Whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked (1 John 2:6).
So how do we actually walk in the same way in which Jesus did?
Lets look at the Scriptures for a game plan..............
Walk by the Spirit
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. Galatians 5:15-17
Put to death sin
For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:16
Be equipped with the full armor of God
Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Ephesians 6: 10-13
Stay constant in prayer
Pray without ceasing. 1 Thess 5:17 Sanctified in the WordSanctify them in the truth; your WORD is truth. John 17:17
Lord, I pray that you give us the strength to walk in the same way that you walked. Keep us constant in prayer, steady in your word and Spirit empowered to war against sin. Give us the desire to want to be more like you everyday and do in us whatever it takes to make us that way. May we continually walk in the Spirit and not gratify our sinful nature so we can constantly bear more fruit and bring Glory to you. In Jesus name I pray, AMEN!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Sound teaching and good theology
Christians who lack zeal and passion for Lord, usually lack wisdom and understanding of the true God of the Bible. When one comes to know the God according to the Scriptures, their passion to proclaim His name and love for Him will sky rocket. Good theology is so important in a Christians walk. Bad theology is so dangerous because it creates false converts as well as lead belivers into false worship and idolatry.
Theology and Doxology
Theology- The study of God
As believers we are all called to be and are theologians. The question is... Are we good or bad theologians? Is our faith built on sound theology?
Doxology- An expression of praise to God
We all praise God. The question is… Are we praising as a result of hearing truth?
Sound biblical teaching and theology should lead one to express real, spirit filled praise to God.
Theology that never leads to doxology is dead orthodoxy.
In other words, if theology and teaching doesn’t lead one to express praise to the Lord, then their faith is pretty much dead.
Also, doxology that is produced from bad theology is a form of idolatry.
This occurs when one’s praise to God is produced as a result of bad theology. Therefore one is not praising the true God of the Bible but is praising a god they have created from bad teaching.
I am so thankful to have been freed from the bondage of bad theology and have come to know the true God of the Bible. As a result of sound theology I have fallen more and more in love with the Lord. The more I come to knowledge of the true God according to the scriptures the stronger my love for Him burns! The deeper I understand His attributes, the more I want to praise Him! The more I come to know the depth of His completed work on the cross, the more I want to serve Him!
Good theology is so important in a Christians walk. It is crucial in being able to put on the full armor of God and stand against the enemy’s attacks. It also leads to true expressions of praise and desire to serve the Lord. Let's thank God for the sound biblical doctrine and teachings we have in our church.
Let’s continue to pray as well as patiently teach believers who have fallen under bad teaching and theology. The enemy uses this bad theology to feed believers with lies, create divisions, create idolatry and things of the flesh, keep believers oppressed, keep them weak, hinder their growth and make them ineffective in service to the Lord. Let’s pray against these attacks on the body of Christ.
We must also never lose hold of the truths God has given us. We must keep them close to our hearts as God continues to give us discernment against bad teaching. May we apply what Paul wrote to Timothy to all of us-
2 Timothy 3:13-15
13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Most importantly- Let’s also pray for and patiently teach those who as a result of bad theology have never been brought to true repentance and faith. They are stuck under lies and bad teachings that take away from the finished work of Jesus Christ. This bad theology has given them a false hope of salvation. Let’s pray that their eyes are hearts are opened and they receive the true Gospel.
I take comfort in knowing salvation is fully of the Lord. He knows who His children are before the foundations of the earth. He will reveal His truth to all those who are called to be part of His family. However, we must also do our part in accordance to what the Bible tells us....
Pray without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17)
Continue to cast our nets so Christ can fill them (John 21:6)
Make disciples (Matt 28:19-20)
Patiently preach and teach (2 Tim 4:2)
Pray for God to fill us with His Spirit so we can boldly speak His word (Acts 4:31)
Plant and water seeds while trusting in God for the increase (1 Corn 3:6)
Not be ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God to save (Romans 1:16)
We should be so encouraged in knowing that we understand the truth! By His grace, God has given us knowledge of His Scriptures! Let’s not keep what he has taught us and allowed us to understand to ourselves. We have to continue to use it to bring Him glory! The sound doctrine we have should continue to fuel us to want to reach and teach the lost! God has given us this knowledge and understanding for a reason. We are equipped to seek the lost as well as build up the body of Christ. Let's continue to speak truth to the lost as well as patiently teach our confused brothers and sisters who lack understanding.
