1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.
4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
...in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace,
14 For he himself is our peace,
Praise the Lord!
When I chose to surrender my life to Jesus, I requested Him to fill me up with the Holy Spirit, and let me live my life for Him everyday, every moment, every breath :)
Yes, all of us has a choice whether to live for Christ or follow the ways of the world. We can't do both. If we are to live our lives for Christ, we need to turn away from all sins, think about less of ourselves and more of others and make our lives a radiance of God's glory-- "whatever we do, do it all for the glory of God."
Is it easy? No it is not. Everyday, every moment, there is a battle brewing inside us. It is only through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and the strength that comes from God that we can win the battle. It is an spiritual battle between the devil and us. But one thing is for sure, we can always be victorious if we will let our Loving Lord lead us and win the battle for us. We will never be able to defeat our spiritual battle with satan on our own. Our greatest defense is God's words, and we won't know unless we read our Bibles. Our Loving Lord has equipped us with His full armour:
- breastplate of righteousness
- belt of truth
- feet firmly grounded because of the gospel of peace
- shield of faith
- helmet of salvation
- and the sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God)
Remember, when Jesus was tempted in the desert by satan, His means of engaging in a battle with the tempter is through the words of God:
Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness
Yes, all of us has a choice whether to live for Christ or follow the ways of the world. We can't do both. If we are to live our lives for Christ, we need to turn away from all sins, think about less of ourselves and more of others and make our lives a radiance of God's glory-- "whatever we do, do it all for the glory of God."
Is it easy? No it is not. Everyday, every moment, there is a battle brewing inside us. It is only through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and the strength that comes from God that we can win the battle. It is an spiritual battle between the devil and us. But one thing is for sure, we can always be victorious if we will let our Loving Lord lead us and win the battle for us. We will never be able to defeat our spiritual battle with satan on our own. Our greatest defense is God's words, and we won't know unless we read our Bibles. Our Loving Lord has equipped us with His full armour:
- breastplate of righteousness
- belt of truth
- feet firmly grounded because of the gospel of peace
- shield of faith
- helmet of salvation
- and the sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God)
Remember, when Jesus was tempted in the desert by satan, His means of engaging in a battle with the tempter is through the words of God:
1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting 40 days & 40 nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
How about you-- are you living your life for Christ?
Have you truly turned away from the ways of this world?
Have you let the Holy Spirit indwell in you?
It is my prayer and hope that if you are not living yet in Jesus' light, embrace His invitation of love and grace and the gift of salvation. The time is now :)
May Jesus' love abounds in us all everyday (".)
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
How about you-- are you living your life for Christ?
Have you truly turned away from the ways of this world?
Have you let the Holy Spirit indwell in you?
It is my prayer and hope that if you are not living yet in Jesus' light, embrace His invitation of love and grace and the gift of salvation. The time is now :)
May Jesus' love abounds in us all everyday (".)
Bible in a Year:
Read the Bible in One Year- Here's a reading plan where you and I can focus on God's Words everyday....to make it a habit, make it a practice, Amen :)
Read with me; God speaks to us through His words :)
February 7, 2012- Psalm 50, 53, 60, 75
Read with me; God speaks to us through His words :)
February 7, 2012- Psalm 50, 53, 60, 75
Today is the day :)
If you have not received Jesus Christ yet in your heart, today is the day. May you embrace His love and His gift :)
"Lord Jesus, I believe You are truly the Son of God. I confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. Please forgive all my wrongdoing, and let me live in relationship with You from now on. I receive You as my personal Savior, accepting the work You accomplished once and for all on the cross. Thank You for saving me. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to You. Amen." (ref prayer by: Dr. Charles Stanley, InTouch Ministry)
Why am I doing this? If you have not received Jesus Christ yet in your heart, today is the day. May you embrace His love and His gift :)
"Lord Jesus, I believe You are truly the Son of God. I confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. Please forgive all my wrongdoing, and let me live in relationship with You from now on. I receive You as my personal Savior, accepting the work You accomplished once and for all on the cross. Thank You for saving me. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to You. Amen." (ref prayer by: Dr. Charles Stanley, InTouch Ministry)
Simple...."I am driven by the eternal destiny of others."
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