Freedom of Choice

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Freedom of Choice

5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.Romans 2:5-8

We, citizens of the United States of America cherish our independence. We scream out to anyone who will listen, we have the right to make our own decisions. To decide for ourselves what to do with our lives. We aren't so ecstatic about accepting responsibility for our actions. We behave as if we live in a vacuüm where our decisions and behaviors only affect ourselves.  God, through the writer of the book of Romans, agrees with at least part of that assertion.  We do indeed have the right to pursue any course of action we wish. We have the freedom do to do evil or do good. We have the freedom to persist in any action we choose. The only point of disagreement is that God will indeed hold you responsible for your actions. There will be a day of judgment, and you will be paid for what you have earned. Some to eternal life with God some to eternal judgment by God. We have the right to choose but with that freedom comes an inescapable consequence. Choose wisely whom you will serve.

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The Corridors of Death

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The Corridors of Death

“They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.” Romans 1:29-32 NIV

Every generation has claimed this verse as their own. Every generation comes up with more vile and despicable ways to sin. We have chosen to ignore the word of God and have created our own righteousness. We have traded the righteousness of God for the sinful nature of Man. We ignore the promises of God. What promises?  One day you will stand before God and answer to Him. It is an inescapable reality. If you are identified in this verse and are unrepentant and you claim independence from God, God you will grant your claim. You will have to defend yourself against the righteousness God of. You will not have another advocate. You will have to defend yourself through your independence. It will be your word against God. Your unrighteousness against the righteousness of God. There is no way that your rebellion against God will bring you the blessings of God. There is no way that your evil, sinful expression can bring you victory or peace. There is no way the sinful heart will see deliverance. It is illogical, impossible for you to expect good to come from evil. Evil begets evil, and the sum of that life is death apart from God. The end of your life will not arrive at the peace of non-existence. Your end will be the permanent justice of God. Repent, remove yourself from the corridors of death.

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One Day

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One Day

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. Psalm 84:10

Somewhere along the life of Christianity, we've allowed the devil to upstage this reality. I have lived the life the devil has to offer I have received the best he has, I know the lies he has perpetrated against us. It is better to enter into the kingdom God and be as far away from his presence as possible and still receive his glory. Than to be in the center of the devil's demise.  We've allowed the lies of the enemy to be sold as truth and accepted as desirable accomplishments. 

Our country our world is in the shape, it is in because we have allowed the lies of the enemy to be sold as truths.  There isn't anything the enemy has sold us that compares to being in the presence of God.  All the world's accomplishments combined can not equate to being in the presence of God.  not even for an instant.

God's presence is where you are fulfilled to overflowing. It is where you will find love, peace, joy, happiness. It is where you will be filled with the water of life, and you'll never be thirsty again. Today, now these things are available to those who choose Christ. You can have a meaningful, purposeful and joyous life now. You can have the love, security and the companionship of God now, here today. You can have everything that makes life worth living. You can experience the presence of God.

Then when we are in His permanent presence when He dwells with man. There will be no more war, famine, hate, disease. No more lack, hurt, loss, exclusion, rejection, loneliness or empty promises. You will have security, peace, love, and acceptance. You will be washed and cleansed from the filth of sin.  You will be given a new perfect body. You will share in His glory.

We need to turn the tide of evil and let the world know, God has a better way, a better life. Instead of selling the world the lies of the devil we need to give them the truth of the joy of living the life of Christ. It is better to live life in the love of Christ than to live the life of lust and lost without Christ. We have a much better life to live here and now and into eternity, Far better than anything the devil has ever offer. If we show the world what it is like to live one day in His courts, we will revolutionize the world. 

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Promises of God

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Promises of God.

15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” Psalms 50:15

The bible is resplendent with promises of God that are as wonderful as this one. The question occupying my mind is. Am I putting myself in a position to receive the promises of God? Am I fulfilling the condition? The promises of God are not intended to be inspirational or uplifting they are to be lived. We cannot be the recipients of Gods promises if we don't expect Him to honor them, or if we don't fulfill the conditions. The promises of God are active and alive. but if we don't engage them, they will be fruitless in our lives. If we don't call on Him in the day of trouble, He can't deliver us. If we don't fulfill the conditions, the promise is void. How different would our lives be if we knew the promises of God? Then set out to fulfill the requirements.

