Today's Prayer
Dear God, I lift up your name and praise you this day, for you are the mighty God, creator of the universe, lover of mankind, sustainer of all, most magnificent and awesome father, most caring and devoted nurturer, most powerful of anyone and anything, all-knowing and ever-present. How can I even count the ways that you are worthy of my praise?! Thank you for your gift of love and life. Thank you for your promise of eternal life with you through your righteous son. Thank you for Jesus my Savior and the Holy Spirit who convicts and seals and guides me along the way. Thank you for the Word and your Word that illuminates, instructs, and leads me. I am grateful for who you are, all you do, and what you plan to do. In the name of Jesus I humbly come before you. Amen
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
The Third Commitment To A Holy Life
The Third Commitment To A Holy Life
By God’s grace Consecrate all of your life and all that you have to be God’s servant now and as long as you live.------The Holy Sacrifice
If you have given over your will to God’s will in the second commitment to a holy life. God now calls you to lay yourself on his alter once again for this Holy process.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, THAT YOU PRESENT YOUR BODIES A LIVING SACRIFICE, HOLY, ACCEPTABLE TO GOD, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, BUT BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
This scripture clearly tells us that we are “not our own, but “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”1Cor 6:20. That price is the precious blood of Jesus shed on the cross for us. We have been keeping our bodies and minds as our personal possessions to do with as we please. We now must relinquish them to Jesus Christ to use as He pleases. This may be a slow and painful process. SELF does not want to die. But to be completely God’s person is gloriously rewarding. He has heights and depths of Joy for us that we never imagined. And while we may have yielded our will to Him before, now our will is lost in His will. Our minds must now reject all sinful thoughts.
Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
Philipians 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.
2Corinthians10:5 Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
This may also be a slow process but daily reading and meditating on the words of Jesus helps.
May \the Holy Spirit lead and guide you as you commit yourself to seeking this wonderful experience.
Love, Howard S. Dimmick
By God’s grace Consecrate all of your life and all that you have to be God’s servant now and as long as you live.------The Holy Sacrifice
If you have given over your will to God’s will in the second commitment to a holy life. God now calls you to lay yourself on his alter once again for this Holy process.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, THAT YOU PRESENT YOUR BODIES A LIVING SACRIFICE, HOLY, ACCEPTABLE TO GOD, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, BUT BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
This scripture clearly tells us that we are “not our own, but “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”1Cor 6:20. That price is the precious blood of Jesus shed on the cross for us. We have been keeping our bodies and minds as our personal possessions to do with as we please. We now must relinquish them to Jesus Christ to use as He pleases. This may be a slow and painful process. SELF does not want to die. But to be completely God’s person is gloriously rewarding. He has heights and depths of Joy for us that we never imagined. And while we may have yielded our will to Him before, now our will is lost in His will. Our minds must now reject all sinful thoughts.
Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
Philipians 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.
2Corinthians10:5 Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
This may also be a slow process but daily reading and meditating on the words of Jesus helps.
May \the Holy Spirit lead and guide you as you commit yourself to seeking this wonderful experience.
Love, Howard S. Dimmick
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Second Step to Holiness
In the first step I saw that repentance, brought about by the work of the Holy Spirit, made me aware of the magnitude, wickedness and folly of my ways. Then I gladly turned to Christ for forgiveness and He graciously responded with love and irrevocable forgiveness. This is redemption, for He paid the price of my sin by shedding His blood on the cross for me. I am then saved. Hallelujah!
The second step is the submission of my will to God’s will. Paul talks about this in Romans 7
: 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin, which is in my members.
Paul realizes something is wrong, he cannot do what he knows he ought to do and he does what he knows he shouldn’t do, and he cries our as many of us have:24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
His own will is dominant so he does what he wants instead of what he knows he should do. But he knows who has the answer: I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,[a] who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
So if our will is not surrendered to the will of God we are walking in the flesh and not in the Spirit!
Jesus not only died on the cross to forgive our sins, but, sent the Holy Spirit as my counselor and guide with power to tame my will and let me submit (surrender) to the will of God.
We see this also in chapter 6: 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
We know Sin is death to the sinner, but here he is talking about the Christian who still sins because he has not surrendered his will to God’s will. But we can be made free in Christ. Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,[a] who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Hallelujah!
Don’t be deceived, there are those who think this verse means God won’t condemn us if we do sin. They don’t read the rest of the verse. It says “who do not walk according to the flesh!
