Christian lives between promise received and promise completed (Joshua 21:43–45, Hebrews 4:8–10)

 Joshua 21:43–45

“The Lord gave them rest on every side… Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made… had failed; all came to pass.”

Big Idea

God is the giver of true rest.
The rest Israel experienced in Joshua was not merely the absence of war. It was the fulfillment of God’s promise, the enjoyment of His presence, and the settled peace of living under His covenant faithfulness.

This passage shows three powerful truths:

1. God keeps His promises

2. God gives rest after struggle

3. God’s rest points beyond Canaan to a deeper spiritual rest in Christ

---

1) Rest is the fulfillment of God’s promise

Joshua 21 emphasizes that Israel’s rest was not accidental or self-made. It was promised by God, secured by God, and given by God.

Key supporting texts:

• Exodus 33:14
  “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
  Rest is tied first to God’s presence, not merely favorable circumstances.

• Deuteronomy 12:10
  “When you go over the Jordan and live in the land… and he gives you rest from all your enemies around, so that you live in safety…”
  Joshua 21 is the realization of what God had spoken long before.

• 1 Kings 8:56
  “Blessed be the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed…”
  Solomon later looks back and confirms the same truth: God’s Word does not fail.

Reflection:

Rest begins when we trust that God is faithful even when fulfillment takes time. Israel wandered, fought, waited, and endured, but God still brought them into what He promised.

---

2) Rest often comes after conflict, not before it

Joshua 21 does not mean Israel never fought. It means that after seasons of warfare, uncertainty, and obedience, God established them.

Key supporting texts:

• Joshua 11:23
  “And the land had rest from war.”
  Rest came after battle, not instead of it.

• Joshua 23:1
  “A long time afterward, when the Lord had given rest to Israel from all their surrounding enemies…”
  God’s timing often includes process, perseverance, and preparation.

• 2 Samuel 7:1
  “When the king lived in his house and the Lord had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies…”
  David also experienced that rest is something God establishes, not something man can manufacture.

Reflection:

Many people think peace means a life with no resistance. Biblically, peace often means God’s sustaining hand through the resistance until He settles what He has ordained.

---

3) Biblical rest is more than stopping. It is settled peace in God

The Hebrew idea of rest carries the sense of security, settledness, and peace. It is not laziness or inactivity. It is living without fear because God has made His people secure.

Key supporting texts:

• Leviticus 26:6
  “I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid.”
  God’s peace includes freedom from fear.

• Psalm 4:8
  “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
  Rest is inward before it is outward.

• Psalm 29:11
  “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”
  Biblical peace is not weakness. It is strength under God’s blessing.

• Isaiah 26:3
  “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
  Peace is maintained by trust, not by control.

Reflection:

The rest God gives includes:

• peace of conscience
• stability in uncertainty
• freedom from striving
• confidence in His care

---

4) God’s rest is covenant peace, not merely circumstantial comfort

Israel’s rest in Joshua was tied to being in the land under God’s rule and promise. It was relational and covenantal.

Key supporting texts:

• Numbers 6:24–26
  “The Lord bless you and keep you… and give you peace.”
  Peace flows from God’s covenant blessing.

• Psalm 23:1–3
  “The Lord is my shepherd… he leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.”
  God gives rest not only to nations but to souls.

• Jeremiah 6:16
  “Walk in it, and find rest for your souls.”
  Rest is found in walking in God’s way.

Reflection:

Peace is not ultimately found in possessions, schedules, or control over outcomes. It is found in right relationship with God.

---

5) Joshua’s rest was real, but not final

This is one of the most important biblical insights. Joshua 21 celebrates a true fulfillment, but the Bible later shows that this rest was not the ultimate rest God intended.

Key supporting texts:

• Psalm 95:7–11
  Long after Joshua, God still warns His people not to harden their hearts and miss His rest.

• Hebrews 3:18–19
  “They were unable to enter because of unbelief.”
  The greatest barrier to rest is not hardship. It is unbelief.

