ISDAMan
03-31-00, 10:52 PM
I pray that all is well with you all as we start this weeks FNS. I’m glad to be here though, somehow, Friday seems to have rushed up upon me. I have to admit that I’ve needed increased study this week. I’m glad for this time that I have to reflect upon the things of God. I’d also just like to take this time to remind everyone to look back every day and see the things that God has done for you. Don’t forget to look back and see the things that He has done that you did not even deserve. Be that way with others as He is with you. Love them anyway!
<< Read Verses 1-10 >>
You know, when a new movie comes out, we commonly see previews of the up and coming feature. Not only that. We are bombarded with a litany of tales regarding the plot of the movie. Now, the amazing thing is that God has this huge project of His own and He has plastered the Earth with previews too. The plot is a fantastic one. By no power of their own, God has set aside a people in righteousness though they were lost in unrighteousness. Not only that. He also uses those people to call others to righteousness. One of the most amazing thins is that you and I are the previews. When others want to see what it’s like to be a Christian, they look for a review. The choices they make are largely dependent upon the clips we are showing. We need to be careful that we are broadcasting Godliness at all times. There is also a message in this passage that we should not despair in that the world does not want to tune into our broadcast or even wants to shut it down. The fact is that God is doing things behind the seen that we often do not know. Let’s be firm in our hearts to share God’s grace. Vengeance belongs to the Lord and there is little need, if ever, to pray for it. We need to remember that we, being in God’s army, are to carry just one weapon. The weapon is the Word of God. We’ll do well to remember that it is a weapon of grace and liberation from sin and damnation.
<< Read Verses 11-36 >>
Now, part of the plot of this grand show of Love shows how God shared His grace with outsiders and made them insiders. Those that were supposed to be the insiders from the start, they will see, by the work that God does with those that had been outsiders, the riches of God’s grace. By the way, let me tell you. Jealousy works! That’s how my mother came to Christ. She was jealous over the relationship I had with those at church and wanted to come just to see what the heck was going on there. God can raise up a bountiful crop from even the most unlikely seeds. To us, the seed may look worthless. To God, all that seed needs is someone to care for it. In the same way, to us, we may think highly of others or ourselves. Never ever do that. When your eyes are not firmly fixed upon God, it’s easy to loose perspective. Highmindedness can cause a good man an eternity in Hell. Why? Your goodness on the outside does not matter. You are either for God or against God. Just because you grow up with Gods people and act like God’s people does not make you one of God’s people. Your relationship with Christ is the key. If you are found to be not of God, you will be cut off. Your good works will do you no good. Not only that. If you want to be used of God to bring others to the Christ that was promised and did come, you must keep in perspective the things that we read in the last five verses of this chapter. What are you doing? Why are you doing it? What do you hope to gain? What makes you think you’ll succeed? Are you working within the plot of God’s grand show? It’s a movie called “GRACE”!
Peace & Love,
ISDAMan
<< Read Verses 1-10 >>
You know, when a new movie comes out, we commonly see previews of the up and coming feature. Not only that. We are bombarded with a litany of tales regarding the plot of the movie. Now, the amazing thing is that God has this huge project of His own and He has plastered the Earth with previews too. The plot is a fantastic one. By no power of their own, God has set aside a people in righteousness though they were lost in unrighteousness. Not only that. He also uses those people to call others to righteousness. One of the most amazing thins is that you and I are the previews. When others want to see what it’s like to be a Christian, they look for a review. The choices they make are largely dependent upon the clips we are showing. We need to be careful that we are broadcasting Godliness at all times. There is also a message in this passage that we should not despair in that the world does not want to tune into our broadcast or even wants to shut it down. The fact is that God is doing things behind the seen that we often do not know. Let’s be firm in our hearts to share God’s grace. Vengeance belongs to the Lord and there is little need, if ever, to pray for it. We need to remember that we, being in God’s army, are to carry just one weapon. The weapon is the Word of God. We’ll do well to remember that it is a weapon of grace and liberation from sin and damnation.
<< Read Verses 11-36 >>
Now, part of the plot of this grand show of Love shows how God shared His grace with outsiders and made them insiders. Those that were supposed to be the insiders from the start, they will see, by the work that God does with those that had been outsiders, the riches of God’s grace. By the way, let me tell you. Jealousy works! That’s how my mother came to Christ. She was jealous over the relationship I had with those at church and wanted to come just to see what the heck was going on there. God can raise up a bountiful crop from even the most unlikely seeds. To us, the seed may look worthless. To God, all that seed needs is someone to care for it. In the same way, to us, we may think highly of others or ourselves. Never ever do that. When your eyes are not firmly fixed upon God, it’s easy to loose perspective. Highmindedness can cause a good man an eternity in Hell. Why? Your goodness on the outside does not matter. You are either for God or against God. Just because you grow up with Gods people and act like God’s people does not make you one of God’s people. Your relationship with Christ is the key. If you are found to be not of God, you will be cut off. Your good works will do you no good. Not only that. If you want to be used of God to bring others to the Christ that was promised and did come, you must keep in perspective the things that we read in the last five verses of this chapter. What are you doing? Why are you doing it? What do you hope to gain? What makes you think you’ll succeed? Are you working within the plot of God’s grand show? It’s a movie called “GRACE”!
Peace & Love,
ISDAMan