It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. Proverbs 25:2

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Life Success in This World According to God’s Word

Success has been defined by the world as the attainment of wealth, position and honor; the attainment, performance or achievement of ones goals that can bring honor and respect.  In the book of Joshua, the Bible defines success as one who is intelligent, prosperous, prudent, skillful, and wise and behavesself wittingly. It also explains how to be successful, by meditating on the word of God Day and night and to not depart from doing what is right.

Joshua1:8-9 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.   Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” NKJ

We are to be a people who live by God’s word both in the day and in the night. Some people want to live with multiple personalities. One side they show to the public during the day and another they display at night when they are alone or with their groupies, fans and enthusiasts. 

The world is going after what they define as success with suchtenacity, determination and drive like never before. Thisdistorted and perverse way of thinking about success has led many people astray, they are becoming self-centered and self-indulging. We see people giving up on and leaving their families to free themselves of their responsibility only to indulge, pamper and focus on themselves alone without any other obligations or liabilities. All because they lack the true understanding of how to obtain and rightfully use success.   

It is God who created and designed mankind and He is the One who has established our purpose and defined the meaning of success for not only this life time but for all eternity. We werecreated in the image and likeness of God with the task of having rule and dominion over the things He has given us on the earth.  Our purpose is to be the glory of God by revealing, reflecting and resembling His love, splendor and praise on the earth. God did not create us to barely exist or to scarcely survive in life. He gave us dominion and authority over our lives and sphere of influence that we may show those who are lost, the love of God and how to find eternal life. 

Genesis 1:26-28 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”   So God created man in His own image; in the image of God, He created him; male and female He created them.   Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”NKJ

Many people are going through life thinking there is no hope for them. They have been brainwashed by this fallen world’s teaching and line of thought that there is lack and everyone should be for themselves and to think only of themselves. Thepeople perish for lack of knowledge and understanding of God’s principles and precepts, and go after the world’s way of ideas, views and beliefs. 

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. NKJ

Many people end up forsaking the good, eternal and ultimate purpose for the lesser and fleeting, short-lived and temporary things. They will discard their families, children and the welfare of human souls, which are eternal beings, for the passing and fading wealth of this world. 

Proverbs 18:1-2 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against all wise judgment. A fool has no delight in understanding but in expressing his own heart. NKJ

We are told to keep His commandments, to be merciful and to know and walk in His truth. The one new commandment Jesus gave us was to love others as He has loved us, and that would be unselfishly and sacrificially. God gives the command with a promise of long life, favor and high esteem in the sight of God and mankind. 

John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Proverbs 3:1-4 My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.  NKJ

God has told us what is required of us and what we are to do. To be just in all our affairs, that is to do the right thing. To love mercy, that is to forgive everybody everything. To walk humblybefore God, that is to live simply and unassumingly without pride and self-importance.

Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

God is a generational God. He wants to make a covenant, a contract, a promise with not just us but with our children and their children. God choose Abraham knowing he would teach his children, God’s word. That is what God is doing today, teaching and training us, through His word and Holy Spirit, that we may teach and train our children in the things of God.

Genesis 18:18-19 since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.” NKJ

Isaiah 54:13-14 All your children shall be taught by the Lord,And great shall be the peace of your children. In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; And from terror, for it shall not come near you.

Success is knowing the one True and loving God so that we, our children and our posterity will be established in love and righteousness in the earth.

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What is Your Vision? What is Your Dream? What is Your Purpose?

God has created every person with a purpose and that purpose flows from His Spirit, which gives life to all mankind. People are born with God’s Divine purpose for their lives and He has given dreams and visions as to what is their created purpose. Everyone must take time to understand their purpose so that they see the vision and dream God has placed in them. We are to obtain our vision, dreams and purpose from God and His word. 

Jeremiah 29:11-14 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. NIV

When people are without a vision or dream, though they may recognize purpose, they may not have a visualization, concept or mental image as how to accomplish their purpose. They are lost without a plan, drive or the knowhow to be able to undertake and realize their goals or vision. God has given us a template as how we are to carry out our plans. We are to write the vision, make it plain and simple to that we can read them, look at them, and run with the plan.

Habakkuk 2:2 Then the LORD answered me and said, “Write the vision And engrave it plainly on [clay] tablets So that the one who reads it will run. AMP

When we were young, many of us may have had visions and dreams for doing something great, or becoming someone important or maybe just to live a happy and fulfilled life. Young children are often asked what do you want to be when you grow up? It is in their response that we are reminded of the innocence, purity, naivety and unworldliness that all children are born with, before the cruelty, malice, meanness and brutality of the world influences them.