• Hebrews 4:8–10
  “For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on… So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.”
  This is crucial: Joshua gave a historical rest, but Christ gives eternal rest.

Reflection:

The land pointed to something greater:

• not just a place, but a Person
• not just military peace, but soul peace
• not just temporary safety, but eternal security

---

6) Jesus is the fulfillment of promised rest

Everything Joshua 21 anticipates finds its fullest expression in Christ. Jesus gives what Canaan could only symbolize.

Key supporting texts:

Matthew 11:28–30

• “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
• Jesus offers rest not just for the body or nation, but for the weary soul.

John 14:27

• “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you… Let not your hearts be troubled.”
• Christ gives a peace the world cannot produce.

Romans 5:1

• “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
• The deepest peace is reconciliation with God.

Ephesians 2:13–14

• “He himself is our peace…”
• Jesus does not merely provide peace. He is peace.

Philippians 4:6–7

• “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

The believer can experience inward peace even when outward conditions remain unsettled.

Reflection:

Joshua shows us the shadow.
Jesus gives us the substance.

Joshua led Israel into a land.
Jesus leads His people into peace with God, rest for the soul, and eternal hope.

---

7) God’s promised rest includes both “already” and “not yet”

As believers, we experience real rest now, but we also still await the fullness of it.

Present rest:

• peace with God now (Romans 5:1)
• peace in trial now (John 16:33)
• soul rest in Christ now (Matthew 11:28–30)

Future rest:

• Revelation 14:13
  “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord… that they may rest from their labors.”

• Revelation 21:3–4
  “He will wipe away every tear… neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore.”
  Final rest means the complete removal of sorrow, sin, death, and conflict.

Reflection:

The Christian life is lived between:

• promise received
• and promise completed

Joshua 21 teaches us that what God starts, He finishes.

Joshua 21:43–45 teaches us:

• God is faithful to every promise
• God gives rest after seasons of struggle
• God’s peace is deeper than outward calm
• Earthly rest points to spiritual rest
• Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promised rest

Ask:

• Where am I still living like God’s promises might fail?
• Where am I striving instead of resting in God’s faithfulness?
• Am I seeking peace from circumstances, or from Christ Himself?
• What battle has God already brought me through that should deepen my trust in Him now?

Joshua 21:43–45 is a monument to the faithfulness of God.
Israel stood in the land because God kept His word. And believers stand in grace today for the same reason.

The God who gave Israel rest on every side is the same God who gives His people peace in Christ.

Not one word failed then. Not one word will fail now.

Read More ->>

Guarding the Heart from Sin

 Matthew 5:29–30

“If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away… And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away…”
— Matthew 5:29–30

Big Idea

Jesus teaches that sin must be dealt with radically, not casually. The issue is not merely external behavior, but the heart that desires, tolerates, and nurtures sin. True holiness requires decisive action against whatever feeds rebellion against God.

---

1. Sin Begins in the Heart, Not Merely in the Act

Jesus gives this teaching in the context of lust and adultery. His point is that sin is not only the visible deed. It begins in the inner life.

“But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
— Matthew 5:28

This is consistent with the whole testimony of Scripture:

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”
— Proverbs 4:23

“The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil…”
— Luke 6:45

“For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery…”
— Mark 7:21–23

The battle against sin is not first about image management. It is about heart governance. If the heart is left unguarded, sinful thoughts become sinful desires, and sinful desires eventually become sinful deeds.

“Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”
— James 1:14–15

Application:

Ask not only, “What did I do?” but also, “What have I allowed to live in my heart?”

---

2. Jesus Calls for Radical Amputation, Not Mild Adjustment

Jesus uses shocking language intentionally. He is not commanding literal self-mutilation, but spiritual ruthlessness. Anything that becomes a pathway into sin must be dealt with decisively.

“If your right eye causes you to sin…”
“If your right hand causes you to sin…”
— Matthew 5:29–30

The “eye” can represent what we desire, gaze upon, or entertain. The “hand” can represent what we do, pursue, or grasp for. Jesus is saying: if something is feeding sin, remove it.

