Amen!

“Sharing in his death by our baptism means that we were co-buried and entombed with him, so that when the Father’s glory raised Christ from the dead, we were also raised.” (Rom6:4) God has not raised us up so we will live like we are still dead. No! We no longer live in sin.

God’s purposes have prevailed in my life. Father may I give myself life to You with abandon. Thank you for the soul rest/fulfillment You have given me this retreat. It’s come in unexpected ways, but that’s You God!

“‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner.’ But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business.” (Mat22:4-5) Are you attentive to His invitation this day? The Kingdom of heaven is not about a 1 and done. Enter His feast.

The claim of being a Christian does not gain entry into heaven. The only right standing is through Jesus Christ & trust in His sacrifice. Many say, ‘I was born Christian,’ or ‘my family is Christian.’ Not enough. See John 8:33-37

“Then Jesus said to those Judeans who had believed him, ‘If you continue to follow my teaching, you are really my disciples.’ ‘We are descendants of Abraham,’ they replied.” (Jhn 8:31-33) One is not a follower of Jesus (Christian) because of their lineage.

“They answered him, ‘Abraham is our father!’ Jesus replied, ‘If you are Abraham’s children, you would be doing the deeds of Abraham.’” (Jhn 8:39) One is not in right standing w/ God based on their spiritual heritage. A godly family is not a ticket in. Jesus and Jesus alone.

“You cannot accept my teaching. You people are from your father the devil, and you want to do what your father desires. Whenever he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies.” (Jhn8:43-44) What we do reveals what we believe.

“You are not forgotten, for you have been chosen and destined by Father God. The Holy Spirit has set you apart to be God’s holy ones…” (1Pe 1:2) I need these words. My intellect and my feelings don’t always align. At times I feel as if I’m pushing on toward godliness alone.

“If Christ is not alive, you are still lost in your sins and your faith is a fantasy.” (1Co 15:17)

Think about 1 Peter 1:1-2! Peter is telling his readers that through a deliberate plan made before time began God orchestrated every event that would lead up to His choosing you.  In other words He said, ‘I’m moving you to the front of the line, you are my first string player.’

“We are so activity oriented that we assume we were saved for a task we are to perform rather than for a relationship to enjoy.” #ExperiencingGod

“Compromise doesn’t stay small—it multiplies!” Amen to that. Little by little takes us to places we never imagined we could go.

Let’s talk about Abraham and Sarah trying to help God out by arranging a child for Abraham. Not God‘s plan for the Messiah of mankind, but God used it in the eyes of Hagar. God was glorified and the descendants from that line were as the sands of the sea.

“Like so many of our persecuted Christian brothers and sisters, the most powerful part of Mariatu’s story and the other stories in this magazine is not their commitment to Christ at any cost, but their willingness to forgive.” Living in the Kingdom is FAR more than bearing up.