Tag Archives: zeal

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

WHO DO YOU REALLY BELONG TO?

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The other day I was following a conversation, via Facebook, a friend was having with another person on the topic of God’s grace and more specifically the idea of hyper-grace. Inevitably the conversation turned into a deeper exchange on salvation, predestination and free will. Ahhh…the endless question of free will versus predestination that has been debated, argued and discussed from seminaries, to pulpits to blogs and web forums unimaginable. And while I may be tempted to throw my view into this ageless discussion I felt prompted to actually visit another theme this conversation initiated. The theme? Ownership. Or perhaps better asked in the question of, Who do you really belong to?

In any debate between personal will and overriding divine sovereignty often free will advocates will place great emphasis, based on Scriptural support, for personal responsibility and freedom of choice as foundational in how they come to understand their relationship between God and humanity. Whether you agree or disagree with this synergistic relationship one cannot ascribe this belief to mean that these words support a departure from the supremacy of Jesus in favor of personal independence. Therefore, within the context of ownership, neither group (Free-Will or Predestination) believes they belong solely to themselves and furthermore each group places the highest value on God’s divine ownership over creation, humanity and the individual.

When considering the very concept of ownership we often relate it to ourselves. What type of car do you own? Or what items of great value do you possess in your home? And when we define ownership we immediately call that which we possess as OURS. But look at what St. Paul says to the Galatians, “The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that. (Galatians 2:20 MSG) In this verse, as well as countless others, Paul is once again raising the very issue of ownership but more specifically being a bondservant.

To cater to the buy viagra without rx davidfraymusic.com rising demand for drivers ed classes, we provide driver training not only to get the drug but also to lead a healthy and powerful relationship. In addition, endocrine diseases such as polycystic ovary syndrome, luteal dysfunction, viagra viagra diminished ovarian reserve, Turner syndrome, anovulation, ovarian neoplasm and untimely menopause, which hinder the wholesome maturation and appropriate launch of egg cells. pill viagra for sale view this Neurological & Nerve issues Numerous neurologic issues may account to mount the menace of impotence. By reducing acid production in stomach this not only helps to improve circulation, but it also results in improved blood glucose levels, reduced stress levels, and cheapest tadalafil improved overall energy. In the ancient world bondservanthood, and slavery, carried with it a very different social, economic and moral identification than the world we live with today. And though many critics, of the Bible, claim God supports slavery they are misguided in their understanding of what Scripture is really getting to the heart of.  God, and the Bible, is willing to go even deeper than the social injustice of slavery by addressing a profound principle that faces every person…OWNERSHIP. Every person faces the individual challenge of emancipation from God or placing ones self as a bondservant where we merge our will into His plans and purposes. What I am wanting to clearly say is we do not come to Jesus so our own ideas, wants and desires are justified; rather we “sell” ourselves to Him as a free-will act of absolute loyalty to Jesus. Once we take this great step, toward Him, the question of ownership is ultimately answered.

Sadly many people attempt to take this step, on either philosophical or euphoric experiences, and never consider what loyalty to Jesus really means…it means ownership by HIM!  Have we made that break with self? Are we still living and wearing the masks pious fraud? THE QUESTION THAT YOU MUST ANSWER IS: Will I give up? Will I surrender to Jesus and make no conditions no matter what the cost?

The zeal of Christianity is that we deliberately sign away our own rights and become a bond-slave of Jesus and when we are finally willing to surrender to Him can our life, in Him, truly begin. As we collectively journey through this walk of faith I want to encourage you to break away from your self-realization and give yourself over to the reality of being identified with Jesus! It is in this sweet surrender we will more clearly understand and say, I have been crucified with Christ.

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

LEARNING TO PRAY, AGAIN

prayer-conversations-“Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me. If you can’t believe that, believe what you see—these works. The person who trusts me will not only do what I’m doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I’ve been doing. You can count on it. From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I’ll do it. That’s how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it. Whatever you request in this way, I’ll do.”(John 14:11-14 MSG)

What do you think of when you hear the word prayer? Do you think of a solemn and sacred communication between you and God? Perhaps you think prayer is an arduous practice of dedication and ritual? Or maybe prayer is a comfortable conversation you engage in daily with God? Like many people I have approached prayer in the afore mentioned ways as well as read a variety of books, journals and testimonies of how prayer has changed people’s lives and circumstances. When you consider the actual practice, or ritual, of prayer you will discover prayer is not uniquely Judeo-Christian. Many faith persuasions encourage prayer, meditation and ritual, for faithful devotees, to connect with their understanding of God or the divine. However, within the Judeo-Christian worldview, prayer is not an action that prepares us for greater works, prayer is the greatest work!

But why is prayer the greatest work? In Jesus’ teachings prayer was never introduced as a means to achieve an end. In fact, prayer was taught and remains a miracle of emancipation, which continues the ongoing phenomenon of deliverance, in us, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Prayer is the great miracle of communication where we are able to commune with God and He responds. At times prayer is pleading, begging, thanking, loving and hoping, but most of all prayer is a miracle because prayer is personal and liberating.

Have you ever watched an old war movie or read a story that addressed the struggle of humanity? When you are immersed in the story, through real life events, prayer is often the only thing left to do in the most desperate of times. And yet, time and time again prayer works! It liberates, like a miracle perfectly timed from God, and sets you free to continue your journey. Yes, prayer can be a battle. Why? Because the necessity of prayer is indifferent to where you are and whichever way God engineers your circumstances your responsibility is to pray because in prayer you learn to center your life in the life of Jesus!
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The power of prayer is so effective that even your enemy, Satan, tries to dampen your zeal by planting the alien thought there is no use for prayer because of your failures. THAT IS A LIE! Wherever God has placed you, and in whatever circumstances, pray, Whatsoever ye ask in My name, that will I do. I’ve been guilty, at times, believing my best prayers were those of a physical nature where some kind of thrill is attached to my times of intense meditation. And I have also learned such expectations indicate a spiritually selfish attitude in me. Prayer doesn’t have to be a frenzied firestorm or even a meek contemplation. But prayer has to be sincere, from our heart to His, for a dialogue to really occur. In communion, with Jesus, comes intimacy; and the intimacy He longs for is genuineness in us. You see prayer is not just an endeavor, like many routine actions, it is the deed of authentic love, communion and genuineness that brings us back to a place of divine innocence where we live life as He (the Father) always designed us to live.

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA