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Showing posts with the label Christ

Fix Your Gaze

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Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. — 1 Peter 4:12-13 (NLT) No matter what the current set of circumstances may be, we can continue to rejoice. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18 NKJV) For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. (2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NLT) And remember, our Heavenly Father is faithful to deliver the rig...

Our Weapons

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The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ, — 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (AMP) May we renew our minds with the Word of God and cast down every argument and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. Our weapon is the Word of God. (See Ephesians 6:17) ...Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in...

Stay in Perfect Peace

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You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength. — Isaiah 26:3-4 (NKJV) Experience constant peace as you let your thoughts focus on the LORD and His goodness, and mercy. Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always]. (Colossians 3:15 AMP) Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace at all times and in every way [that peace and spiritual well-being that comes to those who walk with Him, regardless of life’s circumstances]. The Lord be with you all. (2 Thessalonians 3:16 AMP) Amen.

Remain in His Teaching

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 “Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son.” — 2 John 1:9 (NLT) Remain in the teaching of Christ and “…guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge” —which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you. Amen. (See 1 Timothy 6:20-21 NASB1995) May we be like Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what He taught. (See Luke 10:39) And be sure to also put it into practice. In Luke 11:28 (NLT) Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”

A Gift from God

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“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.” — Ephesians 2:8 (NLT) Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. (Ephesians 2:1 NLT) All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. (Ephesians 2:3 NLT) In those days you were living apart from Christ. You lived in this world without God and without hope. (See Ephesians 2:12) But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) (Ephesians 2:4-5 NLT) But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:13 NLT) Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now...

"Are You the One?"

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And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” — Matthew 11:2-3 (NKJV) In Matthew 3:16-17, John the Baptist baptized Yeshua and heard the voice of the Father say: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” What caused him to doubt? Know that Yeshua is the Messiah, the one and only Savior of the world. Never let difficult circumstances cause you to doubt. Yeshua is the only way, the only truth, and the only life. (See John 14:6) We don’t need to look for anyone else. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. — John 3:16-17 (NKJV)

Victory is Ours

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“No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” — Romans 8:37 (NLT) Praise Yahweh that despite all these things (troubles, trials, temptations, the storms of life, etc.), we are more than conquerors through Christ. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4 NKJV) For everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—our [continuing, persistent] faith [in Jesus the Son of God]. (1 John 5:4 AMP) …thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57 NKJV) And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.  — Revelation 12:11 (NASB1995)

Know Him for Yourself

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Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.” — John 4:42 (NKJV) In John 4:7, a woman of Samaria came to draw water when Jesus started a conversation with her. Little did she know it was a meeting that would change the trajectory of her life forever. After having a conversation with Jesus, the woman left her waterpot, went into the city, and said to the men, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” Then they went out of the city and came to Him. (See John 4:28-30) And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. And many more believed because of His own word. (See John 4:39-41) We should not rely on what others tell us about...

Rejoicing in Hope

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constantly rejoicing in hope [because of our confidence in Christ], steadfast and patient in distress, devoted to prayer [continually seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength], — Romans 12:12 (AMP) Let us constantly rejoice in the hope we have in Christ. This hope [this confident assurance] we have as an anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whatever pressure bears upon it]—a safe and steadfast hope that enters within the veil [of the heavenly temple, that most Holy Place in which the very presence of God dwells], (Hebrews 6:19 AMP) Don't drift and have no doubt, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. (See James 1:6) Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. (1 Timothy 1:19 NLT) Continually seek God's wisdom and guidance and draw your strength from Him.

Be Led by the Head

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God placed all things under Messiah’s feet and appointed Him as head over all things for His community — — Ephesians 1:22 (TLV) ...[in His love] God chose us in Christ [actually selected us for Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight… (See Ephesians 1:4 AMP) …we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. (Romans 12:5 NKJV) We have been chosen and called by God, with a purpose and good plans. We are complete in Him who is the head of all principality and power. (See Colossians 2:10 NKJV) Let us be led by Christ, the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. (See Ephesians 5:23) So I, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to you to live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called [that is, to live a life that exhibits godly character, moral courage, personal integrity, and mature behavior—a life that...

