FIRST DATA

 FIRST DATA

2:15-16; 3:16-17 Study earnestly to present yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. But shun profane, vain babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. … All Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfected, thoroughly furnished to every good work.

  With regularity Christians tell me about some book they are reading or have read that gives them spiritual understanding such as they never had before.

  An example of this is The Shack (Critique available upon request,), as several have told me they never understood forgiveness like they now do after reading the novel.

  I ask if they had ever in 2Timothy 2:15 workman manner studied the topic of forgiveness in God’s Word, the Bible?

  I have yet to get an affirmative response.

  Talking to other Christians bent such as I, they tell me the same second data tales.

  As professing Christians wanting truth, what is our absolute first data source? 

EBB4

PRODUCING FRUIT

 PRODUCING FRUIT         

  An old folk tale tells of a city dweller visiting an orchardist, remarking to the farmer how beautiful the Spring blossoms are. The man quickly responded that he couldn’t sell the blossoms, only the sale of fruit supporting his family.

  As recorded by Matthew (7:17, 20) Jesus gave a fact-of-life illustration, “Every good true bears good fruit. But a bad tree bears bad fruit. … You can tell each tree by its fruit.”

  Two obvious easy to understand examples without otherwise comprehension.

  In writing to the saints at Galatia, the apostle Paul explained further that “the fruit [Not Fruits, but fruit!] of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, and peace, being patient, kind, and good, being faithful and gentle and having control, of oneself.” (5:22-23)

  Which leaves us with the question of how we are doing we are doing in the marketplace?

EBB4

DANDELIONS

 DANDELIONS

1Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 

  Today is May Day and I would like to pick some wild flowers to make a May Basket for my little neighbor, but all I see are dandelions. Would she appreciate them?

  I always thought of dandelions as weeds and when their seed heads developed they were terrible. Then one day my 2 year old grandson picked one and held it up for me to see. “Wook, gwammaw, a bwo fwour!’” He thought they were wonderfully beautiful. Then it dawned on me that even when we Christians were acting like weeds we are still “blow flowers” to God, spreading His Word, beautiful to Him.

Leslie Nivens (12/12/1928 – 3/1/2020)

LASTING IDENTITY

 LASTING IDENTITY

John 15:1-6  I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.  Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.  If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. [Also note Jn.14:6]

John 3:16 etal - Believe: πιστεύω; pisteuō; pist-yoo'-o; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), that is, credit; by implication to entrust (especially one’s spiritual well being to Christ): - believe (-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with. Total KJV occurrences: 248

  Pastor Josh Klein teaches that everyone seeks identity. This is absolutely true even if declaring “I’m a nobody!”

  What are some chosen primary identities?

  Mother, grandmother, dad, granpa, doctor, nurse, pastor, evangelist, professor, military rank, level of education, by business or elected position, etc. . . . and now included is gender.

  All of the above, however worthy or not, are temporal. They dying quickly or remaining only in print or a generation or two of remembrance upon the demise of the person.

  There is but one eternal identity, it being imputed the moment we accept God’s offer of everlasting life. (Jn.3:16) It is then and forevermore that we become God’s family, “authorized” sons and daughters eternally secure in Him. (Jn.1:12; 10:28-29)

   Also there are here and now benefits in and by Him. Jesus’ peace alone being a list-topper. (Jn.14:27; 16:23)

   As for myself, at age 27 I trusted God for sonship and continue as a member of His family.

EBB4

A BRIEF STUDY IN CHRISTIAN IDENTITY

A BRIEF STUDY IN CHRISTIAN IDENTITY

  As a professing Christian, how do you clarify your identity for self and others? By ancestry? Being American born? The church you participate in? The denomination you belong to? Or maybe by your favorite TV evangelist?

  I have, upon request, a “WHO AM I IN CHRIST?” study file with 40 answers with supporting Bible passages, but today I’m sharing just two. A sufficient pair of markers to rejoice in, use to explain to others, or to see you are lacking eternal family membership and/or service position therein.

·         I am God’s child. An authorized family member. Jn.1:12-13 “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” 1Cor.12:27 “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”

·         I am a holy saint. Phil.4:21 “Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.” (Act.9:13; Rom.16:2; 1Cor.1:2; Eph.4:12; 5:3)

  I pray that by this knowledge from God’s Word that you are blessed and edified.

EBB4

A WHAT BECOMES A WHO

A WHAT BECOMES A WHO

  Genesis 1:26-28 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. 

  Romans [ESV] 1:18-22 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 

  Have you met Klamath River? Not “Been there.”, but the person.

  Yes, that geographical feature has been granted personhood.

  Laugh we may, but the designation is not funny. Consider:

·         It is in direct opposition to creation.

·         It elevates men to deciding personhood.

·         It gives the Klamath civil rights as a person meaning that what once entailed the charge and penalty of pollution may now be the charge and penalty of assaulting a person.

·         It sets a legal precedent that could be applied to individual trees, mounds, hillocks, insects, animals (Look out deer hunters and poachers! In the future you may be charged with murder recent and/or past.) et al.

  Talk about a bigtime butterfly effect!

EBB4

THE PLAGUE OF HUMAN THINKING

 THE PLAGUE OF HUMAN THINKING

  Last evening sitting under a wise teacher, Jim Eckman, I had an awakening as to a systemic plague I suffer; too often interpreting God’s thinking within my limited mental capacities. This when I know His thoughts are not always my thoughts. (Isa.55:8-9)

  I always thought the plagues listed in the Exodus story being of the singular purpose of putting pressure on the Pharoah, the autocratic leader of powerful dominant Egypt. This indeed so, but also dismantling the Egyptian nation’s unhealthy worldview plus demoralizing the citizenry all while showing the Jewish slaves who is the King of kings.

  This awakening brought me to the realization that among His omni titles, God is the ultimately Supreme Multitasker.

  Hereafter as I read and study His Word I am going to look for other such instances.

  I pray that if you are not already doing so that you will begin the practice.

EBB4

MAN MAY PROPOSE

 MAN MAY PROPOSE

Proverbs 16:1-3 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. 

  When we were children and started to make big plans, Grandpa would say “Man may propose, but it is God that disposes.”

  It wasn’t until I was older that I fully understood what Grandpa meant, and how true it is. If we make our own plans without considering God and what He says (The Bible), we are destined to fail in anything that is not part of His will; His eternal plan!

  Christ said “Seek ye first the kingdom of God…” (Mt.6:33) and “Thy will be done.” (Mt. 6:10; 26:42; Lk.11:2)

Leslie Nivens (12/12/1928 – 3/1/2020)

TO DISCERN

 FIGURING

1Corinthians [ESV] 12:1-10 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.

… there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to [KJV “discerning”] distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

  One of my Dad’s favorite axioms was “Figures never lie, but liars use figures.” He would explain the lesson wasn’t just about how liars would manipulate statistics, but that the underlying principle has broader application.

  I continuing to read about drug doping among some athletes, I learned about many doing their best to stay ahead of the illicit game. What with scads of gold to be had both on and off the playing fields, a very difficult exercise it is.

  A difficult exercise complicated because like street drugs the formulas are constantly being altered.

  Now there’s something a leap beyond pharmaceutical doping, gene-doping. There already is synthetics used for medical purposes that affects the hormone that increases production of red blood cells, in turn increasing stamina.

  Gene-doping, when perfected, will be a whole another ballgame as discrediting “Hey man, I was born this way, it’s in my genes.” will be a very difficult workout.

  Some are gifted with keen discernment in recognizing finagling figurers. Most of us are not. We in this latter group must depend on others; first of all God; and for additional points, those gifted referees we are privileged to know.

  Know God. Know His people. Stay safe.  EBB4

STUMBLING OVER FALSE ASSUMPTION

 STUMBLING OVER FALSE ASSUMPTION

  John 16:33 [Jesus explained] In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.

  Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

  If we always do as God directs through His Word and by God’s Holy Spirit we are free from evil assaults and suffering, correct? No

  Jesus followed perfectly, and repeatedly suffered evil assaults.

  Where do people get such a false assumption? Wishful thinking, wicked or muddle minded sentimental teachers; sprung forth from the evil one with his tempting “You’ll be better off if you do ______.”

  Think not for one minute that Satan presented this lie one time only. (Gen.3:5) It is an orchestrated theme song, background music for this world, with the prince of the power of the air as maestro. (Job 1:7; Eph.2:2)

  A sad thing in my life has been observing obedient disciples suffering and discouraged because “This isn’t supposed to happen!”

  Consider Job. Satan singled him out, challenged God. God allowed Satan’s assault restricting him from only one thing. (Job 2:6)

  God’s only begotten Son, Jesus, never ever sinned. (Heb.4:15) But O’ how greatly He suffered.

  With joy I consider Job’s example as overcomer maintaining his integrity in the faces of adversity. (Job 1:22; 2:3, 9; 27:5)

  With greatest rejoicing I consider Jesus’ example as The Great Overcomer. (Mt.4:1; Jn.16:33; Heb.4:15)

  The Apostle Paul suffered terribly in doing the right thing as he faithfully served the Lord. (2Cor.11:23-28) God says in His Word “… all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2Tim.3:12)

  Consider the explanation in Romans 8:14-18 (GW), “Certainly, all who are guided by God's Spirit are God's children. You haven't received the spirit of slaves that leads you into fear again. Instead, you have received the spirit of God's adopted children by which we call out, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. If we are his children, we are also God's heirs. If we share in Christ's suffering in order to share his glory, we are heirs together with him. I consider our present sufferings insignificant compared to the glory that will soon be revealed to us.”

