Those who mocked God and His Word while they lived are not "at peace" after they die. They are damned, and their condemnation is just.

"This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock?" (Ezekiel 34:2) Such ministers have no true concern for the perishing people whom they teach. They do not fear God they fear man. They are like those of whom God says: "The prophets prophesy lies...and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?" (Jeremiah 5:31) Yes, what will they do in the end when they must give their account to the all-knowing and inexorably just Judge of the universe?

Genuine love always speaks truth. A faithful minister must declare, even at a funeral, that "man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment!" (Hebrews 9:27) Eternity is too serious to deceive men with false hopes and lies!  May God raise up men who will proclaim His Word with holy fear and fearless faithfulness.

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

Galatians 1:10 ...  For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

✫❤•°*”˜˜”*°•❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫

Most Damning Sin!!

Self-righteousness is the worst sin, the most damning sin!

Self-righteousness is utter blasphemy. God is holy. Here comes this base imposter and boasts, "And I am holy too." Is not that a ludicrous and contemptible form of blasphemy?

The heavens are not pure in God's sight. He charges His angels with folly and does you, who are defiled from head to foot with loathsome sin, dare to talk about righteousness? Righteousness, indeed! You are a mixture of dust and sin.

Self-righteousness is idolatry, for the man who imagines himself to be righteous by his own works worships himself. Practically, the object of his adoration is his own dear, delectable, excellent self. All of his confidence is in himself. All of his boasting is in himself. What is this, but idolatry in its worst form?

Self-righteousness is profanity, for it calls God a liar. The Lord declares, "there is none righteous no, not one!" (Romans 3:10) To this divine assertion, the self-righteous man claims himself to be holy, and virtually declares that God is a liar. Though God says that "by the works of the law, shall no man be justified" (Galatians 2:16) yet this man says, "By the works of the law, I shall be justified!" And so, he profanes the Word of the Most-Highest God.

The gospel regards all men as sinners and comes to them with pardon. It treats men as hopelessly lost in sin and comes to save them. If there is a man who is righteous in himself, then the gospel has nothing to say to him. Its medicines are not for those upon whom the sickness of sin has never come. "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners!" (Mark 2:17)

Jesus came to wash away sin's stains, not to flatter men into a notion of their righteousness. He came to heal the sick, not to applaud the vigorous. To such as are righteous in themselves, there is not a single syllable of promise in the entire gospel.

The world hates both Christ and Christians, because they preach that all people are Hell-deserving sinners in God's sight!

Self-righteousness is most abominable in the sight of God! He is always provoked with pride, and says, "The proud in heart are an abomination to the Lord!" "I hate pride and arrogance!" (Proverbs 21:4, 8:13)

Moreover, self-righteousness also denies the wisdom of God's salvation and is utterly opposed to it. God's plan of salvation is based on the fact that we are guilty sinners. And being guilty, He provides a sin-atoning Savior to save sinners. But His whole system of salvation is a gigantic blunder, if we are or can be righteous in and of ourselves. The man who says, "I am righteous;" virtually casts a slur upon a work which is meant to be the highest display of God's love and wisdom.

Self-righteousness most effectually bars a man from all hope of salvation. Soul-poverty and spiritual destitution alone, bring a man to Jesus to be saved.

The self-righteous man never repents. Why should he, if he has never sinned?

Those who never trust in Jesus for salvation, are always self-righteous hence they see no need for a Savior.

Jesus brings the water of life to the self-righteous man; but he is not thirsty.

Jesus brings the bread of life to him, but he is not hungry.

Jesus offers a spotless robe of righteousness to him, but he has no need for it.

Jesus offers to enrich him, but he is already wealthy.

Jesus offers to pardon him, but he is not guilty.

What does the self-righteous man need from Jesus? Nothing at all. And he will get nothing from Jesus, but the damnation which he justly deserves.

Yet in the heights and depths of the dying love of Jesus, the true Christian reads the heights and depths of his accursed sin. In the infinity of the sin-atoning sacrifice of Jesus, he reads the boundless blackness of his guilt; and unwilling even to lift up his eyes to Heaven, beats his bosom and says: "God, have mercy on me, a sinner!" (Luke 18:13)

Heinous sins have damned their thousands, but self-righteousness has damned its tens of thousands!

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

✫❤•°*”˜˜”*°•❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫

"Your Daughter is Dead"

"While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. 'Your daughter is dead!' he said." Luke 8:49 

Let us notice in this verse how universal is the dominion which death holds over mankind.  We see death coming to a rich man's house and tearing from him the desire of his eyes with a stroke!  Such tidings as these, are the bitterest cups which we have to drink in this world. Nothing cuts so deeply into man's heart as to part with beloved ones and lay them in the grave.  Few griefs are so crushing and heavy as the grief of a parent over the death of an only child.  

