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Tag Archives: revelation of jesus christ

Be holy, for I am holy

29 Aug

Be holy, for I am holy

1 Peter 1:13-15    Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

Drugs, women, toys, and booze
These were the things I used to choose;
Numbing pains & hiding fears
Wasting my life for so many years.

Christ rescued me from them
He delivered me from sin;
He changed my life eternally
He started from within.

My life changed forever
I have eternal focus now;
I seek not temporal pleasure
But to serve Him somehow.

By Holy for I am holy
Words to live by every day;
The world teaches self pleasure
In that you will never find the Way.

Change begins at the Cross
What Christ accomplished and gave you there;
You can never change without Him
All other roads lead to nowhere.

When you come to him broken
And you are empty inside;
He will fill you with great hope
You will not be able to hide.

Seek to live your life in honor
of what He gave you that day;
Be holy for I am holy
Is your desire to repay.

 
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Posted by on August 29, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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You are special too

23 Jun

You are special too

Galatians 1:11-24     For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. 20 (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.(ESV)

You can’t unpack Paul’s story in a OneMinuteMinistry. There is something grand to see and understand in this passage; Paul understood that he was chosen by God, even chosen before birth (vs15). So much of Paul’s early life was a life a faith by works, earning his salvation by his intellect and his deeds; he felt he was earning his way into heaven. He led even unto persecution those that did not believe what he did. His world changed when Christ came to him on the Damascus road. Christ told him of how he would be called to preach to those he had been persecuting, of how he must suffer for His name. Acts 9:16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” Paul understood that all of his life before Christ, all that he had experienced and performed, could now be drawn to glorify Christ. God had let him walk down that road of life to ultimately show the grace of God, and the glory of God in Paul’s life.

God can and will forgive all of your great sins you have ever committed. You can never repay or work out a penance plan for the repayment of sin. On God’s grace alone are you provided through Christ the payment of sin; it was all settled at the cross. Paul understood the err of his ways, he understood that God had chosen him, not that he had chosen God. With that tug in your heart that comes an incredible understanding that God wants you. Can you really deny that One who is asking for your heart? All it takes is a humble repentant plea asking for forgiveness by the only Way to obtain it. John 14:6 I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but through Me.

Today is not meant for deep theological debate on Election. It is meant in the simplicity of the understanding that you have never sinned so greatly, as not to obtain grace. It is meant in the simplicity of how a humble, repentant heart is all it takes to receive that grace found in Christ. That question, that tug in your heart, is God pursuing you. You are a chosen one. You are able to obtain forgiveness; all of your past life can be used to show God’s grace too. He is knocking at the door of your heart, will you open the door?

 
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Posted by on June 23, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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Butterflies….

08 Jun

Butterflies…..

Revelation 1:1-3    The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants–things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

I get really nervous about writing from the book of Revelation. I don’t much to be honest, but I feel led so strongly to write about what God is laying on my heart there, I feel as though I must. Revelation is a book by Jesus Christ himself; he is giving us a glimpse into the future of time as we know it, a glimpse of the battle of good and evil, and an assurance that good has and will prevail.  Is is an apocalyptic book, foretelling of things to come, and its author John describes himself as recorder and writer of these visions he is witnessing. He is doing as he is told to do; recording what he sees to present to those that will hear.

Revelation is written to the seven churches in Asia. They represent the types of different churches, and these same types exist today. They are addressed with their both their good and bad attributes; they are warned of their faults. They must be both encouraged and disciplined in this book. We all can find ourselves in the description of one of these churches, and we all must heed the warnings given in these descriptions. All of this letters to these seven churches are to encourage believers to draw closer to Christ and away from the temptations and false teachings that Satan has planted in the world and the church. “God’s overriding purpose in all of history is the establishment of the promised messianic kingdom. Associated with this ultimate divine objective is the opportunity for believers to persevere by faith in a life of obedience. The prospect for these overcomers or victors is the destiny of realigning with Christ as coheirs in His kingdom. (Study Bible)

