What God Has Been Teaching Me Lately XLV (45)…
Greetings My Friends~
As a simple pilgrim following Jesus through the rainforests and deserts of this earthly life, I would like to humbly share some of what God has been bubbling up in my mind/heart lately.
I pray that these thoughts are cushions in your shoes, balm to your burns, umbrellas for the rain, and shade to the scorching heat as you too follow the Lord Jesus each day.
(please click on the Bible books/chapters/verses below to read the actual Scripture passages)
(December 16th–31st, 2015)
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Prayer
Praise God for not giving us what will distance us from Him relationally,
like parents not putting t.v. & video games in a child’s bedroom.
Sin & Truth
Years ago Christians said, “WWJD” (“what would Jesus do?”).
Now so many say, “WTBD” (“whats the big deal?”) regarding sin &Truth.
Both matter.
Jesus Is King
Is there room for Jesus alone on your life’s throne?
Do you give Jesus the doghouse, the guest bedroom, or the Master bedroom of your life?
The Human Condition
A. Dont hire Jesus as “improver”—surrender to Him as Savior & re-Creator.
Reborn, not reprogrammed.
Not enhanced but exhumed & brought back to life.
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B. Jesus says humans aren’t just malfunctioning but malevolent;
not just wandering but lost;
not just unhealthy but dead & in need of life.
Luke 15; Ephesians 2:1-5; Luke 11:13
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C. If the police try to pull you over, what happens if you simply ignore & go on your way?
More cop cars will surround you & force you off the road.
Ignoring authority = attacking it.
Same as ignoring God & pretending He isnt real.
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D. One of the ways we offer our minds & bodies to sin is thru what we watch
(Romans 6:11-14; Luke 11:34-36).
The devil slowly boils us frogs in the pot & we think we’re relaxing in a hot tub.
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E. By soaking in the culture & not in God’s Word each day,
we’re like Hansel & Gretel—greedily eating the culture’s candy
but not realizing we’re being fattened to be cooked for dinner.
Yet there is a trail home…
God’s Grace
Grace makes us stand not on the muscles of our legs but on the merit of our Lord!
We stand victorious because we kneeled in defeat (confession of sin)!
Romans 5:1-2; Luke 18:11-14; 1 Peter 5:6
Golf
You cant conquer golf—you can only do better than other players.
Yet we are MORE than conquerors thru faith in Jesus
Who got 18 holes-in-one on the loop of life!
The Bible
Many agree with some of God’s commands in the Bible;
our deep issue is we don’t want God telling us we can/can’t.
We want to decide, be in charge, be god…
1 Corinthians 15:1-2; Judges 21:25
Let God Get Sharp With You
As the Gardener, Jesus intended His sharpness with Peter to GROW him;
as a lumberjack the devil intends his sharpness to CUT us down.
Bible Studies/Small Groups
Jesus Personally shows up in our Bible studies, though we often dont realize it! (Luke 24:13-16)
Meet regularly to discuss Who Jesus is & all He has done!
The Fire Of God
Oh loved ones—we often dont give the Holy Spirit a chance
to dry out the wet wood of our hearts &
light a fire in us thru God’s Word!
What The Culture Offers
In life’s storms the world only offers temporary sandbars for us to stand;
But the current eventually sweeps them away.
Drowning is delayed not avoided.
What Jesus Offers
Only the rock of Jesus’ grace can make us stand
so we survive & thrive in life’s storms.
All else is shifting and unstable sand…
Before & After
Before receiving Jesus as our Savior, we are under God’s wrath (Ephesians 2:1-3);
after, we are under God’s wings (Psalm 91:4; Matthew 23:37)!