Death is indeed a cruel enemy! He makes no distinction in his attacks. He comes to the rich man's mansion as well as to the poor man's cottage.  He does not spare the young, the strong, and the beautiful any more than the old, the infirm, and the grey haired.  Not all the gold of Australia, nor all the skill of doctors can keep the hand of death from our bodies, in the day of his power.  When the appointed hour comes, and God permits him to smite then our worldly schemes must be broken off, and our darlings must be taken away and buried out of our sight. 

These thoughts are melancholy, and few like to hear of them. The subject of death is one that men shut their eyes at and refuse to look at. "All men think all men mortal, but themselves!"  But why should we treat this great reality in this way?  Why should we not rather look the subject of death in the face, in order that when our turn comes, we may be prepared to die?  Death will come to our houses, whether we like it or not. Death will take each of us away despite our dislike to hearing about it. Surely it is the part of a wise man to get ready for this great change. Why should we not be ready? 

There is one who can deliver us from the fear of death. Christ has overcome death, and "brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel." He who believes on Him, has everlasting life. Though he dies yet shall he live. Let us believe in the Lord Jesus and then death will lose his sting. We shall then be able to say with Paul, "To me, to die is gain!" (Philippians 1:21) 

[J. C. Ryle]

 ✞  ✞   ✞ 

Romans 8:13 ...  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

John 5:24 ... Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Galatians 6:8 ... For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. ❤

Love Speech ...

 Biblical truth is not hate speech.  

It's LOVE speech.

Truth is only considered hate from those that hate the truth.

✞  ✞   ✞ 

Amos 5:10 ...  They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly.

Galatians 4:16 ... Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

Ephesians 4:15 ... But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: ❤

Paul's Hobby-Horse!

The world is full of distractions, and even within the church, countless voices clamor for attention.  But Paul, that faithful minister of the gospel, had one great theme that eclipsed all others: Jesus Christ and Him crucified!  This was not a passing interest or occasional emphasis it was his constant, unwavering focus. If Paul had a "hobbyhorse," it was Christ crucified.  He rode it in every letter, proclaimed it in every sermon, and treasured it at all times. Paul had deep theological knowledge, an unmatched intellect, and a rich grasp of Old Testament Scriptures.  Yet when he came to Corinth a city dazzled by eloquence and puffed up with human wisdom, he deliberately laid aside every other topic.  He determined; he resolved to make the cross of Christ his singular subject. Why? Because the cross reveals both the vileness of human sin, and the marvelous grace of God in salvation. 

The cross manifests the sinfulness of man, exalts the glory of God, and unveils the only way of redemption.  To preach "Jesus Christ and Him crucified" is to proclaim the eternal plan of God, the willing sacrifice of the Son, and the effectual power of the Spirit in saving those for whom Jesus died.  It is to declare that totally depraved and spiritually dead sinners, can be reconciled to the holy and righteous God, only through the substitutionary death of the Lord Jesus.  No philosophy or moral reform can accomplish this.  Only the blood of the Lamb can cleanse and justify ungodly sinners! 

In a world of theological fads and spiritual shallowness, we need more men like Paul men who will refuse to drift from the centrality of the cross. The cross must not be reduced to a mere entry point of the Christian life. It is the very heart of the gospel, the foundation of all doctrine, and the fuel for sanctification. As believers, we never outgrow our need to hear again and again, of our Savior who loved us and gave Himself for us! Let Paul's holy obsession be ours. Let Christ crucified be our boast, our theme, our delight, and our message! May we, too, resolve to know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

1 Corinthians 2:2 .... For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

Galatians 6:14 .... But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. ❤

Finally Free!!

A living, breathing relationship with the Savior of the world will drive porn out of your life quicker than anything else. When you turn your eyes to Jesus, there isn’t room for anything else in your heart because He fills it up. When you open the blinds of a pitch-black room, the sunlight drives away the darkness. 

[Heath Lambert]

 ✞  ✞   ✞ 

Galatians 2:20 ... I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Romans 5:5 ... And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

1 John 1:9 ... If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Revelation 3:20 ... Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. ❤

The Law Leads to Christ!

The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming not the realities themselves. For this reason, it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. (Hebrews 10:1) 

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:17) 

This image was inspired by many verses in the Bible that talks about the Law (given by Moses) and how it ultimately leads to the Person of Jesus Christ. The Bible says that the Law was a shadow of the good things coming, meaning that the purpose of the law was much bigger than what appeared at face value. 