Theology and Doxology
Theology- The study of God
As believers we are all called to be and are theologians. The question is... Are we good or bad theologians? Is our faith built on sound theology?
Doxology- An expression of praise to God
We all praise God. The question is… Are we praising as a result of hearing truth?
Sound biblical teaching and theology should lead one to express real, spirit filled praise to God.
Theology that never leads to doxology is dead orthodoxy.
In other words, if theology and teaching doesn’t lead one to express praise to the Lord, then their faith is pretty much dead.
Also, doxology that is produced from bad theology is a form of idolatry.
This occurs when one’s praise to God is produced as a result of bad theology. Therefore one is not praising the true God of the Bible but is praising a god they have created from bad teaching.
I am so thankful to have been freed from the bondage of bad theology and have come to know the true God of the Bible. As a result of sound theology I have fallen more and more in love with the Lord. The more I come to knowledge of the true God according to the scriptures the stronger my love for Him burns! The deeper I understand His attributes, the more I want to praise Him! The more I come to know the depth of His completed work on the cross, the more I want to serve Him!
Good theology is so important in a Christians walk. It is crucial in being able to put on the full armor of God and stand against the enemy’s attacks. It also leads to true expressions of praise and desire to serve the Lord. Let's thank God for the sound biblical doctrine and teachings we have in our church.
Let’s continue to pray as well as patiently teach believers who have fallen under bad teaching and theology. The enemy uses this bad theology to feed believers with lies, create divisions, create idolatry and things of the flesh, keep believers oppressed, keep them weak, hinder their growth and make them ineffective in service to the Lord. Let’s pray against these attacks on the body of Christ.
We must also never lose hold of the truths God has given us. We must keep them close to our hearts as God continues to give us discernment against bad teaching. May we apply what Paul wrote to Timothy to all of us-
2 Timothy 3:13-15
13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Most importantly- Let’s also pray for and patiently teach those who as a result of bad theology have never been brought to true repentance and faith. They are stuck under lies and bad teachings that take away from the finished work of Jesus Christ. This bad theology has given them a false hope of salvation. Let’s pray that their eyes are hearts are opened and they receive the true Gospel.
I take comfort in knowing salvation is fully of the Lord. He knows who His children are before the foundations of the earth. He will reveal His truth to all those who are called to be part of His family. However, we must also do our part in accordance to what the Bible tells us....
Pray without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17)
Continue to cast our nets so Christ can fill them (John 21:6)
Make disciples (Matt 28:19-20)
Patiently preach and teach (2 Tim 4:2)
Pray for God to fill us with His Spirit so we can boldly speak His word (Acts 4:31)
Plant and water seeds while trusting in God for the increase (1 Corn 3:6)
Not be ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God to save (Romans 1:16)
We should be so encouraged in knowing that we understand the truth! By His grace, God has given us knowledge of His Scriptures! Let’s not keep what he has taught us and allowed us to understand to ourselves. We have to continue to use it to bring Him glory! The sound doctrine we have should continue to fuel us to want to reach and teach the lost! God has given us this knowledge and understanding for a reason. We are equipped to seek the lost as well as build up the body of Christ. Let's continue to speak truth to the lost as well as patiently teach our confused brothers and sisters who lack understanding.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Lord thank u for the Cross
Lord thank u for the cross. Nothing else matters, I count it all as loss.
Lord thank u for the cross. By your blood I've been washed, with ur your life u paid my cost. Lord thank u for the cross, I'm now your slave and surrender to u as boss.
I deserved flames but u gave me eternal life.
Some think this is just a game, but I know u saved me from eternal strife.
Lord thank u for the cross. By your blood I've been washed, with ur your life u paid my cost. Lord thank u for the cross, I'm now your slave and surrender to u as boss.
I deserved flames but u gave me eternal life.
Some think this is just a game, but I know u saved me from eternal strife.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Lamentations 3:22-24
Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “ The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!”
Wow that is awesome, just awesome. The Lord really loves and care for us. Who else would I ever hope in but Him. His Compassion never fails and His mercies are new every morning. That is such a great promise to us yet we are so unworthy. What an undeserving privilege it is to be called one of His own. Praise God, He is so great! Let's continually praise Him all the days of our lives!
