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My Attitude Matters

Ephesians 4:1-3 ESV
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

PERSONAL COMMENTARY
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Our decisions, our actions, our words – all these things have an impact on the world around us. And they are all driven by our attitude.

If our attitude is focused on me, me, me – aren’t we still like a spoiled little child crying for a toy they want at the store but that their parents won’t buy for them? When we are focused on self, we have not yielded to the Lord’s will, we are still seeking our own will.

So if we are His, if we have been called and chosen, if we have been drawn near to Him to accept this amazing free gift of grace, don’t we yield to His will in grattitude and in a new understanding that this Word of God is the instruction and guidance for this amazing, renewed life we have with Christ?

But some deny Christ – by knowing what they should do and choosing in open rebellion against God’s will to chase after their own idols and temptations. This is different than stumbling. Stumbling is a mistake made while trying to keep faithful that we repent and ask forgiveness. Denying Christ is rebelling consciously, knowing that it is wrong, but continuing to do it, with no concern and no repentance.

We are meant to live our lives as a praise to God, not just praise Him on Sunday and then deny Him the rest of the week.

But even in this, I know what my life looked like when I was lost. I am humbled when I see others in open rebellion, because I remember being there once myself. I realize they are in need of this Grace that has laid it’s hands on me. So even those that I know and love, who are in open rebellion in their lives – I see the example that my old life was to them, and I beg forgiveness for their sins, because I see they are my own sins repeated in them.

I am concerned. I love them. So I lift them in prayer, just as many did for me when I was lost in my own rebellion. And I have faith that my prayers will be answered in His time. But for their sake, I hope that my prayer is answered soon – because anyone that is missing out on this opportunity to live a life of praise, doesn’t realize yet that they aren’t really living at all – they are just snared in another trap of the trickster, piling on more burdens on themselves, adding to their troubles. But I understand, I too lived that life of blindness.

So I love them. I offer my renewed life up as praise to God. I share truth with them, humbly, gently, with patience, bearing their burdens as my own knowing the example my old life served, and keeping peace with them even if we are not in agreement. I share this Word of God. And I hope and pray that ears will be opened to hear His voice and to know Jesus Christ as the Truth, the Life, and the Way.

I pray and have faith that God will break our rebellious and selfish will, that we will know His grace, mercy and peace – and not remain in darkness.

Let my renewed life be a praise to God today.

Let my renewed life today prove to be an undeniable proof that life in Christ far surpasses that old life of death and darkness – as both a warning and an encouragement to any that might see my life and want to use it in their arguments for or against.

Help me walk with Christ today.

Help me see opportunities.

Help me hear His voice.

Help me choose wisely.

Help me hold fast to truth.

Motivate me to action.

Help me speak in love.

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Do battle

2 Samuel 22:31-43 NLT
“God’s way is perfect. All the lord ’s promises prove true.
He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.
For who is God except the lord ? Who but our God is a solid rock?
God is my strong fortress, and he makes my way perfect.
He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights.
He trains my hands for battle; he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow.
You have given me your shield of victory; your help has made me great.
You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping.
“I chased my enemies and destroyed them;
I did not stop until they were conquered.
I consumed them;
I struck them down so they did not get up;
they fell beneath my feet.
You have armed me with strength for the battle;
you have subdued my enemies under my feet.
You placed my foot on their necks.
I have destroyed all who hated me.
They looked for help, but no one came to their rescue.
They even cried to the lord , but he refused to answer.
I ground them as fine as the dust of the earth;
I trampled them in the gutter like dirt.

PERSONAL COMMENTARY
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Reading this, it is important for me to keep in mind our instructions for preparing for battle in Ephesians 6, with the key verse being:

Ephesians 6:12 NLT
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

And the Lord is the solid rock, the foundation on which we can stand and we can see the evil in our lives being crushed and swept out of our thoughts, out of our words, and our of our actions.

When we have this Holy Spirit of Christ in us, alive and active and teaching and guiding us – change is happening in us, because He is overcoming those enemies, those evil strongholds in our lives. We learn His will throughthe Word of God, we seek out those things that we need to change in our lives, we lift them to him in prayer, and we put on this armor to do spiritual battle – not battle against other people, but battle against those evil things that are contrary to the Holy Spirit of God.

So if we are going to do spiritual battle, first we need this Holy Spirit of Christ in us. So we should pray and believe and have hope and faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior. Once we have Him, we can wear His armor.

