 Scripture Focus:
Romans 13:14 - But put on (sink into, array, clothe one's self) the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh (carnel, human nature apart from divine influence) to fulfill its lusts. Gal. 5:1 - Stand fast (persist, persevere) therefore in the liberty (freedom) by which Christ has made us free and do not be entangled again (anew) with a yoke (burden) of bondage (slavery). As women, many of us love to go shopping, dress up, and look beautiful! Have you ever thought about your spiritual attire? We spend so much time being concerned with the things of this world and our outward appearance. As I was studying the above scriptures, I started to make this analogy and ask myself the following question: "Am I adorned with Christ?" You see we now live in a time where there is great compromise and holiness is not at the top of many agendas. However, the word of God instructs us that we must participate in our walk with Christ. We must live holy, set apart lives. This should be at the top of our daily agenda. We hear so much false doctrine and many people are not reading the Word of God for themselves. Therefore, there is confusing and deception on every hand. God knew that these times would come, and He reminds us in His word to stand fast or persist in the liberty of our freedom in Christ. If sin is a yoke, how can we walk in it and the freedom of Christ all at the same time? We can't! Also, don't be entangled again or anew causes us to better understand that sin is a type of slavery of which we should not return. Our lives are renewed in Christ! The only way that we can truly be overcomers and walk out the above scriptures is by falling in love with Jesus and adorning ourselves with Him. He must be our top priority! The phrase stand fast denotes fighting through or for something. Therefore, this is a daily process. Outside of Christ, we are weak! As we walk with Him, He gives us power to overcome! So today and everyday let us walk in liberty and be hidden in Christ, our hope! Let us be adorned with His beauty, grace, and holiness! Besides, this is true definition of beauty! Enjoy this worship song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vNPcmLzlvI Be Blessed, hope-in-Christ Copyright © 2016 by Denise Walker/Project H.O.P.E. Ministries, Inc. Bible Verses from New King James Version were found on Bible Gateway.
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 Scripture Focus:
Hebrews 1:1-2 - God (Supreme Divinity), who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed (ordained, set) heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; Hebrews 1:3 - who being the brightness of His (God's) glory and the express image (exact expression, marked likeness, exact copy, facsimile) of His person, and upholding (bearing, carrying) all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down (to confer a kingdom of one, to settle) at the right hand (place of honor and authority) of the Majesty (greatness, divinity) on high, Have you have ever tried to understand the triune nature of God? This is something that our finite minds can't completely grasp! However, we can truly say that Christ is because He has made Himself real in the lives of those of us that walk with Him! He is a wonder, a great and mighty God! This devotional is the second in the series of "The Affirming Truth of Christ." In the first post, we reviewed how Apostle John identifies Christ as the Word (Logos). The scripture focus today comes from the book of Hebrews. It describes Christ as the express image of His (God's) person. One of the words used in Strong's is facsimile. When I first saw this term, I automatically thought about a fax machine. I then looked it up on dictionary.com and it stated, "An exact copy." You see when an individual sends a fax it is the image of the original. Therefore, it further confirms Christ and God as one. What a great mystery to me! This is so amazing to read! When someone questions the deity of Christ, we can take them to this particular scripture. It also identifies His power! No one has the power to purge sins except He be God! Can you? Can I? We know that the answer to both questions is no! In addition, the above text continues to reveal that God communicates with us. Therefore, we can confidently tell those that don't believe to ask Him to reveal Himself to them and He will. He wants all to know Him. They don't have to look any further! Now dig a little deeper: H - How do these scriptures help us to better understand God? These scriptures help us to understand the love that God has for us. He had a plan before He even created the universe. O - What are some other observations? 1. Only Christ can cleanse us of our sins by His great power and authority. 2. We can know Christ for ourselves. P - What is the purpose of these recorded scriptures? They identify Christ as the only truth and the only way to the Father because the world has many religions and beliefs. E - What encouragement can we take from this? 1. There is security in Christ. 2. Provision has already been made; we just need to surrender our lives to Him. Be Blessed, hope-in-christ Copyright © 2016 by Denise Walker/Project H.O.P.E. Ministries, Inc. Bible Verses from New King James Version were found on Bible Gateway.  John 8:31-35 - NKJV (Biblegateway.com)
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. This morning as I went into my prayer room a song by Eddie James started to play in my heart. The song is titled "Free to Run." As I knelt to pray, I began to sing this song. I then felt the peace of God in my heart for what He has called me to do. I could hear the Lord whisper verse 36 of John 8, "Who the Son sets free is free indeed." Then I heard, "Don't be bound by the opinions of man as you go forward." "Whom I have loosed, no one can bound again!" In the scriptures cited above, Jesus was ministering to the Jews; he was trying to help them to understand that they weren't free because of their lineage. He was revealing to them their spiritual condition. When we come to Christ and we allow Him to cleanse us of our sin, we then have a freedom because the Spirit of God now lives in us. God has called us to do great works in this earth! Often times as believers, we are walking around still bound. We are no longer bound by sin but by the opinions of others and our own fears. We know in our hearts that we are called by God but we often allow these things to overshadow that call on our lives! We have to remember to seek to please God and to walk out our salvation and purpose in the freedom of Christ our Lord! Therefore, let us be reminded that He called us and we didn't call ourselves! Let us run-on in Him, walk in His will, and simply pray for others to do the same. Our identity is found in Him! For only in Him do we live, move, and have our being! In Matthew 28:20, Jesus said, "and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” So we are not to fear, but walk in His strength and power! Let us be free to live for Him and hold fast to His promises! We are free indeed! Enjoy this worship song by Eddie James on Youtube! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6M9eiBydvg #hope-in-Christ Copyright © 2016 by Denise Walker/Project H.O.P.E. Ministries, Inc. Bible Verses from New King James Version were found on Bible Gateway.  Today's Scripture References:
Psalm 34:18 -The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Romans 8:28 - And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (NASB) Questions to Ponder: Have you ever wondered about life's struggles? Have you ever thought, "Why is this happening? Why doesn't anyone understand?" Thoughts: Many times in life we have these thoughts. Let's consider the following: "If we didn't have life struggles, would we willingly seek the true and living God for ourselves? If everything in our life was perfect, would we truly understand God's love for us? Is there purpose in our pain?" Let us seek God with these questions, when we go through trials. Let us remember that God promises that He will cause it to work for our good. We may not be able to grasp those thoughts while going through, but as time progresses He will begin to manifest that truth in our lives. We have to know that God loves us with an everlasting love! He has purpose for our pain and He cares about everything that concerns us. Take one day at a time and lean and depend on our heavenly Father, knowing that His purpose is not to harm us but to give us an expected end! Be encouraged, be blessed, and let Him strengthen your heart! Enjoy this worship song by Israel Houghton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtlAqZd39u0 #hope-in-Christ Copyright © 2016 by Denise Walker/Project H.O.P.E. Ministries, Inc. Bible Verses from New American Standard were found on Bible Gateway. |
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