God's Promises through Generations

The good things in life are often the enemy of the best things in life. We pursue worldly gain and pleasures and reject God's free gifts of Salvation, love, mercy, peace and joy.

We relegate Jesus to a holy man or a good teacher, and we have no interest in living according to His principles. We reject the concept of the absolute truth of God's Word.

Living according to the lies of Satan and the dictates of the world, we are controlled by a false system of philosophies where we are each a god unto our self. We pride our self in doing things our own way.

Thankfully, the arrogance of our humanity diminishes for many people as we experience God's presence. We realize His power, His role as our Creator and His promises through the generations to return to establish His Kingdom on the earth.

We lay down our worldly pursuits and idols, and earnestly work in the calling He prepared for us before the foundation of the earth (Ephesians 2:10). He sets us free from the power of spiritual darkness in His Kingdom of light (Colossians 1:13).

God gives us His Spirit to dwell within us, and we enjoy fellowship with the Father and the Son. We receive His eternal promise of everlasting life, and His Spirit teaches us the truths of God's Word (1 John 2:24-27).

God reveals Himself to us by His Spirit and His Word. He gives us boldness to stand for Him in this sinful and perverse world in which we exist. We stand in faith in His faithfulness.

His presence in us is certain. He is our dwelling place for all time (Psalm 90:1-2). We behold His beauty, meditate in His temple and abide in the house of the Lord all the days of our life (Psalm 27:4). 

Prayer:

Father God, in these last day, Your grace keeps us close to You, wrapped in Your mercy and love, rocked in Your everlasting arms. We dwell in Your presence now and forevermore. You are our eternal hope of salvation, sanctification and glorification. We exalt Your name in righteousness and live in faithfulness to Your Word and Your Truth.

We praise You for Your generous works for the children of men and the promises You make and keep throughout every generation (Isaiah 25:1). Thank You that we are no longer slaves to sin, but partakers of Christ's righteousness; and for freeing us from the law of sin and death by the law of Your Spirit of life in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:2).

Thought for the Day:

Jesus Christ offers us His gift of rebirth, sanctification, His own presence within us and eventually glorification when we see Him as He is. - 1 John 3:2

God's Eternal Gifts

 

 

Salvation in Christ is a tremendous free gift, which includes many other gifts. Not only did Jesus save us from paying the penalty of our sins, but He also gave us eternal life and the right to live with Him in New Jerusalem (Romans 5:8, 6:23). This makes us children of almighty God and co-heirs with Jesus of all that our Father possesses (Ezekiel 36:25; Galatians 4:4, 5:19).

New Jerusalem is a city filled with many mansion-sized rooms and is a 1500-mile cube. Jesus went back to heaven in order to prepare this place, so that He can dwell physically throughout eternity with every authentic, Born Again Believer from all the ages (Hebrews 11:10-12:22; Revelation 3:12, 21:10). This city will come down from Heaven, and most likely be in the area of Jerusalem in the Middle East.

Until then, God gives us the gifts of Christ to dwell in us through His Holy Spirit (John 14:15-17), His Word to enlighten us (Psalm 119:105), and His Body of Believers to encourage us (1 Corinthians 12:27). God's Spirit speaks through an impression in our spirit to direct our every step through life, to comfort us and allow us to accomplish the work He created us to perform (Ephesians 2:10). We shall live as the bride of Christ forever (Isaiah 61:10; Revelation 21:9).

God provides for our every need (Psalm 55:22; 1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:19; 1 Peter 1:3), He liberally gives us His wisdom (James 1:5), and He comforts our soul through every trial in life, turning them around for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28). God collects our tears in a bottle and once His wrath is full, He will pour out His vengeance on a wicked earth full of those who rejected Him and persecuted His Saints (Psalm 56:8; Revelation 14:10).

Prayer:

Father God, You know how to give good gifts to those who ask You (James 1:17; Matthew 7:11). We are humbled by Your love for us now, and for Your provision for us even into eternity. You will restore to us the perfect environment, which You provided for Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). We will have immortal bodies, a never-dying soul and our spirit's connection with You (1 Corinthians 15:53; Luke 16:19-31 - his body was in the grave, his soul and spirit experienced hell). Help us to bring as many people into this same right standing with You as we can possibly reach during our lifetime. Help us to be a city set on hill, which allows Your light to shine though us (Matthew 5:14-16).

Thought for the Day:

The Kingdom of God has nothing to do with carnal pursuits, but everything to do with living righteously in the peace and joy of the Holy Spirit. - Romans 14:17

A Pampered Life

A visiting woman to our congregation said to me, "It is quite obvious that you have lived a pampered life." I was amazed that she would say that, but realized that since she does not know me, she was basing her assumption on the peace of God filling every cell in my body, soul and spirit - His peace, which transcends human understanding and shines from the inside out for all to see.

Through every trial, every physical infirmity and abuse, every physical and emotional rejection (1 Timothy 5:8; Malachi 2:14), and every moment of insecurity and fear through which I have lived, I have become a person who clings to and relies on Jesus Christ for my very life. I have not had a pampered life in the natural, but I can honestly agree with her that my Heavenly Father spoils me rotten.

Of course, many people endure hardships much greater than I have, and rise from them to live positive, productive lives without Christ; although, they are never completely fulfilled, because their spirit is still dead in sin. I owe the person that I am today to the sanctifying work of Christ in my life (Philippians 3:8). There is no good thing in me or in my character that did not come from God (Romans 7:18).

God replaced my melancholy personality with the fruit of His Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23); He taught me through experience that every trial is a seed for a miracle, which He will work out for my good (Romans 8:28); and He gave me the courage to trust in Him during times of abuse, abandonment and discouragement.

He showed me that my true identity is in Christ and not in my human personality and abilities (Colossians 1:27); He reminded me that we do not have to earn love, salvation or sanctification, because they are all free gifts from Him (Galatians 3:1-3); and twenty years ago, He gave me a wonderful husband who loves God more than he loves me, and loves me more than he loves himself. All things considered, I really am living a very pampered life!

Prayer:

Father God, I am humbled by Your love in my life. I am so glad that I have eternity to continue to sing praises to You for all that You have done, are doing and promise to do for me. Thank You for never leaving or forsaking me (Hebrews 13:5), and for teaching me to trust You in the good times and the bad, because You always turn everything around for my good (Romans 8:28). You shower me with blessings and prove to me all through the day that I am the apple of Your eye (Psalm 17:8; Zechariah 2:8) and that you cherish me as Your unique child (1 Peter 2:9). Help my testimony of Your goodness in my life to bring many to a saving knowledge of Your love in their life as well.

Thought for the Day:

God's presence in our life delights our soul - our thoughts, choices and feelings; heals our body; nurtures our spirit through each and every day that we dwell on this earth; and finally receives us unto Himself when we pass from this life to dwell in eternity with Him forever. - John 5:24