Ephesians 6:13-18 NLT
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

And we will face enemies, we will face trials – but if we are equipped, and if we hold fast and cling close to our risen Savior and King, Jesus Christ – the battle is already won.

Let’s see the enemy fall defeated at our feet today, friends. Let’s cast off those chains of sin and temptation and evil that are a part of our lives that are keeping us from experiencing the full life that we know is waiting for us.

And let’s praise Him all day long, knowing the wonderful blessing that He is in our life. Thankful for His guidance, His healing, His love, His mercy, His forgiveness, His power, and His faithfulness.

Have a blessed day, friend!

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To whom am I yoked?

I enjoy reading 2 Corinthians 6 in the light of 1 Corinthians 5:

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 ESV
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

We aren’t to be UNEQUALLY YOKED. This doesn’t mean that we abandon or judge the unbelievers around us in our lives:

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 ESV
I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”

Because we are to be the light of the world. We are supposed to love and help unbelievers have an opportunity to find their way to this love and salvation. We are to “go out” to the lost with this Good News. We aren’t to separate ourselves physically from the lost, nor are we supposed to love them less or treat them badly because they are unbelievers. We are to hold fellow believers accountable, not kick a lost man while he is down. Our enemies are not flesh and blood. So even if our true enemies are using a person against us, aren’t we instructed to behave in this manner towards even those being used against us –

Luke 6:27-36 ESV
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

But that does not mean that we become yoked, tied together, with unbelievers and their worldly ways. That does not mean that we should be actively participating in those things we know that we should not be doing. We are supposed to share light, but resist any temptation to sin. If we love Christ, if He is our Lord and Savior, we seek His Kingdom –

Matthew 5:13-16 ESV
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

So if someone is lost and does not yet have Christ, it benefits them greatly to remove themselves from the worldly ways and people around them that are influencing them. It benefits them greatly to surround themselves with others that are believers that love God, and love others, and who are actively seeking and serving God in their lives.

And if someone is saved and has Christ alive in their life, it benefits them greatly to yoke themselves with other believers – the more faithful the better, because even they will stumble at times. Because we work together to build each other up – so that we are filled with His strength, and His Truth, and His Way – so that when unbelievers come to join us, we can help bear their burdens – and the Christ inside us (this Holy Spirit) will be strong in lifting and bearing this cross through both ourselves and our brothers and sisters.

We should each through Christ bear the share of these burdens – and when we are working together in the unity of Christ, we find that the burden is light, because we are yoked to Christ, and they are yoked to Christ, and He is the foundation that bins us together.

Matthew 11:28-30 ESV
Come to me, all 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Philippians 2:1-3 ESV
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Amos 3:3 ESV
“Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?

Ephesians 4:3 ESV
Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

If we yoke ourselves to Christ (trust in Him), then through Him we will be yoked to our true brothers and sisters. We place our trust the Lord, not in men of flesh and blood.

Psalm 146:1-10 ESV
Praise the Lord ! Praise the Lord , O my soul!
I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the Lord !

Psalm 118:6-9 ESV
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.

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“Let everything that have breath praise the Lord.”

From John B Burgess Sr

“Let everything that have breath praise the Lord.”

One preacher said this; one morning I was awakened by the sound of birds singing. And as I begin to listen to… their songs in the spirit of my mind, it sounded as if the birds were singing praises unto the Lord. And in my spiritual mind and imagination I heard the birds giving God praises.

As I listen to the birds sing, it sounded as if the Mockingbird was singing “Thank You Jesus, Thank You Jesus.”

Then the Crow join in the songs of praise and it sounded like it said, “Give Him Praise, And Give Him Praise.”

Then the Woodpecker followed suit and said, “Lord, Lord, Lord, He’s so good.”

Then a Jaybird got happy and started to shout, “Yes He Is, Yes He is.”

The Robin stuck out its red breast and began to flap its wings and shouted “Jesus is All Right with Me.”

As the Cardinal looked on it began to sing, “He Sweet I know.”

The Hawk was moved by such wonderful singing that it got excited and began to sing, “What a Fellowship, Why Don’t You Try Him.”

And a Buzzard that was flying over looked down and began to sing, “He Can Raise the Dead.”

Then the Nightingale said, “Wait One Minute, He Can Give Sight to the Blind.”

And the wise Owl said, “Who, Who, Who.”
Anybody here, “Know who?”