Ultimately the Law was unable to save, but that it pointed us to the need of a Savior. I had this vision of Moses holding up the two tablets of the 10 commandments, and the first thing I thought about was Christ hanging on the cross. So, for this image I wanted to combine the Old Testament and New Testament all in one frame. I hope this picture is an encouragement to you today!

www.ChristianPhotoshops.com

Galatians 3:24 ...  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Romans 10:4 ...  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.❤

Standing in Grace!!

Every man by nature is under the law, bound to obey its precepts, and pay its penalty; and unless its requirements are fully met, the law can never justify us. But the gospel invites us to leave the law and come to the Savior; and coming to the Savior we are delivered from the law; it has no more power over us than if it had executed the sentence of death on us, it having put Christ to death in our stead. We are dead to the law, and the law is dead to us.  We are not under the law but under grace; Jesus has died for our offences and has been raised again for our justification. Our privilege is great; our state is most blessed. We stand in grace, according to Paul's words, who speaks of "this grace wherein we stand." (Romans 5:2) 

Grace is favor; law is requirement; we are not under requirement therefore but under favor. We will look at our Privileged State. We are JUSTIFIED. Justified by his grace. Justified by the blood of Jesus. Justified by faith in Christ. We are reconciled to God, who meets us at the cross, holds out the hand, and reconciles us to himself. We are not only reconciled but are become intimate friends and are treated as such. Not only intimate friends but special favorites, and are therefore allowed to come to God when we will, and wherever we will; to walk with God all the day, and every day; to commune with God on all that interests us; to commit our all to God; to be preserved and kept safe; to leave our all with God, without anxiety or perplexity; to expect from God all he has promised, and all we ask in faith. 

Yes, we may expect sympathy in all our sufferings; supply of all our wants; and support under all our troubles. Can any state be more blessed? Could we be more highly privileged? For us all the demands of the law are met. To us all the blessings of the gospel are given. We are savingly interested in God's highest love. We may claim all the merit of the life and death of his Son. We may look for all the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. We STAND in this State. 

Our standing is firm, for there is to us, no condemnation. We shall stand to the last, for we shall suffer no inglorious defeat. Our condition is stable, for we build on a rock. Our privilege is permanent, for grace never changes. The oath, the promise, and the unchangeable love of God secures us. Being in Christ now we shall be in Christ forever. Being united to Christ now we shall never be severed from him. Our standing is from grace, grace in God's heart, he had free favor towards us. Our standing is of grace, or it is entirely gratuitous. Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:9)

Our standing is to the glory of grace. As Adam's fall proved the weakness of standing in law, so the standing of the whole church proves the strength of standing in grace. From this rock no waves can wash us, no hurricane can blow us, no power, either human or infernal, can remove us! Here grace placed us, here grace preserves us, and here glory will find us! Blessed be God for grace, free grace, omnipotent grace, immutable grace! Blessed be God that we ever heard of grace, that we ever felt the power of grace, that we stand in grace! 

Observe, Christ opened the way for us, therefore it is said of him, "By whom we have access into this grace wherein we stand." (Romans 5:2) Jesus removed every impediment and became the way to the Father the way to the Father's love, mercy, and grace; the way to the Father's heart. Faith leads us into that way, along that way, to the end of that way; as it is written, "By whom we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand." Not by works of righteousness, not by pleasant or painful feelings but by faith alone. 

Therefore, it is of faith, that it might be by grace. Faith excludes works, as grace excludes desert. Neither on the ground of doing or deserving but on the ground of faith alone are we justified, reconciled, and accepted of God.  Glory crowns it, hence, it is added, "and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." We rejoice in the hope that God will be glorified in our being thus privileged; and we rejoice in hope of being glorified with God and with Christ forever. Let us take care then, that we do not get back under the law but let us stand fast in the liberty with which Christ has made us free, and not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1)

The law being satisfied, having received all it can demand can now only be a rule, pointing out what God approves, and directing us how to walk and to please God. But let us take care that we do not get to dealing with God on the ground of works. We come not to the bar of justice but to the throne of grace. We come not to bring a price, that we may purchase or procure some good thing; but that we may obtain mercy, mid find grace to help us in time of need. Let us take care not to block up the way to this grace, it is open to all, free for all, and alike easy to all. There is no difference between Jew or Gentile, bond or free, black or white; all have sinned and therefore deserve to die but all are invited to Jesus, and therefore may be pardoned, reconciled, and saved. 

Under the law, we are all enemies to God; but through the gospel, coming under grace, we become the friends and favorites of God. He treats us, not as the lawgiver treats law breakers; but as a kind and loving Father treats his tenderly beloved children. Blessed, forever blessed be God, for "this grace wherein we stand." 

[James Smith]

Romans 5:1-2 ... Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ❤

The Great Pumpkin Day!

