As we finish up our study of “Who I am in Christ”, I’d like to combine the last two in one blog. . I am KEPT by God “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My … Read More
I am SANCTIFIED by God
I think the best way to start out here is to define what “sanctified” means. Sanctified (hagiazō in the Greek language) means to make holy or consecrated. The Bible describes three “phases” of sanctification – positional, progressive, and final. Let’s take a look at each of them. POSITIONAL SANCTIFICATION: As believers, when the Holy Spirit brings us to life spiritually, … Read More
I am REDEEMED by God
What comes to mind when you hear the word “redeem?” Redeeming a coupon at the checkout to get a few cents off your grocery bill? Well, I don’t think that is the concept God was going for in our focus statement today — I am REDEEMED by God. Before we can truly appreciate being “redeemed by God”, we need … Read More
I am JUSTIFIED by God
“I am JUSTIFIED by God” “Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”(Galatians … Read More
Loud and Clear
As I was studying this morning, I heard from God LOUD and CLEAR. You know, I have always wanted to do “God’s will for my life”, yet the concept of “God’s will for me” has remained such an elusive mystery, despite the many times I’ve asked God to reveal it to me. The “not knowing” has left me feeling rather … Read More
Let’s Renovate!!
Does this world and its ways make your head spin? As you look around, does nothing make sense anymore? As I was reading in Romans 11-13 this morning, I found myself really pondering Paul’s words in light of our culture. I’m going to share an excerpt from my journal, and I pray you can follow this old gal’s train of … Read More
Words Matter
I really enjoy looking back through my journals to see what God had to say to me at different times in my life. Looking back gives me a good measure of how (or “if”), I am maturing in my Christian walk. I came across this journal entry this morning, and sheesh, it was as convicting today as it was the … Read More
Your Mindset Matters
READ Romans 8:1-17 I read through this passage last night before I went to sleep, and then again this morning, and in both readings the same two things popped off the page to me. NO CONDEMNATION “Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus.” To receive no condemnation means there is no adverse … Read More
The Grace of God Enriches in Everything
As I studied through 1 Corinthians 1:4-9, the concept of “the grace of God enriches our lives in everything” really hit me. I mean think about that! The grace that we were given in Jesus Christ can enrich everything – our speech – our knowledge – our testimony – EVERYTHING. If it is enriching everything, then according to verse seven, … Read More
Psalm 139:1 — God searches me.
“You have searched me, Lord and you know me.” (Psalm 139:1) When I read this verse this morning, the word “searched” popped off the page to me. So in true “word-nerd” form, I looked it up. “Searched” in Hebrew is <chaqar> and means: to penetrate, hence to examine intimately. I looked up “searched” in the dictionary as well, and one … Read More