And then the Road Runner jump up and began to shout “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.”

The Sparrow began to shout “If You Fall He Will Pick you up.”

The Peacock began to flutter its wings and dance and began to shout, “I Feel a Fire Shut Up In My Bones.

Then the Dove began to sing “God Is Love, He So Loved the World That He Gave His Only Begotten Son.”

And the Parrot shouted out “Jesus Saves.”
And the Raven shouted “To the Upmost.”

Then the Bluebird began to sang, “I know that’s Right, because He’s so good.”

The Eagle flew over with it wings widely spread as if to be directing all of the songs of praise and said, “Lord Use Me.”

Oh yeah in my spiritual mind and imagination I heard the birds singing songs of praises like an angelic choir, giving God the praise.

I don’t want the birds to out praise me. I don’t want the ants to out work me.

“Let everything that have breath praise the Lord.”

Author Unknown

I came across this in my reading (I try to read everyday).

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Turn my mourning into dancing

Ecclesiastes 3:4 ESV
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance

Psalm 103:1-4 ESV
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy

…

Psalm 30:11 ESV
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,

Psalm 146:1-2 ESV
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

John 4:23 ESV
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.

Hebrews 13:15 ESV
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

Psalm 96:1-9 ESV
Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens.

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Know Him

1 Samuel 12:24 NLT
But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things He has done for you.

PERSONAL COMMENTARY
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…

If we don’t know the Lord, we have much to fear. If we only run to prayer when we need something, if we turn back to our old lives and only run to God when there is a challenge to be faced – can we say with confidence that we know the Lord? Or can we only say that we know ABOUT the Lord?

As we faithfully serve and get to know God, that fear is still awe and amazement – but we learn that God isn’t a great genie in the sky that waits to grant our wishes, He desires a relationship with us. Yes, this Creator God, this Almighty God, this Eternal God – He actually is interested in our little lives. And as we go through trials and learn and grow, we learn to praise Him and ask for His guidance in the good times and the challenging times, for the small things and the big things – we don’t just let the wind of our circumstances dictate whether or not we are remembering God, seeking God, praising God, and worshipping God. This is how we learn to be rooted in our foundation upon the rock of our faith, Jesus Christ.

And as we are faithful, as we seek Him, we will be drawn close to Him. We will know His voice. He will speak to us through our prayers, through our time in the Word of God, through the words and actions of other faithful believers. It is then that we begin to know Him as friend. And once we’ve tasted that presence of God, or fear becomes a conviction to not lose this closeness, to not become separated from God by our sins.

So yes, fear may look different depending on our walk, but if we have no fear of God at all, can we say that we are a hopeful new believer, a faithful servant, or a friend of Jesus Christ?

So let’s receive Christ as our Lord and Savior if we do not yet have Him in our lives.

Let’s grow in this walk of faith, not being satisfied to just be a hopeful child, but let’s seek spiritual maturity.

Let’s remember to be thankful for all those blessings in our lives, and when we keep the blessings close in our memory, we will find that any challenges don’t seem so great and challenging – because we are ever aware that Christ is walking with us, and is working through us, and what stumbling block can’t be crushed under His feet or used as a stepping stone to lift up His name?

I love you, friends. Have a blessed day.

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It’s about God, not about me

John 3:20-21 NLT
All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.

PERSONAL COMMENTARY
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So true. When I enjoyed doing evil, I hated truth. In fact, I saw truth as my enemy. It was “rules trying to keep me away from my fun”.

For a time, I even thought that salvation was just freedom from the burdens of guilt and shame. In fact, it was the hope for salvation from that guilt and shame that made me aware of my need for salvation when I was lost.

So this conviction, this knowledge of my sins, this guilt and shame that I wanted to escape – this awareness of my own condition of being lost in need of a savior – it led me to the hope of my salvation, it led me to Jesus Christ.

And in this renewed hope of salvation, Christ overcomes our guilt and shame. But it doesn’t stop there.

As we grow, it is no longer about escaping shame and guilt – it is about seeking the Kingdom of God in our lives. It is about repenting from our sins and serving God in our lives. It starts to shift from a focus on our past to faith in the promises for the future. But even then, we might realize that our thoughts are still about what we are faithfully expecting to receive as fulfillment of His promises. Even our thoughts towards others are about their salvation or their being lost. We are still self and people centered in our thinking.

Then, at some point – a light comes on.

