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You Were Created for Good Works

  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Eph 2:8-10 NKJV). Do you realize that you were created for good works in Christ Jesus? Not only were you created for good works, but God also prepared beforehand those good works in which you are to walk. Now I am no longer a young man, and I have had my share of jobs over the years. One thing I have learned is that the Preacher was right when he wrote, “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind” (Ecc 1:14 NKJV). While there was some solace in providing for loved ones and having a sense of a job well done, I still felt like the Preacher at the end of the day, all was vanity. This, of course, was before my conversion. Since then, even my secular jobs have...
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Do You Love God?

  But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:4-7 NKJV). There was nothing good in us, yet God saved us. God demonstrated His love for us by dying for us when we were sinners (Romans 5:8). It is difficult for us to see just how depraved we were because our sinful nature naturally wants to see itself as good. However, the Scriptures are clear that there is none righteous, not one (Romans 3:10). While we would like to think there was something redeemable in us, the truth is, God saved us to magnify His kindness toward us. He saved us for our good, but ultimately for His glory. This is not difficult for believers to understand, as we ...
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The Need for Grace

  And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others (Eph 2:1-3 NKJV). The need for grace should be obvious with the reading of this passage. Without God’s intervention, we would continue walking according to the course of this world. This is true because it was our nature as children of wrath. Let us praise God Who made us alive. Since we were dead in trespasses and sins, we had to be raised to new life in Christ.  Therefore, it should be no great puzzle to us that our witness is often met with indifference. If you think about it, we're speaking to dead men. Do you remember the last funeral you attended? One of the most...
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The Need for Prayer

  Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who f...
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Plan Complete

  In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory (Eph 1:11-14 NKJV). At the beginning of this epistle, we are told that we have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ (Eph 1:3-4). Before the foundation of the world, we were chosen to be holy and blameless. Then, God predestined us to be adopted as His children, ensuring our redemption through the blood of Christ. He sovereignly brought about our quickening at the exact moment He determined. All of this happened to the praise of the glor...
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Perfect Timing

  He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight, He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him (Eph 1:5-10 NAS95). As a child of God, you are a testimony to the glory of God’s grace. It is by grace that you have been saved. God has opened your eyes to see truth and to trust in His Son. Without God’s grace, which was lavished on us who believe, we would be as all the rest, blinded by the god of this age (2 Cor 4:4). We have forgiveness ...
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Predestined

  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved (Eph 1:3-6 KJV). God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Christ. He did this by choosing us before the foundation of the world. Not only did He choose us, but He also predestined us to be adopted as children by Jesus Christ to Himself. It should be noted that His choosing of us was not based on anything we did. God did not look ahead in His omniscience and think, “Oh, that one will believe, therefore I will predestinate him.” There are those seeking to claw back some human ability who use Rom...
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Chosen

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love (Eph 1:3-4 KJV). Paul tells us that we have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ. The blessings Paul describes are already given. The first is our election in Him before the foundation of the world. This may seem contradictory to your experience; however, the Scriptures are clear on this matter. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you (Joh 15:16 KJV). This is not to say our will was not involved at any time. However, we did not initiate our conversion; God did.  But as many as received him, to them gave he p...
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Spiritual Blessings

  Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Eph 1:1-3 NAS95). Every spiritual blessing belongs to us, specifically those who have been saved by the blood of Christ and who are faithful in the Lord Jesus Christ. The most important thing to realize is that our blessings are in Christ. Temporal blessings we may or may not have, but our spiritual blessings are always because of our relationship with Christ. Paul blesses the Father for blessing us in Christ. This should be our attitude. Let thankfulness pour from your lips. Our victory is won in Christ. We must indeed suffer through the trial of this earthly life, but there is laid up in heaven an inheritance that will not fade away (1Pe 1:3-5 NAS95)...
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FAITH PROCLAIMED

FAITH PROCLAIMED   First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world (Rom 1:8 NAS95) . I wonder if Paul, seeing our situation, would be able to thank God because our faith is being proclaimed throughout the world? There are two ways one might interpret Paul’s comment. One could understand that the Romans’ faithfulness was spreading far and wide. The other could be that the Romans’ Gospel message was being proclaimed far and wide. My guess is both are true.  Are you not thankful that the grace of God is still active and bearing fruit? Don't you wish others could express their gratitude for your faith? Let us pray that God would pour out a blessing on our churches; that He would turn our hearts heavenward. Let us seek the Kingdom of God first. Many things are competing for our attention. Work, school, church, and family, to name a few. Sometimes we are just busy with life. You fill in the blanks. Contemplati...
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God’s Love Declared

  God’s Love Declared Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name's sake, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 1:1-7 NAS95). Paul was set apart to preach the Gospel of God to the Gentiles. While his specific ministry focused on Gentiles, his letter to the Romans is beneficial to all who would seek to know God, Jew or Gentile. The Gospel to which Paul refers is not some new thin...
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Sow Bountifully

  Sow Bountifully Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; as it is written, "HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER." Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedi...
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A Throne of Grace

  A Throne of Grace Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Heb 4:14-16 KJV). Do you believe that your old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth you should not serve sin? (Rom 6:6 KJV). Do you profess that you are dead to the law, that you might live unto God? (Gal 2:19 KJV). Do you reckon yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord? (Rom 6:11 KJV). If you do, then hold fast to what you believe. The Bible tells us, As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him (Col 2:6 KJV). How did you receive Him? If y...
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Expect Difficulties Sharing the Gospel

  Expect Difficulties Sharing the Gospel Do not think it a strange thing if your Gospel message is met with contempt. As the Scriptures say: A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise (Pro 15:12 KJV).  A scorner will not listen as he refuses to consider his own faults. Instead of listening, he will often seek to punish the reprover. As it is written: He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot (Pro 9:7 KJV). So why do it? Well, there are at least two reasons. First, so that he doesn’t imagine he is right because he has not been challenged. Second, so that those hearing will not be deceived. The Scriptures say we are to answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit (Pro 26:5 KJV). Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him (Pro 26:12 KJV).  Therefore, the only hope he has is the Gospel--that which he sco...
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What Does it Mean to Abide in Christ?

  What Does it Mean to Abide in Christ? 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 (Joh 15:4 KJV). Jesus used a simple comparison to illustrate how a believer may be fruitful: just as a fruit grows by the nourishment supplied through the vine, so a believer grows through the nourishment of Christ. If you break a branch off from the main vine, the fruit will soon wither. This is also true for a believer who disconnects from the means of grace available to them. Two really important means of grace should not be ignored: the study of God’s Word and prayer. Imagine your heart and mind as a warehouse in which you store God’s Word. If the warehouse is full, then the Holy Spirit has ample supply to feed your soul for every situation. However, if the warehouse is empty, you will find yourself ill-prepared to ward off the darts of the enemy. Temptations may not be recognized, dryness will set in, ...
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Seeking the Lost

  Seeking the Lost Do you long to see souls saved? Surely, this is the desire of every Christian. However, many Christians squash this desire and rarely witness. Is this not a weakness we should strive to overcome? Read what Jesus said to the disciples. And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels (Mar 8:34-38 KJV). Did you catch the part about losing your life? Whosoever sha...
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The Deceitfulness of Sin

  The Deceitfulness of Sin Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin (Heb 3:12-13 KJV). Do you ever find yourself making excuses or minimizing your sin? Do you sometimes compare your sins against the sins of others, saying, “I am not as bad as that person.” If you do, you need to understand sin more clearly. Sin appears fair, but is vile; it appears pleasant, but is destructive; it promises much, but performs nothing. The deceitfulness of sin hardens the soul; one sin allowed makes way for another, and every act of sin confirms the habit (Matthew Henry). As believers, we should make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lust (Rom 13:14). The priority in this battle is filling your heart with God’s Word (Ps 119:11). Keep a short accounting of sin. Make it a daily practice to confess your sins. Do...
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Commit Your Spirit to God

  Commit Your Spirit to God Has your life taken a turn for the worse? Do you sometimes feel trapped by your circumstances? Are your foes more clever and sinister than you ever thought possible? David felt that pressure when he penned this Psalm. In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; Let me never be ashamed; In Your righteousness deliver me. Incline Your ear to me, rescue me quickly; Be to me a rock of strength, A stronghold to save me. For You are my rock and my fortress; For Your name's sake, You will lead me and guide me. You will pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, for You are my strength. Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have ransomed me, O LORD, God of truth (Psa 31:1-5 NAS95). David declares that he is taking refuge in God. David’s plea for help likely made him vulnerable to mockery from his oppressors should God not deliver him.  Therefore, he asked that he may never be ashamed. He appeals to God’s righteousness, knowing God is just. He als...
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His Kingdom Come

His Kingdom Come James reminds us that we are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away (James 4:14b). While this image helps express the brevity of our time on earth, it can hardly capture the fleeting nature of life in relation to eternity. However, God's kingdom will last forever. The Book of Daniel records for us: I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him. And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed (Daniel 7:13-14). Wow, we are part of an eternal kingdom that is now and will soon be fully realized.   Eternity is a concept that goes beyond human comprehension—it is like infinity. When I was a boy, I remember discussing space ...
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