WHY does spiritual passion fade so easily? When we first experience God's love, we spend hours thinking about Him, studying His Word, and telling others how much He means to us. Then it happens. Our busy schedules slowly dampen our passion. Our longing for Jesus and our study of His character become an occasional glance. Surely the object of our affection hasn't changed!
The church at Ephesus wrestled with maintaining its spiritual passion. Although He commended this church for their work, Jesus saw that they had abandoned their first love - HIM (Rev. 2:4)
Have you allowed something to steal your passion? If so, it can be restored and maintained when you consistently remember His amazing love demonstrated at Calvary. Repent of your sinful, unloving attitudes, and out of love for Jesus repeat your "first works" (v.5) (DB)
Thought: Devotion to Jesus is the key to spiritual passion!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
A Winnable War
In 1860, the USA was embroiled in a bitter civil war - one part of the country pitted against the other. In the 20th century, America fought in wars with and against other nations.
As a believer, you participate in a spiritual battle with consequences that are just as deadly. Understanding the nature of the conflict, however, can greatly alter the outcome.
Here's why: when you received Jesus Christ as Savior, you received a new spirit, and you became a distinctly new person. Your old identity apart from Christ was done away with.
How does that affect your walk with Christ? Tremendously. As a new creature in Christ, you are no longer at war with yourself. It is not a civil war--the old John Doe versus the new John Doe. If that were the case, you would always be at odds with yourself, and that would be frustration at best. Such tensions often leads to a mediocre Christian experience--winning some and losing a lot.
The truth that sets you free is this: the battle you face is partisan -- the new you against the principle and power of sin that still indwell you. This is a winnable war! (CS)
"It is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me." (Romans 7:17)
As a believer, you participate in a spiritual battle with consequences that are just as deadly. Understanding the nature of the conflict, however, can greatly alter the outcome.
Here's why: when you received Jesus Christ as Savior, you received a new spirit, and you became a distinctly new person. Your old identity apart from Christ was done away with.
How does that affect your walk with Christ? Tremendously. As a new creature in Christ, you are no longer at war with yourself. It is not a civil war--the old John Doe versus the new John Doe. If that were the case, you would always be at odds with yourself, and that would be frustration at best. Such tensions often leads to a mediocre Christian experience--winning some and losing a lot.
The truth that sets you free is this: the battle you face is partisan -- the new you against the principle and power of sin that still indwell you. This is a winnable war! (CS)
"It is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me." (Romans 7:17)
Sunday, July 12, 2009
What Money Can't Buy
Money is a necessary part of living. Without it, we couldn't secure the necessities or luxuries of life. But there are many things money can't buy. As preacher W.A.Criswell said, "Money will buy luxuries, but it will not buy spiritual power. Money will buy advancement and preferment, but it will not buy the recognition of God. Money will buy..favor and accolades, but it will not buy soul respect.
We'll never accumulate enough riches to purchase a place in the paradise of God. But there's good news! Salvation can be ours "without money and without price," according to the Book of Isaiah 55:1.
Have you trusted Jesus as your Savior? You need only to stretch out your empty hands in childlike faith to the Lord (John 1:12). Cry out to Him and confess your sin. "He will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:7) DB-VG
"Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near." Isaiah 55:6
We'll never accumulate enough riches to purchase a place in the paradise of God. But there's good news! Salvation can be ours "without money and without price," according to the Book of Isaiah 55:1.
Have you trusted Jesus as your Savior? You need only to stretch out your empty hands in childlike faith to the Lord (John 1:12). Cry out to Him and confess your sin. "He will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:7) DB-VG
"Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near." Isaiah 55:6
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