So if this book is the words of Christ given to likely his favorite apostle both as a warning and a promise, can you understand the importance of spending time there? Can you dig deep to find yourself as described in one of the seven churches? Will you ask God to speak to you as we spend time looking at where He has spoken to me? I know where my heart lied before Christ saved me; it lied in a lukewarm faith that sickened Christ as in the church of Laodecia. I pretended to be a Christian, yet lived with a heart for the world. I was going to be vomited from Christ’s mouth if He had not opened my eyes through my heart of this sin. I have repented of my sin and by the grace of God I ask you to do the same. Revelation should be a book that stirs you; makes you feel nervous too,  and makes you reflect on your own faith and the outcome of it.

 
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Posted by on June 8, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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The time is near

21 Aug

The time is near

Revelation 1:1-3 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants–things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

The book of Revelation is the most fascinating and the most misunderstood book in the bible. It is an ‘apocalyptic’ literature, or an unveiling, or disclosure. So this book is about Christ, from Christ as the author. The apostle John was given these visions and words to pen for us to read. The summary of this book is found in verse 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. For the “time is near’. You must realize as a believer in Christ the state of the world around you, and you must realize the importance of these days to share the Gospel of Christ to those around you who do not know Him.

We live in a fallen world, and the world’s sin seems to be escalating again. Throughout history their have been evil men who did horrible things, yet society condemned them for it. Society as a whole seems less likely to condemn now, but to blame and let it pass on the merits of where that blame is placed. There seems to be less power in the condemnation of judgement. The book of Revelation speaks to that coming judgement upon Christ’s return, and the eternal sentence. Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.

Is your name written in the Book of Life? Do you know Christ as your Savior from the pit of Hell as the only Way(John 14:6)? Do you confess him before men? Matthew 10:32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. You cannot simply deny these coming days, for the book of Revelation speaks clearly of them. All roads do not lead to God and heaven; and living as a good person without the understanding of the Gospel will lead you down the path of destruction. The days you spend here on earth are the paths you prepare for eternity. The time is near; are you prepared?

 
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Posted by on August 21, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Sprint or Endurance?

05 Aug

Sprint or Endurance?

1 Peter 1:13-16   Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

“Gird up the loins of your mind” is not a typical phrase you hear today and could apply just about anything in your life that takes your focus off Christ. We all have the battles of worldly desires that fight for the focus of our mind. I think about __________ the most. What occupies your mind that fills in that blank? I would need to make a list, but I am trying to dwindle that list down through the power of Christ  in my life. It is a constant battle and without a consistent pursuit of Him, the list will never shrink. The daily time in prayer and the Word chip away at my list. Matthew 6:33 “Seek Ye first the kingdom of God…”

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. The analogy of our lives is almost put here as and endurance race has much implication. Life is not a sprint, where you go as fast as you can to reach the goal; but an endurance run where you prepare and pace yourself setting your eyes farther out for the longer run. It requires a different strategy, and endurance requires longer focus. As in Hebrews, the “weight of sin” can make the longer race difficult. We must shed that weight to finish the race strong.

The battles of sin will always be there, many only in the mind. The strength to fight these battles is only found in prayer and the Word. You cannot defeat them alone although pride will try to convince you otherwise. Spend time daily with God and seek to lighten your load through His power to allow you to focus on Him and finish the race strong.

 
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Posted by on August 5, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Patience

02 Aug

Patience

1 Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love.

Patience in today’s society of immediate satisfaction is a lost word and quality. It has been lost at the touch of a button on keyboards; it has been lost at the selfishness that expediency has brought. In our minds patience has become antiquated, and sadly we have come to believe that in many ways of God. Why can He not deliver on our timetable? Patience is a quality and lesson that God has really been at work on me. I am as guilty or worse in that arena or lack of it. I feel as though I am sitting precariously atop of a wall, ready to leap, and God says sit still and wait on me. If I leap without His consent, most likely it will be a painful fall.