Though we may never fully know or fully understand God’sspecific purpose for every individual, we do know God’s call to all humanity is to turn from their rebellion and return to their God, their Father and their Creator.

The first Adam’s body was created from earth, God breathedinto him breath of life and Adam became a living-being, withthe image and the Spirit of God upon him. Mankind is a tri-part being one whose body is of the earth, who has a living soul from God and who bares the image and the Spirit of the Eternal God.

First, God gave Adam purpose, to be fruitful and increase and rule over every living thing.

Genesis 1:27-28 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them;

male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

Secondly, God assigned Adam work and a task to do, which was to name all the living creatures.

Genesis 2:19-20 Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals.

Then, God gave Adam a vision and a command. God placed Adam in the beautiful garden of Eden, full of green trees, delicious fruits, plants and beautiful flowers and vines to eat and enjoy. What a marvelous sight and vision it must have been, to have been given access to all that God had created for them to have, to adore and to experience. All this came with just one command and statement of warning, do not eat of the one tree that will open your eyes to all the evilness of the worldand not just the good.

Genesis 2:15-17 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

God’s purpose for mankind has not changed. We are created to bear the image and spirit of God. We are tasked with the purpose of being His glory in the earth. We are all given a choice to accept or reject the command of the Living Eternal God our Father. We were created for such a time as this, that we are now in to influence and bear witness to the goodness and the glory of God to those who are in our sphere of influence, be it our friends, family, colleagues and even our enemies. 

This is God’s appointed time for us, as this is the time He has given us and placed us on the earth to live.  God has given us His vision for us, that we might love one another as He has loved us. His vision written in His word for us so that we can run with the vision in mind, toward the goal and the purpose of His calling, because His word will not fail. Though it may take a while, in God’s perfect timing, and in God’s divine purpose, God’s desire will be accomplished in and through us. 

John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. NIV

Habakkuk 2:3 “For the vision is yet for the appointed [future] time It hurries toward the goal [of fulfillment]; it will not fail. Even though it delays, wait [patiently] for it, Because it will certainly come; it will not delay. AMP

What is our God given dream, vision and purpose? That the world may know Him by the love we have for one another. 

Dream: May we walk humbly before God, to do the right thing, to be known for our character of integrity.

Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. NIV

Vision:  The world will know and see the love of God and that we are disciples of Jesus because of the love we have for one another.  

John13:34-35 A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” NIV

Purpose: To “be” the glory of God and to display His image on the earth, one that God can point to and say, “have you considered my servant….”

Job 1:8 Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” NIV

Our vision, dream and purpose are to look like Christ. Just as we have borne the likeness of our earthly parents, handed down through their genes and chromosomes so we will alsobear the image of our Heavenly Father. Through the life-giving Holy Spirit that lives within us and is transforming us into the image of God’s Son.  


2 Corinthians3:18 But we all, with unveiled faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. NAS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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We Have Been Given Good Tidings of Great Joy!

The first words to humanity by the angel were, “Do not be afraid.” The Good News that Christ the Savior of the whole world is born. All people of every nation, tribe and tongue can rejoice with great joy knowing they too have been given an opportunity to receive a Savior who will redeem them from their sins.

Luke 2:10-11 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. NKJ

When Adam sinned and heard the voice of God in the garden, his first words were “I was afraid.”  God had already warned Adam that the consequences of his disobedience would be death. From the beginning when Adam sinned against God, all mankind has lived in fear. In fear of death, in fear of lack, in not having enough, and in fear of God, because of sins.

Genesis 3:9-10 Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”

God did not leave us in our hopeless state, but at the right time, in the fullness of time God sent His Son. The Eternal God, the Almighty God Jehovah, the Creator of time, stepped into time.  Elohim the Creator and Sustainer of all that exists, became like His creation, born of flesh, to live in obscurity as a person of insignificance to the kingdoms of this world.    

Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Hebrew 1:3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

All humanity was living in darkness, only the Hebrew people had access to the words and the knowledge of Jehovah. Yahweh, the Almighty God had made a covenant with Israel to be their God, and they would be His people, and would represent Him in the earth. Israel was to give this knowledge to the world so that they would know how to come to God and be changed by their faith in God. 

