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• Real Freedom

  In Faithful, SeriousFaith, Teaching / 26 August 2009 / 0 comments

  Romans 6:18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. (NKJV) The world teaches that personal freedom to do whatever you want (caveated with “as long as you aren’t hurting someone else) is the “holy grail” of human existence. This makes man “god” with each person doing whatever they want, and whatever they think is right in their own eyes. This personal freedom is protected at all costs and creates a world of people who only seek after their own desires, their own pleasure and their own satisfaction (which never comes). Once again, the world’s way does not seem to be working very well if you look around at all the guilt-filled, miserable, unhappy, violent and wicked people. Predictably, God reveals [...]

   

• Fit for Service

  In Faithful, SeriousFaith, Teaching / 26 August 2009 / 0 comments

  Maker and Sustainer of all things: Day and night are Yours; heaven and earth declare Your Glory. I am a creature made through Your power and riches, but I have sinned against you by resisting the conviction of my conscience; ignoring the demands of your law and the call of Your Gospel; but I am fortunate to live in the era of grace and mercy.Deliver me from worldly tendencies, for I am born of God and destined for Glory. Fix my gaze and desire on Holiness as the source of beauty and dignity for my soul.Let me be always on guard and never lose my assurance or fail to put on my spiritual armor when living in this evil world. Make me ready for every [...]

   

• Taking Up the Cross: Only Doers Need Apply – Part 4

  In Faithful, SeriousFaith, Teaching / 26 August 2009 / 0 comments

  (Click here to search for all the posts in this series…) Matthew 16:24 (NKJV) Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”To pick up something requires action. Picking up something that is heavy, rough, awkward and bulky requires decisive action.Talking about it won’t do. Listening to others tell how they did it, won’t suffice. Thinking that the idea sounds really good and you agree with it, is worthless if it does not result in action.James 1:22 (NKJV) But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand [...]

   

• Taking Up the Cross: Nothing Else – Part 3

  In Faithful, SeriousFaith, Teaching / 26 August 2009 / 0 comments

  (Click here to search for all the posts in this series…) Matthew 16:24 (NKJV) Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”A cross is big. A cross is heavy. A cross is awkward. You can’t carry anything else when you’re carrying a cross. It takes both hands to lift it; your entire body to support; and every ounce of strength, focus and endurance to walk with it. If you’re carrying a cross, you can’t take anything else with you. You can’t hold on to anything else; you can drag anything behind you. Your hands are not free to grasp anything else; your shoulders cannot bear another load; your [...]

   

• Taking Up the Cross: Denying Yourself – Part 2

  In Faithful, SeriousFaith, Teaching / 26 August 2009 / 0 comments

  (Click here to search for all the posts in this series…) Matthew 16:24 (NKJV) Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”What is “the cross”? It is the cost of following Christ. It is the sacrifice required to make Him Lord. In Biblical times, the Romans required the condemned prisoner to carry his cross to the place of execution. The cross was the instrument of death that meant the end of the prisoner’s life.Likewise, “the cross” is the end of OUR life. It puts to death our old life. We take up our cross and follow Jesus to our death… then into new life. The cross is rough [...]

   

• Taking Up the Cross: Going to Your Death – Part 1

  In Faithful, SeriousFaith, Teaching / 26 August 2009 / 0 comments

  (Click here to search for all the posts in this series…) Matthew 16:24 (NKJV) Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”Jesus had a way of making things simple. The phrase “take up his cross” had instant and vivid meaning to those who were listening to him that day. Over the next few days let’s see what is involved in “taking up your cross” and following Jesus.Folks in that day were acutely aware of what a cross was and what it meant. It was a very public spectacle, and a common means of execution. Crucifixion was a horrible, excruciating way to die. Taking up a cross meant certain [...]