October 26, 2008

WOW!!  Too often we try to change our behavior without changing our beliefs. It doesn't work that way. We must change our beliefs before we can make significant changes in our behavior. Nothing will change your behavior more than a true knowledge of God and who you are as His child. And this is exactly what we have been studying about on Sunday mornings.

We started the morning by reading Romans 8:9-14 to examine some statements that indicate that every believer whom truly believes on the name of Jesus has received the Holy Spirit. What Paul is telling us that a believer can have two “dispositions” (minds): we can lean toward the things of the flesh and be a carnal Christian (carnal means of the flesh) who is at enmity with God; or we can be inclined towards the things of the Spirit, be a spiritual Christian, and have a life with some peace. The carnal mind cannot please God; only the Spirit working in and through us can please God.

Due to this being our “Friend Ship Sunday” we had to cut our time together short and move on with the mornings festivities’. So please come and join us this Sunday as we continue to study about the Holy Spirit.

Please consider this your personal invitation to come and join us as we will share and encourage each other with what the word of God tells us. For those whom are a part of this study we will continue on, on page 43, #7. Thanks for being a part of this study and we will see you at 10:00am.

Think about this……….. You Are God's Pumpkin

Consider what God’s word has to say……………….1 Corinthians 1:30-31………But of him are ye in Christ  Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

For most of the country, the crisp cool air of autumn is upon us.  A sure sign of autumn is that Christmas decorations are popping up everywhere in retail stores. Halloween costumes and disguises are sold out from shops as trick-or-treaters are ready to take over the streets.  A popular symbol of both harvest time and Halloween is the pumpkin.   I was thinking recently that being a Christian is a lot like being a pumpkin.  Perhaps you are visualizing this orange, round vegetable and wondering how you could ever be compared to one of these squashes!  Simply put, like a child chooses a pumpkin to carve and mold an image upon, so God carves and molds His own unique design in you.

The Scriptures tell us that the Lord chooses us.  He lifts us up and washes the dirt from our skin.  Then he opens us, connecting deep inside to scoop out all the slimy, yucky stuff, including seeds of doubt, spite, lies, fear, etc.  Then He carves a new creation, and makes our faces shine by putting His light inside for all to see.

Sometimes do you feel like I don’t want my light to shine because I am ashamed of a thought or action or pattern in my life.  I try to hide the light Christ has put in me, and blend in with the crowd.  What we sometime forget is that when God carved us, created us, and gave me His Son, we no longer had to count on our own strength.  We can count on the Lord’s.  It is He who washes me clean; it is He who gives me a spirit of strength and perseverance; it is He who makes me pure; it is He who frees me from sin; and it is He who gives me hope.  When we realize that my part of the equation is to rely on His strength and power, then we can do as Scriptures say, and shine His light through the power of the Holy Spirit.
 
What starts as an everyday squash turns into a lantern of light.  What starts as an everyday person turns into a beacon of hope for all to see.  At times, it is hard to imagine that we can be cleansed through Jesus.  As the Scripture says, Christ has made us right with God.  He has purified us and freed us from sin.  Through our union with Christ, we are given the light and wisdom of the Holy Spirit who enters and dwells in our lives.  It is He who picked you out and carved you just the way He wants you.  So make sure you keep your lantern lit for all to see What sins are in your life that you need to release and allow the Lord to scoop out for you?

JESUS Simply Amazing!!

Rember to keep your eyes focused on the words in His manual, His "BIBLE" and your life will never be the same! Don't quit. Don't panic. Don't give up. Press on and be a finisher. Do the work God has called you to do, and see what happens when you reach for the things that are ahead.

I am Praying for God's Blessings for YOU!