Wow that is awesome, just awesome. The Lord really loves and care for us. Who else would I ever hope in but Him. His Compassion never fails and His mercies are new every morning. That is such a great promise to us yet we are so unworthy. What an undeserving privilege it is to be called one of His own. Praise God, He is so great! Let's continually praise Him all the days of our lives!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
FLEE! Sexual Impurity
As believers we have the power of the Holy Spirit to kill sin (Romans 8:13). The Lord gives us the strength to face sins head on and put them to death. However, there is one specific sin the bible continually tells us to flee from. We can't even mess with it or think for a moment we’ve overcome it. As soon as we stop fleeing from this sin we can find ourselves in deep trouble. With all seriousness we must do what ever is needed to keep as far away from it as possible. We can't face it head on; we can't dabble close to the edge. We must continuously FLEE from it! This sin can destroy us; it can kill our work for the Lord and bring ourselves and others a world of hurt and shame. Most importantly it brings dishonor to the Lord. The sin I'm talking about is sexual immorality and youthful lusts.
Check out this scripture: Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart (2 Tim 2: 21-22).
You see how by remaining pure it allows us to be used by God as vessels for honorable work? Isn't that awesome? By remaining pure we will be cleansed from what is dishonorable and will be used by the Lord for what is honorable! That is motivation enough to flee from sexual sin! Let’s do what ever we can to run away from temptation and the things that can lead us to failure and destruction.
Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? - 1 Cor 6:18-19
Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. - Romans 13:13-14
Lord-forgive me for the times I have fallen. Please give me the strength to always flee from this sin and youthful lusts. My desire is to be used a pure vessel for your honor. I don't want to dishonor you and I don't want to hinder myself from being used by you. By the strength of the Spirit I must kill any sin that stands in the way of your work in me. Please Lord give me the strength for I am so weak with out you. I love you Lord and I thank you for your commandments. In Jesus name-AMEN.
Check out this scripture: Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart (2 Tim 2: 21-22).
You see how by remaining pure it allows us to be used by God as vessels for honorable work? Isn't that awesome? By remaining pure we will be cleansed from what is dishonorable and will be used by the Lord for what is honorable! That is motivation enough to flee from sexual sin! Let’s do what ever we can to run away from temptation and the things that can lead us to failure and destruction.
Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? - 1 Cor 6:18-19
Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. - Romans 13:13-14
Lord-forgive me for the times I have fallen. Please give me the strength to always flee from this sin and youthful lusts. My desire is to be used a pure vessel for your honor. I don't want to dishonor you and I don't want to hinder myself from being used by you. By the strength of the Spirit I must kill any sin that stands in the way of your work in me. Please Lord give me the strength for I am so weak with out you. I love you Lord and I thank you for your commandments. In Jesus name-AMEN.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Being Self-Righteous
But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness's are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away. Isaiah 64:6
Times come where I can get caught up in legalism and become self-righteous. I start to put my trust in the "righteous" acts I think I am doing rather than in the completed work of Jesus Christ.
I recently heard a quote- "A believer must preach the Gospel to himself everyday."
I have to constantly remind myself of and put my trust in the completed work of Christ. He lived that perfect sinless life that I could never do. He willing went to the cross and took God's wrath upon himself for my sins. He paid the price in full. I can't achieve it. I have to trust in that and not myself.
The book of Isaiah reminds me that even the good I do is like filthy rags to the Lord. This shows my unworthiness to be a child of God.
I do desire to obey His commandments but my trust must not be in what I do but in that He paid it all at the cross. My only response to the cross is to grow in holiness and give myself over to Him as one of His disciples. May all I do for the Lord be to bring honor and glory to him and not myself. I am so privileged to be called by Him, I look at my service to the Lord as a blessing! What an honor it is to be called to serve Him! What I do is done only by the Lord's strength. Being used by God in advancing the Kingdom and building up the body is far greater than any self righteous, religious acts I can fall into at times. That kind of legalistic service to God is not what He wants. He wants me to do His will and obey his commandments because I am so grateful for what he first did for me. We Love Him, because He first Loved us (1 John 4:19) and if we do really love Him, we will also obey His commandments (John 14:23). My service and obedience is the evidence and the fruit of my faith and salvation, it is not the earning of it.
Lord I pray that I never do things in your name to try to achieve my salvation or feel good about myself. I ask for forgiveness for any self-righteousness that may be in me and that it is destroyed. I also pray that I never get upset with or look down on other believers who may be strugling but rather be used by you to correct or encourage them. I don't want to ever become self righteous and I realize that I am no better than my fellow believers. It is only because of your Grace alone and the Righteousness of Christ that I will be found right before you. In Jesus name, Amen.
