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We have Redemption!

EPH 1:7-10 ESV
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

PERSONAL COMMENTARY
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We have REDEMPTION!

Through His BLOOD – the worthy sacrifice offered as a clear example of a life of righteousness, love, honor, power, patience, forgiveness, mercy, long-suffering, selfless service to others, humility, peace, comfort, and all of those things that we are not.

We have FORGIVENESS!

By His GRACE – He extends to us the love that we do not deserve. He approaches us like a loving Father who sees past the sins and rebellion of their beloved child, and who offers forgiveness each time that we stumble, because we are His beloved children.

We have GUIDANCE!

By the WORD OF GOD – which is carved onto our hearts, which is taught to us through the Holy Spirit that lives inside us believers, and which is recorded in the written word of scripture.

We have PURPOSE!

By CHRIST ALIVE IN US – to unite all things to Him, through sharing this message of HOPE for the lost, of FAITH for the tested and tried, and for LOVE extended to all who will receive us as friends and as servants. We are not meant to remain dead in our sins, but to shine forth in our renewed lives as the salt and light in a world of darkness and despair.

We are to be the hands that lift others up, the arms that hold others strong and firm in their faith, the ears to discern the truthfulness or twisting of words spoken, the eyes to see the fruits of spiritual health or the evil of spiritual death and disease, the knees that firmly yet humbly present our prayers for healing and restoration, the feet that bring us in for praise and worship and out for service in His name, the mouths that share this Good News of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

And this Kingdom work, this unifying things on earth with those things in heaven – it is the only work that has lasting value – because it is the work that Christ is doing through us – the works of our own are futile and useless.

Use us, Lord.

Live in us and through us, Lord.

Remind us what is important, Lord.

Shake us to our very foundation, so we will know that our house is built on the foundation of the rock of Jesus Christ, and that the walls are built by Christ living in us and through us, so that we can see clearly those things that are worthy works where we have been equipped and you have used us, so we will not confuse them with our own works or striving or religious practice.

As always, these are my journals of personal commentary on what I’m going through and learning. This message may just be for me, or it may speak to you as well, but this is not me aiming words at anyone but myself. Have a blessed day.

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Seek His Kingdom

Luke 12:29-31 AMP
And you, do not seek [by meditating and reasoning to inquire into] what you are to eat and what you are to drink;
nor be of anxious (troubled) mind [unsettled, excited, worried, and in suspense];

For all the pagan world is [greedily] seeking these things, and your Father knows that you need them.

…

Only aim at and strive for and seek His kingdom, and all these things shall be supplied to you also.

PERSONAL COMMENTARY
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Have faith.

Don’t worry.

Don’t waste your time greedily seeking the things of this world, because God knows what you need. Selfish living, chasing only pleasures and wealth is a dangerous trap that will leave one alone, naked, blind, and tormented in the end.

Seek His Kingdom, know Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, live a fruitful life of righteous, upright living – following the helpful guidelines that He has provided, loving and serving others – and you will find that He is faithful and your needs are met – both spiritually and physically.

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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.