Jeremiah 33:8-9 I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned and by which they have transgressed against Me.   Then it shall be to Me a name of joy, a praise, and an honor before all nations of the earth, who shall hear all the good that I do to them; they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and all the prosperity that I provide for it.’

The leaders and pharisees of the Jewish community lost sight of God’s command for them to be the light in dark places.  Instead of being open and being a light of the news of God’s great love for mankind and to show the people how they could turn from idolatry, Israel chose to separate themselves and be selective in their teaching. The leaders and pharisees instituted various hierarchies and divisions giving knowledge of God’s word to select and prominent men while leaving those of low esteem, laborers, shepherds and fishermen with limited knowledge.     

Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Now, we are all given an opportunity to be set free from the bondage of sin and death, and to no longer be an outcast and alienated from God. God gave His Son Jesus to pay the price of our sin debt, so that we may be able to be born into the family of God. However, this is still a choice, whether to receive this great gift is up to every individual person, and the decision is of their own will. God will not force anyone to be saved, but his eternal call is still there saying, come to Me all who are weary with heavy burdened and He will give them rest.

Matthew 11: 28-29 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given;And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. NKJ

What great news, what good tidings and what great joy for all humanity, to know that every person born in sin, now has a chance to choose to receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord and to be at peace with God and mankind.

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An Attitude of Gratitude and A Spirit of Thanksgiving

As Followers of Christ, we display many attitudes and attributes such as love, mercy, grace and forgiveness. Of all the attitudes we may exhibit, the attitude of gratitude and gratefulness will have the most profound effect on our lives in regard to our psyche, our health, our family, and our overall happiness, as we live this life on earth. It is hard to be affected by negative influences when we live with a spirit of gratefulness, appreciation and thanksgiving but our thankfulness must be rooted in the person of Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 26:3-4 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength. NKJ

Our attitude of gratitude and thankfulness comes when we focus our attention on the person, Jesus Christ, and all He has done for us. When we were still sinners and at enmity and hatred toward God, living for our own selfish concerns, God’s love and mercy chased us down and captured us, and because ofHis love He saved us. We are now blessed all the more with Hisprovision and protection, because we are now part of Hisfamily, the family of God!

Romans 5: 8-11 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. NKJ

Colossians 1:21-22 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—

A spirit of thanksgiving and gratefulness must be developed, it is not something that comes naturally. We all are born with a selfish nature, as we see in most young children, they cry for what they want and everything “is mine.” It is part of the fallen human condition, but as followers of Christ, God has set us free from that old nature and we have been given a new one which imitate Christ. We are given the Holy Spirit of God and we are filled with His nature, which is transforming us into the image of His Son, Jesus. 

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.   But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

 

We should no longer allow the trials of this world to influence our spirit, our thoughts or our lifestyle. God has given us an everlasting hope which is in Christ, so no matter the situation or circumstances we view them through the lens of the Gospel of Christ and His truth. God will never leave us or forsake us, and in Him we are more than conquerors. The lives of the followers of Christ are mysteries to the world because they cannot understand our joy, our peace or our hope. It is Christ living in us, He is our hope and our glory for we are forever with Him, both now and eternally.  

Colossians 1:26-27 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. NKJ

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

The trials we face will introduce us to our own strengths and weaknesses. So let us be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. It is in the midst of chaos that the light of Jesus shines in dark places.  It is our perspective on the eternal life we have in Christ and our attitude of thanksgiving and gratitude, which will allow us to persevere with peace. 

Romans 8:37-39 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Because we know God has the situation and we are more than conquerors. We will wait and see how the Lord will settle the matter.

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Followers of Christ Perspective is a Vital Key for Success


Life is more about how we view what we are going through,than what we are actually going through. Our perspective and outlook on a situation will often dictate our response to what we are experiencing. When we view life’s problems through the lens of God’s word we realize that what is actually happening to us is nothing strange, but how we respond to the matter is of the utmost importance!

1 Peter 4:12-14 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.  If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. NIV

When Christ followers go through fiery ordeals we are not to set up a pity party for ourselves thinking we are the only onesexperiencing such hardship.  Our focus should not be on ourselves and all that we are going through. Instead, our focus should be outward toward the betterment of others and to bring glory to God in that situation, and not let self be the main focus. We can rejoice when we view our troubles as instruments of God, being used for others to see God through us, and to see how the followers of Christ react.  Our response should bemuch different than the world’s way.  

