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Comment by russ allen on September 12, 2008 at 7:41am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Yesterday being the 7th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks gave pause for reflection. The History Channel aired a "real time" broadcast of that day. It was just as moving last night as it was seven years ago. The only difference was the shock factor. I also saw a video on the Fire Fighters Network about the Beverly Hills Supper Club fire of 1977. Same emotions. Emotional scars are very hard to heal and we can see it on peoples faces when the talk of tragedies even years later. Death is scary. I know I am going to be with the Lord when I die but death is unnatural therefore my being resists it. Sin is why there is death in the world. Does that mean that if we are perfect we won't die? There are two flaws to that question;
1. We can never be perfect.
2. Due to original sin, death is inevitable.
Sin came in the world and death came in tow. Knowing that our savior reigns and that you are redeemed makes the other side of death sure but physically, well, we tend to resist. Do you fear the other side after bodily death? We need not fear that because Jesus has overcome that state and we can also. Follow me on this. How we die and exit these mortal bodies is not a pleasant thought but eternity in heaven is.

Hebrews 2:14-18
Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death-that is, the devil- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
NIV

2 Timothy 1:10
but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
NIV

1 Corinthians 15:54-57
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is thy sting ? O grave, where is thy victory?
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
KJV

There is a song by the band Petra that is so true, check out these lyrics;

There's a step that we all take alone,
an appointment we have with the grave unknown,
like a vapor this life is just waiting to pass,
like the flowers that fade,
like the withering grass,
But life seems so long and death so complete & the grave an impossible portion to cheat,
but there is One who has been there & still lived to tell,
There is One who has been thru both Heaven & Hell,
and the Grave will come up empty handed that day,
Jesus will come and steal us away

Chorus:
Where is the sting, tell me where is the bite?
When the Grave Robber comes like a thief in the night,
Where is the victory, where is the prize?
When the Grave Robber comes and death finally dies

Many still mourn,
many still weep for those that they love who have fallen asleep,
But we have this hope tho our hearts may still ache,
just one shout from above & they all will awake and in the reunion of Joy we will see,
Death will Be swallowed in sweet Victory
When the Lust it'll be is gone ,
from the dust will come a song,
those asleep will Be awakened,
not a one will be forsaken each will wipe away our tears,
He will steal Away our fears there will be no sad tomorrow,
there will be no pain, no sorrow

Bless the Lord and keep these things in your heart so you can rest and know Jesus will be with us on that final day that we pass away!
remember Donna and her party that are on their way to La. to help out the people in need!


Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the victory over death. Lord help us rest in the Word you give about this. Lord we do not fear death or the other side because we know you have prepared a place for us. Lord help us face death bravely and gracefully when our day comes so we can be a witness to you love. Help others see you in us. Lord we do lift the families of lost loved ones. Secure their faith that you are in control. Lord assure us when we face things in this life that our lives radiate your love. Be with Donna and all the victims of catastrophes. Lord bless us when we are in fear. Lord thank you for the grace you give us, in Jesus name, amen!
Posted by russ allen at 6:49 AM

Comment by russ allen on September 11, 2008 at 7:22am

Good morning! How are we faithing so far this week? Praise God in all things. Whatever happens, praise him because even in turmoil and sickness and calamity, God's love and forgiveness doesn't change. Even when your whole world is caving in, God loves you. Calamity is common to this earth due to the sin that is in it but our solace is in Jesus. Look for the lesson and the light at the end of it all because it is always there. Paying the price for past sins? Do it with thanksgiving because your spirit is being refreshed because you have confronted your mistakes rather than hid them. Matters not how it was discovered but that it was. Whenever we repent from sin we are always better off. Sometimes the penalties we pay are hard but think how Jesus paid for us. He was sin free, resisted the devil and his wares for his whole life. Can you imagine the concentration from the fleshly point how hard that would be? Can you imagine never have flubbed up? Think about how we are enticed by things in this world and resisting completely. Gee whiz, I have my own battles with things on this planet and still struggle after 50 years of growth. I still battle the same things in many arenas! So seek God and seek the wisdom so you are able to stand regardless of the junk that flies in your face. Don't give up or in.