And we realize that this is not about me. The salvation work is already done in me. In fact, if they are His elect and chosen and called, they will hear this voice of the Word of God, and they will recognize it and be drawn to it – a seed will be watered when we share this Word of God, and the soil will be cultivated through His loving works that are done through us, the body of Christ. And my sharing His Word and seeing Him work through me, this is my praise that I lift to God. It is about shining brightly with a life that is a praise and honor to God. Not so that others see it, so much as that I lift it up to honor God.

And when this is my attitude and my purpose, to live a life of praise to God – it becomes less about me and more about God.

It becomes less about the evil that finds ways to work through others, and it becomes more about the Christ that shines through each of us. It becomes a life free from lawlessness, free from the trappings of legalism, free to live a life with Christ as a friend who is closer than a brother – because He lives in us, and through us, and our lives are His – no longer our own.

This is my goal each day. That my life praises God in what I say, what I do, and what I think. Yes, I have set the bar high, and no I am not perfected in that goal – but nonetheless, it is my goal each day.

And one day, His work will be completed, and I will see my goal face to face. I will stand in the presence of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and I might be able to maintain this attitude and perspective,
“Lord, I fell short, but you overcame. Please, Lord, remember me. I cannot claim to have always been humble. I cannot claim to have always been faithful. I cannot claim to have lived a life free from sin or filled with works of my own. I cannot claim to have always been merciful. I can only rely on your mercy.
Please, Lord, have mercy on me. I know that without your grace, I deserve the pit. You have every right to send me there in good conscience, and I understand even if that is your judgement, because you know and weigh our hearts.
My hope is that you have softened my heart sufficiently in the walks that we have had together up to this point. But I understand that I am so far from your example of perfect glory.
If our walks together and our talks together up to now are the closest that I can come to heaven, those times are more than I deserve.
I love you. Please remember me. I can only rely on your mercy. ”

And I have faith that He knows my name. Even if no one else remembers me or notices me in this life, as long as he remembers my name. That is what matters to me.

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Seek Wisdom

JAS 1:5-6 ESV
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

PERSONAL COMMENTARY
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…

When we seek God and we pray for wisdom, God will give it to us. It is God’s will for us to grow wise in His ways. If we are His children, and we are praying in His will, He won’t give us a snake when we pray for a fish. So it is clear that we should all pray for wisdom and guidance.

And this wisdom and guidance doesn’t just come from the “snap of God’s fingers” – Yes, it can come that way, but I’ve found that is usually not His way. No, He guides us and teaches us. He taught me my own foolishness in those times that I struck out on my own to gain something, only to see it destroyed before my eyes when the storms or the fire of trials came along. And in teaching me about my own foolishness, I learn His wisdom.

Yes, this is the way that a strong willed, foolish man had to grow in the truth of God. If you are not strong willed, you might read it, follow it, and not struggle in your life. But I am strong willed, and He teaches me by breaking my will.

It is when my eyes are opened to the truth of my life – when I see that those things that I chased did not last, the flavor wore out, I found them to be more of a trap and a source of destruction and damage in my life than a pleasure over time. It is then that I begin to see the truth – that His ways are best.

And I am thankful to have walked this walk of being proven foolish, of having my will broken – because now I am just as strong willed as ever, but my will is coming in alignment with His will. And there is blessing and power and strength in walking in the will of God. I don’t say that in pride, I say it in humble reverence and awe – that God would use even me, the rebellious and strong willed prodigal son. Yes, He forgives even me.

So let’s pray for His wisdom, let’s be bold enough to step out in faith, and let’s know that even when we make mistakes, they are life lessons in wisdom. But I encourage you – the reading, trusting, and following is the easier path – I have the stripes and the battle scars to prove it.

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Am I resisting?

1 Peter 5:8-9 ESV
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

PERSONAL COMMENTARY
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How much resistance am I showing today?

Am I examining those things in my life that need to change that aren’t glorifying God?

When I’m aware of those things that need to change (and when I’ve prayed for change in that area) –

Am I walking through that trial by resisting the temptation AND relying on my faith in Christ to carry me through – or am I expecting God to be a personal genie and make everything easy with no trials or challenges?

Resisting requires effort and faith on our part. This is the testing and proving of our faith. And it is through this testing and proving that we truly learn that God’s promises are true and He is faithful.