I am a firm believer in personal liberty when it comes to an individual’s right to choose how they live, what they watch, what they participate or what they don’t participate in, I support freedom in the body of Christ. If that means a person does Halloween, that’s on them, they have that liberty, because of grace, to do that. But I also respect another’s right and freedom not to. That’s the beauty of God’s grace he gives us. 

I’ve seen the damage done by legalism growing up in church, women not allowed to wear pants, makeup, or simple things like going to the movies. All restricted by the church police. We are all accountable for our own actions, that’s how it works. No need to apologize for your behavior, just be you. 

And eat some candy along the way. 🎃

[Christopher Gregory]

Galatians 5:1 ... Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Colossians 2:16 ... Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

2 Corinthians 3:17 ... Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. ❤

The Exclusivity of the Gospel

In an age of religious pluralism and tolerance of error, the biblical teaching on the exclusivity of the gospel is essential, even though most people find it to be offensive. Scripture leaves no room for ambiguity: there is only one way of salvation. There are not many paths to God, nor are there multiple gospels tailored to different groups. There is but one Savior, one gospel, and one way to eternal life. The way to Heaven is not left to our choice but is revealed by God. And that way is Christ alone. 

The apostle Paul, under divine inspiration, wrote with utmost clarity: "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel which is really no gospel at all!" He immediately pronounced a curse upon anyone who preached a gospel contrary to the one he had delivered. (Galatians 1:6-8) There is no allowance for alternative methods of salvation. There is no second gospel for Jews, Muslims, sincere religious people, moralists, the heathen or the young. The gospel is singular, exclusive, and absolute. Jesus Himself declared the narrowness of the way when He said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me!" (John 14:6) 

He did not say He was A way, but THE way. Faith in Jesus and His sin-atoning death is not one option among many, but the only gospel by which sinners can be reconciled to God. Peter echoed this exclusive claim when he boldly proclaimed, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given to men by which we must be saved!" (Acts 4:12) This one way of salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast!" (Ephesians 2:8-9) 

To deny the exclusivity of the gospel, is to deny the very heart of the gospel. To suggest that sincere people in other religions can be saved apart from Jesus, is to make His sin-atoning death unnecessary, and His words untrue. It is a rejection of the only remedy for sin that God has provided. There are not fifty ways to God there is only one. The road is narrow, and it is marked with blood. Let us then stand firm, unashamed, and uncompromising in proclaiming the one true gospel the only gospel that saves. 

[Charles H. Spurgeon] 

Romans 1:16 ...  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

✫❤•°*”˜˜”*°•❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫

At The Foot of The Cross ...

May we sit at the foot of the cross and there learn what sin has done, what justice has done, what love has done.

[John Newton]

Sin ~ 

Galatians 5:19-21 ... Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Justice ~

Colossians 2:14 ... Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Love ~

Romans 5:8 ... But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

❤❤❤

"Mortification and Vivification"

The Christian life is not a playground, but a battlefield. We are called to take up arms against two mighty foes: the indwelling corruption of our flesh; and the sluggishness of our hearts toward God. Scripture speaks of this double duty as mortification of sin, and vivification of grace. 

Whenever the Holy Spirit regenerates someone, He implants a holy principle within that person which always manifests itself in the ongoing work of mortification and vivification. That is, the practical putting off of the old man and the putting on of the new man. This mortification and vivification are continued throughout life and will not end until glorification. 

First, the mortification of sin. The flesh is a restless rebel, forever plotting treason against its rightful King. Pride, envy, lust, sloth, anger, impurity these are no trifles, but serpents whose venom would destroy the soul if left unchecked. Our duty is not to pamper them, but to slay them. The believer must take the sword of the Spirit and pierce through every darling sin; however small it may appear. Yet we cannot mortify any sin by the sheer strength of our will. Only as we walk in the Spirit, will He enable us to mortify sin. 

Second, the vivification of our graces, so that we increase in strength and make further advances in true piety. To mortify sin is to pull up the weeds but we must also nurture the flowers of holiness. We can do this, only as we vivify our graces: faith must be exercised, love must be kindled, hope must be nourished, prayer must be cultivated. A barren soul is not a safe soul. When our graces are not growing, then our sins will be spreading. But again, here is our weakness: left to ourselves, we can no more make faith flourish than we can make the lilies grow. It is the Spirit who breathes life, waters every grace, and makes the believer fruitful in every good work. 

Thus, the Christian is ever cast upon the Spirit. Only through Him, can we kill sin and cultivate holiness. Let us then walk by the Spirit, pray in the Spirit, and depend wholly on the Spirit until that day when sin shall be no more, and grace shall blossom into glory! 

[A. W. Pink]

 ✞  ✞   ✞ 

Galatians 5:16 ... This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Romans 13:14 ... But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. ❤