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For all Generations

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For all Generations

18 Let this be recorded for a generation to come,

so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord:

19 that he looked down from his holy height;

from heaven the Lord looked at the earth,

20 to hear the groans of the prisoners,

to set free those who were doomed to die,

21 that they may declare in Zion the name of the Lord,

and in Jerusalem his praise, Psalms 102:18-21

 

From Genesis to Revelation the theme never changes. God is redeeming His people. His plan of redemption is expressed for all generations to see.  For all people and nations to come to freedom and life.  He's never wavered, His redemption plan has never changed it has always been the same. He has heard your cry. He desires to set you free. He wants to save you. You will praise Him for your salvation.

The most unfortunate of prisoners is the one that does not know that he is a prisoner.  Daily people you know are groaning and moaning about their lives. They live lives of not so quiet desperation. Looking in all the wrong place for release of the bondage that is holding them. Not aware that they are in bondage. Freedom is knowing that the creator of all things is with you every step of the way. He will never leave you. He will be there with you for the battles of your life and the victories there in.  He will be your shield and deliverer. He will be your ever present help in times of trouble, and He will not change. 

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You Have Not Seen Him

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You Have Not Seen Him

⁸ Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 1 Peter 1:8 (ESV)

We can't see Him, we can't have a physical relationship with Him. We believe in Him because of the evidence of His existence and His presence in our lives. We see Him clearly through our spiritual eyes we know him intimately through the Holy Spirit. His Spirit in us.  This verse, concept, idea is foreign to the rest of the world. The world can't know Him or have an intimate relationship with Him. They have not been born again they have not been born of the spirit. The world may know of Him, about Him but they can not comprehend Him because they have no direct access to Him. They live in a land without the bridge call faith. Which would allow them to traverse the divide that will bring them from the land of darkness to the light. We who know Him live in inexpressible joy because of the promises He has fulfilled in our lives. We live believing in the promises He will fulfill in eternity.  We rejoice because He has brought us out of the valley of darkness to the mountaintop of light.  Because He has claimed us, and no one can take us from His hand. We rejoice because He first loved us. We who are born of the spirit know that His promised are unstoppable and can't be unfulfilled. We know that He is our assurance of victory through all life's trials and tribulations. We know that whatever we may lose in this life is of no value compared to the inestimable value of living eternally with Him.  We rejoice because the war is won and we are on the victor's side.

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Citizenship

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Citizenship 

“Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.” Philippians 1:27 

Being a citizen of heaven is quite extraordinary. Not just anyone will be allowed citizenship. It is a unique honor and blessing to be a citizen of heaven.  One of the peculiarities of being a citizen of heaven is that you can't earn, buy it or in some way acquire it. You can only receive it. You can not wish, pray, push, work or pull someone into heaven. Every citizen accepted the gift of salvation God provided through His Son Jesus.  Having received citizenship, we unite in the battle waged for humanity.  Citizenship is free, but it is not without responsibility.  We become aware of our responsibility to share the Good News that is Christ Jesus with the rest of the world. Though sharing the Good News, it is not a rule. The Good News of Jesus compels us and motivates us to fulfill our responsibility.

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He Could Not Change

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He Could Not Change.

See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.
Hebrews 12:16‭-‬17

These are sobering verses. “He could not change what he had done." We are taught in Christian circles that there is always redemption for our sin. That we can always return to God and he will accept us. I look at these scriptures and others and find this endless claim of redemption not to be so. I believe there is a point where God will not call or hear you. A time when he will say, I will leave you to your own devices. I will not intercede on your behalf. We do harm to those who have assimilated this belief from us. We need to inform them that the patience of God is not limitless. That there is a time in a person's life when God will not hear their cry of repentance. We need to instill the reality of the fear of God back into our lives as well as the lives of those around us. I am not referring to the reverence of God I referring to bone shaking fear of God. The ultimate judgment of God is in deed something to be feared.

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Shedding Of Blood

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Shedding Of Blood. 