Because sin is in the world, everyone will experience problems. But instead of living without hope, in fear of lack, sickness or death, our hope is in Jesus and His saving grace.  As mature followers of Christ, we have our hope rooted in the promises of God, that is why it is so important to know the word of God and His promises. 

Psalms 43:5 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. NIV

1 John 1:2-3 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.  All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. NIV

Our perspective is us living this life before others as children of God, with an outward focus of what He is doing for others through us, and not just what Christ is doing for us or in us. The kingdom of God has an outward perspective, Christ gave of Himself that we might receive. Jesus gave His life that we may have eternal life and He became poor that we might be made rich.  

2 Corinthians 8:8-9 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.  For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. NIV

Mature followers of Christ operate with an outward perspective, realizing much of what we go through is not just for ourselves and our sake alone. But it is for all who we engage in this life so that they may learn and see how true followers of Christrespond according to the principles of God’s kingdom on earth.

1 Corinthians 1:11 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

Many people have a conceptual knowledge of Jesus. In their intellect He is a person who existed and did great miracles.  Some people believe that He is a God who will save them in the future but have little hope in Him for their daily matters and concerns. God wants a personal intimate relationship with us as a loving Father, a Rescuer, a Deliverer, a Provider and Protector, and He is the One who gave His only Son to be our Bridegroom. Our relationship with Jesus should be like that of a loving spouse of many years and a love so endearing that we would know and recognize His voice when He speaks. 

John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. NIV

Jesus’ love for us is so engaging and unending that we, in our mental belief, should commit ourselves to Him willingly, andforsake and abandon everything that is not in line with Him and His word. We should commit ourselves morally to His way of life with confidence and refuse to compromise with anything that is apart from Him.

This fallen world’s perspective is one of an inward self-centered, self-focused and totally consumed with the concern for self.  As followers of Christ, we are to live life with an outward perspective so that we can view this life as a journeythat God has allowed us to participate in for His kingdom work and His glory on the earth. No matter what we are going through if the focus is on self, it will always be hard.  However,if we focus on His word and His promises to us, we will knowthat whatever He has promised He will do and because we know God’s word we have His Hope in us. 

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

1 Corinthians 7:17 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.   

As followers of Christ our perspective should show that weknow God is the master engineer, He is orchestrating situations and circumstances and that we can trust Him to work theseproblems out for our good and His Glory. This understanding is essential and a vital key for us to persevere through difficult times with hope knowing that no matter what, “we will win in the end.”

Jeremiah 1:19 They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.NIV

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Success For a Christ Follower is to Look Like Christ. – repost

The world has taken on the definition of success as the attainment of wealth, position or honor, but followers of Christ must define success differently. Christ followers define their success as the achievement or attainment of one who is Christ like in their various endeavors, performances or just in their daily lives. When we live life like Christ and when we follow in His footsteps, then we will have obtained success in the eyes of God and His kingdom.

To be a follower of Christ or to be Christ like, we must change our view of what Christianity is. The word Christian was given to the early followers of Christ by the world who were nonbelievers. This was because the Christ follower behavior was so different from the world’s way, they actually saw them behaved and walked like Christ.

Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. NKJ

The world was living a life in fear of lack, in scarcity and in self-focus, while the followers of Christ were giving out of their poverty, sharing their resources and loving those that were unlike themselves. Christ is the One who gave Himself for others, the One who became poor that others may be rich, the One who died that others might have life and the One who forgave and loved those that abused and reviled Him.

2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. NKJ

1 John2:2 And Christ himself is the means by which our sins are forgiven, and not our sins only, but also the sins of everyone. GNT

1 Peter 2:23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. NIV

Luke 23:34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots. NKJ

Successful followers of Christ are defined as the ones who live their lives like Christ. It has been said if you want to find Christ, go low. He was born in a stall not a palace, He lived as a servant and not as a Pharisee, He washed the feet of His friends and even the one who would betray Him. If we want to be first in the kingdom of God, then we are to be last in the eyes of the world. If we want to be chief among the people in the kingdom of God, then we are to be a servant to the people. If we want to be exalted by God live simply in humility, respectfully toward all people, regardless of the origin or status because all humanity are image bearers of God.