  Does this mean we are to seek suffering? Of course not.

  Does it mean not suffering is the exception for God’s children? It does. (Comparing the USA to past history and current circumstance in China et al, I consider ours to date as the exception, but for Christian that which is changing.)

  Christian thinking he/she should not, will not suffer is assumption to stumble over. God knows. He does not abandon His children in the midst of travail. We are assured that as He brought the Lord Jesus back to life, He shall also bring us back to life through Jesus. Do not be discouraged. Thankfully we are renewed day by day.  Suffering is light and temporary and is producing for us an eternal glory that is greater than anything we can imagine. We must not be distracted by the suffering in this brief life but should focus on the eternal life to come. (2Cor.4:9-18)

  May you be edified, comforted and encouraged by these words. 

EBB4

ONE-WORLD GOVERNMENT?

 

GotQuestions.org: Does the Bible prophesy a one-world government and a one-world currency in the end times?

  The Bible does not use the phrase “one-world government” or “one-world currency” in referring to the end times. It does, however, provide ample evidence to enable us to draw the conclusion that both will exist under the rule of the Antichrist in the last days.

  In his apocalyptic vision in the Book of Revelation, the Apostle John sees the “beast,” also called the Antichrist, rising out of the sea having seven heads and ten horns (Revelation 13:1). Combining this vision with Daniel’s similar one (Daniel 7:16-24), we can conclude that some sort of world system will be inaugurated by the beast, the most powerful “horn,” who will defeat the other nine and will begin to wage war against Christians. The ten-nation confederacy is also seen in Daniel’s image of the statue in Daniel 2:41-42, where he pictures the final world government consisting of ten entities represented by the ten toes of the statue. Whoever the ten are and however they come to power, Scripture is clear that the beast will either destroy them or reduce their power to nothing more than figureheads. In the end, they will do his bidding.
  John goes on to describe the ruler of this vast empire as having power and great authority, given to him by Satan himself (Revelation 13:2), being followed by and receiving worship from “all the world” (13:3-4), and having authority over “every tribe, people, language and nation” (13:7). From this description, it is logical to assume that this person is the leader of a one-world government which is recognized as sovereign over all other governments. It’s hard to imagine how such diverse systems of government as are in power today would willingly subjugate themselves to a single ruler, and there are many theories on the subject. A logical conclusion is that the disasters and plagues described in Revelation as the seal and trumpet judgments (chapters 6-11) will be so devastating and create such a monumental global crisis that people will embrace anything and anyone who promises to give them relief.
  Once entrenched in power, the beast (Antichrist) and the power behind him (Satan) will move to establish absolute control over all peoples of the earth to accomplish their true end, the worship Satan has been seeking ever since being thrown out of heaven (Isaiah 14:12-14). One way they will accomplish this is by controlling all commerce, and this is where the idea of a one-world currency comes in. Revelation 13:16-17 describes some sort of satanic mark which will be required in order to buy and sell. This means anyone who refuses the mark will be unable to buy food, clothing or other necessities of life. No doubt the vast majority of people in the world will succumb to the mark simply to survive. Again, verse 16 makes it clear that this will be a universal system of control where everyone, rich and poor, great and small, will bear the mark on their hand or forehead. There is a great deal of speculation as to how exactly this mark will be affixed, but the technologies that are available right now could accomplish it very easily.
  Those who are left behind after the Rapture of the Church will be faced with an excruciating choice—accept the mark of the beast in order to survive or face starvation and horrific persecution by the Antichrist and his followers. But those who come to Christ during this time, those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life (Revelation 13:8), will choose to endure, even to martyrdom.

ESOURCES

Recommended resources: End Times Prophecy by Paul Benware. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free!ELATED TOPICS

Additional GotQuestions.org available essays: Does a cashless society have anything to do with the end times? Does the Bible say the United Nations will have a role in the end times? Will bitcoin / cryptocurrency be the one-world currency of the end times? What is the New World Order?What will be the end times one world religion?

 

 

666

 GotQuestions.org: "What is the meaning of 666?"