So daily, I look at myself and ask – am I trying to sail through on this promise of heaven, using Jesus as a get out of hell free card for myself, buy missing out on my purpose in this Kingdom work that is in front of me today?

How many opportunities will I miss to make corrections in my own life that might have an impact either positively or negatively on others based on my decisions, actions, and words today?

Every decision that I make carries consequences – it can either bring more of Christ’s light into this world today, or it can allow more darkness. My attitude, which is visible in my actions and words will have an impact on others today.

Every action that I take – even whether or not I hold the door for someone at a restaurant today will either be an opportunity for more love or a lost opportunity.

Every word that I speak can either draw someone closer, or push them further away. Words have power.

Truth spoken from a hard, hardened and judgemental stance is still truth, but it may push people away from light and truth if there is no VISIBLE love in the eyes of the person receiving.

Truth spoken as loving, kind, and gentle is easier to be received by those who don’t yet know whether or not they can trust you. If you don’t have someone’s trust, hitting them over the head with a sword isn’t the best way to show them that they are not your enemy.

Yes, truth sometimes must be spoken boldly and directly as a warning, but without any foundation for trust – will we look like an enemy or a friend?

Let’s remember, everyone struggles just as we do. Other men and women of flesh and blood need mercy and forgiveness and healing just like we do. Let’s not forget the sinners that we are if it was not for this free gift of grace and salvation. Is there anyone foolish enough to think they are worthy by their own works?

So, I hope that I can be prepared for those opportunities today – those opportunities to see what in me can be a better example of the Christ that I have in me. That I will not overlook the opportunities to show love and share love in my thoughts, attitude, actions, and words today.

And that somewhere, beneath all of these imperfections and shortcomings and failings of my walk in the flesh – a ray of light of Christ’s love might break through and shine or to touch another life today. Not so that anyone might see me doing good, but so they might experience for themselves this Christ that is mine.

I love you, friend.

Let’s be the Christ in us.

Let’s follow this Holy Spirit guidance.

Let’s resist the evil.

And let’s see the truth of Christ’s love, and of this free gift of grace touch lives today and until He returns.

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Who do I serve?

1JN 2:1-6 ESV
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

PERSONAL COMMENTARY
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We know that we know Christ if we keep his commandments.

If we say we know him but do not keep his commandments, we are a liar and the truth is not in us.

But if we keep his word, His Love is perfected in us.

And if we do stumble and sin, we have an advocate.

We can know that He abides in us if we are walking like He walked.

So walking like He walked is our goal. Since we are imperfect and will stumble, this means that we should always be seeking God and growing and learning, because we are not yet perfected – we are still in the flesh.

This Grace is sufficient to cover any and all sins. But grace is not continuing to live in lawlessness without repentance – it is not a free ticket TO sin. Neither is grace a salvation by works or legalism without forgiveness – it is a gift freeing us FROM sin.

So the questions are:
1) Have I accepted and received this grace?
2) Have I experienced this Grace as a change in my life FROM sinning TO keeping his commandments?
3) Am I sharing this Grace with others through a fruitful life of serving God and serving and loving others?

We are not perfected. We are still in the flesh. And a battle rages on. But there should be a struggle. If we have Christ in us, He is stronger than the temptations and trials of this world, and He will win the battle. He will overcome. If there is no battle. If there is no light and life in us, if we are content living in our sinful ways, not being convicted to make any changes, not being corrected and disciplined when we are outside God’s will for our lives – shouldn’t we be sure that we have actually received this Grace and that we have Christ alive in us?

This morning, are you sure?
If not, He is only a prayer away, friend. He promises if you seek Him, you will find Him.

This morning, are you obeying his commandments?
If not, He is only a prayer away, friend. He promises that with Him, no weapon formed against you will prosper. He offers forgiveness, renewal, and healing. His mercy and peace is there for you to receive it.

Today, will your life reflect Christ’s love that lives inside you?
YES, IT WILL! Open fellowship with Christ this morning, and walk with Him today. Be mindful of Him, keep His Word close to your heart, keep your eyes open for the opportunities to love and help others, let His light shine, tell people that Jesus lives them – first with your actions and your example, and then even use words if necessary. I hope that I can do the same.

Joshua 24:15 NLT
But if you refuse to serve the lord , then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the lord .”

Whose will is apparent in my life today – my own sinful desires, or obedience to God’s commandments?

Who am I serving today?

God?

Satan?

Me?

Galatians 5:13-15 ESV
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.