John 13:5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. NKJ

Mark 9:3 And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” NKJ

1 Peter 5:5-6 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but give grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, NKJ

The name Christian is a label the world gave to the followers of Christ in the early church but now the world has used this label to skew, twist or change the image of how the followers of Christ are viewed. Many people label themselves as Christians but choose to live like the world. They are self-centered, in fear of losing what they have, in fear of lack, or of not having enough, and their only concern is themselves, while refusing to help or assist others.

God has called us children born into the family of God, The Almighty God, El Shaddai, the Inexhaustible One who pours out and whose source is unlimited, boundless and everlasting. God gave us a position not a label. We are children of the Most-High King and we are in His family and we are to look like our Father. Though labels may change but God as our Father and us being born into His family will not change. Just as children in the natural take some resemblance or likeness of their parents, so do we as we grow more knowledgeable through the Spirit, into the image of Christ the Son of God.

Ephesian 2:19Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.NKJ

1 John 3:9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. NIV

Like the early church, our lives should so reflect the life of Christ that the world would notice a lifestyle different than their own. We as Christ followers should live from a place of grace and forgiveness, because the God we serve gives grace to us, therefore we give grace and forgiveness to others. We serve The Almighty God who is limitless and lives in abundance. He will supply all our needs according to His riches in Christ and not according to our self-importance or works. Therefore, we can give without fear of lack, we can love because He first loved us.

Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. NKJ

We can be generous because the God we serve is Yahweh “I am that I am,” He is Elohim the God who creates. Whatever the need, Yahweh is the fulfillment of that need, be it peace, joy, healing, protection, provision, The Great “I Am” is that, and all we will ever need.

Followers of Christ are most successful when they operate in love, humility and grace that Christ displayed while on earth and because our goal is to love God with all that we are and to love and serve others as Christ loved us. Christ followers’ success is not measured by the world’s standards of wealth, position or honor. We are to look like Christ, to operate in meekness and not be prideful; in gracious generous giving and not mean, tightfisted or grudgingly giving. Followers of Christ are to live in kindness, having compassion, sympathy and charity to all, even those who misuse and revile us.

Acts 2:44-47 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. NKJ

People of the world become mean and lack generosity because they operate in fear of never having enough and refusing to share. They will not give to the needs of others because they are afraid in the end there might not be enough for themselves.

Followers of Christ operate out of kindness, generosity and humility, because we know God is our endless, vast and everlasting source. We know we can rely on God, Yahweh, El Shaddai, the One who pours out of His abundance and we do not have to rely just on our limited resource, our job or our earthly means.

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Our Problem Is Not Sin, but It Is Our Belief or Unbelief!

Sin entered into the world through unbelief in the truth of God’s word. The eating of the fruit was only the action which displayed mankind’s distrust and unbelief of God’s word. God told them not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, because the day they did they would surely die. Satan came and questioned God’s word and God’s intentions to do well by them, Satan created doubt in their minds. Satan told Eve they would not die and he told them that God knew thatthey would become like Him, knowing good and evil. Instead of believing God, they believed Satan and obeyed him, and thereby sin enter into the world. 

Genesis 2:16-17 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Genesis 3:4-7 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.   For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. NKJ

Temptation rarely comes from a place of getting us to do a bad thing, but it is usually a temptation to do a good thing by some illegitimate or dishonest way. Satan tries to trick mankind into doing something good in a forbidden way, to give a short cut, so that they do not follow all the rules, to get there quicker, but in being disobedient to God.  

Adam and Eve were tempted with becoming like God, knowing good from evil. But the overarching question was, who were they going to trust, believe and obey?   Our actions will expose and exhibit our allegiances and will show who we really trust in and whose word we really believe. Though we may say with our words we believe God and His plans to help, bless and protect us but our actions will show where our trust truly lies.

Romans 6:16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? NKJ

God had given mankind dominion over all the earth and gave them only one command, to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, because it would kill them and they would surely die. They died that day, because their spirit was separated from their bodies, which became death to their relationship with God. Though their body and soul still were alive, their spiritdied and their relationship with God also died that day.  The man God created die that day, he was no longer in the completed likeness of God, the glory of God’s Holy Spirit was separated from mankind. Their innocence turned to shame and fear, their unity and oneness turned into accusations and blame. They were no longer full of the light of God’s goodness but now there was darkness and evil in the life of humanity. Which was unlike the man God created and placed in the garden.

