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Gleanings From The Word

Tag: gospel

  • Impossible Task

    Can I say something that will probably make you uncomfortable? Of course, I’m not really asking permission; it’s just an easy way to broach the topic. Living the Christian life is an impossible task.

    I stand by that 100%. That is, if we try to live under our own power. Successfully living the Christian faith walk under the power of our will and flesh is an impossible task. It just cannot and will not happen.

    Fortunately, for us. God knows that. We are justified, that is, our sins are forgiven, but we are not yet fully sanctified (made holy).  It’s why he made the disciples wait after His ascension before beginning the next phase of their ministry.

    “And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, ‘you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’” Acts 1:4-5

    “And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:49

    There was a special outpouring of the Spirit at the beginning of the church. Today, every true believer has the Spirit dwelling in them.

    The Holy Spirit intercedes for us, gives us discernment and wisdom (in tandem with the Word), gifts us and more.

    The Holy Spirit is the gasoline that powers our faith walk. Without Him, we can go nowhere and do nothing. When we try and do something without Him it is an impossible task.

    With Him, working in accordance with God’s will, all things are possible.

    Do not neglect or grieve the Spirit. He is our God-given helper.

    Praise God that He has not only forgiven us through Christ but empowered u with His Spirit.

    Be blessed

    Kevin

    Circles
    Every Member Is Necessary — 1 Corinthians 12
    # Right Belief Must Become Right Living

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  • Disciples – what are they?

    Disciples – what are they?

    Jesus and his disciples

    Last night we watched the 2016 movie “Risen”. It’s the tale of a Roman soldier sent to find the body of Jesus. He encounters Jesus and the disciples and eventually becomes a believer. It’s the sort of story that’s been told before, and there is a fair bit of artistic license, but it was an okay watch.

    There is a scene where Peter and the soldier are discussing how Jesus, with a full body, can disappear, and Peter admits to not understanding. Peter says, “We are followers, we follow to find out.”

    That’s a good line and fits the movie. We are all followers because we want to know Jesus better. Yet, in another sense, it’s woefully inadequate. We are more than seekers of knowledge. As his disciples, we follow the master in order to become like Him, to follow his instructions. It also keeps the follower as the center of the search not the Lord.

    As disciples, Jesus should be our focus and Lord. We do our part to bring about the answers to the Lord’s Prayer. “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10). God changes hearts and minds, but we have labor to do to bring about the kingdom.

    Perhaps you never considered the fact that being a Christian was never meant to be a passive activity and isn’t primarily about you (or me). All true believers are disciples and have been given a task to accomplish by Christ Himself

    And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:18-20

    We all have a differing role to play in that commission and have been given different spiritual gifts to accomplish it. Yet we are called to do our part to bring about the kingdom.

    Yes, we are called to grow in Christ. Yes, we are called to know. Yes, we are called into a deeper relationship with him.

    But if all that stays internal and passive, we are not being true to our calling. Our relationship with Jesus is intimately personal, but it is also public, and we are commanded to take it into the world.

    I pray, that as you grow in Christ, you grow in true discipleship and are used greatly by the Lord.

    Be blessed

    Kevin

    Step Out of the Boat Faith

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    # Right Belief Must Become Right Living