Amazing Grace... Do You Live It?

Ephesians 1 Verses 4, 5 & 6

4 - According as HE hath chosen us in HIM before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before HIM in love:

5 - Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of HIS will,

6 - To the praise of the glory of HIS grace, wherein HE hath made us accepted in the beloved.

In verse 4 Paul clearly states that HE (God) hath Chosen us – before the foundation of the world, that through HIM (Christ) we should be HOLY and without blame before HIM (God). Think about this for a second, let me make just this small leap… Paul is showing us the mind and heart of a Father that wants to adopt wayward children.

Verse 5 then states that GOD has predestined us for the adoption through His Son Jesus Christ, according to the GOOD PLEASURE of HIS Will. God knew us and wanted us before we knew Him, furthermore; His Son had already accepted the way of payment for the adoption before the world had form.

In verse 6 we see that His plan was to point out to us and all creation the absolute amazing Glory of His GRACE. That wrapped in the midst of that Amazing Grace, He (GOD) finds us accepted and loved… Accepted and Loved…

We abide in and enjoy the Amazing Grace of God, to both His delight and ours. Yet we sometimes forget that Amazing Grace when dealing with our Brothers and Sisters in Christ. Worse yet, we sometimes forget that Amazing Grace when we deal with the world outside the four walls or our church.

HE Loved Us First, HE showed Mercy by not sending us to the damnation we rightfully deserved. He sent HIS Son to us, to show us a perfect example of LOVE, SERVICE and SACRIFICE. Then in the perfection of His timing He had His Son pay the price for us to open the age of Grace.

He Loved us first, and then taught us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. He told us to remember that we are not our own, that we were paid with a price. That as we lived the lives that He so Graciously gave us, that we should remember we are not of this world – we are now of His world. He told us that we should not participate in the things of this world, but, provide flavor to the world to attract the world to HIM. His Grace abounds, He fills our very souls with Grace through His Holy Spirit. We need only to remember that fact and then act on it every day.

So this week, show some of that Amazing Grace to the people you come in contact with. Walk in the Grace of God, and let His Dear Son shine through your eyes, through your words and through your actions and interactions with the people HE puts on your path… Love them before they know you, show them HIS Grace, seasoning the moment with His flavor, so that when you part company – they think about what or who they just encountered. Our testimony should be silently pointing all the time to His Amazing Grace. Then, when HE chooses to open the door of opportunity, we should be prepared and ready to point to His Amazing Son, our precious Jesus, sharing the Grace of God.

By the way, the next time we sing “Amazing Grace” let the Holy Spirit sing it out in our Hearts and Glorify God – that’s what we are here for. Sing it in Praises to Almighty God and His Wonderful Amazing Grace.

JOY & PEACE?

Philippians 4: Verses 4 through 9

(King James Version)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Those THINGS, which we have Learned!

Those THINGS, which we have Received!

Those THINGS, which we have Heard!

DO THEM - PRACTICE THEM!

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

We allow our Christian lives to become Frail and Infirmed Spiritually, because we choose to follow our own desires and not that of Christ. Paul nailed it solid when he wrote to the Church in Philippi, he knew where Christian Joy flows from. He spoke the TRUTH when he stated that “the peace of God ~ shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ”.

God’s peace and God’s joy can ONLY FLOW from the inside out! Those things that you have learned Spiritually, those things that you have received Spiritually, and those Truths that you have heard – DO. Paul coached us here, he is basically saying, come on folks, take these Spiritual blessings and DO God’s will with them. Practice what you SAY you believe. Share that which you have an abundance of – CHRIST!

As a Church - do we both collectively and individually Speak Jesus? Teach Jesus? Live Jesus? Share Jesus?

If we don’t – if our practice is not consistent – neither will our Joy or our Peace! Oh, we can put on a good front for Sunday Mornings – but it is not sustainable! For without total and complete surrender to Christ’s Lordship, we can’t live in His will and know His Joy!

In verse 5, Paul said “Let your moderation be known unto all men”. The New King James interpretation of verse 5 says “Let your gentleness be known to all men”. That gentleness can only flow from the Spirit from within. That Spirit from within can only flow to the outside when we yield to HIM. Upon yielding to Him, we are to share with all men, how can it be known if it is not shared or spoken?

Then – finally Verse 8, where in our life times we have heard so many messages launch from. TRUTH, HONESTY, JUST, PURETY, LOVELY & GOOD REPORT, THINGS OF VIRTUE – THESE THINGS WE MUST THINK ON.

In Matthew 5 – Christ taught us what Christian Attitudes should be. In Galatians 5, Paul warned us of the unclean heart, and then showed us what the Fruit of the Spirit should be. Here in Philippians 4, Paul tells us what the results of walking in the Spirit should manifest in us; and how we should discipline our minds and hearts to seek Spiritual Joy and Peace in our lives.

I know we can all quote John 14:6; Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

I am sure we can also quote Romans 10:17; So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

Now we must take the quotes we hold in our hearts and live them every day, practice them every day and share them whenever Christ opens the door!

