Growing in Christ

[EarthMomma]

I'm singing with you Mad! thanks for your uplifting testimony, and praises of thanksgiving to God for giving us the oil of joy and the garment of praise!

 

[EarthMomma]

Through Christ, I have been given every thing I need for life and Godliness! Wow, that's a big deal, isn't it?

Through God's divine power and His love for us, we possess every spiritual thing pertaining to life and Godliness. This is a divine spiritual possession with a purpose. And that purpose is to bring glory and honor to Him. [Help us, dear Lord, to understand these good things You've given us, as gifts with a glorified purpose!]

2 Peter 1:3-4 (KJV) 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Through Jesus Christ, we are given the way to escape the corruption of worldly lust, now and forever. The Amplified Bible clarifies both the greatness of this precious promise and the purpose of the New Covenant:

2 Peter 1:3-4 (AMP) 3 For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue).
4 By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature.

It is possible (because of His grace and mercy) to partake of His divine nature, because through Christ, we are blessed with ALL spiritual blessings, in the here and now.

Ephesians 1:3 (KJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

The beginning of this first chapter of Ephesians explains this possession in Christ, as well as many other attributes that are bestowed on us (see the whole chapter), and also sets out the purpose of this gift.

Ephesians 1:12 (KJV) That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

We are called to His glory and virtue (power).

May God's purposes be our purposes, because He's been so exceedingly gracious to us!

2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (KJV) 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

And we must be cheerful in carrying out His purposes, for His grace and sufficiency in all He's done for us is so that we can abound in every good work for Him.

PRAISE HIS NAME! He is so good to us, giving us ALL things, calling us to glory and power and good works for Him! Through Jesus Christ, I am sufficient and I WILL carry out God's purposes. [Thank God, I don't have to be perfect, for through Christ, I'm blameless!] I will love God with all my heart, and I will love others as myself, and through Christ it is possible for me to do this. I will glorify and honor God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. His grace is sufficient for me!

Your sister in Christ,
EarthMomma

 

[MadFingerPainter]

for EarthMomma

 

[EarthMomma]

for EarthMomma

And hugs right back at ya, Mad! [pong][/pong]

 

[MadFingerPainter]

I hope you had a wonderful day EarthMomma. It is so hot where I am. This evening I learned a little something about myself. My mother and I spoke on the phone and I was telling her about seeing a person I hadn't seen for a while and that I'd spoken to. Because of something that happened in the past my mother asked me why I even bothered talking to her. I had to explain to her that if I stayed angry and held a grudge against everyone who upset me I'd be living a very lonely life. Even more so than what I already deal with. At that point I realized I was far more loving than I knew. I can't seem to get her to understand that there is more to this life than gossip and being hateful. I can't get her to see the beauty from this side of things. I can't find the words to explain it. I wish I could. Maybe someday I will be able to. I know in the end there will be loved ones lost in this battle for souls. We can't save them. Only God can. I'm determined to find a way with words to express the beauty and warmth and love and peace that one can have with Christ. And find a way to invite people to the side of eternal life. Somehow some way there has to be a way to talk to people of all walks of life and get them to understand before it's too late.

 

[EarthMomma]

Dear MadFP,

I am so lifted up by your post this morning! Wow, I know just what you are talking about, and I am so thankful for your putting it into words.

I hope you had a wonderful day EarthMomma. It is so hot where I am. This evening I learned a little something about myself. My mother and I spoke on the phone and I was telling her about seeing a person I hadn't seen for a while and that I'd spoken to. Because of something that happened in the past my mother asked me why I even bothered talking to her. I had to explain to her that if I stayed angry and held a grudge against everyone who upset me I'd be living a very lonely life. Even more so than what I already deal with. At that point I realized I was far more loving than I knew. I can't seem to get her to understand that there is more to this life than gossip and being hateful. I can't get her to see the beauty from this side of things. I can't find the words to explain it. I wish I could. Maybe someday I will be able to. I know in the end there will be loved ones lost in this battle for souls. We can't save them. Only God can. I'm determined to find a way with words to express the beauty and warmth and love and peace that one can have with Christ. And find a way to invite people to the side of eternal life. Somehow some way there has to be a way to talk to people of all walks of life and get them to understand before it's too late.

You are so right, "you can't get her to understand", but God can, and in His own timing. But you are so right in your determination to walk in love and to witness in love. It is NEVER wasted. And it grows us up as we practice His love.

I'm reminded of a couple of relationships that are very dear to me, one in my own family and one with my best friend and neighbor back in Missouri, where I struggled with the very same things as you. I have NO tolerance for gossip and negativity (and boy, when we have NO tolerance for something we better hold on, for God will walk us right through it, won't He?). And He allowed me to open up my heart to the Holy Spirit who guided me patiently, even putting words of love and scriptures in my mouth, and giving me the patience to never tire of responding in His love (and I wasn't a very patient person, I held people I loved to very high standards, silly me). And God has given me glimpses of His working in these dear people that has built my faith in Him.

