Growing in Christ

[EarthMomma]

It is wonderful to know that NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING can separate us from God's love which comes to us through Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Now this type of spiritually discerned knowledge is powerful.

Romans 8:35-39 (KJV) 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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The power of God's love through Christ overcomes everything, even satan himself. There's victory in Jesus. We only have to choose to believe. By belief, we are made righteous. That's what His Word says. And I choose to believe The Word of the Lord. In fact, I am persuaded. And it is God's love that has persuaded me. Therefore, I will praise His name all the days of my life.

In fact, just thinking about how much I love Him, always gets me stirred up! Now, that's a Holy Ghost thing, isn't it? As I was turning to the Bible to find the scripture I love about KNOWING that God is able to keep that which I've committed unto Him, I simply have to include the rest of what Paul shared with Timothy: it's not ONLY that He is able, but we come to know that BECAUSE of the Holy Spirit. Whew, what power there is in the sword He's given us, His Word.

2 Timothy 1:6-14 (KJV) 6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
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Praise God and forget not His many blessings, all the spiritual blessings of the heavenlies! Praise Him for the love that is Christ Jesus, and the Holy Ghost which dwells in us! He is so good to us! Doesn't that just stir you up?

Your sister in Christ, and in belief,
EarthMomma

 

[MadFingerPainter]

EarthMomma
thank you so much for your posts.

 

[EarthMomma]

2 Corinthians 5:20 (KJV) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.



This scripture was the topic of a devotional from Adrian Rogers some time last year, and in reviewing some notes I journaled at the time, I thought it worth re-examining in light of a recent post in this thread about Who we are in Christ - Ambassadors.

Since we are ambassadors for Christ, we need to be aware and active about any rebellion we see in our lives.

Rogers made the point in the devotional that we should challenge ourselves to renounce the spirit of rebellion. Certainly this thinking is in line with the scripture, isn't it? If we are an ambassador, we must be reconcilled to God because Jesus died to make us the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (KJV) 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.



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Is there stirring in your heart a spirit of rebellion today? Maybe you don’t even recognize it. But if you do, let me plead with you to do something about it right now. Ask God to cleanse you from your desire to rebel. Ask Him to root out the rebel in you. He is not going to remove it until you renounce it. It is your choice. Ask Him to forgive you for the foolish and careless words you have spoken. Ask Him to take out that spirit of rebellion against authorities. Ask Him to teach you how to lovingly respect people when they are in the wrong. Either you crown Jesus as Lord, or you crucify Him. Are you with Jesus today or are you against Him?

This reminds me of something a friend shared with me recently: when you have wrong spirits operating in you (eg, rebellion or strife), it steals your power.




Is there someone who has wronged you and you seek revenge? Do you have a need to have your rights exalted above others? Read and apply the truth of Philippians 2:3-11.

Philippians 2:3-11 (KJV) 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.




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and here it is in the Amplified Bible, Philippians 2:3-11

3 Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves].
4 Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others.
5 Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]
6 Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [[a]possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not [b]think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped [c]or retained,
7 But stripped Himself [of all privileges and [d]rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being.
8 And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross!
9 Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and has [e]freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name,
10 That in (at) the name of Jesus every knee [f]should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 And every tongue [[g]frankly and openly] confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.




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Once we have examined and renounced the spirit of strife and rebellion in our lives, we can truly go forth in Holy Boldness with love, as reconciled ambassadors for Christ!

Love,
EarthMomma

 

[angelwind]

EarthMomma
thank you so much for your posts.

Amen!

 

[Savedsis]

Daily experience...
Do we fully understand faith? First of all, faith is a common occurrence for all...It is widely mistaken as a phenomenon reserved for emotionally disturbed people who can't make it in life without a crutch...Yet these very people who view faith as a prop or tranquilizer exercise faith every day of their lives...You've probably eaten at least one meal today that you didn't prepare for yourself or see being prepared..As you ate, you had no way of knowing if that food contained poison, but you ate it nonetheless...in faith...Perhaps it was blind faith; you may be suffering from food poisoning an hour from now...Probably, though, you ate the meal because you had confidence in the one who cooked it, even though it was in a restaurant and the cook was unknown to you...You exercised resonable faith...Students also have faith in their academic institutions and expect them to grant a degree when the prescribed courses are completed...Let's have faith and trust in our Lord and Savior.....He is.....trust Him....

 

[EarthMomma]

Amen, Sis!