If you want to fill your heart with Joy, if you want to know the Peace of God, then practice what you have been taught. Paul said Faith comes through hearing the word of God. Christ said He is the only way to God. So then; for our neighbors and coworkers to come to Faith in Christ for salvation. They must hear the word of God, they must see Christ in you, recognize their loss and inability to get to God on their own and turn to Jesus. They must SEE and HEAR Jesus in You, and that can’t happen until you yield to Christ, only then can you claim His Joy and Peace.

A wonderful Christian Saint and Scholar that I loved and admired once told me, “Christianity is not a feeling that we hold inside, it’s a way of life and the only reality for those that believe". He also said, "Christ isn’t just a man to study – He is The Truth and Factual center of all that is!” My goodness Grand-Dad how the Church has changed! We hear and speak our Blessed Jesus on Sunday, and wing it with the world all the rest of the week. Is it any wonder that God has turned us to our own hearts desires and lusts of the flesh?

The Elect Sharing The Joy of Their Salvation

Colossians 3:9 ….…seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor un-circumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 12Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful….… We, the true believers in Christ, have been chosen by God… HE Loved us first, enough to part company with HIS son at the point of agony while Christ held the Sin of the World on His shoulders on that old Cross. That moment of separation from HIS Father, was dreadful and agonizing for this dear precious LAMB. God through His Son’s finished work, allowed Mercy to flow freely through this old world, so that no man would have to bear the pain of Hell. Christ paved the way for Grace to fall upon mankind, opening the door to Salvation through accepting His Blood Sacrifice in our stead. As we looked at in depth last week, on Resurrection Morning, we were brought to remembrance of the accusations, cruel treatment and abuse and the final act of crucifixion. He bore it all, so that we who believe would abound in the Joy of the knowledge of His FINISHED work on that cross. That through the Comforter that He then sent to us, that we would abide in Him, as though He were still with us physically. As Dear Brother Dunkel and I recently discussed – “It’s ALL About the Relationship”. He is with us folks, it’s about we start letting people know it! Show the JOY of Christ to the World, Share the Gospel of Christ with someone this week. It’s the week after Easter, let’s not get back into the old routines – Let’s remember everyday – HE CHOSE US, let us now Choose to share the JOY of HIS GOSPEL with a neighbor or co-worker this week. Let the world see your Relationship with the Prince of Peace… Dear folks, put on the full armor of God, for His return draws near – we want to be busy in HIS work.

He Is Risen

He Is Risen

Matthew 28

1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door,[a] and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. 5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come; see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”

Three little words HE IS RISEN, hold the Power of God, and the hope of man. HE the True and Only Begotten SON of the Living God. IS – both past and present tense. RISEN, through the very power and will of God, this perfect lamb was raised from the Dead, the first fruits of that which is yet to come.

Here these words – HE IS RISEN and know beyond the shadow of a doubt that if you KNOW CHRIST, you too will be raised up. Praise God – both the Cross and the tomb are now empty, we serve a Risen Savior – that should put a smile on your face this Morning and Joy in your heart…

How Do You Treat Your Friend Jesus?

John 15 (New King James)

Verse 13: Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

Friend – The Web Dictionary Defines Friend this way:

1. A person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.

2. A person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile.

NOT HOSTILE – Hmm; we’ll come back to that…

Christ referred to His disciples on a few occasions as “friends”. They were an interesting lot, with the diverse makeup in both personality and profession; much like our Churches we sit in today.

He spent His entire ministry teaching how the Old Testament Law was a product of Love and Submission to the Father in this New Kingdom – The New Church. He gave us Spiritual outlines through the Beatitudes. He taught us how to pray. He showed us that while we dare not judge the heart of a man, we can watch for the fruit of the Spirit that lives within him.

He showed us the Love of a friend, when He sorrowed over his ill friend, and then briefly grieved for his dear friend Lazarus. In that was also a lesson, that while grieving is natural to the flesh, we should not be consumed by it – for those departed in Christ we will see shortly.

There are many, many lessons that Christ teaches us in the Gospel’s, the most important was His ultimate sacrifice for His friends. He paid the ultimate and final price needed to satisfy God’s demand for a Blood Sacrifice, to redeem the sinful lost. He took the sin debt of the entire world, opening the door for God’s Mercy – sparing those that would accept His payment from His Eternal Judgment. Intertwined with that Mercy was the Gift of God’s Grace and His Son’s Righteousness that we believers are now wrapped in. Because He calls us Friends, we stand joint Aires with Christ before the Throne of Almighty God, and Christ intercedes in communication to Father on our behalf.

Oh, and I didn’t forget about the Dictionary definition of “a person that is not hostile”. In James 4:4 the scripture boldly states “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with GOD? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of GOD”! An enemy would indicate a reality of hostility towards God if we hold the world too close to the breast. While we may convince ourselves that this is not the case from our perspective – in the end, it’s God’s point of view that will matter. Are you holding the line? How is your Spiritual Armor holding up? If you are a Friend of Christ, the Holy Spirit will keep you Patched up. If the battle gets tuff, take it to Lord in prayer… 

We are His, we were bought with a price, there are NO EXCUSES for not living a life pleasing to the Father thru the Son Jesus Christ... NO Exuses to betray our Friend in sin.