Colossians 3:15-17
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. NIV

Romans 12:12-13
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
NIV

Luke 21:34-36
"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."
NIV

Remember to not beat yourself up either! Admit, repent, get on with it.



Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the wisdom of your Word. Thank you for revealing your heart. Lord we love and honor you. Lord help us be aware of how we need to be in this world, curb our tongues, help us not sin when we are angry, help us overcome our vices and the sin that keeps coming back to us. Help us see our own failings so we can fix them and help us not criticize others but show your love so they cane find you and get fixed. in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:30 AM 0

Comment by russ allen on September 10, 2008 at 7:17am

Good morning! How are we faithing? I've been in some conversations as of late and that the subject matter should be talked about. People seem to get in a state where they think they have to prove their love to each other and to God. Falling in love with your mate for example can begin with performance but the actual love for that person doesn't rest on performance. If it did, no one would stay married because we all goof up. My kids were not perfect growing up. One started a camp fire in the basement and said,"I was cold". One stole with a buddy at K-mart for no reason other than to do it. Did I want to slap the snot out of them? Oh yeah but the love didn't change. They had to be punished for those deeds but I still loved them just as much and they knew it. If they thought I loved them based on performance, how screwed up would their relationships with their mates become? How would they understand unconditional love? How could they fathom a God who loves them no matter what? Could they even understand that Jesus died for them out of love and they can't earn that love or lose it? It is a gift of God and we don't deserve it because of our deeds but because it is freely given out of that same kind of love. The only performance criteria is the belief and acceptance of Jesus as messiah.

Romans 10:9
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved
KJV

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
KJV

1 John 4:15
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
KJV

Psalms 32:55
I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," And You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
NKJV

Those are but a few verses that bear out this principle. Did you see any performance based ways to earn the love and salvation of God? Nope, and you won't find any. The only thing we must do is believe and accept. Things that we do after a saving knowledge of Jesus are manifestations of the realization of that love and the Holy Spirit living in us, not the other way around. We ain't perfect, he is. Our kids ain't perfect and yet we love them so much we would die for them without a second thought. Think about this concept and see that you are loved regardless so if you are putting yourself down, stop. If you are depressed thinking you are doomed because you goofed up majorly, cut it out. We are his kids and we may be disciplined but we are always loved!
Remember Gloria Sylvester...Bob and Brenda...Robbie's opportunity...Phillip and his family...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for showing your love for us. Help us see that you care for us even when we slip and fall. Lord we lift those mentioned, open doors, heal them and show your face! Lord we ask you shower your people with so much love we can't even begin to deny your presence. Lord keep us healthy and open to the teachings you provide. Keep us so in tune with the straight and narrow that the goof ups lesson and we spot them coming a mile away. Lord we worship and praise your holy name! In Jesus name we pray, Amen!
Posted by russ allen at 6:42 AM 0 comments

Comment by russ allen on September 9, 2008 at 7:16am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Have you ever thought about just how much we are forgiven? A concept that is mind boggling. I know I've pulled some bone headed moves and am forgiven for them. Have you thought about how much you have been forgiven for? Be honest here. This is a question designed for you to realize how much you are loved, not to feel guilty and down. Only you know all Jesus forgave you for and that is between you and him. We are forgiven if we believe in Jesus as savior. He is standing between you and God so only he is seen, not sin. So when the books of justice get opened, your name is clear. Look at these;

Colossians 3:13-14
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
NIV

Ephesians 2:8-10
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
NIV

Romans 5:1-2
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
NIV

Take a step back when you see stuff getting you down. Think on the day when all this carnal stuff will disappears. Realize that even though it sucks, it's temporary. Realize you have solice in the Lord. Get on your face and seek him! Humble yourself and admit and repent for he already knows anyways. Be of good cheer for our savior loves us and stands with us all the time. Keep in mind that lessons are learned from everything that happens.
Remember Libby Rhoades ... remember our Pastors and youth leaders...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for being a loving, forgiving Lord. We ask to be so full of your joy we cannot contain it. We ask to be aware of your grace and forgiveness every second. We ask to be aware of your Holy Spirit prompting us all the time. Lord help us not be swayed by this world. Lord protect the innocent and grant us courage to do what is just and pleasing to you. Lord bless those we mentioned. In Jesus name, Amen