His Great Love

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...God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),  — Ephesians 2:4-5 (NASB1995) See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God! (See 1 John 3:1 NASB1995) …may you, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love, be fully capable of comprehending with all the saints (God’s people) the width and length and height and depth of His love [fully experiencing that amazing, endless love];  (See Ephesians 3:17-18 AMP)  “Live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God’s love. Be convinced that his love will triumph over death, life’s troubles, fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken his love. There is no power above us or beneath us—no power that could eve...

Ambassadors for Christ

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Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. — 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (NASB1995) …we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18 AMP) May we be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom we appear as lights in the world, (See Philippians 2:15 NASB1995). And as Christ’s representatives here on earth, let us implore others to be reconciled to God through Christ. I will rejoice greatly in Yahweh; my soul will rejoice in my God, for He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of ...

There is No Other

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And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” — Matthew 11:2-3 (NKJV) John the Baptist baptized Yeshua. In John 1:15 (NASB), he testified about Him. And in Matthew 3:17 (NKJV), he was there when the Father’s voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” What caused him to doubt if Yeshua was really the One? Did being imprisoned lead him to question the validity of what he previously knew to be true? James 1:6 says: he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (See James 1:8)  Never let your current circumstances, no matter how dismal, lead you down the path of questioning the truth (the Word of God). When it feels like our enemy has you confined, knowing the truth will set you free. (See John 8:32) We do not have to look for another. Yeshua is the One a...

Be Empowered

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In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. — Ephesians 6:10 (AMP) Our strength comes from our union with Yeshua. Apart from Him we can do nothing. (See John 15:5) Christ lives in us. Let us abide in Him. He empowers us to be all that our heavenly Father created us to be. Galatians 2:20 (NKJV) says: I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Yeshua brings healing and wholeness into our lives. Psalms 107:19-20 (NKJV) says: Then  they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

Christ Lives In You

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This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. — Colossians 1:26-27 (NLT) Colossians 1:27 (TPT) says: This mystery of Christ, embedded within us, becomes a heavenly treasure chest of hope filled with the riches of glory for his people, and God wants everyone to know it!  “Now wherever you go, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And teach them to faithfully follow all that I have commanded you. And never forget that I am with you every day, even to the completion of this age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 TPT) Amen.

Have the Mind of Christ

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For who has known the mind and purposes of the Lord, so as to instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ [to be guided by His thoughts and purposes]. — 1 Corinthians 2:16 (AMP) Yeshua was obedient to the point of death. He was always about the Father's business. May we imitate Christ. Romans 12:2 (TPT) says: Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes. Instead of copying the behavior and customs of this world, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires. (See Romans 13:14 NLT) Following the current culture will take you down a dark, dead-end road that leads to destruction and death. For the ways of the LORD are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thought...

Win-Win

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“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” — Philippians 1:21 (NASB1995) We cannot lose in our relationship with Christ.Whether we live or die, it is a win-win situation. May we count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord. Even if we suffer the loss of all things, let us count them but rubbish so that we may gain Christ. (See Philippians 3:8 NASB1995) Revelation 12:11 says: And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. Do not love your life or this world more than you love Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior, Who gave His life for us.

Made Right

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For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. — 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NLT) Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. (See Ephesians 2:13) Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. (Romans 5:2 NLT) Now that we have been granted access to our heavenly Father, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, let us draw near to our loving and gracious God and stay close to Him at all times. Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen. (Jude 1:24-25 N...

Be Devoted

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She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” — Luke 10:39-40 NASB1995) This world offers many things that will distract us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. (See Hebrews 12:2) Martha was worried and bothered about so many things, but Jesus told her: “...only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Don’t let your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. (See 2 Corinthians 11:3 NASB1995)

Hold Fast

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…Christ is faithful as a Son over His [Father’s] house. And we are His house if we hold fast our confidence and sense of triumph in our hope [in Christ]. — Hebrews 3:6 (AMP) Let us not grow weary or discouraged. For we [believers] have become partakers of Christ [sharing in all that the Messiah has for us], if only we hold firm our newborn confidence [which originally led us to Him] until the end,  (Hebrews 3:14 AMP) Never let go of the hope that is set before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. (Hebrews 6:19 NLT) This hope [this confident assurance]… cannot slip and it cannot break down under whatever pressure bears upon it. (See Hebrews 6:19 AMP) Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. (See 1 Corinthians 16:13)