Changed in a Moment of Time

1 Corinth. 15:54,57 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory…through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Changed in a moment of time. The time table is still a mystery to us. We know not the day or time that the trumpet will sound and Jesus will split the eastern sky and return for His bride. Our finite minds that live in this corruptible body cannot fathom the reality of that day. People who have been buried or returned to ashes will arise from this corruptible earth and be changed with bodies that are incorruptible. Immortality on this earth is not obtainable. Man has fantasize the possibility of living in this body without dying. Novels are written with plots of man being immortal. These books are put into the category of “Fantasy” for a reason. God’s word is not a fantasy book. It speaks of things to come. One day it will happen, we who are in Christ, and believe in His return will see the power of God demonstrated. What is seen as unreal will become reality. Death will be removed by the power of Christ. The sting of death is no more for we have been changed to never die again.

We Believe with all our Hearts

Act 8: 37 If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Believing with all your heart holds back no reservations of your motives and intentions. To believe intellectually that Jesus in the Son of God is a good start, but it will not be enough to have eternal life. The devil believe that Jesus is the Son of God and tremble in His presence. Our belief in Jesus must go to the heart of our affections. It is the passion of our life to know that Jesus is who He says He is. He is the Son of God, the 2nd person of the triune God. We believe that He came to earth to take on the sins of the world by dying on the cross, we believe that we must accept this gift for us by confessing our sins and believe that the power of Christ can forgive us of our transgressions. We believe that Jesus not only came to take away our sins, but provided a way for us to live a life without sin. Not human perfection, but heart perfection. Christian perfection is made possible because we believe that Jesus died without the gate to sanctify us. Sending the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth. When we believe with all our hearts, there is a transformation in our lives that changes the way we think, the way we act, and the things we love. I believe this with all my heart!

Teachable Heart

Psalm 119:33  Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.

We never stop learning how to walk with the Lord. Growing in the grace of God happens when we spend time reading, thinking, and praying the Word of God. The statues of the Lord are given to us through the Bible. We meditate and learn what His Word says about living a life that will bring honor to His Name. It is not always how much you read, but how you read. Having a teachable heart is to be open to living our lives in a way that pleases Him. Many lessons we learn are done through life’s experiences. His Word give us direction how we said act and react to the things that happen in our lives. As we read His word and hide it in our hearts, He is then able to bring it to our minds in time of need. Learning is best done when we can apply what we have been taught. May we keep is Word in our hearts that we may not sin against Him

A New Commandment

John 13:34.35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Does holiness of heart instantly give a person a heart that loves everyone no matter the situation or circumstances? Being sanctified wholly, with all on the altar, surrender to serve God, with self being crucified should do something in our hearts that allows us to love in spite of the hurt that is done to us. We are creatures of emotions that feel pain and suffer injustice by others who may reject or despise us. It is even more difficult when such action are by those who we have trusted and thought were friends. Jesus said, “if you love me, you will keep my commandments. A new commandment I give to you, that ye love one another”. Love is not always a feeling, but a choice that we make. Can you love without feeing? I believe it is possible. I believe that perfect love is possible when we choose to love. If we have experience the love of Christ in our life, then we know what love is and how it works. In the face of indifference and hate, God gives us the ability to make the choice to love even when it is hard. 

Spiritual Pride

Luke 18:14…for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Guarding against spiritual pride requires discernment of knowing what God requires of you is not always required of someone else. As we become more God conscience, it is easy to assume that everyone else should be following our footsteps. God’s word is clear on many issues on how we should live as we draw closer to God, He reveals more of His word to us. But not everyone is on the same spiritual journey. Staying humble before God requires that we acknowledge our righteousness is of God, and without Him we are lost and most wretched. As we humble ourselves before a holy God, He imparts to us His holiness and give us the grace to live pleasing to Him. Living and being right only happens when we allow the Holy Spirit to take control of our lives. When He comes, we look at humanity differently. We reach out in love and kindness, showing the grace of God to those who need God. We do not condone sin, for God hates sin, but it is the job of the Holy Spirit to judge the world of sin, it is our job to point others to the One who can save us from our sins.

Just Do It!

1 Chor 28:20…Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the Lord God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, …

“Just Do It” Taking on new challenges can be exciting, but also a time of trepidation to think of the possibility of failure. Crossing new bridges not knowing what life will bring us on the other side. Going forward, and entering into a new transition of life does not have to be scary. If we know that God is leading, and He is brazing the trail before us, we can hold on to His promises that He will give us the strength and courage to just do it! Life is always changing and sometime those changes are out of our control. We approach each change trusting God to guide and direct our steps. Taking those steps of faith, will not always be easy, but He will not leave us or fail us if we step out in faith and just do it!

The Root of Jealousy

1 Sam 18:9. 12  And Saul eyed David from that day and forward…  And Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him, and was departed from Saul.

The root of jealousy  finds its origins in the carnal nature of sin. The remedy to rid oneself of jealousy is to deal with the carnal nature within the heart. After God delivers us and forgives us of our sins, there still remains the seed of self that is buried in the heart of each man, women, boy and girl. Self must be put on the altar of surrender. It must present itself a living sacrifice to God. When God shows us what is in our heart, we confess it to God and submit ourselves, believing that the Holy Spirit is able to fill our hearts with perfect love. This work is referred by theologians as sanctification, or holiness of heart. It is a work of grace done in a crisis moment. It is intentional and requires man to make a choice who will be Lord of his life. Holiness of heart does not immune one from temptation of the flesh, it empowers one to be an overcomer of temptation, but daily submitting oneself to the will of God in all matters. Jealousy is not simply overcomes by just thanking God for what He has provided. When one is tempted to be jealous, he is led by the Spirit to flee such thoughts and to be grateful for what God has done and what He has provided.