  At the close of Revelation 13, which discusses the beast (the Antichrist) and his false prophet, we read, “This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666” (Revelation 13:18). Somehow, the number 666 is a clue to the identity of the beast. Revelation 13 also mentions the “mark of the beast” (verses 16–17), and popular thought often links 666 with the mark; however, the mark of the beast and 666 appear to be two different things. The mark of the beast is something people must receive in order to buy and sell. The number 666 is somehow associated with the beast/Antichrist as “his” number.
  The meaning of 666 is a mystery, and it appears that the apostle John, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, intended it to be that way. Calculating it, John says, requires “wisdom.” Some, using gematria (assigning a number value to each letter of a name or word and then combining the number values to arrive at a total number), have identified the Antichrist as various people in world history. Some of the popular targets have been “Caesar Nero,” “Ronald Wilson Reagan,” “Mikhail Gorbachev,” and various popes in Roman Catholic history. The lengths some will go to in order to get a person’s name to add up to 666 are amazing. Virtually any name can add up to 666 if enough mathematical gymnastics are employed.
  Six hundred, sixty-six will somehow identify the beast, but precisely how 666 is connected to the beast is not the main point of Revelation 13:18. The Bible often uses the number 7 to refer to God and His perfection. Traditionally, 6 is thought to be the number of man, created on the sixth day and always “falling short” of God. The beast/Antichrist will strive to be like God. He will likely even claim to be God. But, just as the number 6 falls short of the number 7, so will the beast/Antichrist, with his “trinity” of 6’s, ultimately fail in his effort to defeat God.

Addendum: Interestingly, in some ancient Greek manuscripts of the Book of Revelation, the number is given as 616 instead of 666. The manuscript evidence is strongly in favor of 666, but the alternate reading of 616 should give us pause before we start pounding away on the calculators.

SIMPLY PUT

 SIMPLY PUT

  2Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

  Ephesians 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

  1Thessalonians 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

  1Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light

  “When I am here, I am not there.” May sound like a simple-minded declaration but it illustrates the godly life.

In behind the walls’ classes I demonstrated this using 2 different spots on the floor. One representing evil, the other encompassing godliness. Then I would move back and forth from one to the other asking “Where am I now standing?” Never, ever, did this confuse a class. Their feedback said so. For some it was a revelation.

  Then we would review some applicable portions of God’s Word.

  1Corinthians 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

  Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

  Philippians 1:27; 4:1 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; . . . Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

  1Thessalonians 3:8 For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

  2Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

EBB4

EARS TO HEAR

 EARS TO HEAR

Matthew 13:10-17  And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

  I am either blessed or cursed with the ability to shut out sound. It sometimes causes problems when I miss something I should have heard.

  Sometimes we do that with things God wants us to hear. Not necessarily because we’re trying to avoid hearing, but more because we are tuned to our wants instead of God’s.

  O, Father, give me a heart that listens to you!

Leslie Nivens (12/12/1928 – 3/1/2020)

PS. I have a parables study file. Want it? Just ask. EBB4

CREDITING WISDOM

 CREDITING WISDOM

Isaiah [ESV] 46:9-10  remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me,  declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ [Also note Ps.139:1-4;Mt.12:25;Mk.2:5-8;Lk.6:8;Jn.4:18;11:11-15; Acts 1:24;1Jn.3:20]

  This past week in reading I’ve read beneficial wisdom shared by Warren Buffet, Steve Jobs, and Elon Musk having to do with time management; when to say no.

  But can we as God’s John 1:12 authorized and endowed sons and daughters trust wisdom from such worldly unregenerate people?

  Yes, we can. For though they do not or may not credit the All-wise One as the source, when wisdom is Biblically sound it is no different than sound perceptive insight delivered by a Biblically sage follower of Christ.

  Indeed there are wise others, but crediting other than God as the sole source of wisdom is something that should not be a part of Christian mindset. This includes getting ensnared by spell-binding preachers.

  “… evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2Tim.3:13-17)

EBB4

 

WHAT IS THE LORD'S DAY?

 

GotQuestions.org: What is the Lord’s day?