Heavenly
Posted by russ allen at 6:29 AM

Comment by russ allen on September 8, 2008 at 7:22am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Forgive me for missing Saturday, I had one about done and the puter froze. I got so mad I had to walk away. I know, pretty dumb thing to do but sometimes to keep from throwing it over the hill it's best to leave. Saturday was an odd day for me. Odd things seen, odd things read, odd things happened. Ever have those? The things happen and sometimes when they happen and sometimes at the end of the day you sit and think how odd the day has been and what have I learned or even suppose to learn? Sometimes you just shake your head, smile and tell yourself to remember this because if you try to decipher it now, your head will explode. Sometimes we wonder about stuff around us, we question all things. We ask for answers to things that enter our minds. We even ask questions about our faith and then get ticked at ourselves for doubting. Look, no one on earth has all the answers. No one is 100% correct 100% of the time so relax and pray anytime you doubt. Revelation is God given for those who ask. When we are able to grasp things, then God will reveal them. That's a concept that is tough to take because we want to know now! Right?

Hebrews 4:12-13
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
NIV

Psalms 119:15-16
I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees;I will not neglect your word.
NIV

That's why it is important for me to write this every day. If I didn't, it would be easy for me to flounder and maybe even sway with doctrine tossed at me from the world, how about you? My strength is in God and his holy Word. His Spirit guides me in my walk on earth. This is not boasting at all but actually admitting a weakness that I am a scoundrel and not worthy of God's grace. That's what is so cool about our savior! He makes us worthy in the eyes of God! The more I learn the more I find I am a man in need of a savior. To tie all of this together we see that on those days that odd things happen we need but to seek the Lord and ask him to reveal things and accept and learn from them. I don't have all the answers but I know who does. That my friends is a good lesson to learn.
Remember Sharon Giley...remember The Pflugs...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for being with us every day. Reveal your statutes and ways. Lord we ask for healing for those of us who are in need of a touch from you. We lift up our friends and colleagues to you. Help them see you and know you. Lord guide our minds so we are not clouded with worldly things that don't help us. Teach us to see through to the other side of turmoil. Lord thank you for loving us so much you sent your son. Lord we know we are not worthy but praise you that you are. Lord keep our minds safe from the enemy who tries to push us away from you. Rebuke him and his gang from bothering us. Thank you for always being with us , in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:33 AM

Comment by russ allen on September 5, 2008 at 7:06am

Good morning! Lets recap this forgiveness thing and finish it up with some thoughts.
1. By holding on to ill feelings and not forgiving we can become a servant to "paying back" for what we've done and expecting others who have wronged us to "pay us back" also.
2. Holding onto unforgiving can lead to judging others for things they do rather than forgiving and showing God's love. We were forgiven by God for all our wrongs so what gives us the right to not return the same forgiveness?
3. Forgive yourself for past mistakes or you end up being very critical and judgemental, quick to point out wrongs rather than showing love and helping others find the forgiveness we have. Jesus forgave you so why haven't you forgiven yourself? Look at this Psalm;

Psalms 51:10-13
Create in me a clean heart, O God,And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Thy presence, And do not take Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, And sustain me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Thy ways, And sinners will be converted to Thee.
NAS

The plan is so simple that people have difficulty accepting it. "It can't be just that, ask and it's done? No penance?" Yep, that's all there is to it. Rather than criticizing people for what they do, show God's ways and people come to know God and his forgiveness. So how do we show this?
1. Be quick to confess to God and to the offended when we goof up. As soon as you realize the mistake, confess!
2. Be quick to forgive yourself and/or the offender because Jesus told us to and this can prevent animosities and ill feelings to fester.

