Tag: Jesus Christ

The Accursed Things

~ A Prayer Life ~ 2 Comments

For Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed things; so the anger of the Lord burned against the children of Israel.

~ Joshua 7:1 (NKJV)

The story of Achan is really a sad one. Here’s a man who was one of the Lord’s own people, who was experiencing the blessing and favor of God along with the rest of Israel in their inheriting the Promised Land and yet, he could not withstand temptation, succumbed to the sin of covetousness and brought ruin to himself and his whole household. Worse, he thought he could hide his sin from God.

We can’t hide our sin from God and we can’t escape the sometimes fatal consequences from our sin. Not only does sin often have earthly consequences that effects those around us, those we love, but has spiritual consequences as well. Sin separates us from God and the Lord Jesus. Unconfessed unrepentanted of sin, hidden sin, only brings trouble, hurt, sorrow, pain and guilt.

Yet, the Bible says if we will repent and confess our sins, that God will forgive us. God has forgiven us in Christ. We just need to acknowledge that. 1 John 1:9, states, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”. God sent Jesus to forgive us. And He desires for us to come to Him, sin and all, and allow Him to grant His touch of gracious spiritual healing and forgiveness.

~ apl

The Church Defined

~ A Prayer Life ~ Leave a comment

“The Church of Christ is the multitude of all those who believe in Christ for the remission of sins, and who are thankful for that mercy and who love the law of God purely, and who hate the sin in this world and long for the life to come.”

~ William Tyndale (1494-1536)

A Finished Work

~ A Prayer Life ~ 1 Comment

“Being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.“

~ Philippians 1:6

God does not leave us unfinished, half done, incomplete Christians. He who began the good work of salvation, finishes that glorious work until the day of Christ Jesus. What the Bible is teaching us here is that God does not forget nor forsake those He calls to Himself. That once we are called unto salvation, God through Christ, ultimately sees us through to the end. The work of salvation is a persevering work. And this beloved is where our assurance and our hope stem from – from the goodness and grace of our God.

~ apl

Infinite Mercy

~ A Prayer Life ~ 2 Comments

[God’s] mercy is infinite. Everything about it is infinite. It proceeds from an infinite Being, flows through the medium of an infinite sacrifice, surmounts obstacles that are infinite, and addresses itself to those that are infinitely unworthy and ill-deserving.

~ Gardiner Spring (1785-1872)

Christ’s Preeminence

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He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

~ Colossians 1:18 (NKJV)

The only true, living, and vibrant spiritual life there is has the Lord Jesus Christ as its head. If Jesus is not preeminent in your spiritual life, then something is out of order… Our spirit has to become consumed with and in Christ. Loving, honoring and serving the Lord Jesus is the highest calling and most blessed privilege a person can have… Making Jesus preeminent in our lives isn’t always an easy thing to do. In fact, because of our sinful nature, it can be a real challenge. But if you truly love Christ, you have His Spirit. And with faith, trusting in Him, we can come to experience the preeminence of Christ in our life.

~ apl

No Condemnation

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There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…

~ Romans 8:1 (NKJV)

“It is the unspeakable privilege and comfort of all those that are in Christ Jesus that there is therefore now no condemnation to them. He does not say, “There is no accusation against them,” for this there is but the accusation is thrown out, and the indictment quashed. He does not say, “There is nothing in them that deserves condemnation,” for this there is, and they see it, and own it, and mourn over it, and condemn themselves for it but it shall not be their ruin. He does not say, “There is no cross, no affliction to them or no displeasure in the affliction,” for this there may be but no condemnation. They may be chastened of the Lord, but not condemned with the world. Now this arises from their being in Christ Jesus by virtue of their union with him through faith they are thus secured.”

~ Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible

After The Fire

~ A Prayer Life ~ 1 Comment

…and after the fire a still small voice.

~ 1 Kings 19:12b (NKJV)

I think more often than not, we want God to speak to us in these incredible elaborate ways. God, if you would just make it thunder right now, I’d believe. Lord, if you would just speak out in this loud audible sound where I can clearly hear, then I would follow what You say. Lord if… if… if… When what He really desires is for us, like Elijah, to simply listen and obey His still small voice. Jesus would put the same idea this way in the New Testament. In John 10:27-28 Jesus says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand”. In Psalm 46:10, the Lord tells His people; “Be still and know that I am God”. Sometimes the best way to know and hear God is to just be still and listen. Listen for that still small voice that comes from Him. If you belong to Christ, and He is your Shepherd, listen for His voice.

~ apl

Enkindle In US

~ A Prayer Life ~ Leave a comment

O God, Who art the unsearchable abyss of peace, the ineffable sea of love, the fountain of blessings, and the bestower of affection, Who sendest peace to those that receive it; open to us this day the sea of Thy love, and water us with the plenteous streams from the riches of Thy grace. Make us children of quietness, and heirs of peace. Enkindle in us the fire of Thy love; sow in us Thy fear; strengthen our weakness by Thy power; bind us closely to Thee and to each other in one firm bond of unity; for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.

~ Syrian Clementine Liturgy 380 A.D.