“Testing of your faith” is found only in these two verses in the Bible. The term is used in the purification process of refining coins through the melting off of the impurities. A silversmith is asked how can he tell when the silver has reached purity and he replies that it is easy, for he can see his reflection in it. As Christ tests and purifies you, removing those impurities, He seeks to see His reflection in you also. This is the hard part for this is where patience comes in. Websters defines Patience – bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint, steadfast. James 1:4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Know that God is doing a work in your life through whatever you are facing now. All you are facing now can be used to draw you closer to God, and to draw glory to God through the trial. He is the silversmith stoking the fire to heat the impurities so that he can take them out of your life. He is taking His time and doing it right, for He is wanting to see the reflection of His Son in you. Seek Him and praise Him for the work He is allowing in your life, for you will be a better person and closer to Him as a result of the patience you gained during the process. Patience is a virtue and a Godly character that exemplifies a life abiding in Christ.

 
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Posted by on August 2, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Chief of sinners – Forgiven!

21 Apr

Chief of sinners – Forgiven!

1 Peter 1:13-16   Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;  as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

I love how God works. I am giving my testimony this coming week, and the time I have been spending with God over these last couple of days has put me in 1 Peter where he is speaking of all the trials of life. How we were before Christ, and then how we are to conduct ourselves now upon Salvation and Christ dwelling in us. Of how the persecutions and difficulties will come on both mental and physical plains, but these realizations of being children of God will provoke a reverent holy fear of God. Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Once you begin to grasp the understanding of who God is, and what He has done for you, that reverent fear comes as a strong emotion deep within your soul.

As I look back as part of reflecting for testimony preparation, I feel as Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. It is so humbling realizing what Christ has done for all of us, even those who still hate Him. Now on this side of Salvation I strive to be a better person, to live a life honoring the One whom gave His life for me and you. I lean on the time in His Word and prayer and the pursuit of the renewing of my mind as in 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. This is a daily pursuit, every day asking for forgiveness, and asking for guidance to help me along the way. I beg you to reflect on your life and understand there is nothing you have done that you cannot be forgiven for through repentance and acceptance of Christ into your heart. It is never too late, until it is.

 
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Posted by on April 21, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Muddy Dirt Roads

23 Feb

My family is in the middle of a large trial with many facets. We are not promised a life full of roses as Christians, and far from it to be honest. It is the people of this world, whom live in and for the world, that live the life of ease. If you are suffering, it may be an honor to Christ in how you respond. But it also may not be. Sit back and look at your situation, and pray for God to reveal why and where you are there. Respond how you feel Christ would.

 

 

 

Muddy Dirt Roads

James 1:2-4   My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

There is only one place with streets paved of gold. There is only heavenly eternal paradise in our lives with Christ after our short time here. Now is a difficult walk, full of various trials, various tests, various hardships that we are called to endure. Think of the story of Job, whom was living a Godly life, and God was so proud He let Satan test him for He knew Job would not fail. When we are pressed during these trials, what is truly inside us comes out. If we have been seeking God and spending time in His Word, the peace that goes against the worldly grain emerges. If we have not, then our worldly spirit spills forth as they are expected. Where we invest ourselves will always rise to the top when the heat is applied. How do you respond?

1 Peter 1:6-8  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom you have not seen you love. You will honor Christ by your response to what you are facing. How can they not “lash out” as everyone else does? How come they don’t act as others do? You can possess something that the world does not comprehend. You can possess something that the world cannot take away. They will want what you possess, for they do not understand the hope that you have within you. Romans 5:3-5 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Faith and Hope are in dwelt in your soul, and no trial you must endure can take away that security that only Christ provides for eternal paradise with Him. These things are temporary.

 
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Posted by on February 23, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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