Genesis 3:9-13  Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.”And the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” NKJ

The day mankind ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the God like man that God created died and they became knowledgeable of how to do evil. The perfect man created in God’s likeness was dead but the image of God was still upon mankind, though Satan tricked them out of their total holiness and completeness that was like God. 

The light of their glorious glory left them and they became full of fear, caring only about themselves while blaming others for their actions, their problems and for whatever was wrong with them. This has become the bedrock of mankind’s relationshipwith one another without Christ. 

When people listened to the constant lies of Satan, he nourished them with lies and a mistrust of God.   The enemy feeds their souls a steady diet of lies and deception until their actions, lines up with their thoughts of what they have been fed and becomedisobedient to God and His word. Whatever we allow our mind to continue to feed upon will eventually produce after its own kind, in our words, our character, our actions and our life. That is why we are told to change the way we think, to renew our minds in the word of God.

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

Obeying Satan rather than God gave proof as to whose word they believed and trusted. It is the same question we have today, whose report will we believe, whose word will we believe and allow to be the ruler of our actions and how we live our lives? 

1 John 4:16 We have come to know [by personal observation and experience], and have believed [with deep, consistent faith] the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides continually in him. (Amplified Bible)

God has given all humanity another chance, another opportunity to choose to believe in Him. Though Satan beguiled and lied to mankind causing them to commit treason, to rebel and sin against their God and king. Jesus’ life, death and resurrection became the payment for the sin of the whole world.  Once again mankind has the opportunity to make the choice to believe and follow God into eternal life, or choose the path of Satan of disobeying God, which leads to a final eternal death. 

1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. NKJ

We can always find an excuse or a reason as to why we did what we did wrong, but it takes the light of Christ to show us His way, which is in truth and forgiveness.  Our problem is not sin, but it is in us not believing God is able to turn our lives around and bring us out of darkness and into His marvelous light. Once we believe God and take Him at His word, we will confess Jesus as our Lord and Savior. 

It is when we believe with our heart and confess with our mouth Jesus is our Lord and Savior, that we will receive the Holy Spirit of God. He comes into our lives and start the cleaning process that transforms us back into the image of the Son of God.  We are then made right with God and there in no shame in Christ, because we have been forgiven and it is God who gives us the power and the desire to do His will.  

Romans 10:9-11 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.   For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”  NKJ

Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. NKJ

It is God who orchestrates situations and circumstances that allow us to line up with His will.

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Where Is Your Hope? God Is Our Living Hope!

Hope, what is hope? It may be one of the most misrepresented words. Many people think of hope like it is a dream. But hope is: the trust and/or belief in a person in which our expectations are centered; to believe, to trust, to look forward to with confidence; the feeling that what is wanted can be had, or that events will turn out for the best, because of our trust and belief. For the true followers of Christ, hope is in the person of Jesus Christ, in the completed work of our Lord and Savior who gave Himself that we may live.

1 Timothy 4:10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe. NIV

A dream is: a vain or wild fancy; to think of something in a remote way; a vision indulged in while awake or asleep. Far too often we see people without hope and they will say that their situation is hopeless. Life circumstances or the choices they have made in life may have led them to believe that there is no hope for them or for their lives to change. 

Living in a world that constantly feeds us a steady diet of lies,which may cause unrealistic materialistic dreams and unrealistic expectations that are unfulfilled may causes hopelessness to grow. To continue living a life of failure and unfulfilled dreams may make the hearts sick and ultimately causes people to give up on themselves, their families and even on life itself. This is an attack of Satan against mankind and all who are created in the image of God, to hinder them from fulfilling their created purpose. But we are to have our hope in Christ and to reveal the glory of God on the earth.  

Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. NIV

For followers of Christ, our hope is grounded and built on the foundation of the life of Christ. He is the person in which our Hope is anchored, He is the embodiment of our Hope. It is with a fixed and determined belief and confidence, that what He has promised He is able to perform. Which is unlike the wild fancies that are conjured up by trickeries, lies and deceits of this fallen world, that all societies are exposed to through social norms or mass media. This causes people to lose heart when their unrealistic dreams or wishes fail.   

1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, NIV

Philippians 1:20 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. NIV

Hope is not wishful thinking, or wishing that something will come true, but true hope is faith in the Living Word of God and Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.  Christ becomes the center of our hope and though it may not come immediately we wait with expectation and confidence that Jesus will fulfill His promise. Hope is not some dream or wish that was fabricated by some type of media, commercial or some invented scheme that has no basis or is grounded in lies and deceptions.  Our hope is strengthened and developed through our life of worship and communion with Christ. 

