Knowing and Doing

Considering the weight and cost of my sin today as I do when I pray daily leading to my repentance even though I am forgiven. I repent daily. I am very thankful that Christ saved me from my sin and an eternity separated from Him. I am thankful for forgiveness through Jesus. Many folks, however, believe that Satan was the one that brought sin into this world. Or that God created sin because He created forgiveness through His Son. Romans 5:12a: "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned" This truth will enlighten us to understand the TRUE author of sin.....MAN! Adam, to be specific. Dr. Tony Evans writes, "The presence of this tree was a test of Adam and Eve's obedience, and a reminder of the Creator/creature distinction..." Every time we are faced with a choice, it is a test of obedience to God, a test of faith in Him. It's when we turn to ourselve...

REPENTANCE...what do we do with that word? Luke 24:45-47 " 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, "This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." Repentance is defined by many biblical scholars as a "change of mind", not a turning from sin.  It is understood that a changing of your mind also brings a turn away from the love of sin.  The Hebrew word in the Old Testament is nacham , which means "relent, repent or be sorry, change the mind." Dr. John MacArthur writes, "Repentance is no more a meritorious work than its counterpart, faith. It is an inward response. Genuine repentance pleads with the Lord to forgive and deliver from the burden of sin and the fear of judgment and hell. It is the attitude of the publican who, fearful of even lo...

ROMANS 1:16-17 - THE GOSPEL Rome is the world capital of paganism.  The same thing was happening there in this world capital, but spreading throughout lands that Rome occupied.  Heavy influence was coming from Athens, Corinth and Ephesus.  Hmm.  Paul, do you have word for start up churches in these areas to encourage believers?  So, Commitment to pagan religions were not as deep as a follower of Christ.  For example, an idea coming from Rome – Christianity was cannibalistic due to misunderstanding of the Lords Supper in eating the Body of Christ.   Paul is eager to get there and to share the gospel knowing already there would be opposition and criticism.  Verse 1 -15 talks his commitment to the gospel.  He shares a bold statement of “I am not ashamed” of the gospel. The gospel exposes man’s sin.  The gospel breaks down every inch of our pride.  The gospel shows that we are lost and in need of a Savior.  The gospel sho...

Luke 13:1-9:   A crowd voices concern over the Galileans.  Pilate mixed their blood with sacrifices, Massacres were taking place and the Jews were concerned they would be murdered and the same would happen to them.  They wanted Jesus to make a political statement about Pilate and the Roman Government.  The Jews were looking for deliverance and justice.  Jesus, here, is more concerned about the eternal than the temporal especially with the statement of “repent or you will perish”.   I (YOU) HAVE “ARRIVED” -  Belief and Faith – What we believe drives what we do !!!  It's a “We Could Commit to” and “What we will commit to” kinda world!  Our relationship with God through Jesus begins with Confession and Repentance.  This is a quality of who we are as believers in Christ.  Biblical Community starts with the same – believers share a relationship with God by confession and repentance and we are to practice that with each other....

Anonymous Quote:  Prayerlessness is declaring our independence from God. It’s not about urgency, it’s not about priority, Prayer is about DESIRE! What is the desire of your heart?  If it is the Lord, first, then how are your desires matching up with what God wants in your life?  This is real.  A BATTLE PLAN is needed.  We are in the battle for truth.  The battle for justice.  The battle for life – unborn to on the death bed.  The battle for time.  The battle for faith in the Lord.  Luke 18:1-8 I.   THE POWER IN PRAYER:  A believer in Christ is dependent on prayer.  A Battle Plan of Prayer is very necessary for daily living.  Opportunities for practicing faith in God and opportunities for answered prayer.  Direction.  Strength in the midst of suffering.    In the Gospels, Jesus withdrew daily to spend time in prayer.  He then taught his disciples in Matthew the Lord’s Pra...

Seems like 2016 was the battle for many truths.  There were many defining moments from organizations and government entities to declare their definition of truth.  Gender identity, sexual orientation, what constitutes a family and many churches declaring that certain sins are acceptable to practice because of their view and interpretation of God's Word.  My intention is not to cram my opinions of social ills down your throat.  It is to share a word from the Bible with you:   2 John.  13 short and impacting verses.  It begins with the TRUTH.  God's Truth revealed in His Son, Jesus Christ.  The writer loves all who know the truth.  A common fellowship with truth seekers of the Lord.  Matter of fact, he says that this truth will last forever.  Amen!  Truth is so gray these days.  We don't know really what's right because we allow other influences to cloud our judgement instead of standing on the Word of God.   S...

BALANCE....Psalm 23:4a: " Even though I   walk through the   valley of the shadow of death, I  fear no evil, for  You are with me;" Bro. Derek did such a great job sharing God's Word on this verse.  Here are some notes: 1.  Focus on the word DEATH - there is a fear of death.  Sheep are afraid of anything.  It is the shepherd that can lead them to where they need to go SAFELY.  It was appropriate that we are solemnly recognizing 9/11 in our nation and the fear our nation went through.  The acts of terror that has a hold on us.  Salmawet is the Hebrew word for "shadow of death" literally meaning darkness.  We can be led through this darkness without fear, as long as the Good Shepherd leads us.   There is REAL fear and there is IMAGINED fear.  Our culture is driven by fear.  We can fear this world, but with the Good Shepherd we have something better.  Jesus is with us!  When we neglect Je...