This same principle appears elsewhere:

“Make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”
— Romans 13:14

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness…”
— Colossians 3:5

“Abstain from every form of evil.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:22

“Flee from sexual immorality.”
— 1 Corinthians 6:18

Notice the language: put to death, make no provision, flee. Scripture never tells us to casually coexist with cherished sin. Sin is not a pet to manage. It is an enemy to kill.

Application:

What must be cut off?

• A habit
• A screen
• A relationship
• A private indulgence
• A pattern of secrecy
• A source of temptation you keep excusing

If it is feeding sin, Jesus says it is too costly to keep.

---

3. The Cost of Sin Is Greater Than the Cost of Cutting It Off

Jesus says it is “better” to lose one part of life than to lose your whole self to destruction. That is a severe but merciful warning.

“For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.”
— Matthew 5:29–30

Sin always promises pleasure, but it hides its price. It offers immediate gratification while concealing long-term ruin.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”
— Proverbs 14:12

“The wages of sin is death…”
— Romans 6:23

“Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned?”
— Proverbs 6:27

What feels “small” in the moment is often spiritually devastating over time. Jesus is teaching us to think with eternal seriousness.

Mature believers learn to say:
“I would rather lose convenience, comfort, pleasure, or freedom than lose tenderness toward God.”

“What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?”
— Matthew 16:26

Application:

Do you view sin as dangerous enough to treat with urgency? Or have you quietly negotiated peace with it?

---

4. Guarding the Heart Requires Guarding the Gates

If the heart is the wellspring, then we must guard what flows into it. Jesus’ imagery of the eye and hand reminds us that temptation often enters through ordinary avenues of life.

Guard your eyes

“I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.”
— Psalm 101:3

“Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.”
— Psalm 119:37

Guard your mind

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…”
— Romans 12:2

“Take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
— 2 Corinthians 10:5

Guard your desires

“Beloved, I urge you… to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.”
— 1 Peter 2:11

Guard your company

“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’”
— 1 Corinthians 15:33

Guard your speech

“Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.”
— Proverbs 4:24

Sin often grows where there is unguarded access. Many spiritual defeats are not mysterious. They are the result of leaving doors open that should have been shut.

Application:

What are the “gates” in your life that need stronger boundaries?

• Media
• Entertainment
• Social media
• Isolation
• Fantasy life
• Private conversations
• Emotional attachments
• Prideful thoughts

---

5. Sin Must Be Fought at the Desire Level, Not Only the Behavior Level

You can remove an outward behavior while still loving the sin inwardly. Jesus wants more than external restraint. He wants inward purity.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
— Matthew 5:8

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
— Psalm 51:10

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
— Psalm 37:4

The answer to sinful desire is not only suppression. It is superior affection. Sin loses power when the heart is increasingly satisfied in God.

This is why repentance is not merely saying, “I need to stop.”
It is saying, “My heart has loved the wrong thing.”

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart…”
— Matthew 22:37

Application:

What desire beneath the sin needs to be exposed?

• Approval
• Control
• Escape
• Pleasure
• Comfort
• Power
• Validation
• Bitterness

Until the deeper desire is brought into the light, behavior modification alone will not last.

---

6. Guarding the Heart Requires Both Repentance and Dependence

Jesus’ words are strong, but they are not a call to self-salvation. We do not conquer sin by willpower alone. We fight through repentance, prayer, the Word, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
— Matthew 26:41

“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
— Galatians 5:16

“If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
— Romans 8:13

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.”
— Psalm 119:9

“Your word I have stored up in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
— Psalm 119:11

The heart is guarded not merely by avoidance, but by active spiritual filling:

• Scripture in the mind
• Prayer in temptation
• Confession in failure
• Accountability in weakness
• Worship in daily life
• Dependence on the Spirit

Application:

Do you have an actual strategy for holiness, or only vague intentions?