Daily experience...
Do we fully understand faith? First of all, faith is a common occurrence for all...It is widely mistaken as a phenomenon reserved for emotionally disturbed people who can't make it in life without a crutch...Yet these very people who view faith as a prop or tranquilizer exercise faith every day of their lives...You've probably eaten at least one meal today that you didn't prepare for yourself or see being prepared..As you ate, you had no way of knowing if that food contained poison, but you ate it nonetheless...in faith...Perhaps it was blind faith; you may be suffering from food poisoning an hour from now...Probably, though, you ate the meal because you had confidence in the one who cooked it, even though it was in a restaurant and the cook was unknown to you...You exercised resonable faith...Students also have faith in their academic institutions and expect them to grant a degree when the prescribed courses are completed...Let's have faith and trust in our Lord and Savior.....He is.....trust Him....

In the armor of God scriptures, we are told to ABOVE ALL put on the shield of faith. I believe that is because faith is the thing that makes all the other things work.

Ephesians 6:10-20 (KJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

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Not only is faith the weapon against the devil's firey darts, it comes from God with the promise of more as we exercise it. May we all strive to grow by Christ's strength in faith today!

Love and peace,
EarthMomma

 

[vasile]

1.
O lamb of God, thou wonderful sin-bearer,
Hard after thee my soul doth follow on;
As pants the hart for streams in desert dreary,
So pants my soul for thee, O thou life-giving one.

Chorus
At thy feet I fall,
Yield thee up my all,
To suffer, live or die for my Lord crucified.

2.
I mourn, I mourn the sin that drove thee from me,
And blackest darkness brought into my soul;
Now I renounce the cursed thing that hindered,
And come once more to thee to be made fully whole.

3.
Descend the heavens, thou whom my soul adoreth!
Exchange thy throne for my poor longing heart.
For thee, for thee I watch as for the morning;
No rest, no joy I find when from thee I'm apart.

4.
Come, Holy Ghost, thy mighty aid bestowing!
Destroy the works of sin, the self, the pride;
Burn, burn in me, my idols overthrowing;
Prepare my heart for him, for my Lord crucified.

Catherine Booth-Clibborn (1858-1955)



God bless you brothers and sisters...
I was very much encouranges these days by one of God's name:

God of Jacob.

Jacob means "deceiver" but God is not ashamed to put His name next to a deceiver. Moreover, He wanted to bless Jacob from the beginning.
But it was necessary to finish with Jacob's old self.
"he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. (Genesis 32) "

Jacob had to admit who he really was.

The man asked him, "What is your name?"
"Jacob (Deceiver)," he answered. (Genesis 32)

Whenever we acknowledge our corrupt nature and long with all our heart for God, He is more than willing to bless us.

 

[GrammasFaith]

Daily experience...
Do we fully understand faith? First of all, faith is a common occurrence for all...It is widely mistaken as a phenomenon reserved for emotionally disturbed people who can't make it in life without a crutch...Yet these very people who view faith as a prop or tranquilizer exercise faith every day of their lives...You've probably eaten at least one meal today that you didn't prepare for yourself or see being prepared..As you ate, you had no way of knowing if that food contained poison, but you ate it nonetheless...in faith...Perhaps it was blind faith; you may be suffering from food poisoning an hour from now...Probably, though, you ate the meal because you had confidence in the one who cooked it, even though it was in a restaurant and the cook was unknown to you...You exercised resonable faith...Students also have faith in their academic institutions and expect them to grant a degree when the prescribed courses are completed...Let's have faith and trust in our Lord and Savior.....He is.....trust Him....

Amen! Faith is so important.
Rom 3:25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.
Rom 3:26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Rom 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
2Co 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight.
Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

We all must have the kind of faith in our Father that a child has in his or her parents.

 

[Savedsis]

Yes, faith is wonderful...Even though we live and work in Christ, our faith will not shield us completely from adversity...Great storms are going to arise as we walk with the Lord. The wind may blow and beat us down, even stir up the waters of change around us...We may be overwhelmed to the point we fear we will drown, but let's have faith that God is with us...(see Joshua 1:9)
Our Lord has said,"I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5), and in the midst of the storm, I stand firm on that promise..
The simple fact is God is in charge, and His Truth prevails...His peace will allow us to be still in spite of some pretty rough waters.....
Today, in the face of trials, I envision myself in the safety of a boat captained by Jesus......Praise God...

 

[EarthMomma]

Thank you vasile,

Great song, and very good reminder of the magnitude of our God.

1.
O lamb of God, thou wonderful sin-bearer,
Hard after thee my soul doth follow on;
As pants the hart for streams in desert dreary,
So pants my soul for thee, O thou life-giving one.

Chorus
At thy feet I fall,
Yield thee up my all,
To suffer, live or die for my Lord crucified.

2.
I mourn, I mourn the sin that drove thee from me,
And blackest darkness brought into my soul;
Now I renounce the cursed thing that hindered,
And come once more to thee to be made fully whole.

3.
Descend the heavens, thou whom my soul adoreth!
Exchange thy throne for my poor longing heart.
For thee, for thee I watch as for the morning;
No rest, no joy I find when from thee I'm apart.

4.
Come, Holy Ghost, thy mighty aid bestowing!
Destroy the works of sin, the self, the pride;
Burn, burn in me, my idols overthrowing;
Prepare my heart for him, for my Lord crucified.

Catherine Booth-Clibborn (1858-1955)



God bless you brothers and sisters...
I was very much encouranges these days by one of God's name:

God of Jacob.

Jacob means "deceiver" but God is not ashamed to put His name next to a deceiver. Moreover, He wanted to bless Jacob from the beginning.
But it was necessary to finish with Jacob's old self.
"he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. (Genesis 32) "

Jacob had to admit who he really was.

The man asked him, "What is your name?"
"Jacob (Deceiver)," he answered. (Genesis 32)

Whenever we acknowledge our corrupt nature and long with all our heart for God, He is more than willing to bless us.

May we acknowledge our need for God today, and grow in faith as we turn to Him in the storms, with voices and hands lifted in praise.

 

[MadFingerPainter]

good morning ladies. may God bless you in whatever you do today and may you shine for his glory. ~warm hugs~

 

[EarthMomma]

good morning ladies. may God bless you in whatever you do today and may you shine for his glory. ~warm hugs~

Warm hugs to you as well dear one!

 

[MadFingerPainter]

I'm drained this evening. There is a post in another thread that has become quite tedious. I'm doing my best but at the same time I'm exhausted from trying to battle the brainwashing this man has taken in with the truth of the scripture. Please pray that God will show me what it is I need to provide this man with in order to break through.

 

[EarthMomma]

I'm drained this evening. There is a post in another thread that has become quite tedious. I'm doing my best but at the same time I'm exhausted from trying to battle the brainwashing this man has taken in with the truth of the scripture. Please pray that God will show me what it is I need to provide this man with in order to break through.

I pray that God brings peace to you, and to the person you are witnessing with, as only He can do. Sometimes it's hard not to be result oriented, wanting to see if not immediate then at least timely results when we are "doing my best". May you be comforted in knowing we never bring about results, only God does. We can only be obedient, and thankful for the task, knowing we will grow through our obedience. God's timing is not our own, and all believers are at different and diverse places in spiritual development. Never underestimate the influence you can have by letting God shine thru you, although the result rarely is immediate.

I thank God for your example to us, and count it for joy and glory that as you are frustrated, you share and seek comfort, as the Bible says, and encourage you to know that you can only grow in the fruit of the spirit from these experience, and will grow in the hope that is in our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5 shows us the kind of hope that renews us right in the middle of battle.

1 Thereforebeing justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

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Now, that's some hope! Godly hope. Holy hope. And it comes from tribulations, so count it all for joy dear one.

James 1:2-3 (KJV) 2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

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As you rest up from your battle exhaustion, rest in Him, and in the knowledge that our weapons are not carnal (not even words), but are spiritual, and are high and mighty, and the victory is assured through the blood of Jesus.

Your sister in Christ, and in prayer with you,
EarthMomma

 

[EarthMomma]

Growing in Christ is a change of heart. As we obey God's Word, we experience Him.

Help us today dear Lord to grow in Christ, to obey Your word, and to experience You. Let the Holy Spirit guide us and comfort us in this growth, for only the Holy Spirit, Jesus living in us, can show us Your truth.

 

[MadFingerPainter]

thanks EM ~hugs~

 

[Savedsis]

Hello everyone....May God bless you..

 

[MadFingerPainter]

You too SavedSis. ~Smiles~

 

[EarthMomma]

Jesus has promised, through words written in blood, to manifest Himself to us through love. These are perhaps some of the most beautiful words ever written.

John 14:15-21 (KJV) 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.​

Help us dear Lord to observe Your love which is the manifestation of Jesus. Thank you for the comforter You've given us so that we "shall know" the true meaning of Your love. Help us to share that love to the ends of the world.

 

[MadFingerPainter]

Psalm 86:17
Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.

This particular verse has touched me this evening.