22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Hebrews 9:22

Though we are no longer under the law, our salvation is dependent on the shedding of Christ's blood. The crucifixion of Christ fulfills the requirements of the law. The law required the blood of a perfect innocent lamb for the forgiveness of sin. Christ became that perfect innocent lamb for us. Without Christ's sacrifice, you are inextricably intertwined with sin. It is impossible for you to remove it from your life. Since you can not extricate yourself from sin. You are bound to it, and it is the master of your life, you are its slave. Freedom comes from forgiveness not from a statement of independence. The blood of Christ is the only thing that has the power to separate you from your sin. Only through the washing away of sin by the blood of Christ will you ever be forgiven. You can be free from your sin master when you have been cleansed by the blood of Christ.

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"Strangers on Earth"

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"Strangers on Earth"

“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.” Hebrews 11:13 NIV

Though this verse is speaking of the patriarchs of the Old Testament, it is also talking about us. We are the people who must live by faith. We can only see the promises from a distance. We cannot take hold of eternity of our own volition or in our own power. But we see it, taste it, expect it as a reality waiting to be materialized. By faith we see the New Earth and the New Jerusalem being birth in a place outside our present existence. Our place our eternal home where we will no longer be foreigners in a land not our own. We are citizens of the City of God.

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Love Your Enemies

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Love Your Enemies

⁴⁴ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:44

This is one of those really difficult scriptures.  We usually read this type of scripture gloss over it and move on. This is without a doubt contrary to our nature. What we would have preferred Jesus to say was something like hate your enemies. Because that would have been consistent with our nature. Have you ever considered what would happen if God were to bless our enemies? God will not facilitate or be the provider of evil. In other words, the blessing of God must be consistent with His character. Which means one of two things must happen for your enemy to be blessed. Your enemies must repent and turn to God. Or it is you that are in the wrong, and you must repent to receive the blessing of God. God is not going to condone of facilitate the evil of your enemy. His grace would cause your enemy to turn from His wickedness. Loving your enemy exemplifies the love of Christ. Praying for them invokes the righteousness of God on their lives. Praying for your enemy opens the door for repentance and restoration in their lives. Which if they walk through, will inevitably lead to forgiveness and acceptance into Gods family. 

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Day of Disaster

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Day of Disaster

4 The Lord works out everything to its proper end—

even the wicked for a day of disaster. Proverbs 16:4 New International Version (NIV)

For those of you who think you are outside the will and plan of God. This is for you. This verse states two realities. The first is that no one is outside the plans of God. He will not waste anything you may not understand how it all comes together, but God does. Secondly, the wicked will be used by God to accomplish His purpose. It does not say He created the wicked it says He will use the wicked. God knows you, He knows everything about you. If you think that you are beyond His reach that you are beyond anything He can do you are wrong.  There is no side line in the journey of life you are in the game you can't opt out. You are going to be used by God for His purposes. Make no mistake God is going to use you, and it will always be to His glory. The only choice you have is if you are going to be saved and glorified by Him. Or will you be condemned and cursed by Him?

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Once For All

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Once For All 

27 And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, 28 so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. Hebrews 9:27-28

In the history of events past and future, this happened once. It will never happen again.  Christ was offered for all humanity, but not all of humanity will be accepted. It says "many people" not all people. This sacrifice will not apply to those who decide to stand for judgment based on their own merit. It is like going to trial with no attorney, against the most successful prosecutor of all time. And he has the truth of your crime fully exposed. You will not stand a chance. Let Christ's sacrifice be what takes away your sin so that you may be one of the many. 

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Called

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Called

9 For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:9

Since before the beginning of time, God had set into motion all that was necessary for you to hear His call.   Before the foundation of the world, God had established a plan of salvation. Whereby we could live with Him. He knew what would happen before you were born. He orchestrated events so you would be in the right place at the most opportune time in your life to hear His call. If that is not amazing enough He did it all without violating your free will.  He calls us to live a holy life the best life a life we can't find on our own. This holy life is not diminished by the absence of sin it. Is enhanced by the purity of righteousness.  The fulfillment of the plan was completed through grace by His Son Jesus Christ.  

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Shrink Back

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Shrink Back 

39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. Hebrews 10:39

To which do you belong? Seems like a silly question. If you've shrunk back, you probably wouldn't be reading this.  And if you belong to those of faith you would not need this.  Why then is it in the bible? Because there are those of us, who are teetering on our faith.  Those who are standing at the door of belief, not fully committed to entering. This is for those who are struggling to completely commit to the truth. I would like you to notice there is not a third option. You shrink back you will be destroyed, you believe you will be saved. This is not a profound theological concept, it is straightforward, believe and be saved doubt and die. Not making a choice is a choice that will lead to death. You cannot straddle the fence on this one. God does not allow it. 

