“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,
with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
(Ephesians 4:30)
To avoid sin only because of its self-destructive
consequences is to create a me-centered Gospel.
The main reason we should not sin
is because it grieves the heart of God.
And a wonderful way to celebrate Valentine’s Day
would be to walk in the Grace He has given us (1 Corinthians 10:13)
and resist temptation because we love Jesus so much!
The mind is a canvas. And it takes discernment (and patient practice) to know who is painting on it… us, or the culture or the enemy or God. Not all thoughts we have are from us (and many of our own thoughts are…uh..not that helpful). We cannot afford to be passive as we meander through our brains. We have to be aware and disciplined, and to know the difference between the stuff in our heads and the Word of God:
“…we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
(2 Corinthians 10:5)
“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.
To Him be the glory forever! Amen.”
(Romans 11:36)
Jesus, help us to break free from our own gravity today
(all our inner monologues, desires, plans, distractions
and self-absorption) and to revolve around You.
“You are the LIGHT of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a LAMP and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your LIGHT SHINE before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)
HAPPY NEW DAY, MY FELLOW SHINY ONES!!!
Further up and further in!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
I was driving the other day and really wanted to hear from God. I said to Him “God please speak to me!” And immediately my eyes landed on this mural and I felt the Presence of God.
My dear brothers and sisters, don’t step back from the good PROMISES God has given you. If you never quit, you never will lose! Because in the fullness of time, He will fulfill what He has promised you!
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)
“For he [Abraham] was looking forward to the City with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” (Hebrews 11:10)
Abraham enjoyed many blessings and accomplished many great things while being “present” and living on this planet. But he never allowed these blessings or activities to beguile him or divert his attention from his true destiny. He knew that this place was not his home.
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'” (Revelation 21:1-4)
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your TREASURE is, there your HEART will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
May the fruit of our lives matter in eternity.
CARPE AETERNITAS!!!
“This Child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many…” (Luke 2:34)
Revolutions are always messy. Ever wonder why the PRINCE OF PEACE came and died for the sins of the world and still there is much turmoil and lack of PEACE in the world? That’s because He did not come to bring unconditional PEACE. It was a specific type of PEACE that He offered — and not a utopian, world-wide, political PEACE. His PEACE is only for those who are willing to make PEACE with God.
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth PEACE to men on whom His favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)
“PEACE I leave with you; My PEACE I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” (John 14:27)
Promoting or pursuing any kind of PEACE is good — but the PEACE Jesus is talking about is the kind of PEACE we must primarily labor for and lead people to — not a temporal, passing PEACE, but an eternal, unshakable PEACE.
“Blessed are the PEACEmakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
loon watchman 