  The Lord’s day (as distinguished from the day of the Lord) is Sunday. The term Lord’s day is used only once in Scripture. Revelation 1:10 says, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet.” Since the apostle John does not elaborate on the meaning of “Lord’s day,” we can assume that his target audience, first-century Christians, were already familiar with the expression.
  Some have assumed that the Lord’s day is the New Testament equivalent of the Sabbath. The Sabbath day was instituted by God for the nation of Israel to commemorate His deliverance of them from Egypt (Deuteronomy 5:15). Sabbath began Friday at sunset and ended Saturday at sunset and was to be a day of complete rest from all labor, symbolic of the Creator’s resting on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2–3; Exodus 20:11; 23:12). The Sabbath was a special sign to the Israelites that they had been set apart as followers of the most High God. Their keeping of the Sabbath would help distinguish them from the nations around them. However, nowhere in Scripture is the Sabbath ever referred to as the Lord’s day. The term Sabbath was still in use within the Jewish community in New Testament times and is referred to as such by Jesus and the apostles (Matthew 12:5; John 7:23; Colossians 2:16).
  Sunday was the day that Jesus Christ rose from the dead, an act that forever separated Christianity from any other religion (John 20:1). Since that time, believers have gathered on the first day of the week to celebrate His victory over sin and death (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2). Even though the Sabbath day was designated by God as a holy day, Jesus demonstrated that He was Lord over the Sabbath (Matthew 12:8). Jesus stated that He had come not to abolish but to fulfill the whole Law. Rule-keeping could not justify anyone; only through Jesus could sinful humanity be declared righteous (Romans 3:28). Paul echoes this truth in Colossians 2:16–17 when he writes, “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”
  The Lord’s day is typically thought of as Sunday, but it is not a direct counterpart to the Jewish Sabbath—in other words, Sunday is not the “Christian Sabbath.” Although we should set aside a day for rest and honoring the Lord who died and rose for us, we are not under the Law (Romans 6:14–15). As born-again followers of Jesus, we are free to worship Him on any day that our conscience determines. Romans 14 gives clear explanation of how Christians are to navigate those subtle gray areas of discipleship. Verses 4 and 5 say, “One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.”
  Some Messianic Jews want to continue regarding the Sabbath day as holy because of their Jewish heritage. Some Gentile Christians join their Jewish brothers and sisters in keeping the Sabbath as a way to honor God. Worshiping God on the Sabbath is acceptable—again, the day of the week is not the most important issue—but the heart motivation behind that choice is crucial. If legalism or law-keeping motivates the choice to observe the Sabbath, then that choice is not made from a right heart condition (Galatians 5:4). When our hearts are pure before the Lord, we are free to worship Him on Saturday (the Sabbath) or Sunday (the Lord’s day). God is equally pleased with both.
  Jesus warned against legalism when He quoted Isaiah the prophet: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules” (Matthew 15:8–9; cf. Isaiah 29:13). God is not interested in our keeping of rituals, rules, or requirements. He wants hearts that are on fire with His love and grace on the Sabbath, on the Lord’s day, and on every other day (Hebrews 12:28–29; Psalm 51:15–17).

 

A MURDEROUS HISTORY

 A MURDEROUS HISTORY

Proverbs [ESV] 6:16-19 There are six things that the LORD hates, even seven that are disgusting to him: arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill innocent people, a mind devising wicked plans, feet that are quick to do wrong, a dishonest witness spitting out lies, and a person who spreads conflict among relatives.

Jeremiah 17:7-10 Blessed is the person who trusts the LORD. The LORD will be his confidence. He will be like a tree that is planted by water. It will send its roots down to a stream. It will not be afraid in the heat of summer. Its leaves will turn green. It will not be anxious during droughts. It will not stop producing fruit. "The human mind is the most deceitful of all things. It is incurable. No one can understand how deceitful it is. I, the LORD, search minds and test hearts. I will reward each person for what he has done. I will reward him for the results of his actions.

James 4:1-10 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Aren't they caused by the selfish desires that fight to control you? You want what you don't have, so you commit murder. You're determined to have things, but you can't get what you want. You quarrel and fight. You don't have the things you want, because you don't pray for them. When you pray for things, you don't get them because you want them for the wrong reason-for your own pleasure. You unfaithful people! Don't you know that love for this evil world is hatred toward God? Whoever wants to be a friend of this world is an enemy of God. Do you think this passage means nothing? It says, "The Spirit that lives in us wants us to be his own." But God shows us even more kindness. Scripture says, "God opposes arrogant people, but he is kind to humble people." So place yourselves under God's authority. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you. Come close to God, and he will come close to you. Clean up your lives, you sinners, and clear your minds, you doubters. Be miserable, mourn, and cry. Turn your laughter into mourning and your joy into gloom. Humble yourselves in the Lord's presence. Then he will give you a high position.

1John 3:14-16 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love other believers. The person who doesn't grow in love remains in death. Everyone who hates another believer is a murderer, and you know that a murderer doesn't have eternal life. We understand what love is when we realize that Christ gave his life for us. That means we must give our lives for other believers. 

  Beginning with the single murder of Abel mankind has a historical record of expanded killing for selfish reasons.

  Though we don’t like to admit it, every one of us is capable of murder whether imagined or consummated. (Jer.17:9) Jesus said “out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders”. James points it out, John wrote of this truth about us, and history provides the narrative. Tragically the record includes past and current multitude of people claiming Christianity defined explicitly as followers of Christ.

  As a youth wallowing in feelings of rejection I was at times a dark-hearted 1John 3:15 murderer. I and other candid men I’ve talked with agree we didn’t act out because of fear of social loss, incarceration, and at the time highly probable execution at an early age.

  How far is it from thought to action? Judging from Cain and the rest of our history, soon for some, eventual for others; the Cains are typically impatiently impulsive; the others are patiently methodical.