Times come where I can get caught up in legalism and become self-righteous. I start to put my trust in the "righteous" acts I think I am doing rather than in the completed work of Jesus Christ.
I recently heard a quote- "A believer must preach the Gospel to himself everyday."
I have to constantly remind myself of and put my trust in the completed work of Christ. He lived that perfect sinless life that I could never do. He willing went to the cross and took God's wrath upon himself for my sins. He paid the price in full. I can't achieve it. I have to trust in that and not myself.
The book of Isaiah reminds me that even the good I do is like filthy rags to the Lord. This shows my unworthiness to be a child of God.
I do desire to obey His commandments but my trust must not be in what I do but in that He paid it all at the cross. My only response to the cross is to grow in holiness and give myself over to Him as one of His disciples. May all I do for the Lord be to bring honor and glory to him and not myself. I am so privileged to be called by Him, I look at my service to the Lord as a blessing! What an honor it is to be called to serve Him! What I do is done only by the Lord's strength. Being used by God in advancing the Kingdom and building up the body is far greater than any self righteous, religious acts I can fall into at times. That kind of legalistic service to God is not what He wants. He wants me to do His will and obey his commandments because I am so grateful for what he first did for me. We Love Him, because He first Loved us (1 John 4:19) and if we do really love Him, we will also obey His commandments (John 14:23). My service and obedience is the evidence and the fruit of my faith and salvation, it is not the earning of it.
Lord I pray that I never do things in your name to try to achieve my salvation or feel good about myself. I ask for forgiveness for any self-righteousness that may be in me and that it is destroyed. I also pray that I never get upset with or look down on other believers who may be strugling but rather be used by you to correct or encourage them. I don't want to ever become self righteous and I realize that I am no better than my fellow believers. It is only because of your Grace alone and the Righteousness of Christ that I will be found right before you. In Jesus name, Amen.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Loving Lost People
As I go out tonight to share the Gospel with the lost I must remember that I was once lost myself. Now that I'm found, I should never forget what it is to be lost. It’s easy to become annoyed with lost people, with their actions and the things they say. I have to remember, I was once like them! I can't start getting upset with them, I must remember that they are blind and don't get it. I need that love that can only come from the Lord to share the truth with them. I pray that God continues to give me His heart for the lost. Without love for these children of wrath, what’s the point? Why am I seeking them out and sharing the cure for sin and hell? Have I started doing it just because I'm suppose to? If that is the case, then I should be ashamed and stop. God is not pleased with that attitude. I pray that he restores my passion and compassion for them. Yes it upsets me that some of the lost people will never see how they have offended God and will die rejecting Christ. However there are the ones who God is working in and He is going to save! Those ones need the Gospel!
If I let the God haters discourage me from seeking out those who God is going to save, then I'm letting the enemy defeat me.
Luke 15: 6,7 says: 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
May I never lose God's heart for the lost, may I never get upset with them and feel like they are a bother to me. May I never surround myself with the 99 righteous and forget about the one that's lost.
Lord, give us your heart and your strength to share the Gospel with the lost tonight. For we know that some of us may plant and some of us may water, but we are nothing and the increase can only be given by the Father. May we continue to plant seeds tonight and believe that you will do the work in the hearts of these lost people. We take comfort in knowing the Gospel is the power of God to save! In Jesus name, Amen.
If I let the God haters discourage me from seeking out those who God is going to save, then I'm letting the enemy defeat me.
Luke 15: 6,7 says: 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
May I never lose God's heart for the lost, may I never get upset with them and feel like they are a bother to me. May I never surround myself with the 99 righteous and forget about the one that's lost.
Lord, give us your heart and your strength to share the Gospel with the lost tonight. For we know that some of us may plant and some of us may water, but we are nothing and the increase can only be given by the Father. May we continue to plant seeds tonight and believe that you will do the work in the hearts of these lost people. We take comfort in knowing the Gospel is the power of God to save! In Jesus name, Amen.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Pray without ceasing. 1 Thss 5:17
I've been defeated in my prayer life lately. James chapter 5 verse 16 reminds me that: The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Let us all be reminded that even though the Lord is in control, He still calls us to pray without ceasing. Lets be encouraged in knowing that not only are we allowed to go to His throne in prayer, he is telling us to do it without ceasing! What a privilege it is to be able to go to our Lord in prayer!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