Romans 8:1-4
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.
NIV

Romans 4:7-8
"Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him."
NIV

Now we must also realize that stuff will happen to us and we will do stuff. The cool thing is God knows this and the principles we have talked about free us from the curse of sin. We are able to confess and become clean and are forgiven. Likewise we pass that on to people who sin against us. Forgiveness is so simple that we sometimes just find it hard to believe that a confession cleans the slate, but it does. Our "payback for sin" is in the washing away of our sins by the blood of Jesus. Jesus paid it already so forgive yourself, forgive the sins of others and rejoice in your freedom that a forgiving heart provides.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for revealing the simple truth of your gift of salvation and the forgiveness we enjoy. Lord, help us realize we are forgiven when we ask. Lord help us forgive others who wrong us. Lord we are weary of carrying the offenses that the enemy reminds us we have done even though we know we are forgiven. Lord we ask in your name that the spirit of condemnation be removed from us so we may enjoy your wonderful love and comfort for our souls. Lord we want to see you and to follow you but sometimes are just weak. We ask for strength and assurance down deep that you are with us. Help us rest on you and have a peace we just can't describe. Lord we lift our troops and emergency workers to you. Keep them safe and give them courage to perform their tasks. Keep the kids safe and show yourself to them in Jesus name we pray, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:13 AM

Comment by russ allen on September 4, 2008 at 7:20am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Pray for us around here, a bug keeps circulation and there are lots of people feeling yucky. Thank you. Continuing with the forgiveness theme and we may digress and progress around the subject so stay with me! Holding onto animosity hurts us, not the one we hold it for. It manifests itself with feelings of rejection and feelings of being a victim. Repenting from fear of past things happening again because we haven't forgiven the wrong done to us can devastate our witness and our outlook on everything. We become suspect of everything. Ever met anyone who criticizes everything and seems unhappy all the time? You ask if they are just having a rough year or are they jerks? Natural questions but look inside as much as you can and the tidbits of info you pick up about them can reveals a spirit of unforgiveness. They may have been done dirty or thought they have and can't seem to release it. That can overtake someone to the point that they are miserable and it manifests itself with a mean spirit that is waiting for the sky to fall. Us forgiving regardless of the repentant nature of the offender is paramount. When it comes to forgiveness our response is what matters. Like we said before, you don't have to like it, only forgive it. God forgave us when we came to Jesus so what makes us think we should offer anything but the same?

Ephesians 4:17-24
This I say therefore, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality, for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
NAS

Romans 2:1-4
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?
NIV

Do you see that? Recognising the fault is ok but judging them for it is not. They may need to repent but that doesn't have a thing to do with the forgiveness we impart. Their actions may influence how we approach them but if we forgive them, the blinders come off us and we may see why they are doing what they are doing. When we forgive and pray for the people who sin against us we can achieve a true heart of love and see what God sees, just like he saw through our junk when he forgave us.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your Word that convicts us of our own needed growth. Lord, thank you for teaching and help us genuinely forgive the trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Father, we love and worship you and want nothing to get between you and us. We want to see you without earthly junk clouding the view. Help us recognise satan and his deceit. Lord be with the troops and help them keep focused and protect them from loneliness due to the distance they have from their loved ones. Keep their minds safe from the things they see. Lord guide our eyes so we see you, in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:24 AM

Comment by russ allen on September 3, 2008 at 7:09am

Good morning! How are we faithing? As I read and hear more in God's Word I am amazed at what I don't know. When we learn things that impact us we should pass it on and not keep it to ourselves like gum. We don't share chewed gum but we should be willing to be just like little kids. Kids will offer anything they have, even used gum.
We've talked alot about forgiveness and the spirit that invades us when we don't. We've heard the stories about kids being mistreated by their folks and when investigated find out the parents were mistreated and their parents were mistreated etc. Besides a learned response, this is unforgiveness. Unforgiveness for anything done to you if left unchecked will indeed come out. Sometimes people actually get comfortable in their unforgiving skin. Jesus forgave us for everything and we have no right to not forgive likewise. Sometimes we never get to confront our feelings of being wronged because the offender moves away or even dies. Unforgiveness comes from a feeling of "you owe me for the wrong you did". If we had to pay God for our wrongs we'd be in deep trouble. God sent his son for us because we can't pay back. So do we still owe God for sin? Nope. Jesus paid the price. We therefore cannot hold others to a standard that our Lord doesn't hold us to. Nobody owes us anything. We must forgive completely and move on. Sure we may not like it but remember that when we were forgiven God didn't like that sin either.