  In God’s eyes it matters not whether impulsively or impatiently, whether private action or by government sanction . . . the shedding of innocent blood is murder.  And murder actual or thought does kill our spiritual manners.

EBB4

 

  

A JARRING EXPERIENCE

 A JARRING EXPERIENCE

1Thessalonians 5:16-19 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. [Heb.13:15]

“1Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks - For this reason, that all things work together for good to them that love God; therefore, every occurrence may be a subject of gratitude and thankfulness. While ye live to God, prosperity and adversity will be equally helpful to you. For this is the will of God - That ye should be always happy; that ye should ever be in the spirit of prayer; and that ye should profit by every occurrence in life, and be continually grateful and obedient; for gratitude and obedience are inseparably connected.” (Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible) [Rom.8:28]

  I won’t list the present stressors for they are obvious.

  God’s provision for prevention of and relief from stress is available to one and all. (Psalm 1; Psalm 119; Proverbs 23:7; Romans 12:1-3; 1Peter 5:6-7; 1Thessalonians 5:18; Philippians 4:6-9; And the complete Serenity Prayer.) All of God’s provision are not simply facilitated by an “I believe that.” They take spiritual, mental, emotional, sometimes bodily exercise. Possibly using pen and paper to record our gratitude.

  Sam and Emily believe unto the exercise thereof: “Emily and I spent every Saturday in 2017 writing down one thing we were thankful for that week (with a few extra snuck in for good measure). One year later, we get the amazing privilege of reliving 73 genuinely fantastic reasons to be grateful. What a way to spend the waning moments of 2017 and welcome 2018! We’ll definitely have to do it again this year.”

  Their report on Facebook was accompanied by photos of the large glass jar containing thankful notes.

  Anyone else want to experience the jarring experience of weekly recording and year-end reviewing of thankfulness?

EBB4

 

SOUND DOCTRINE?

 

SOUND DOCTRINE?

 

  As professing Christians, disciples of Christ, we are to seek, learn, and follow sound doctrine pleasing to our Lord. Sadly, all do not do so, some practicing that which is not sound doctrine pleasing to God though pleasing to them as an alternative to His provision of truth. (Rom.12:1-2; 1Tim.1:10; Tit.1:9; 2:1) The Law of Attraction is one such practice that some professing Christians are involved in and promoting. Because of this deviation, as an elder believer I’m providing the following topical essay from GotQuestions.org. Beware other than sound doctrine. EBB4

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What is the law of attraction?

  “The Secret” also known as the “law of attraction,” is the idea that because of our connection with a “universal energy force,” our thoughts and feelings have the ability to manipulate this energy force to our liking. According to “The Secret,” our thoughts and feelings attract a corresponding energy to ourselves. If our thoughts are negative, we attract negative things. If our feelings are positive, we attract positive things. The essential message of “The Secret” is that we all have the power to determine our own destiny. We can all create our own reality. Through fully and consistently applying the “law of attraction,” we can be who we want to be and have everything we want to have.
  Is there any truth to “The Secret”? Is there any validity to the law of attraction? As with most other popular ideas, “The Secret” has a nugget of truth that is expanded to unbiblical and illogical extremes. For example, a thesis of the law of attraction is that our physical health is determined by our thoughts and feelings. It has been medically proven that stress and worry are harmful to the body, while joy and peace actually aid in the healing process. The Bible agrees, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22). “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones” (Proverbs 15:30). As David was struggling with the guilt of his unconfessed, evil actions, he declared, “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long” (Psalm 32:3). Our thoughts and feelings do have an impact on our physical well-being. However, this is due to how God designed our bodies—not because of our connection with a universal energy force and our negativity or positivity attracting negative or positive physical symptoms.
  A second error in the “law of attraction” is its emphasis on money and wealth. The Bible has much to say regarding wealth and the management of money and resources. Proverbs 13:11 exclaims, “Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.” Similarly, Proverbs 17:16 proclaims, “Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?” Our financial success is determined by our decisions, our hard work, and our wise stewardship of what we have. No matter how positive our thoughts and how focused our mind is on wealth, if we have built mountains of debt, the bills will continue to come (Proverbs 22:7). The only impact the secret of “positive thinking” can have on our financial situation is in motivating us to work harder and spend more wisely. The Secret—and its focus on achieving wealth—goes directly against the teachings of the Bible. Solomon, the wisest and richest man in the Bible, observed, “Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 5:10). Jesus, who possessed everything, warned us, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). First Timothy 6:10 could not say it any more clearly, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
  With that said, the primary error of “The Secret” / law of attraction is its view, or lack thereof, of God. In the law of attraction, God, if He even exists, is nothing more than a universal energy force that we manipulate by our thoughts and feelings. The law of attraction assumes a pantheistic (God is everything) view of God. The Secret denies the ideas of a personal God (with thoughts, feelings, and emotions) and a sovereign God (omnipotent and omniscient, perfectly in control of everything). The core message of “The Secret” is that we are in control of our own destiny. God knows the truth to be very different, “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:16). Nebuchadnezzar, the greatest king of ancient Babylon and a prime candidate for someone who would know “The Secret,” declared, “Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified Him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; His kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as He pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him: ‘What have you done?’” (Daniel 4:34-35).
  According to the proponents of the law of attraction, we are all “incarnations of God.” We are all our own gods, able to create our own reality, able to control our own destiny. This lie is not a secret, and it is nothing new. Satan’s primary temptation has always been to obtain knowledge and thereby to become like God, “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God—” (Genesis 3:5). Satan’s own fall from glory was this same error, “You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High’” (Isaiah 14:13-14). The message of “The Secret” is the same message that Satan used to tempt Adam and Eve into sin: “You do not need God—you can be God!” And just as Satan will fail in his quest to be God (Isaiah 14:15; Revelation 20:10), so too will all those who seek to be their own god fail: “'You are "gods" but you will die like mere men” (Psalm 82:6-7).
  The true “secret” is that God is in control. God has a sovereign and perfect plan for us. The key is getting in tune with God, thereby understanding His heart and knowing His will. Rather than seeking after wealth, fame, power, and pleasure (in which there is nothing but emptiness), we are to seek a relationship with God, allowing Him to place His perfect desires in our heart and mind, conforming our feelings to His – and then granting us the desire of His, and our, hearts. “Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun” (Psalm 37:4-6).