Keep on keeping on! Don't be detered by looking for results, for the results are His and way beyond our meager understandings. Remember, that it's not about "you and your Mom" it's about "you and Your God" and He loves your Mom too, and will reach her in His own way and time. And your stedfast approach is such a good thing.

God is in control, and I'm sure He smiles when we care so deeply. Talk to Him about it today, I sure am, for I know He is drawing us daily to a more intimate relationship with Him. His Holy Spirit will use us as He wills, and will open our hearts to feel His love, His son, growing in us!

Bless you, dear one, with ALL the spiritual blessings of the heavenlies today! And keep cool, it's hot here on the gulf coast of Florida as well, and I'm off to walk and pray on the beach before the sun comes up! Know that you'll be in my prayers for thankfulness this morning!

Your sister in Christ,
EarthMomma

 

[MadFingerPainter]

You have a wonderful day lady! I'll be thinking about you while I'm making creamed ham on biscuits for the residents for supper tonight. ~LOL~

I have a praise to share...
About a month and half ago we lost a cook. We've all been putting in a lot of hours and we're all so tired. But we've been hanging in there. I was praying for God to send someone soon that would stay and someone that we could all work with. He has brought back one of the ladies that had to quit for health reasons part time which will allow our schedules to return to normal. And we'll be gaining another part time employee to cover the other 3 hrs. that she isn't able to work. She's like 70 so she can't do a full day so it will be good for her. So praise God for answer to prayer.

Be blessed.

 

[angelwind]

I hope you had a wonderful day EarthMomma. It is so hot where I am. This evening I learned a little something about myself. My mother and I spoke on the phone and I was telling her about seeing a person I hadn't seen for a while and that I'd spoken to. Because of something that happened in the past my mother asked me why I even bothered talking to her. I had to explain to her that if I stayed angry and held a grudge against everyone who upset me I'd be living a very lonely life. Even more so than what I already deal with. At that point I realized I was far more loving than I knew. I can't seem to get her to understand that there is more to this life than gossip and being hateful. I can't get her to see the beauty from this side of things. I can't find the words to explain it. I wish I could. Maybe someday I will be able to. I know in the end there will be loved ones lost in this battle for souls. We can't save them. Only God can. I'm determined to find a way with words to express the beauty and warmth and love and peace that one can have with Christ. And find a way to invite people to the side of eternal life. Somehow some way there has to be a way to talk to people of all walks of life and get them to understand before it's too late.

I have had and still am growing in this area, learning to forgive others and love without hypocrisy...it is a true work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.

I thought of this verse and found a few more:

"By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." Jn 13:35

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. Ga 5:22

and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all men, just as we also do for you; 1 Th 3:12

 

[MadFingerPainter]

angelwind:
I have trouble with the patience part. But God is working on that.

 

[EarthMomma]

We are declared to be the epistle of Christ (living Word written in our heart), we are to minister it from our hearts because we trust being in Christ who has enabled us.

2 Corinthians 3:2-6 (KJV) 2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: 3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. 4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

​

Now, that's a mouthful, isn't it? But it looks to me like it boils down to knowing that in Christ, God has put the desire to live the Word in our hearts. What do you think?

Perhaps it's easier to wrap our minds around this truth by looking at another translation or transliteration, or perhaps a commentary. Here is the Amplified version of 2 Cor 3:2-6:

2 [No] you yourselves are our letter of recommendation (our credentials), written in your hearts, to be known (perceived, recognized) and read by everybody.

3 You show and make obvious that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, not written with ink but with [the] Spirit of [the] living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

4 Such is the reliance and confidence that we have through Christ toward and with reference to God.

5 Not that we are fit (qualified and sufficient in ability) of ourselves to form personal judgments or to claim or count anything as coming from us, but our power and ability and sufficiency are from God.

6 [It is He] Who has qualified us [making us to be fit and worthy and sufficient] as ministers and dispensers of a new covenant [of salvation through Christ], not [ministers] of the letter (of legally written code) but of the Spirit; for the code [of the Law] kills, but the [Holy] Spirit makes alive.

​

When the living word (Jesus Christ) is written in our hearts it is read and seen by others (without us saying anything). Now that's a powerful plan that God has for us, isn't it? We are ministers of the new covenant of the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ alive in us.


We are HIS epistle, and we are given His new covenant and His new heart, not because we deserve it, but because it is HIS plan. What a promise!!! What a plan!!! The Holy Spirit and the new heart combined to be living proof and witness of Jesus Christ in us.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (KJV) 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.



​

It's been His plan from the beginning, that we seek Him with our heart, and we know that He doesn't plan anything for us without giving us the way to make it possible.

It's a great plan and a promise I'm taking Him up on!