---

7. Grace Does Not Make Sin Safe. Grace Makes Holiness Possible.

A passage like this can feel heavy, but it is not meant to drive believers into despair. It is meant to drive us to seriousness, repentance, and Christ.

Jesus is not only the one who warns us about sin. He is the one who came to save us from it.

“You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
— Matthew 1:21

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

“For the grace of God has appeared… training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions…”
— Titus 2:11–12

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace…”
— Hebrews 4:16

Grace does not lower the standard. Grace gives us a Savior, forgiveness when we fall, and power to fight again.

---

Summary Truth

Matthew 5:29–30 teaches that sin is so deadly, and holiness so valuable, that we must remove anything that feeds rebellion in the heart.
Jesus is calling for:

• Seriousness about sin
• Radical repentance
• Heart-level holiness
• Practical boundaries
• Dependence on God’s grace

---

Discussion / Reflection Questions

1. What “eye” or “hand” in your life has become a recurring doorway to sin?
2. Where are you managing sin instead of mortifying it?
3. What desire beneath the temptation needs to be confronted?
4. What practical boundary do you need to establish immediately?
5. How can you fill your heart more intentionally with God’s Word this week?

---

Short Teaching Conclusion

Guarding the heart from sin means refusing to treat temptation lightly. Jesus teaches that eternal things are at stake, and therefore drastic spiritual action is wisdom, not extremism. Whatever feeds sin must go. Whatever strengthens love for Christ must stay.

Read More ->>

Called to Hard Things The Doctrine of the Cross for a Believer

Burden begins the work of faith. Nehemiah did not ignore Jerusalem’s ruin. He mourned, prayed, then acted (Nehemiah 1:3–4; 2:4–5). The burden was not an obstacle. It was the assignment. God often begins His work by placing a weight on the heart of a willing servant (Galatians 6:2; Isaiah 6:8).

The cross defines true discipleship. Jesus set the standard. “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). This is not advanced Christianity. It is the baseline. A life centered on Christ cannot also be centered on self (Luke 14:27; Galatians 2:20).

Nehemiah 1–3 shows a man holding multiple legitimate obligations simultaneously, his professional role, his people, his king, his God and navigating them without abandoning any carelessly. He did not use one as an excuse to avoid another. He prayed before he planned, surveyed before he spoke, organized before he built, and trusted God's provision at every stage.

For men whose burdens overlap, where work identity, marital faithfulness, and physical limitation all press at once, the call is the same as Nehemiah's: not to resolve the tension before acting, but to bring the whole weight of it to God in prayer, and then move in the direction He opens. The burden does not disqualify. It is the context in which God demonstrates His power through surrendered, cross-bearing men.

God’s strength makes the burden bearable. Kingdom work cannot be sustained by human effort alone. Christ calls the weary to Himself and promises rest for those who take His yoke (Matthew 11:28–30). God’s power accomplishes what human strength cannot (2 Corinthians 12:9–10; Ephesians 3:20–21).

Prayer comes before planning and action. Nehemiah prayed before he approached the king and before he rebuilt the wall (Nehemiah 1:5–11; 2:4). Jesus modeled the same pattern throughout His ministry (Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16). Prayer aligns the servant with the will of God before the work begins.

Following Christ means dying to self. Scripture draws a clear line. Those who belong to Christ crucify the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:24). Jesus taught that losing life for His sake is the path to finding it (Matthew 16:24–25; John 12:24–25). Self-rule and Christ-rule cannot coexist.

God’s purposes are larger than our plans. Nehemiah’s mission was part of God’s covenant story for His people. Scripture reminds believers that God “works all things according to the counsel of his will” (Ephesians 1:11). What He accomplishes through His people always exceeds human imagination (Ephesians 3:20; Proverbs 19:21).

Suffering often confirms obedience. Hardship does not signal failure in God’s work. Scripture repeatedly frames suffering as refinement and growth (James 1:2–4; Romans 5:3–5; 1 Peter 4:12–13). The cost of following Christ carries eternal reward (2 Corinthians 4:16–18).

The cross for a believer calls for complete devotion to God. God desires and deserves to be the top priority in a believer’s life. The sin of idolatry involves putting anything ahead of God. What do you prioritize more than God?

The cross for a believer includes selfless service to others. Selflessness allows a believer to flourish and experience immeasurable joy. How have selfish thoughts, attitudes, and actions stunted your spiritual health and joy? In what ways do you reflect the selflessness Jesus has exercised toward you?

Biblical themes that shape the message

• Cross-bearing discipleship: The cross is real weight, yet Christ’s yoke is light when carried in His strength (Luke 9:23; Matthew 11:28–30).
• Prayer as the posture of faith: Burden must lead first to prayer (Nehemiah 1:4; Philippians 4:6–7).
• Faithful suffering across history: God’s servants consistently carried burdens for His purposes (Daniel 9:3; Esther 4:14; Hebrews 11:32–38).
• Dying to self and living for God: The self-centered life is idolatry (Colossians 3:5), while Christ calls believers to His pattern of humility (Philippians 2:5–8).
• Kingdom priorities: Seek first the kingdom of God rather than personal gain (Matthew 6:33).
• God’s surpassing power: The work succeeds because God acts through surrendered people (Ephesians 3:20–21; Zechariah 4:6).
• Joy through endurance: The believer can endure hardship with hope because Christ sustains them (James 1:12; Philippians 4:11–13).
• A life built on the right foundation: Obedience to Christ builds on rock, not sand (Matthew 7:24–27).

Read More ->>

Baptism is uniting in Christ death and resurrection (Romans 6-8)

Being a Christian involves an honest encounter with God. We listen to instruction and obey, leading to righteousness, purity and abundance - or we go our own way and fail. A Friend once said a discontented heart is the result of the ideal values you hold not matching the real values you live. When feeling discontented it's important to review who you aspire to be and make a commitment to live from those values today. 

• Good input leads to good output (TrustEdge on Character)
• Lord help me to move from values to virtues
  

Today is my last day of being in my forties and yesterday I watched "Alice Through The Looking Glass" on the airplane (It was the only film not watched after traveling to and from AZ all year). It's a story about time travel, wanting to go back and change what's happened. The moral of the story is that we can't change the past but we can learn from it. 

• The Mad Hatter lives in his head and the Queen of Hearts lives in her heart. 
• The Hatter was dying because Alice didn't "believe him" and is stuck in a minute before tea time. 
• The Queen had, locked people up in her hate filled heart. She shrunk down a whole family and treated them like ants. 
• Time stops for the Queen of Hearts when she goes back to the moment when she felt betrayed by her sister. Alice puts time back in its place of power, where time heals all wounds. 
• Back in the the real world, Alice "gives up the ship" to have a positive relationship with her family and in return her family believes in her. Her heart and mind, in sync - no longer needing to go through the looking glass. 

We had a wonderful walk around the Veterans Oasis Park then we watched "It's a Wonderful Life" with John. When we get caught up in ourselves we lose sight of the big picture. But when we open ourselves up to what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy... When we think about these things and put them into practice we enter into God's peace, wholeness and feeling together. I had these scriptures read at my Baptism in 2005 (Phil 4:4-19). I'm grateful for our "Relationships Matter" group in BSF and all the lives. We watch Christmas Eve at Cornerstone Chandler and Pastor Lyn gave a good message about not opening the greatest Christmas gift of all time. "A Savior." The Savior is the only one who can connect the Ideal to the real. Everything else comes up empty. 

This morning I'm reminded of Romans 7:14-15,18,19,21,23. Sin is still at work in my body and mind. Romans 7:25, "Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin."

• Dying to Self, being made alive for God (Luke 9; Gal 2:20,5:24; Romans 6, 12; 1 Peter 4)
• Sets us free to live righteously in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1-6), no longer hostile to God (Romans 8:7-8), He lives in us (1 Cor 12:8-10, Romans 8:9-11), Holy Spirit's trans-formative power in the world and in the individual (Romans 8:14-17), God transforms all things with his glory (Romans 8:28-30)
• Suffering in Christ, with Holy Spirit brings unfathomable hope (Romans 8:17-30)
  

Read More ->>

Death fulfills a promise of God (Genesis 2:17)

 Just wrapping up my BSF study of Genesis where we see the beginning, yet through the family is never-ending and relational. Our lives and choices make a difference and matter to God. God creates everything , Father of humanity - a never-ending relationship (Genesis)

In our lesson 12.a) asks, What does scripture reveal about death? John 5:24; 8:24; Romans 6:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Hebrews 9:27

...whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life... I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins - John 5:24; 8:24

• What is Jesus' word? Commandments of Jesus part 1, part 2
• Who is Jesus? Jesus explains his body and why communion matters

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord -  Romans 6:23

...in death...do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment - Hebrews 9:27

• Explaining sin in simple, easy to understand terms
• Parables of Jesus are primarily about Salvation

https://answersingenesis.org/death-before-sin/genesis-2-17-you-shall-surely-die/

Read More ->>

7 deadly sins and their opposites

I'm taking a course with Strategic Renewal and came across this list of deadly sins and their opposites. This reminded me of 1 John 5:15, "If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that."

1. Sloth Fruitfulness (not productivity)
2. Envy Love
3. Greed Generosity
4. Pride Humility
5. Anger Gentleness
6. Lust         Chastity
7. Gluttony         Self-denial, moderation

Got Questions points to Acts 5:1–10 and 1 Corinthians 11:28–32 and says, "The “sin unto death” is willful, continuous, unrepentant sin. God has called His children to holiness (1 Peter 1:16), and God corrects them when they sin (Hebrews 12:6).

Statements below reflect the seven sins opposite in my life

1. I have Peace that transcends understanding and joy in hardships
2. I’m happy when I see others succeed, I want the best for Kim even though it costs me time, money and energy. I feel this way about ministry as well.
3. I give because God has made it possible and it’s a way of extending his grace through my actions
4. I’m new today, overflowing, having been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms yet like Christ empty myself
5. When someone wrongs me, I see childlike innocents and don't snap in anger but gentleness
6. Keeping my eyes from provocative images and people and staying shocked at indecency 
7. I tend to "overdo it" in life, wanting "more and faster" - moderation is difficult for me in life and work.

Read More ->>

Receiving the gift of eternal life and mercy by faith (Romans 4, Titus 3:3-7)

Eternal Life starts now and lasts forever

Eternal life refers to a gift of God that comes only “through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). This gift is in contrast to the “death” that is the natural result of sin. The gift of eternal life comes to those who believe in Jesus Christ, who is Himself “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). Eternal life can be thought of as something that Christians experience now. Believers don’t have to “wait” for eternal life, because it’s not something that starts when they die. Rather, eternal life begins the moment a person exercises faith in Christ. It is our current possession. John 3:36 says, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.” Note that the believer “has” (present tense) this life (the verb is present tense in the Greek, too what-is-eternal-life).

Receiving the gift of life by faith (Romans 4)

1.  Contrast the ideas of working for a wage (Romans 4:1-8) or privileged upbringing (Romans 4:9-15) and receiving a promised gift through faith (Romans 4:16-25). What truth about faith do you get in reading Romans 4:18-19?

2.  What aspects of the promise in Romans 4:16-17 would you like to learn more about? Consider using the index in the back of your Bible to look up these terms.

3.  Hebrews 11:1-7 introduces faith in the context of God’s faithfulness in history, creation, and future events. Why is it impossible to please God without faith?

God’s mercy gift for you (Titus 3:3-7)

4.  What distinctive roles does the Father, Son, and Spirit play in giving us Eternal Life?

5.  How will you ask God to receive this gift today?

Read More ->>

Anxiety is contemplating your life without God in it

Kathy Lee's testimony of her faith, life and spiritual curiosity. 

Read More ->>

The Brevity of LIfe

Apr. 16, 2017

"Easter" - - Troy Dobbs

Watch • Listen •  Study Guide

1. Life goes by fast
How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.
James 4:14 NLT
http://bible.com/116/jas.4.14.NLT

Not about meaning but, brevity of it

James 4:13-15, don't get ahead of yourself because you don't know what God's timing is. Don't make plans without God.

2. You are wired to think about eternal life.
Ecclesiastes 3:11
Yet God has made everything beautiful in its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT
http://bible.com/116/ecc.3.11.NLT

Hard wired dissatisfaction  (15-year-old yearning to grow up or older persin wanting youth)

Jesus is the only answer

3. We are all going to die and then face judgment (deaths appointment).
Heb 9:27
Judgment based on what?
 - our morals, thought life, church attendance?
 - what we did with Jesus.

To forgive our sins, 1 John 5:11-12
John 3:18
Rom 8:1

Everyone dies, not everyone truly lives

John 11:25-26
Resurrection and the life, do you believe?

Romans 10:9
Confess with your mouth

Storing seed,  preparing ground, sowing seed and results
 - a seed that is dead from improper storage
 - hard ground  (removal, addition

Read More ->>

The Sin of Being Silent about Sin

Ezekiel 3:18-19 If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.

Our Job Description and God's Expectation
The prelude to these verse says "I have appointed you watchman... when you hear a word from my mouth, warn them for me" this is consistent witht the idea that we are God's ambassador (Ezekiel 3:17; 2 Cor 5:18-20). God is making His appeal through us. We do this by preaching the gospel  that has been entrusted to us (1 Cor 1:17;1 Thes 2:4). We take this Gospel to the ends of the earth, imploring all people to be reconciled to God (Acts 1:8).

• Our leaders watch over our souls (Hebrews 13:17), we obey and submit to them when they speak up bringing joy to their work (Isaiah 52:7-8). They carry the promise of God; the weight of the cross and the good news of restoration for all (Isaiah 52:9-56:8).
• Sinful leaders are blind and ignorant, silent - giving no warning when danger comes. They love to lie around, sleeping and dreaming - like greedy dogs, never satisfied. They follow there own paths, intent on personal gain - they party with wine, get drunk and tomorrow plan to do it again only bigger (Isaiah 56:9-12)
• Faithful Leaders must "cry loudly, not holding back, raise your voice like a trumpt, declare to God's people their transgression and sins" (Isaiah 58:1; Jeremiah 6:17) never be silent (Isaiah 62:6; Ezekiel 2:7;11:4). Tell the people what the Lord has shown you (Ezekiel 11:25)

God is disappointed by our Silence and lack of effort

Ezekiel 3:20

"Again, when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I place an obstacle before him, he will die; since you have not warned him, he shall die in his sin, and his righteous deeds which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand."

• Jesus said, "It's like a fig tree, planted but not bearing fruit - even after three years - NOTHING! Cut it down" (Luke 13:6-7)
• Leaders must repent, humbly, "give it one more chance. Leave it another year and I'll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. If we get figs next year, fin. If not, then you can cut it down." (Luke 13:8-9)

Warn of the Sword

If a watchman sees the sword coming and doesn't blow the trumpet, then people are not warned and they are taken away in their sins, but their blood is on our hands because we said nothing to warn them (Ezekiel 33:6,8). Not even the good deeds of a man will save him from his sins (Ezekiel 33:12). 

Repent before it's too late

The word of God is the sword the judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Heb 3:12). Jesus gave the message that all should see the end is near and repent away from sin to God (Luke 13:1-5). To believe in Jesus and be saved from the sword of God's judgement to eternal life is not a passive and lazy (Luke 13:22-30) but requires all that we are (Romans 12:1-2).

http://biblereasons.com/exposing-evil/
http://www.gotquestions.org/ambassador-for-Christ.html
http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/3-17.htm

Read More ->>