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Touching lives with the truth of God's Word.

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Location: Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Sunday, March 23, 2008

WE WORSHIP A LIVING SAVIOR!

THREE TRUTHS FROM SCRIPTURE THAT WILL BRING YOU PEACE AND HOPE THIS EASTER SEASON
(1)…Every believer in Christ is absolutely assured of eternal life beyond the grave. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die” (John 11: 25-26). Jesus keep His word that He would die and rise again on the third day---forgiving our sins and reconciling us to the Father. Because He was faithful to do as He said, we can always believe every promise that He makes to us.

(2)…Every child of God will experience a bodily resurrection. Romans 8:11 promises, “If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies.” When we receive Christ as Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit seals, and prepares us for the day of redemption (Eph. 4:30). This means just as Christ was resurrected bodily, so will you be. You will be changed---the “perishable will have put on imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality” (1Cor. 15:54). Your body will leave behind all its pains and problems---never again to face the sickness and suffering you felt here on earth.
(3)…We are predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ. Paul said in Romans 8:29-30, “Those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.” God sees us as His glorified children. Although He justifies us the moment we receive Christ as Savior and Lord; when we pass from this life into His presence, He absolutely prefects us. We become everything we were created to be---with no sin to tempt us or enemy to hinder us. There will be no more tears or hardships---just the wonderful fulfillment and joy of being in God’s presence.
If you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior, sin cannot conquer you and the grave will not hold you. The battle is over---the victory has already been won at the cross, and the empty tomb of Christ. Because Jesus lives, all who trust in Him will live as well! On resurrection day, when the trumpet of God sounds; “The dead in Christ will rise, then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord” (1Thess. 4:17). May I say the message of Easter is that, for the believer, death is not the end but a glorious beginning---the ultimate realization of all our hopes because we will be with Christ forever in heaven. I pray that the Holy Spirit will seal these truths in your heart today, and that an eager anticipation of the Lord’s return will keep you in His Word, surrendered, and walking in the fullness of His Spirit. God bless you.


WHAT THE LAW DEMANDS, GRACE PROVIDES

Friday, March 14, 2008

FULLY SURRENDERED

We are to live in unconditional surrender to God’s will. This means acknowledging that He has the right to govern our lives, relinquishing control of our finances, family, friends, and fun, over to Him. Now and then, we may have to let go of things we love, but at other times, we will receive rich blessings from His hand. By submitting to God’s authority, we declare our trust in Him and our willingness to accept whatever He sends our way, riches, poverty, health or sickness, marriage or singleness. Full submission is the only way to live a victorious Christian life. That’s how we glorify the Father, grow in Christ-likeness and receive the Lord’s favor. By yielding control to the Lord we position ourselves to live the abundant spiritual life. We will experience His deep love, which satisfies more fully than any other. Our usefulness in His service will be maximized as we operate in the Spirit’s power. Our obedience will bring glory to Him as well as blessings to us. Surrender is the way to abundance. If you have not already done so, it is my prayer that you will humble yourself before God and relinquish all to Him.