LOVE146

HOW WE LIVE OUR DAYS
IS HOW WE LIVE OUR LIVES
---Annie Dillard

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LIVE WITH INTENTION
LOVE INTENTIONALLY

originally published 6/28/2010

                

From J. Sidlow Baxter, twentieth century Australian pastor and theologian 

• Fundamentally, our Lord's message was Himself. 
  He did not come merely to preach a Gospel; He himself is that Gospel. 
  He did not come merely to give bread; He said, "I am the bread". 
  He did not come merely to shed light; He said, "I am the light". 
  He did not come merely to show the door; He said, "I am the door". 
  He did not come merely to name a shepherd; He said, "I am the shepherd". 
  He did not come merely to point the way; He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life".
  • Baxter's Explore the Book (1987) p. 308. 

• Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons, but they are helpless against our prayers.
• Reported in Charlie Jones, Bob Kelly, The Tremendous Power of Prayer (2000) p. 46.

originally published 6/5/2010

Two natures beat
within my breast

one is cursed
the other blessed

one I love and
one I hate

whichever I feed
will dominate

The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." --Galatians 6:8

originally published 6/4/2010

                                

                    There are times in life where you can be in a place where you find yourself saying

"This is not who I am."

It is a crucial thing to remind yourself periodically who you are. 

You could define yourself by your roles in life: husband, wife, mother, father, sister, brother, daughter, son.

You could define yourself by your job or your accomplishments. 

You could define yourself by the color of your skin, your gender, or by whom you are attracted towards.

You could even, sadly, define yourself by your tragedies or past failures: orphan, abuse victim, college dropout, member of an oppressed group, recovering alcoholic....

But as a Christian you are to define yourself by the Word of God.

Who does GOD say you are?

In case you are having a bout of spiritual amnesia and have forgotten who you are:

Who I Am In Christ

I am accepted...
I am God's child. -John 1:12
As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ. -John 15:15
I have been justified. -Romans 5:1
I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit.-1 Corinthians 6:17
I have been bought with a price and I belong to God.-1 Corinthians 6:19-20
I am a member of Christ's body. -1 Corinthians 12:27
I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child.-Ephesians 1:3-8
I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.-Colossians 1:13-14
I am complete in Christ. -Colossians 2:9-10
I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ. -Hebrews 4:14-16

I am secure...
I am free from condemnation. -Romans 8:1-2
I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances. -Romans 8:28
I am free from any condemnation brought against me and I cannot be separated from the love of God. -Romans 8:31-39
I have been established, anointed and sealed by God.-2 Corinthians 1:21-22
I am hidden with Christ in God. -Colossians 3:1-4
I am confident that God will complete the good work He started in me. -Philippians 1:6
I am a citizen of heaven. -Philippians 3:20
I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. -2 Timothy 1:7
I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me. -1 John 5:18

I am significant...
I am a branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of His life. -John 15:5
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit. -John 15:16
I am God's temple. -1 Corinthians 3:16
I am a minister of reconciliation for God. -2 Corinthians 5:17-21
I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm.-Ephesians 2:6
I am God's workmanship. -Ephesians 2:10
I may approach God with freedom and confidence.-Ephesians 3:12
I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. -Philippians 4:13
-------------------------------------------- Freedom in Christ Ministries

originally published 6/2/2010