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Realities of Heaven

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 Realities of Heaven

 

1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Colossians 3:1

 

What are the realities of heaven?  It is the dwelling of God, Father Son, and Holy Spirit. No more death, disease, infirmity or pain. Peace, joy, and happiness are its foundation. Completeness, wholeness is the standard of life. Lack will not exist. Love received without impediment.  No enemy that can taunt, assail or kill. No conflict, war or discord. Worship and praise are unhindered or obstructed.  The fullness of God is ever-present. Jesus our Lord rules. Our eyes, ears, and minds opened and unfettered by the veil of sin. We will live in truth, free from the threat of sin. We will be cleansed from the stench of sin. We will be free.  Our minds will be opened, and we will understand the justice, love, and forgiveness of God. 

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Listen to My Voice

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Listen to My Voice

6 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. John 10:6

Not of the sheep pen. Though no one likes to think of themselves as sheep. This is the analogy that Jesus uses in describing humanity. The thing about sheep is they are pretty much defenseless. They don't have large horns. They do not own superior speed they are not particularly fierce, and they're  easily led. When you think about the analogy, it sticks pretty well.  Spiritually speaking that is who we are. We are naked and blind in a spiritual world most don't even recognize. We are lead about by any ideology that suits our fancy. We will follow anyone that appears to have an intelligent idea even if we don't understand it. 

Jesus came to save, protect and defend the sheep. His intent is to provide for those who follow Him. His sheep will listen to His voice. Why? Because it is a voice, we know. It is the voice of God that is within you that has always been with you. It is the breath of God breathed into you that gave you life. It is the essence of who you are, and you already recognize it. It is a voice that you will know because it is part of you. The part that only understands the truth. The part of you that yearns to reconnect with the God that created you. It is the voice of God singular and clear that cuts to your very soul. It is the only voice that can touch the deepest recesses of your heart. It is the only voice that can fill the emptiness of your soul. And He the great Shepherd wants to take you home.

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Piercing The Veil

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3 If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. 4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT

The Good News of Jesus Christ is veiled by the deception and distortion of Satan. It can't be heard by the ears of those "who are perishing." Yet, we were all deceived before we believed. We all had a distorted ideology before the light of Christ came into our lives. Not all the lost need to remain lost. Not all who are presently deceived must remain deceived. Not everyone needs to perish. Not all are deaf, blind or permanently deceived. We must present the light of Christ which pierces the veil. Offer the Good News that clears distortion that afflicts the mind of Man.  We must be after the "lost sheep."

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Slave to Sin - Righteous to Life

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Slave to Sin - Righteous to Life 

16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. Romans 6:16

You can't live in limbo land. In a place free safe from consequences. There will be consequences for your actions. The consequences will either be beneficial to you or detrimental to you.  If you don't know it, you are eternal because the spirit of God in you is eternal. You cannot cease to exist.  The consequences of your action are not limited to this side of your existence.  The results of your actions will have permanent repercussions on your life. Which will continue after the end of this consciousness.  Death is not the cessation of life it is the permanent separation from God.  The slave you choose to be will determine your destination for eternity. Either you will live with God or separated from God. Where nothing good or perfect can exist.

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A Generation to Come

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A Generation to Come

18 Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord. Psalms 102:19

Was it recorded for us? This verse can't be regarding Israel. As Israel already existed when it was written so it could not be "a people yet to be created." What other people claim the God of Abraham Issac and Jacob? (Exodus 3:15) Christians are the only other people in the world that call on the great "I Am." We the adopted children of God are that people, we are that generation. We were created that we may praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.

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Set Us Free

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Set Us Free 

1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

Christ has set us free from the bondage of sin. Freedom is not the absence of law or the exemption  from obeying an established set of principles. Freedom is the absence of debt. Christ has liberated us from the debt of sin. We are instructed not to enslave ourselves to the debt of sin. Sin is not without cost and the debt must be paid. The price of sin is not one that you can pay, you do not have the resources. Christ has, and He has made full payment for you. Accept your account as paid in full and sin no more.

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