Monday, December 30, 2013

WHICH COMES FIRST?

What we once believed
we no longer believe.
Subsequently we begin to change --
sinful behavior, 
self-righteous behavior,
dead works behavior -- 
from the moment of salvation
to the day we enter into glory.
This is the transforming power of God
in believing the Gospel.
Romans 1:16

Saturday, December 28, 2013

STOP TRYING TO CHANGE

The power to change 
(permanently and from the inside-out)
 comes from believing the Gospel,
trusting in what Jesus has done on our behalf.
We may know many truths, yet not believe them.
Ask for greater revelation of Christ and His work.
As you embrace what the Spirit shows you,
watch the Lord do IN you what only HE can.

This is the work of God -- that you believe. John 6:29

Friday, December 27, 2013

BEST THING WE CAN DO FOR CHRIST

There is so much more to our salvation than most of us realize.
Oh the enemy works relentlessly to blind our eyes
to this great Gospel truth.
But for those given eyes to see,
this is the realm of glory,
and is the greatest honor to Christ.

Thursday, December 26, 2013

THE BEST PLACE TO BE


Christ's work is finished. Sin has been put away.
Stand on this holy ground of the Gospel, 
for Christ has conquered all sin.
We are MORE THAN conquerors.




Wednesday, December 18, 2013

PLASTIC JESUS

It is the good things,
our spiritual disciplines,
that carry a most subtle and deceptive temptation,
for if we are CENTERED and FOCUSED on them,
we might think we are walking with Christ
but end up with a plastic Jesus.
Everything else serves this one purpose --
to know Christ.
 
 
 


Monday, December 16, 2013

POWER OF HIS LOVE


 
We let the power of the love of Christ save us
when we first come to Him.
Why don't we let Him continue being a loving Savior to us?
We can never overestimate the power of His love.

Friday, December 13, 2013

WONDERING ...

 
The love of Christ surpasses all human comprehension.
But our Father desires to reveal it to us by His Spirit (Eph 3:16-19).
Oh what an adventure life becomes,
what transformation takes place,
and what joy it brings to our Father's heart
to KNOW we are loved absolutely by Him.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

GET OFF THE WHEEL

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me.
Get away with Me and you'll recover your life.
I'll show you how to take a real rest. 
Walk with Me and work with Me -- watch how I do it.
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.
I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. 
Keep company with Me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." 
Matthew 11:28-30, THE MESSAGE 
 
 

Monday, December 9, 2013

COME HOME TO GRACE

 
This is not about Santa-bashing, but let's face it,
he's a good example of the Law we were under as sinners.
As Christians it's easy to slip back under the Law
(evidenced by a cycle of trying and failing, trying and failing,
resulting in a loss of joy and peace). 
The pure unadulterated Gospel is radical good news
EVERY DAY of our lives. 
We can rest in the depths of God's love
where we find our hearts transformed
as we trust in Christ and His finished work.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

YOU ARE MORE TO HIM...

 
If we think of ourselves only as "sinners saved by grace",
that's only half the Gospel.
We are called saints, a holy people, recreated in Christ for His glory.
Yes...even bone of His bone, and flesh of His flesh.
We are God's beloved, accepted in the Beloved Christ Jesus.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

BELOVED, LIFT UP YOUR HEAD


How often we hear these days "it's not about us", it's about Jesus.
Continual "navel gazing" shuts down our growth because our  focus is on 
our performance rather than Christ's finished work.
Beloved, LET'S LIFT UP OUR HEADS.
 

Monday, December 2, 2013

GOOD NEWS FOR EVERY BELIEVER


The Gospel is the power of God unto "salvation" -- deliverance, freedom, rescue! Is there ever a time when we as believers DON'T need to be kept safe, delivered from destruction (including self-destruction) and rescued from evil? Re-visit the Gospel; take a FRESH LOOK today. One of the best websites I've found for believers is www.escapetoreality.org.
Come back to the Gospel. Come back to grace.