It is when we accept Jesus, not only as the one who saved us, but as our Lord, the one who directs, trains and commands usand the one who is the head of our lives and family, that we receive the eternal Hope of God. We grow in hope and our hope is reinforced, fortified and built up through our time of worship where we develop an intimacy and closeness with God as our Father and Jesus as our Lord.  

Titus 2: 1-14 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.  It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. NIV

The true hope that we have in Christ allows us to live differently than the world, though we may reside in our community our citizenship is in heaven. We have a distinctculture and our lives are different because of the way we handle ourselves in conflicts, how we define success and how we view death. 

We handle our conflicts with mercy, grace and forgiveness. Because Christ has forgiven us for everything, we also should forgive everybody everything. Our success is not measured by how much money we have, our bank accounts or where we may live, but by the peace and joy we have in Christ. We are not hopeless in the face of death, because Jesus is the resurrection and the life, eternal.

Our identity is rooted in Jesus, we are precious in His sight, as beloved ones whom He has called, pursued and loves. We are created as His image bearers, saved by the blood of Jesus, who purchased forgiveness of sin for all humanity. God offers everyone His grace, mercy and forgiveness of sin, but each individual will decide to accept or reject this great gift from God and whether to acknowledge Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  

John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;NIV

Psalms 65:5 You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas, NIV

We live in a fallen world full of sin and troubles therefore,persecution and suffering are a part of everyone’s life even every follower of Christ. It is our belief and faith that we will overcome in every situation that gives us hope. Knowing that in the end we will not be ashamed because of Jesus Christ who is our Hope, will make the crooked ways straight and will bring down the lofty and those who are full of pride.

 

Romans 5:5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. NIV

Luke 3:5 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. 

Hope is with expectation of a future occurrence; it is not something that we see or have at the present. If we had what we desired at present there would be no need for faith or hope for the future.  Jesus’ love for us is the bedrock and the cornerstone on which we build our hope and our faith, it is in knowing that He is faithful to that which He promised. As true followers of Christ we should not expect to avoid troubles, but we should be encouraged, because we are in the fellowship of His sufferingand through this we can show His love as we praise God because His glory is upon us.  

Romans 8:24-25 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. NIV

1 Peter 4:13-16 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.  If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.  NIV

 

2 Thessalonians 2:16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope. NIV

 

 

As the song “Cornerstone” reminds us;

 

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly trust in Jesus’ name.

Christ alone, cornerstone weak made strong, in the Savior’s love, through the storm He is Lord, Lord of all.

When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace. In every high and stormy gale my anchor holds within the veil.  

He is Lord, Lord of all!

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The Fear of God is the Beginning of Wisdom; The Fear of God is to Hate Pride, Arrogance and Evil Ways

The word of God says to be wise, and the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Most people misconstrue or misunderstand this, they think to fear God is to be terrified, trembling or frightened of God, as though He was on some power trip. 

We must let the Bible interpret God’s words and meaning. The Bible says to fear God is to hate evil, pride, arrogance and vicious or perverse speaking. If the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, then when we hate those things such as pride, arrogance and perverse talking or evil ways, we are living in a respectful fear, awe and reverence of God and His word.  

We become wise when we are in line and agree with the word of God. Fear of God and the wisdom of God is to hate what God hates and love what God loves, which is coming into anagreement with God’s word.  

Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.

Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate. NKJ

The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, and in truth it means to be in awe and respect of God, acknowledging Him and His preeminence overall. We must allow His word to be supreme and thereby we align ourselves up with His word. We love what He loves; all humanity and we hate what He hates; pride, arrogance, perverse speaking and evil ways.

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, by the power of the Holy Spirit which indwells us, we have the mind of Christ. We no longer lean to our own understanding or the teaching of this world, for they both are limited and distorted by this fallen world and its sin infested society. It is the wisdom of God that can help us discern what is “true reality”, which is Christ, and not be led by the misguided majority or be influence by Satan.  

1 Corinthians 1:30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—

1 Corinthians 2:16 For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.NKJ

Godly discernment is the ability to have greater insightfulness and to have better judgement regarding situations. Some decisions are not bad but they may not be the best and God wants the best for His children.  