 

A HEALTHIER BEGINNING

 A HEALTHIER BEGINNING

  In the wage-earning work I did we commonly measured in 1,000 of an inch, and often as little as 10,000 of inch. In teaching new employees and hard headed old ones how to properly effectively use calibrated equipment I consistently emphasized “When measuring or making, we must begin at zero!!” This is an absolute whether measuring with tape, yard stick, tape, 6 inch pocket scale, machinists’ rulers, calipers, micrometers, old fashioned or CNC carriage stops or other such gauging device.

  Using personal caliper or micrometer I would demonstrate checking for accurate 0, doing so by simply running the anvils (tip surfaces) together. Then I’d have students run anvils on their newly issued calipers and micrometers together. Invariably there was one or more that didn’t read 0. Then I demonstrated how to clean by sliding clean copy paper between anvils. Checking again we sometimes discovered 0 was impossible to attain as there was mechanical problem with device. From this result sprung lecture “CALIPERS & MICROMETERS ARE NEITHER HAMMER, PRYBAR, NOR VICEGRIP!”

  Why is 0 so important in machine and/or tool making shop? In response one wisenheimer student shouted out “If not true, we maketh not a good screw!” (A double pun aimed at this Christian instructor.) Though a smart aleck, he was correct.

  If parts don’t fit, fabrication/assembly is difficult or impossible, resulting in scrapping. If forced together warp and/or friction results and customer complaint and thereto managers to the shop floor.

  But what does the above parable have to do with beginner Christian?  It is healthiest to begin with zeroing in on God’s truth as opposed to our own measures.

  Here are 9 edifying verses of good measure (MKJV) on the need for beginning and ongoing vigor.

John 1:14; 17:17  And the Word became flesh, and tabernacled among us. And we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and of truth . . . [Jesus said] Sanctify them through Your truth. Your Word is truth.

2Corinthians 4:2; 6:7  But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor adulterating the Word of God, but by the revelation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. . . .  in the Word of Truth, in the power of God, through the weapons of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

Ephhesians 1:13  in whom also you, hearing the Word of Truth, the gospel of our salvation, in whom also believing, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

Colossians 1:5  for the hope which is laid up for you in Heaven, of which you heard before in the Word of the truth of the gospel,

2Timothy 2:15  Study earnestly to present yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.

James 1:18  Of His own will He brought us forth with the Word of truth, for us to be a certain firstfruit of His creatures.

1John 3:18  My children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

 

EBB4

AS IS, FOREVER!

 AS IS, FOREVER!

Mark [ESV] 13:31 [Jesus declared] Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

1Peter 1:24 … "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever."

WHO AM I?

 WHO AM I IN CHRIST?

Romans [MKJV] 12:1-3 I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to every one who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think. But set your mind to be right-minded, even as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Dear fellow travelers,

  Is the transgender movement all about sex-orientation or is it mostly about seeking identity?

