Schools are now in session, and there is a sort of settling down, as well as settling into routine, which was rather hit and miss during the warmer months; NOT easy after the freedoms of Summer; that's for sure!!!
Even I took full advantage this year, of the long, hot days; enjoying them as much as feasible, in various ways, which is not my usual way, but I felt it necessary for some untold reason! I was REALLY ill last Winter, and I think I wanted to make the most of the BLESSED time I have been allotted; although HONESTLY, I DON'T know WHY I felt this need! Anyway, I embraced the beauty of the days, and PRAY that it will carry me through the cold months in more than through memories!!!
Time to get diligent, deliberate, and determined; time to get back into the groove! Time to adapt to the pattern of schedules! Time to MAKE the coming months, *GOD* WILLING, COUNT, and INSPIRING!!!
For EVERYTHING there IS a season, filled with purpose, and reason; and we are not often, privy TO the details, our role is to REMAIN OPEN TO THE LORD, and HIS MASTER PLAN, in which we HAVE part, and ARE partners to, despite the fact that we might not understand how, or why, or even recognize that we DID contribute in some way, or ways! KEY is that we are operative IN HIS NAME, meaning we ARE unrestricted FOR HIS WORKS, and use!!!
We are hindered BY the world, we are FREED BY THE LORD! Thus, we NEED great knowledge, and understanding in order to RETAIN this FREEDOM; especially for the sake of HIS GLORY, and the greater good of others! Stepping OUT of the self; the carnal being, INTO the spirit, ALLOWS us to be employed BY THE LORD ACCORDING TO HIS WILL! In doing so, we are NOW OF HIM, and therefore, exist correspondingly!!!
We ARE bound IN CHRIST JESUS, our LIFE resides IN HIM; our TRUTH is found ONLY IN HIM! We MUST understand, and adapt TO HIS WILL, which HE HAS SHOWN us, and HAS EXEMPLIFIED FOR our sake, IN HIS time on this Earth, FULLY *GOD*, and FULLY Man! We ARE, IF we so CHOOSE, ONE WITH HIM, and thus, MEMBERS OF THE BODY, which THRIVES, and LIVES IN HIM! THE BODY FUNCTIONS ACCORDING TO HIS WILL FOR the purpose OF HIS GLORY SHINING SOVEREIGN OVER ALL, and EVERYTHING; THE BODY EXHIBITS THE MIGHTY WORKS OF THE LORD *GOD*, IN WHICH HIS people REFLECT HIM in ALL ways feasible...
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Here, in his own person, the apostle describes the spiritual or hidden life of a believer. The old man is crucified, Ro 6:6, but the new man is living; sin is mortified, and grace is quickened. He has the comforts and the triumphs of grace; yet that grace is not from himself, but from another.
Believers see themselves living in a state of dependence on Christ. Hence it is, that though he lives in the flesh, yet he does not live after the flesh.
Those who have true faith, live by that faith; and faith fastens upon Christ's giving himself for us. He loved me, and gave himself for me. As if the apostle said, The Lord saw me fleeing from him more and more. Such wickedness, error, and ignorance were in my will and understanding, that it was not possible for me to be ransomed by any other means than by such a price. Consider well this price.
Here notice the false faith of many. And their profession is accordingly; they have the form of godliness without the power of it. They think they believe the articles of faith aright, but they are deceived. For to believe in Christ crucified, is not only to believe that he was crucified, but also to believe that I am crucified with him. And this is to know Christ crucified.
Hence we learn what is the nature of grace. God's grace cannot stand with man's merit. Grace is no grace unless it is freely given every way. The more simply the believer relies on Christ for every thing, the more devotedly does he walk before Him in all his ordinances and commandments. Christ lives and reigns in him, and he lives here on earth by faith in the Son of God, which works by love, causes obedience, and changes into his holy image. Thus he neither abuses the grace of God, nor makes it in vain.
13+++Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
14+++As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,
15+++but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;
16+++because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”
As the traveller, the racer, the warrior, and the labourer, gathered in their long and loose garments, that they might be ready in their business, so let Christians do by their minds and affections. Be sober, be watchful against all spiritual dangers and enemies, and be temperate in all behaviour. Be sober-minded in opinion, as well as in practice, and humble in your judgment of yourselves.
A strong and perfect trust in the grace of God, is agreeable with best endeavours in our duty. Holiness is the desire and duty of every Christian. It must be in all affairs, in every condition, and towards all people. We must especially watch and pray against the sins to which we are inclined. The written word of God is the surest rule of a Christian's life, and by this rule we are commanded to be holy every way. God makes those holy whom he saves.
TITUS 2: 11-14...
11+++For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,
12+++instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,
13+++looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,
14+++who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
The doctrine of grace and salvation by the gospel, is for all ranks and conditions of men. It teaches to forsake sin; to have no more to do with it. An earthly, sensual conversation suits not a heavenly calling. It teaches to make conscience of that which is good. We must look to God in Christ, as the object of our hope and worship. A gospel conversation must be a godly conversation.
See our duty in a very few words; denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, living soberly, righteously, and godly, notwithstanding all snares, temptations, corrupt examples, ill usage, and what remains of sin in the believer's heart, with all their hinderances. It teaches to look for the glories of another world. At, and in, the glorious appearing of Christ, the blessed hope of Christians will be complete: To bring us to holiness and happiness was the end of Christ's death. Jesus Christ, that great God and our Saviour, who saves not only as God, much less as Man alone; but as God-man, two natures in one person. He loved us, and gave himself for us; and what can we do less than love and give up ourselves to him!
Redemption from sin and sanctification of the nature go together, and make a peculiar people unto God, free from guilt and condemnation, and purified by the Holy Spirit. All Scripture is profitable. Here is what will furnish for all parts of duty, and the right discharge of them. Let us inquire whether our whole dependence is placed upon that grace which saves the lost, pardons the guilty, and sanctifies the unclean. And the further we are removed from boasting of fancied good works, or trusting in them, so that we glory in Christ alone, the more zealous shall we be to abound in real good works.
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;
Because God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven you, therefore be ye followers of God, imitators of God. Resemble him especially in his love and pardoning goodness, as becomes those beloved by their heavenly Father. In Christ's sacrifice his love triumphs, and we are to consider it fully.
EPHESIANS 3: 20-21...
20+++Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,
21+++to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
It is proper always to end prayers with praises. Let us expect more, and ask for more, encouraged by what Christ has already done for our souls, being assured that the conversion of sinners, and the comfort of believers, will be to his glory, for ever and ever.
May we move forward and onward IN THE LORD *GOD* ALMIGHTY, EVER PRAISING HIM, WORSHIPING HIS HOLINESS, and REJOICING IN HIS LOVING CARE, and GUIDANCE for us, AS we HONOUR HIM THROUGH our GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT, and WORTHY FRUITS, FOR HIS GLORY!!!
LWINSOR © 2016
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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