2 Chronicles 2:12 And Hiram added: “Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who made heaven and earth! He has given King David a wise son, endowed with intelligence and discernment, who will build a temple for the LORD and a palace for himself. NIV

Ecclesiastes 3:17 I said in my heart, “God shall judge the righteous and the wicked, For there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.” NKJ

All societies and nations may not have the written word of God,but all mankind was created in His image and likeness and was created with an awareness of what is right.  God’s sense of right and wrong is embedded in everyone’s conscience, it is part of their genetic makeup from birth. 

Because of life experiences some people may choose to ignore their sense of rightful living, be it past hurts or the life choicesof self-indulgence.  Young children are quick to recognize and say what is fair and what is not. Over time and with social training their minds can be bent and manipulated to disregard their internal sense of God’s integrity and morality.  

Romans 2:15-16 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

Just as children out of love and respect for their earthly parents want to give reverence and please them. So, we also want to give even greater honor, respect and revere our heavenly Father and Creator. 

1 Corinthians 2:12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.NIV

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Our Relationship with God “Post” The Life of Jesus

With the life, death and resurrection of Jesus God has provided a way for mankind to be adopted into His family, where we can call Him Father. God is no longer just the Holy Creator, requiring mankind to follow every letter of the law. God hasprovided an opportunity for those who accept Jesus by faith, as the Son of God, and their risen Lord to have their sins forgiven. To Jesus we owe our very existence, reality and life because He has paid for all sin. In this new relationship, God is not only our Sovereign King, but we can call Him Abba Father. 

Hebrews 10:30-31 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”  says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.”  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Prior to the life, death and resurrection of Christ, God dealt with mankind as a Holy and Righteous Judge and Creator. But God, in His love, mercy, grace and great compassion toward mankindprovided us with a payment for sin through Jesus. The penalty for sin was too great for mankind to pay for themselves, therefore, Jesus became our sacrificial offering and has taken the wrath we deserved. Jesus has made atonement for sin for all mankind and has satisfied God’s wrath, fury and judgement against sin for all who accept by faith and believe in the completed work of Christ. 

Isaiah 1:18-20  “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword”; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

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

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 

While we were still at enmity with God He provided for us a new and living way through faith in the completed work of Christ. Now being in the family of God, how much more will God provide and supply for us as children of the Most-High King. God created mankind to be “little g” gods on the earth, to be in His likeness and to display His glory to all the earth so that He could have a personal relationship with mankind. 

God’s purpose was abandoned by mankind when they disobeyed God and fell into depravity and corruption. Only a Holy and loving God could do both, to be the one who judgesmankind for their sin and also to be their Justifier, the one who would take the punishment that was judicially given for their acts of rebellion.  

Ephesians 2:15-16 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,  and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.

Romans 5:8-11 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.   Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.   For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Psalm 82:6-8 I said, “You are gods, And all of you are children of the Most High. But you shall die like men,And fall like one of the princes.” Arise, O God, judge the earth; For You shall inherit all nations.

God knew before the foundation of the world that mankind would rebel against Him, because the lies and deceptions of Satan they would fall into sin. Yet in His lovingkindness, Hecreated mankind because God desired to have a personal relationship with humanity. We were created in His likeness with authority and dominion over the earth but gave it away to God’s enemy, Satan.

Ephesians 1:4-6 Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,   having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,   to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

God’s amazing love, tender mercies and great compassion, compelled Him to be the payment for our sins. In His righteousness He judge mankind for their sins, He also became their Savior and Redeemer to all who will come to God by faith in Jesus Christ. God’s purpose is still to continue to be in a personal relationship with mankind, with those who come to Him through faith in Jesus as the Son of God.

Luke 1:78-79  Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Lamentations 3:22-26 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

 

Psalm 51:1-2 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

 

Jesus has paid the sin debt owed by all mankind, now God has provided an opportunity for everyone to choose whether or not they will be adopted into the family of God.  We all will stand before God and He will either be our Abba Father, or we willstand before Him as a Holy and Righteous Judge. This decision will be based on our individual will and actions while we live our lives on this earth. 

Jude 1:20-23 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,  keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

And on some have compassion, making a distinction;  butothers save []with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

2 Corinthians 5: 20

Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God

1 Peter1:19-21  but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.   He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you  who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

God’s purpose for humanity is for us to be in a close personal relationship with God as our Father, Jesus as our Lord and Savior and with one another in love. Because Christ died for all, we are called to be His ambassadors and to bring others to salvation.

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