Practical Living In Christ
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Psalms 37:3
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Assurance Before God
Where does assurance, or confidence, before God come from? It comes from two sources. The first source is the eternal TRUTH of the word of God. When Christ declared Himself to be the truth in the Scriptures, He also confirmed that His word was the truth, as true as He was and is. His word declares that there is a sure way to God, and know His peace. The second source is the Spirit of God who communicates to the soul His strength and peace, according to the truth. Confidence before God is God-given in Christ by the Spirit according to the truth.
God's Ways Of Humility And Blessing
God's ways are certainly not those of men. This is clearly seen when Jesus Christ was born in a manger, there being no room for his parents in the local Inn. From the stable to the cross, God's ways distinguished themselves by the fact that, though the would be elevated and holy, they were at the same time lowly and humble. Why? His ways are revealed to reach and save even the lowliest soul.
God's River Of Life
How can the Eternal God, whom we cannot see, reveal the great truths concerning Eternal Life? One of those ways is by speaking of a river, pure like crystal, and yet possessing such power as to communicate eternal life to all who would drink from it. Jesus spoke of "living water" in the gospels, a water that came from one singular source, heaven, in God, in Christ. To drink of such water by faith is to live.
God's Original John The Baptist
Why is John the Baptist so original in his calling, demeanor, and appearance? It is because in the difference between him and all other people, there is a statement that God desires to make to humanity. His uniqueness made him stand out to be heard. His calling and power by the Spirit of God confirmed not only the truth of his message, but prepared a people to receive coming Christ as Lord and King.
Christ In The Church
One of the great mysteries of Scripture, and yet one that has revealed during this present age since Pentecost, is that of Christ who dwells IN His church, and every believer or member of that church. It is Christ who the blesses, and accomplishes His will and purposes on earth by His Spirit working in and through every believer. As He dwells in the heart by faith, so He reveals His life and work in the world.
An Imperative Rule
There are many things that we learn in order to follow Christ. However, there are certain things that are "salient" in their nature, and cannot be neglected if great progress is to be known in the pursuit of Christ. One of these things has to do with things in the past, whether failures or successes. God has made provision in Christ so that the believer can run free from entanglements and weights, in his love and service to Christ.
Aligned With God's Purposes
The moment when every believer in Christ was placed into Christ, the process began of conforming him into the image of Christ. This process was not done from the outside in, but from the inside out, and this by the Spirit of God. Only God can bring us into conformity with Christ, His purposes and will. Our part is to trust Him fully to do this for His glory.
Where Is The Church
Since the day of Pentecost, when the Spirit of God was "...poured out upon all flesh," the presence and role of the church of Christ, His living body on earth, has had a monumental effect on the world. The measure of that effect has been the revelation, or manifestation, of Christ in and through the church to the world. In times of revival, and awakenings, God moves in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform. He has chosen the church to reveal His glory in this age.
We Would See Jesus
It appears from Scripture that the request by certain Greeks who had come to Jerusalem to worship, was a pivotal and decisive moment when Jesus knew that the time had come to face the coming ordeal of the cross. He knew that He must, as the seed, "fall into the ground and die," if His life would bear fruit, eternal fruit in extraordinary measure. There are times, and moments, when the Spirit of God witnesses with our spirit that God is working specifically to bring about His eternal purposes. We need to be particularly receptive at times like these.
The Living Words Of Christ
What is the main difference between the words of God, as recorded in the Scriptures, and the words of men, as penned in millions of books? The first is truly living, by vertu of the power of God. The second, though some things may be true, are without the power to give and communicate Eternal Life, to save the soul, and glorify God. One is everlastingly unchangeable. The other will fail and return to the dust as will the men who spoke them.