  Biblical repentance is centered in godly rethinking producing godly life-change. (Rom.12:1-3)

  Action sans Scriptural belief is not repentance. (Mt.4:17; Mk.1:15; Lk.13:3-5; Rom.12:1-3; Act.3:19-21)

  I’m still hearing professing Christians answer the title question improperly; Husband, wife, father, mother, student, professor, preacher, teacher, mechanic, accountant, baker, pilot, football player, coach, retiree, Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, et al are not who we are. They are what we do. Even saying “I’m a Christian.” may be no different.

  We live according to how we identify ourselves. It is impossible for us to do otherwise. (Pr.23:7)

  John 1:12 believers are indwelled by God’s Holy Spirit. (Jn.14:26; 1Cor.6:19-20) Improper identification quenches God’s Holy Spirit (IThes.5:19), and in doing so leaves us feeling guilty, inadequate, shameful, rejected, insecure, and in worse mental, emotional, and physical condition than before trusting Lord Jesus Christ as our redeemer. (As a young Christian I suffered this condition.)

  Understanding our new birth identity in Christ provides Jesus’ abundant peace with accompanying empowering sense of security providing eternal meaning to life here and now.

  Below is description of our identity as followers of Christ. I compiled the following list from several that are available. Instead of leaving you to look up Bible verses, using ESV translation I provide full verse. I do however encourage readers to look verses up in their favorite text and also look up and read additional references in brackets.

  Additionally, please do keep copies handy to share with others.

To serve Him all our days,

Edwin B. Bullock 4^th

 

WHO I AM IN CHRIST

 

·          I am God’s child. Jn.1:12-13 “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”

·         I am Jesus’ chosen friend. Jn.15:15 [Jesus explained] “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”

·         I have been justified. Rom.5:1 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

·         I am one spirit with the Lord. 1Cor.6:17 “… he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.”

·         I belong to God. 1Cor.6:19-20 “… do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

·         I am His family, a member of the Body of Christ. 1Cor.12:27 “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”

·         I am a holy saint. Phil.4:21 “Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.” (Act.9:13; Rom.16:2; 1Cor.1:2; Eph.4:12; 5:3)

·         I am adopted as God’s child. Gal.4:4-5 “ … when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”

·         I, as a saint, have direct access to God. Eph.2:18-19 “For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,” (Heb.4:16)

·         I am redeemed and forgiven of all my sins. Col.1:12-14 “giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

·         I am complete in Christ. Col.2:8-10 “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.”

·         I am forever free from condemnation. Rom.8:1-4 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (Rom.4:18-25; Jam.2:23)

·         I am, as a lover of God, assured that all things work together for good. Rom.8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

·         I am without condemning charges. Rom.8:31-34 “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”

·         I cannot be separated from the love of God. Rom.8:35-39 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written [Ps.44:22], "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

·         I am established, anointed and sealed by God. 2Cor.1:21-22 “And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”

·         I am confident His good work in me is assured. Phil.1:6 “… I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ”

·         I am a citizen of heaven sojourning on earth. Phil.3:20-21 “… our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”

·         I am hidden with Christ in God. Col.3:1-4 “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died [Rom.6:2; Eph.2:1], and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

·         I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. 2Tim.1:7 “… God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

·         I am able to find merciful grace when needed. Heb.4:15-16 “… we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

·         I am born eternally of God and Satan cannot rob me of my soul. 1Jn.5:18-19 “We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch [Gr. “attach oneself to”] him. We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.”

·         I have utmost purpose in life. Mt.5:13-14 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.“ 2Cor.5:17-20 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.”

·         I am a branch of the true vine, Jesus. Jn.15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

·         I am chosen and appointed by God to bear fruit. Jn.15:16-17 “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.”

·         I am Christ’s personal Spirit-empowered witness. Act.1:8 “…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

·         I am Christ’ ambassador of reconciliation. 2Cor.5:15-21 “[Jesus] died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

·         I am God’s coworker. 2Cor.6:1-2 “Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, "In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.’

·         I am truly now alive and seated with Christ in the heavenly realm. Eph.2:1-7 “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

·         I am God’s workmanship, created for good works. Eph.2:8-10 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of [our] works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

·         I may approach Most Holy Sovereign God in freedom with confidence. Phil.3:11-12 “This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.”

·         I am loved by God. Rom.5:6-8 “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (1Jn.4:8)

·         I am a joint-heir with Christ. Rom.8:16-17 “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”

·         I have been given wonderful promises. 2Pet.1:3-4 “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.”

·         I am never left alone. Heb.13:5b-6 “… [God] has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?" (Deut.3:16; Jos.1:5; 1Chr.28:20)

·         I have access to God’s wisdom. Jam.1:2-5 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

·         I am a serving priest. 1Pet.2:9-10 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

·         I am temporarily this side of physically being in heaven. 1Pet.2:11-12 “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” (2Cor.5:6-8)

·         I am able to see what the unregenerate cannot. Jn.3:3  “Jesus answered him [Nicodemus], "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."