3 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. 4 But
When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.[a] 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. Titus 3:3-7
My friend Kevin Black shared the analogy that I first saw from Nicky Gumbel (Alphausa.org) that explains being"In Christ" is like a piece of paper with your name on it, being placed inside book and it's connection to baptism. Where the book goes you go. In a mystical way, when Christ died, you died, when Christ resurrected, you resurrected. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). The phrase "in Christ" is key. Jesus describes this as "Abiding in me" - John 15. Another friend related this idea as when people are delivered from an evil spirit, but refuse to abide in Christ.
Matthew 12:43-45 (and Luke 11:24) where an unclean spirit, after being cast out of a person, wanders through "waterless" or "arid" places seeking rest, but finds none. The "arid places" are interpreted metaphorically as spiritually dry, empty, or God-forsaken places that provide no true rest for the spirit. This parable is a warning that a person or generation that is delivered from evil but not filled with God's spirit will be more vulnerable to greater evil returning.
Last night (Oct 16) at Teen Challenge Spiritual emphasis family reunion. We leaned into the full armor of God. The power box with the switch in the off position represents everyone who is currently not "in Christ" - this is core power that makes everything in the house electrified (light, heat, charged, ready). Many have "tried" Christianity and found it doesn't work because they're doing the religious actions without the relationship with Jesus. Like plugging into the wall socket that has no electricity coming from the circuit breaker. The circuit breaker comes on when we agree with God about our sin, guilt and shame and apply the free gift of salvation (SAVIOR) by putting our whole life in God's hands (LORD). Fully trusting in the finished work of Jesus 100% (HOLY).
The "belt of truth" needs to be fitted around waste, tightened and in working order.
Likewise we can have the light switch "on" but the dimmer set so low that we can't see anything. This is being "in the Spirit"
2 Corinthians 10:4–5 (NLT)
4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
To God’s holy people in Ephesus,[a] the faithful in Christ Jesus:
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.
Jesus promised in Matthew 7:7, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." James 4:3, adds that you must have the right motives. Here's what it looks like
"For I cried out to him for help,
praising him as I spoke.
If I had not confessed the sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened.
But God did listen!
He paid attention to my prayer.
Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer
or withdraw his unfailing love from me. (Psalm 66:17-20)"
These thoughts have been percolating in my heart for weeks now (Nov 4). I was sitting with Russ, Karen, Rich Scherber and Rob Dean, Tom Truszinski gave the message on Eph 6:10-20. I saw that the link between the Spirit of God and his Word bring Salvation to us when we pray (Eph 6:l7-18). Revelation was given to John who was "in the Spirit" worshiping (Rev 1:10). I saw the link between the unseen world of our thoughts and our ability to understand by faith, that can extinguish the arrows of our enemy (Eph 6:16, Heb 11:3).
The Word of God is Faithful and True, From his mouth came a sharp sword (Rev 19:8-9,10,11,12,15). God knows me deeply and empowers me to live in the truth of his Word. I give myself over to Him as Lord and Savior, the gate. Those who come in through Jesus will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures (John 10:9-21).
Lord, help me to hold on to your Word and be clear minded and self controlled so that I can pray and not get swept away, but to stand.
Ephesians 6:10-20 (war clothes)
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. (By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. Heb 11:3)
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.
Rev 19 (wedding closthes)
After this, I heard what sounded like a vast crowd in heaven shouting,
“Praise the Lord!
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.
His judgments are true and just.
He has punished the great prostitute
who corrupted the earth with her immorality.
He has avenged the murder of his servants.”
And again their voices rang out:
“Praise the Lord!
The smoke from that city ascends forever and ever!”
Then the twenty-four elders and the four living beings fell down and worshiped God, who was sitting on the throne. They cried out, “Amen! Praise the Lord!”
And from the throne came a voice that said,
“Praise our God,
all his servants,
all who fear him,
from the least to the greatest.”
Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder:
“Praise the Lord!
For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.
Let us be glad and rejoice,
and let us give honor to him.
For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb,
and his bride has prepared herself.
She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.”
For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.
And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.”
Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers and sisters who testify about their faith in Jesus. Worship only God. For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus.”
Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.
Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, shouting to the vultures flying high in the sky: “Come! Gather together for the great banquet God has prepared. Come and eat the flesh of kings, generals, and strong warriors; of horses and their riders; and of all humanity, both free and slave, small and great.”
Then I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army. And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast—miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the one riding the white horse. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies.
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