Ephesians 4:25-32
Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth, each one of you, with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity. Let him who steals steal no longer; but rather let him labor, performing with his own hands what is good, in order that he may have something to share with him who has need. Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
NAS

Do you see that? All of those things said we are to avoid are summed up with the last line. Temper bursts are not "the way God made me", saying whatever however is not "just speaking the truth", lashing out is a sure sign of an unforgiving spirit and we have to get ahold of that before it destroys us. Do you harbor ill feelings? Are you angry with someone? Think and seek God so you can forgive and forget and get on with the mission God has for you.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for forgiving a sinner like me. Thank you for forgiving all the people who have wronged me. Thank you for teaching us how to be like you. We know your way is the best and we ask you to cover us in your love so we can forgive. Lord we pray for healing so we can rise above the spirit of unforgiveness. Lord we rebuke satan and his minion in Jesus' name. We command they leave us and not return. Lord bless us with the peace that passes all understanding. Comfort and assure us we are forgiven. Let our hearts know what our brains already know. Lord protect the children from strife and bad planted seeds. Lord let them see you! Lord thank you for showing your face in your Word. We love and honor you, in Jesus name, Amen!
Posted by russ allen at 6:26 AM

Comment by russ allen on September 2, 2008 at 7:53am

anyone who would like to recieve this daily in an e-mail can send their address to grinch4om@yahoo.com sometimes accessing sites is problematic...

Comment by russ allen on September 2, 2008 at 7:30am

Good morning! How are we faithing? I've heard people say "we are predestined to be Christians or not, that God picked who he wanted beforehand and we really don't have free will and there are verses to back this up." Well lets look at these verses and we will see that that statement is not true.

Romans 8:28-30
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
NIV

Holy mackerel! It's true! Or is it? Dissect these and think, verse 28 says God uses everything that happens for good for the folks who love and seek his ways. Cool! With that in mind lets continue. Verse 29; read this and think how it is said, God knew those who chose to follow Jesus would be like him, a reflection of him. We would conform to his ways and use his principles to be holy. Verse 30; do you see it? Those who are predestined to conform,(Christians), who are called become justified and glorified. So were we predestined to be Christians? No, we could have chose not and those still thinking about becoming a believer still can choose to! When we choose to be believers the mold is already set for how we are to become, like Jesus. Still a little confused? Look at these;

Ephesians 1:3-14
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will- 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment-to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession-to the praise of his glory.
NIV

Verse 4 and 5, does it say we were picked or not picked? I don't think so. It says that believers were predestined to be a certain way-like the son of God. To live for and like Jesus. To be loving, nurturing people who see what God sees, a sinner who is washed clean by the blood of Jesus. Verse 11 and 12 bear this line of thinking out. Read verse1-14 in its entirety and it opens up the entire idea of how predestination is not presented in conventional wisdom but more of a plan of how we will be once we find Jesus as Lord and master. Reading all the verses around certain verses brings out the whole thought, not just a sentence with a word used that can lead to misrepresentation and the wrong message. Look at these;

1 Corinthians 15:49
And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.
NIV
again, a reflection of Jesus

2 Timothy 2:19
Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."
NIV

John 10:28-30
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one."
NIV

Think on this for as we learn to read the Word, ideas and principles are revealed and our confidence in our savior grows! Remember Joey Jesse...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for revealing your Word to us and thank you for opening our minds so we don't get caught up in word wars but in the love you have for us. Help us understand your ways and grant us the wisdom to see you revealed. Lord we want to know more about you and need your Spirit to help us see the love you have for us. Lord keep our minds safe from things that distract us from you. Lord help us understand the things we encounter and help- us forgive when we are wronged. Lord show us your face, in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:25 AM

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