In the first step I saw that repentance, brought about by the work of the Holy Spirit, made me aware of the magnitude, wickedness and folly of my ways. Then I gladly turned to Christ for forgiveness and He graciously responded with love and irrevocable forgiveness. This is redemption, for He paid the price of my sin by shedding His blood on the cross for me. I am then saved. Hallelujah!
The second step is the submission of my will to God’s will. Paul talks about this in Romans 7
: 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin, which is in my members.
Paul realizes something is wrong, he cannot do what he knows he ought to do and he does what he knows he shouldn’t do, and he cries our as many of us have:24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
His own will is dominant so he does what he wants instead of what he knows he should do. But he knows who has the answer: I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,[a] who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
So if our will is not surrendered to the will of God we are walking in the flesh and not in the Spirit!
Jesus not only died on the cross to forgive our sins, but, sent the Holy Spirit as my counselor and guide with power to tame my will and let me submit (surrender) to the will of God.
We see this also in chapter 6: 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
We know Sin is death to the sinner, but here he is talking about the Christian who still sins because he has not surrendered his will to God’s will. But we can be made free in Christ. Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,[a] who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Hallelujah!
Don’t be deceived, there are those who think this verse means God won’t condemn us if we do sin. They don’t read the rest of the verse. It says “who do not walk according to the flesh!
Friday, April 03, 2009
We were Brought With a Price
We were bought with a price, the precious blood of Jesus; therefore I will glorify God in my body and spirit, which are God’s.
I will not use any part of me to do my own will but allow God to have his will in all my life.
I not let Satan or sin to possess, barrow or pollute my body, mind or heart, for I am God’s.
Jesus is mine; the Holy Spirit is in control of every thought, act and relationship.
God is love. I Know God, He knows me; therefore agape love will be my aim and attitude.
Christ accepted me, and I accepted Him. I’ll not allow any division or separation from Him.
This is my commitment to Him, for he gave his life for me, and His Spirit to me. Amen.
I will not use any part of me to do my own will but allow God to have his will in all my life.
I not let Satan or sin to possess, barrow or pollute my body, mind or heart, for I am God’s.
Jesus is mine; the Holy Spirit is in control of every thought, act and relationship.
God is love. I Know God, He knows me; therefore agape love will be my aim and attitude.
Christ accepted me, and I accepted Him. I’ll not allow any division or separation from Him.
This is my commitment to Him, for he gave his life for me, and His Spirit to me. Amen.
Friday, November 21, 2008
The Armor of God
The Armor of God
Ephesians 6:10-20
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
We have a BIG Mighty God!
11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
The protection and weapons God provides, so you can be “More than conquers”
12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
We need every one of the tools God has for us.
14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,
Truth—Knowing the true Gospel of Christ.
with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
Righteousness—That means cleansed from sin.
15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
Peace--At peace with God.
16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,
Faith—Having confidence and ruthless trust in our mighty God
with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17Take the helmet of salvation
Salvation—God’s provision for our forgiveness, restoration, holiness, and heaven.
and the sword of the Spirit,
Spirit—The indwelling Holy Spirit our guide and counselor.
which is the word of God.
Word—The source of wisdom and truth.
Now, with all this preparation what is our duty?
18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Prayer—Our communication with The Almighty.
19Pray also for me,(Interceed) that whenever I open my mouth,
Intercession--For help for The Church and its leaders.
words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains..
Speak—Bold and fearless.
Should we leave all the speaking to the present leaders?
Why can’t we do something for God’s kingdom too? We have the tools!
Ephesians 6:10-20
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
We have a BIG Mighty God!
11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
The protection and weapons God provides, so you can be “More than conquers”
12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
We need every one of the tools God has for us.
14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,
Truth—Knowing the true Gospel of Christ.
with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
Righteousness—That means cleansed from sin.
15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
Peace--At peace with God.
16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,
Faith—Having confidence and ruthless trust in our mighty God
with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17Take the helmet of salvation
Salvation—God’s provision for our forgiveness, restoration, holiness, and heaven.
and the sword of the Spirit,
Spirit—The indwelling Holy Spirit our guide and counselor.
which is the word of God.
Word—The source of wisdom and truth.
Now, with all this preparation what is our duty?
18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Prayer—Our communication with The Almighty.
19Pray also for me,(Interceed) that whenever I open my mouth,
Intercession--For help for The Church and its leaders.
words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains..
Speak—Bold and fearless.
Should we leave all the speaking to the present leaders?
Why can’t we do something for God’s kingdom too? We have the tools!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
35 Reasons Not To Sin
by Jim Elliff
- Because a little sin leads to more sin.
- Because my sin invites the discipline of God.
- Because the time spent in sin is forever wasted.
- Because my sin never pleases but always grieves God who loves me.
- Because my sin places a greater burden on my spiritual leaders.
- Because in time my sin always brings heaviness to my heart.
- Because I am doing what I do not have to do.
- Because my sin always makes me less than what I could be.
- Because others, including my family, suffer consequences due to my sin.
- Because my sin saddens the godly.
- Because my sin makes the enemies of God rejoice.
- Because sin deceives me into believing I have gained when in reality I have lost.
- Because sin may keep me from qualifying for spiritual leadership.
- Because the supposed benefits of my sin will never outweigh the consequences of disobedience.
- Because repenting of my sin is such a painful process, yet I must repent.
- Because sin is a very brief pleasure for an eternal loss.
- Because my sin may influence others to sin.
- Because my sin may keep others from knowing Christ.
- Because sin makes light of the cross, upon which Christ died for the very purpose of taking away my sin.
- Because it is impossible to sin and follow the Spirit at the same time.
- Because God chooses not to respect the prayers of those who cherish their sin.
- Because sin steals my reputation and robs me of my testimony.
- Because others once more earnest than I have been destroyed by just such sins.
- Because the inhabitants of heaven and hell would all testify to the foolishness of this sin.
- Because sin and guilt may harm both mind and body.
- Because sins mixed with service make the things of God tasteless.
- Because suffering for sin has no joy or reward, though suffering for righteousness has both.
- Because my sin is adultery with the world.
- Because, though forgiven, I will review this very sin at the Judgment Seat where loss and gain of eternal rewards are applied.
- Because I can never really know ahead of time just how severe the discipline for my sin might be.
- Because my sin may be an indication of a lost condition.
- Because to sin is not to love Christ.
- Because my unwillingness to reject this sin now grants it an authority over me greater than I wish to believe.
- Because sin glorifies God only in His judgment of it and His turning of it to good use, never because it is worth anything on it's own.
- Because I promised God he would be Lord of my life.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Have you made the right choice?
We make many choices, some trivial, some important, and a few with eternal consequences. Some choices are influenced by trivial things, others by people in our lives, some by government or circumstances. Some we are pleased with some we regret. Some lead to happiness or gain others to despair or loss.
We generally enjoy the freedom we have to choose for ourselves our path of life.
God gave us that freedom and because we are his creation he loves us, all of us. And will never deny us the prevelage to make our own choices.
However, because He is the master and creator of all things he knows what is best for us. He told Adam and Eve exactly the truth and consequences of what could happen in the Garden of Eden. It was their choice to disregard His advice. They had known the presence and fellowship of their creator but because the tempter got her attention and told her lies she made a terrible mistake and chose to believe Satan rather than God. Adam was just as gullible.They had been clearly told that sin or disobedience produces death. When we read “death” we might nor know exactly what is meant. I am sure that Gods communication with Adam and Eve left no doubt in their mind about what was meant. It wasn’t instant physical death, it was something far more hideous than that. They were God’s creation, created in His image. That means eternal as he is eternal. This death is a change in character, With the rebellion against the creator comes the loss of His character in them. God is love. Now they have selfishness. God is truth. Now they have deceit. God is faithful. Now they have faithlessness. God is holy. Now they have sin. They have taken on the character of Satan himself. And at that time they could not reverse the choice. And because we are all of Adams family, we inherit the curse of his spiritual death and physical death as well. God later told Eve that someday that Satan would bruise her offspring’s heel and that He; Christ would bruise Satan’s head, so that the curse could be reversed.
God’s new offspring through Eve came as a baby named Jesus, born to a virgin, born in a manger. He came to save His people from their sin. It was His choice to atone for our wrong choices through His sacrifice on the cross of Calvary. He came as our savior to “reverse the curse” and to restore us the spiritual life of our creator with the love, truth, faithfulness, and holiness that he created us for.
The best choice you could make is to make Jesus Christ, the way the truth and the life, your Savior. He loves you. That is why He gave His life for you. You can become a new person. Old things will be gone and all your thoughts, deeds, and attitudes will be transformed by the love of Christ. Will you ask Him to forgive your sins and come into your life today? He longs for you to choose Him, he will hear you, forgive you, and change your life. Now it’s not His choice. It’s your choice!
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