Love Christ
One more thing.
Let’s not get it twisted. At the end of the day God deserves all the praise—for rescuing me, for healing my mind daily, and for empowering me to hate sin and love him more. God puts it in us to love. Ultimately, love comes from him. Philippians 2:13 says, “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” NIV
His sacrifice on the cross is everything. If I can but thank him today for his grace and through faith believe that he loves me regardless of what I’ve done. Like a crumpled, stamped on hundred dollar bill, I’m still desired and valuable.
‘No one will get in to heaven by saying, I withstood sin,’ –quoting Maxwell Blakeney. Or, by saying I fasted 12 times a year. I was vegan. I never listened to ‘unchristian’ music. Or, I never touched illegal drugs. God forbid none of us has. But even if….
Legalist, I should not be. Making checklists. This is a trap to avoid.
There are clearly limitations to our understanding of God and how he works. However, the choice is always ours to make good ones. And as we do, we will see the benefits here that lead to a life to come.
Finally, God says, ‘If ye love me, keep my commands….’ John 14:15-21. Can a child say to you, ‘I love you,’ and then proceed to blatantly be disrespectful or disobedient? They can. And so do we at times.
So God help us all to be obedient, hate sin and ultimately shun it.
This is my prayer. Amen
Be blessed.
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These two songs are ‘oldies’ in my book but goodies:
Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue
Look ever to Jesus and He’ll carry you through
To comfort, strengthen and keep you
He is willing to aid you
And He will carry you through
To comfort, strengthen and heal you
Oh, He is willing to aid you
Jesus will carry you through
God’s name hold in reverence, don’t take it in vain
Be thoughtful and honest, kindhearted and true
Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through
To comfort, strengthen and keep you
Oh, He is willing to aid you
Jesus, He will carry you through
Comfort, strengthen and keep you
He is willing to aid you
And He will carry you through
To comfort, strengthen and keep you
He is willing to aid you
He will carry you through
Done made my vow to the Lord
And I never will turn back
I will go, I shall go
To see what the end will be.
Done opened my mouth to the Lord
And I never will turn back.
I will go, I shall go
To see what the end will be.
Sometimes I’m up, sometimes I’m down,
See what the end will be.
But still, my soul is heav’nly bound
See what the end will be.
I’ll pray and pray and never stop,
See what the end will be.
Until I reach the mountain top,
See what the end will be.
If you get there before I do,
See what the end will be.
Tell all my friends I’m coming too,
See what the end will be.
(a traditional African-American spiritual song. Its composer is unknown.)
a few scribbles here and there... 