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God's Purpose and Provision

Here is a thought put together by the following verses: “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:10-14). “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:17-18). “For those God for
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Fear & Worry

This post falls under the category of Philippians 3:1: “ It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.” Fear and worry have a few common characteristics. ·        They are opposites of trust in God. ·        They are present feelings based upon future unknown events. ·        They are based on lies from the father of lies. ·        They are common because worry is a form of fear. ·        Both fear and worry do not come from God. ·        They are both sins against God. Here are a few related Scriptures: “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:3
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Christ or Idols: What's in Your Heart?

“Then the word of the Lord came to me: ‘Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all?’” (Ezekiel 14:2-5). “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord . Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander” (1 Peter 3:15-16). Do you see the parallel? · “These men have set up idols in their hearts.” (Ezekiel, NIV) · “In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.” (1 Peter, NIV) · “Enthrone Christ in your hearts.” (Knox) · “Sanctify the Lord God in your heart.” (KJV) · “Set apart, in your heart, high and lifted up, Jesus Christ as Lord.” (Irene Webster-Smith) Worship begins in the heart. Idolatry is in the heart long before a physical idol is made. Worship of Jesus
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Mercy and Grace

Years ago, I heard comparative definitions of mercy and grace. Mercy is not getting what I deserve—Hell. Grace is getting what I do not deserve—Heaven. Here are both words in a sentence or two: "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy , made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved" (Ephesians 2:4-5). "But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy . He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace , we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life" (Titus 3:4-7).
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A Lot of Love

There are five objects of our love in Scriptures. ·        Love GOD (Matthew 22:34-40). ·        Love our neighbors. ·        Love our wives. ·        Love the brothers. ·        Love our enemies. That is a comprehensive list. The quality of love is also comprehensive. ·        With all your heart, all your soul and all your mind. That is a lot of love. ·        Your neighbor as yourself. If we loved one neighbor as much as we loved ourselves, he would be getting much love. ·        As Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25). ·        As Jesus loved us (John 13:34). ·        As God is kind to the ungrateful and wicked (Luke 6:3). That is very much love.
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The Risen Christ

  “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again’” (Luke 24:5-7). “And who through the Spirit of Holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 1:4). “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification” (Rom. 4:25). The risen Christ is why we are here.
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Led by the Spirit

Jeremiah prayed, “I know, O LORD, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). Paul wrote, “Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” (Romans 8:14). “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law” (Galatians 5:18). “If the LORD delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm” (Psalm 37:23). “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps” (Proverbs 16:9). I thank God for these wonderful truths. I thank God for His daily directing my steps from my earliest days as a Christian until today. I have no idea where I would be today if this were not true. “Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you” (2 Thessalonians 3:1). This post coordinates with today's reading in the To the Word! Bible Reading Challenge . If you are not in a daily reading plan, please join us at TotheWord.com. We would love
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