With a new heart for Christ, I am
Your sister,
EarthMomma

 

[Savedsis]

CHANGING THE WORLD.
Oh we need this to happen....
What kind of person does God use to change the course of history? He uses those whom He can entrust the deepest things of His heart through prayer. Prayer releases our lives to the Father and gives Him unhindered access to use us to accomplish His will.
This is really the pattern of God's nature, His ways, His purposes, and His activities through the entire Bible. He sets the pace, then chooses and calls someone to walk with Him so He can complete His purposes through them. They know by prayer what God's will will is for their lives, and as they obey Him, He accomplishes that will through them. In turn, their world and their generation are eternally affected. This kind of prayer life releses an individual to the will of the Father, so Almighty God can use such a person in His purpose of drawing people to Himself in this hurting and confused world.....
God desires to shape the prayer lives of His people so Christians can know with confidence that they've sought the Father's will and are walking in it. God desires that His people spend enough time with Him so they can say with confidence that the words they share with the surrounding world are from the heart of God and not merely from man.
God desires to have a people who are convinced through prayer that God is in control, that His ways are right, and that their hearts' desire is to immediately obey His direction found in deep, life-changing prayer.
To continue in this kind of prayer, followed by abosolute obedience to the will of God, will then result in our hearing these words from the Master: "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21)

 

[angelwind]

angelwind:
I have trouble with the patience part. But God is working on that.

I don't think there is one of us who doesn't need more growth with patience...just when i think I have some the Lord gives me more stretching ...His patience must be limitless...LOL At least now I know He has an abundant supply if I tap into Him...trying to live in my own strength was a disaster.

 

[angelwind]

CHANGING THE WORLD.
Oh we need this to happen....
What kind of person does God use to change the course of history? He uses those whom He can entrust the deepest things of His heart through prayer. Prayer releases our lives to the Father and gives Him unhindered access to use us to accomplish His will.
This is really the pattern of God's nature, His ways, His purposes, and His activities through the entire Bible. He sets the pace, then chooses and calls someone to walk with Him so He can complete His purposes through them. They know by prayer what God's will will is for their lives, and as they obey Him, He accomplishes that will through them. In turn, their world and their generation are eternally affected. This kind of prayer life releses an individual to the will of the Father, so Almighty God can use such a person in His purpose of drawing people to Himself in this hurting and confused world.....
God desires to shape the prayer lives of His people so Christians can know with confidence that they've sought the Father's will and are walking in it. God desires that His people spend enough time with Him so they can say with confidence that the words they share with the surrounding world are from the heart of God and not merely from man.
God desires to have a people who are convinced through prayer that God is in control, that His ways are right, and that their hearts' desire is to immediately obey His direction found in deep, life-changing prayer.
To continue in this kind of prayer, followed by abosolute obedience to the will of God, will then result in our hearing these words from the Master: "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21)

This time in prayer is a vital key...am still learning how important it is too...

 

[angelwind]

5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Doesn't this blow you away...I am just seeing this after 30 years as a believer...it is not about me and my strength...thank You Lord...

Also to be effective to share the gospel...even we women...the Lord showed me I was "killing" people with the word at the beginning of my walk...too much letter...too much law...instead of God's wonderful grace freely given to any who will believe in Jesus and ask for it at His throne of grace.

God wants us to have the kingdom...

 

[MadFingerPainter]

~Hugs for all of you~
Isn't it wonderful that even when the world around us may be a total mess, we have Him to turn to?

 

[angelwind]

~Hugs for all of you~
Isn't it wonderful that even when the world around us may be a total mess, we have Him to turn to?

I woke up thinking of this verse...we have our own security force:

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him,
and delivers them.
Psalm 34:7​

 

[Savedsis]

This time in prayer is a vital key...am still learning how important it is too...

Me too...God bless

 

[EarthMomma]

I woke up thinking of this verse...we have our own security force:

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him,
and delivers them.

Psalm 34:7​

May the Holy Spirit keep us ever mindful of the presence of the Lord, who delivers us!

 

[BLUEEYEANGEL]

~Hugs for all of you~
Isn't it wonderful that even when the world around us may be a total mess, we have Him to turn to?

Praise God.
I thank God we have this.

As I was praying this morning,
Seeing how this ole world is about to fall.
Heart broken for the lost,
But rejoicing I know my Jesus,
My Lord of Lord and King of kings.

he is the best insurance one could have.
woooohooo
may

 

[BLUEEYEANGEL]

~Hugs for all of you~
Isn't it wonderful that even when the world around us may be a total mess, we have Him to turn to?

Praise God.
I thank God we have this.

As I was praying this morning,
Seeing how this ole world is about to fall.
Heart broken for the lost,
But rejoicing I know my Jesus,
My Lord of Lord and King of kings.

he is the best insurance one could have.
woooohooo
may you