I read this chapter and I just sit amazed at the change in people's lives when they have accepted Christ as their Savior. A 180 degree turn.....it is just amazing what the grace of God can do. I hope people see that in my life, as I see it in so many of my Christian friends. Also...Paul emphasizes three times "doing what is good". As Pastor Chris has spoken to us about several times this year - "do the next right thing" - we need to start DOING it!
1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men
How easy is it for us to fall when satan pulls that rug out from under our feet. We go and speak with friends, and next thing you know they try to real you into gossip, or to do something that you know in your heart is against God's ways, but the excitement of doing it just takes over. You have 2 decisions to make. The first one is to continue slipping on the rug until you hit the floor and then you end up asking God to help you out of the mess or the pit that you find yourself in. The 2nd option is to just go ahead right then and there and ask God to give you the courage and the strength to do it right the first time.
Then when you have the strength, say to your friend... "I am sorry, but the conversation can not continue this way, God tells me to love everyone, and to talk about someone would definately not show them respect or love."
It is okay to say "NO". Sometimes we just don't do it though because we are looking for approval from others. We want to belong. You need to remind yourself that you are valuable by who you are in Christ, not by what you do or by other people's opinions.
Say "NO", face your fear and find freedom, joy and peace instead. Fear is simply faith in what Satan says. The bible tells us you can not serve 2 Gods. It says "Be not conformed of this world, but by the renewing of your mind.." and again, "choose you this day who ye will serve, but for me and my house we will serve the Lord."
That's right, your everyday decisions will lead you toward who you serve. Take a step back, reflect and ask God to change you. Proverbs 23:7 says where the mind goes the man follows. If you think worldly thoughts, you'll be of this world, If you think spiritual thoughts you will rest in the heavenlies.
The bible also says that the righteous will fall 7 times and get up again, but the unrighteous will just fall. Don't be discouraged if you do fall, for we are all sinners, just find the courage and strength to ask for God's hand to stand, and learn from the mistake. God will direct you.
Verses 4-7, “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”
I love those first two words “but when…” there was a time that I lived apart from God and there are still times I choose to live according to my will instead of God’s will. But when God comes on the scene everything changes. I mean EVERYTHING. Here’s the kicker – it’s has nothing to do with anything I did, it’s all on God. He initiated. He did it. He completed it.
Then get this, he didn’t just give me a little bit of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out on me generously!! God doesn’t go half way. He doesn’t leave us wanting more, he goes beyond satisfaction. He is generous with his love and his mercy and his power.
I have no idea why I would even want to live apart from this. I can’t believe that I choose to do things my way instead of God’s way. I read these words from Paul and realize that I have been offered so much more than what I have accepted. I am an heir of God. I want to live into the fullness of my inheritance.
Charter Oak Church is a family of Jesus followers who want to reach out to those who are searching and equip believers to become fully devoted followers of Jesus.
I read this chapter and I just sit amazed at the change in people's lives when they have accepted Christ as their Savior. A 180 degree turn.....it is just amazing what the grace of God can do. I hope people see that in my life, as I see it in so many of my Christian friends. Also...Paul emphasizes three times "doing what is good". As Pastor Chris has spoken to us about several times this year - "do the next right thing" - we need to start DOING it!
ReplyDelete1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men
ReplyDeleteHow easy is it for us to fall when satan pulls that rug out from under our feet. We go and speak with friends, and next thing you know they try to real you into gossip, or to do something that you know in your heart is against God's ways, but the excitement of doing it just takes over. You have 2 decisions to make. The first one is to continue slipping on the rug until you hit the floor and then you end up asking God to help you out of the mess or the pit that you find yourself in. The 2nd option is to just go ahead right then and there and ask God to give you the courage and the strength to do it right the first time.
Then when you have the strength, say to your friend... "I am sorry, but the conversation can not continue this way, God tells me to love everyone, and to talk about someone would definately not show them respect or love."
It is okay to say "NO". Sometimes we just don't do it though because we are looking for approval from others. We want to belong. You need to remind yourself that you are valuable by who you are in Christ, not by what you do or by other people's opinions.
Say "NO", face your fear and find freedom, joy and peace instead. Fear is simply faith in what Satan says. The bible tells us you can not serve 2 Gods. It says "Be not conformed of this world, but by the renewing of your mind.." and again, "choose you this day who ye will serve, but for me and my house we will serve the Lord."
That's right, your everyday decisions will lead you toward who you serve. Take a step back, reflect and ask God to change you. Proverbs 23:7 says where the mind goes the man follows. If you think worldly thoughts, you'll be of this world, If you think spiritual thoughts you will rest in the heavenlies.
The bible also says that the righteous will fall 7 times and get up again, but the unrighteous will just fall. Don't be discouraged if you do fall, for we are all sinners, just find the courage and strength to ask for God's hand to stand, and learn from the mistake. God will direct you.
Verses 4-7, “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”
ReplyDeleteI love those first two words “but when…” there was a time that I lived apart from God and there are still times I choose to live according to my will instead of God’s will. But when God comes on the scene everything changes. I mean EVERYTHING. Here’s the kicker – it’s has nothing to do with anything I did, it’s all on God. He initiated. He did it. He completed it.
Then get this, he didn’t just give me a little bit of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out on me generously!! God doesn’t go half way. He doesn’t leave us wanting more, he goes beyond satisfaction. He is generous with his love and his mercy and his power.
I have no idea why I would even want to live apart from this. I can’t believe that I choose to do things my way instead of God’s way. I read these words from Paul and realize that I have been offered so much more than what I have accepted. I am an heir of God. I want to live into the fullness of my inheritance.