Jesus the Author

Heb 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

“Being confident of this very thing, that he who hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” (Phi 1:6) This begins when the Holy Spirit speaks to our heart that we are sinners, and forgiveness of sin comes only through Jesus Christ, who endured the cross and paid the debt of sin that was ours. At a moment in time, we have been born again, made a new creature in Christ and the story of our life begins in Christ. All the things in the past have been removed. “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Our names are now in the Book of Life. This is made possible by the blood of Jesus. He is the author, for by His blood are our names written in the book. We don’t know all the details of the book He is writing about our lives. We don’t know when this book will end. For some, it could end unexpectedly; for others it may end at life’s expected time of 3 scores and ten years or longer. We do know that if we stay faithful, that He will be faithful to complete the work for us, and we will see Him face to face as He sits at the right hand of the throne of God in eternity. Let God pen the words for your life. He is a good author and will write a story that will glorify Him and bring everlasting peace in this life and the life after. 

He is My Only Rock

 Psalm 62: 2 & 6
 He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.

Jesus Christ, “Rock of Ages, cleft for me. Let me hide myself in Thee.” On the solid Rock I stand, I shall not be moved. “Upon this Rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail.” As we walk this side of heaven, the foundations of our country are crumpling. The signs of the last days are coming to pass. We are witnessing a great divide among those who desire a return to the principles of God’s word, and a progressive ideology of Sodom and Gomorrah that has forsaken the Word of God. The banner of “Every man doing that which is right in their own eyes” is waving in the media and across the large cities of our land. Politics are polarized and faults can be found on both sides of the aisle. I like to believe that those that want our nation to return to God are in the right, but there are those who use God’s Word as a tool for their own advantage and political gain. As Christians, our faith in God, and knowledge that God is sovereign keeps us on the Rock. Charlie Kirk, as much as he tried to influence people to vote for the Republican Party, acknowledged that Jesus Christ is the only answer to the problems we face as a nation. The foundation of this nation may someday break apart, but for those who stand on the eternal Rock, they shall not be moved. We live in a messed-up world of people seeking to please their selfish desires. But we know that when lifting up Jesus, people are drawn to Him. He is our firm foundation. He is our only Rock, and those who stand on the Rock, shall not be moved.

No Longer Partakers

 Ephesian 5:7 & 8
Be not ye therefore partakers with them.  For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

When we become a new creature in Christ, life takes a turn from unrighteousness to righteousness. We once lived in darkness, and the things we once did, we have turned from, and now we are walking toward the light of Christ. The new life seeks to be like Jesus, it desires to live in the Vine, and bear fruit that will glorify Jesus. As we walk in the light, God reveals to us some of those things we should no longer be doing. Paul provides us with examples of some of those things.
Fornication is the act of committing sexual sin that is outside the covenant of marriage. This includes many things that the world has condoned as acceptable behavior as long as it is consensual. The sin of fornication is unacceptable behavior. "Let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints." (Eph. 5:3) 
Uncleanness is a broad term that takes in many actions and thoughts that are evil, wicked, and morally wrong. It is deviant and filthy, and comes from a heart that is carnal and carnally self-gratifying. Let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints.
Covetousness is desiring things that do not rightfully belong to you. This could include material things, or the affections of someone who is married. Let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints.
Filthiness spiritually, normally implies allowing your mind to think thoughts that are immoral, or inappropriate. They are carnally based and self-gratifying. Let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints.
Foolish talking, or jesting, is behavior that makes light of the holy things of God. It can also be seen as speaking ill will of someone or spreading gossip, or information that is not profitable. “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.” Foolish speaking is an indication of a heart that has walked away from the Light. Let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints.
Idolater is a person whose affections are set on the things of this world, and not on the things of God. An idolater allows a person, things or circumstance to stand between them and God. Idol worship goes beyond the worshipping of a statue or some sacred object, it is anything that keeps you from putting Christ first in your life. It is a form of covetousness, desiring something more than wanting God. Let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints.
Whoremonger, unclean person, covetous man are other sins that Paul mentions in this letter. They all imply a lifestyle that gratifies the fleshly desires of the carnal heart. The fruit of becoming a Christian is demonstrated in the transformation of the heart. As the heart undergoes this transformation, it will be seen in the lifestyle of the believer. Some of these things change overnight, others may take time as you walk in the light and God reveals them to you. As God shows, let go of that sin that keeps you from running the race. Let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints.