daddy4ms

Introduction: Where do we see “power” in our culture? (money, politics, status (get to the top no matter what), Control) How does that compare to power in the kingdom of God? (humility, dependance, less of me, abiding) Do we believe that power is available to us? If we do, would it change how we live? Power-Greek work “dunamis” where we get dynamite ·          19  and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might  20  that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, (Ephesians 1:19-20) ·          16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,… 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power...

My Aunt Kay Jean suggested I start sharing a verse of the day.  I liked her suggestion but decided instead of a verse of the day, I would share a verse of the week.  Be reminded of who God is from His Word. 4  And the angel who talked with me came again and woke me, like a man who is awakened out of his sleep. 2  And he said to me, “What do you see?” I said, “I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it, and seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps that are on the top of it. 3  And there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.” 4  And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” 5  Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” 6  Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit , says the Lord of hosts...

Introduction : How confident are you?   Confidence is defined by the American Heritage Dictionary as, “trust or reliance, feeling of assurance” It is usually easy to spot a person who is confident by what they say or do.   We can place confidence in ourselves, in others, or in things. On your notes page, I have listed several things we can place our confidence in.   Take about 30 seconds to circle those you place confidence in: self, spouse, friend, parent, child, job, school, sports, marriage, parenting, faithfulness, achievements, education, economy, politics. In our passage today, we learn about what Paul’s confidence was in. We will discuss three “look” phrases in the message today.    Look up (vs. 1a) ·          Finally, rejoice in the Lord. Paul begins Chapter 3 repeating one of his main themes: joy.   Remember our joy is not based on circumstances, but instead on who God is. Paul’s confidence was “...

Because Christ fulfilled the law “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. (Matthew 5:17)  Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfill ed.” (Luke 24:44)  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. (Romans 10:4)   12  But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” 13  Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14  so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. (Galatians 3:12-14) I live by the Spirit 3  For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do....

I am continuing to read The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification by Walter Marshall. It is a slow read.  Here are selected quotes from Chapters 4 and 5. "faith is not simply a matter of avoiding punishment, where do not have any desire to love and enjoy Christ. Rather, true saving faith means that you come to a deep, heartfelt conviction of how precious Christ is..." "They know people cannot totally keep Christ's laws, so they say that as long as you resolve to keep Christ's law, that is good enough to save you." "In order to live a life of holiness, you need God's almighty power." "The flesh is the nature of man as it is corrupted by the fall of Adam." "Sanctification is far more than "turning over a new leaf" in the way you live. Sanctification is living out of your new nature in Christ." "Can you possibly imagine that anyone can prevail against sin if he sees that God is against him, and that he i...

Here are promises of God from Galatians compiled by Kenneth Boa: Christ Jesus gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age (1:3-4). As believers in Christ, we have been crucified with him, and it is no longer we who live, but Christ lives in us.   The life we live in the body, we live by faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us (2:20). Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us (3:13). We who have been baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ.   There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for we are all one in Christ Jesus.   If we belong to Christ, then we are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise (3:27-29). When we live by the Spirit, we will not gratify the desires of the flesh.   Since we live by the Spirit, we are called to keep in step with the Spirit (5:16, 25). The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, ki...

Are you working really hard to accomplish something right now?  Maybe it is at home, work, church, or in a relationship?  Are you relying on your own power?  Check out these encouraging words from Zechariah 4:6 6  So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.

I finished two books I have been reading on our identity in Christ.  They are Who Do You Think You Are? by Mark Driscoll and Identity by Eric Geiger.  Both have been great summer reads.  I quoted from Driscoll last week so today I am sharing quotes from the last four chapters of Geiger's book which are the titles above.  Unfortunately many Christians forsake the serving high to sit and observe. Statistics tell us that the majority of "Christians" never get in the game. Instead they choose to be spectators to the work of God. The bottom line is an intimate relationship with God. Being a Christian has always been about following Christ. . . We have confused information with transformation. The law of the Spirit requires the discipline to seek God, the sensitivity to listen to His voice, and the faith to be led by Him. As an alien and stranger, you have a new law, which is simply to heed the language of the Spirit of God who lives within you. To abstain form ...

Consider Hebrews 4:12 with definitions of the words included in quote below from Dutch Sheets: "The logos of God is alive-actively alive. It is filled with the life and energy of God. It toils and works in us, is operative and effectual. It is also fully competent, adequate, sufficient, and ample. It has enough ability to channel itself through the various areas of the soul and spirit, reaching its goal and attaining its desired end. It will arrive and will accomplish its goal when it gets there."