I think I just got saved... Part 1

Over the last six-eight months I have been reading the book of Romans, and it has gradually begun to work on my heart. I expected to add Romans to a couple of other books I have a decent knowledge of content. What I didn't expect was for the book to challenge and change my idea of God, the bible and myself. I know that was an unrealistic view of reading the most anointed book ever written, but what can I say, I'm human.

I've had to deal with my own issues these months,(just like every other month) but I have dealt with it just like I dealt with every other season of my life. I do my best, I fail, I feel sad, apoligize, I grow then try again. That's not a bad plan, but I'm pretty sure that's not the plan for me. Yesterday I took a second to look at my life and this is what I came up with; I was circumsised when I was eight days old, I grew up in semi/heavy religious culture(that had some sense of a law in rules), and I love God. I think that makes me a Jew, doesn't it?

Purity is in the eyes

Purity is in the eyes, it's in every loving glace.
It's in the eyes of a Father looking at His Child; have you ever felt the strong, warm eyes of your Father with all of His protection and and kind strength. Never was such safety, and love felt.
Purity is the true vision that God has called us to; innocence, virtue etc. It is the eye of perfect love and selflessness. Just as every commandment is fulfilled in two commands, love God and your neighbor, so every commandment is broken by selfishly withholding love for God and my neighbor. Envy, lust, covetousness, greed, murder and every other sin starts in the eyes, it is a breakdown of the childlike God asks of His children.
Purity burns in the soul, overflowing from the spirit. When men and women meet Jesus, and look into the his eyes; we become childlike... Because Jesus is childlike. The only way to become pure is spend time with Christ... We look like Christ when we see people like Christ.

Love Came Down And Rescued Me!!!

What does it mean that we live in Grace? It means that undeserved favor is mine... right now, what that means is that every time I'm in trouble, I don't have to fear punishment... ever! Do we really believe this foolishness, cause that's what it is, it's foolishness to the world. Where can you go in this earth and find any system or plan that bases it's complete function on the idea that you always get undeserved mercy... it doesn't matter what you've done, as long as you really want to "get out of jail free", you can. We are the only sect on earth that calls it's people to a standard of complete unstained holiness, while at the same time no one has ever been judged, or punished by our leader. Enter Jesus Christ...

when...

I believe that God will bring all things together for me in Christ Jesus!

part 2

what is the end to all of our of means? - 2

so now the question is what the purpose of fighting a war, what is the purpose in living a holy life, what is the purpose in finishing the race... what is the end to all of our means? what makes victory worth the battle? in the end will we have a prize worth the struggle? Yahweh tells Abraham that he(Yahweh) is Abraham's eternally great reward; Paul declares that Jesus is the prize at the end of his race. if the end of all our labors, passions, and journeys does not end in the man Jesus Christ; then have we labored in vain? Jesus came that we might know the Father, the Father sent Jesus that we might be restored to relationship with the Father. Matt. 7 declares that miracles, casting out demons and prophecy will not have an effect on eternal life...
so what will be the end to our means?

What is the end to all out means?

I've attempted time and again to try and figure out... what is the purpose of all we're fighting for? Why live a holy life? Why do we separate ourselves from the world?
Yesterday I pondered these questions on my bed. I've faced the enemy of soul on these battlefields before, but not without my so called props... my religious plans, ideas and standards. They have a way of protecting you long enough to give you pride for a fall. When the question is love for a King, or lust of the flesh with no one to impress or make happy, It all comes down to letting the King make his speech for my allegiance and love.

to be continued-

victory over sin...

it is simply amazing... how as Christians we make the enemy and sin such a big deal, it is not the enemy that I have to worry about it is me!!! I have a sinful nature that was sold into sin, but I have an array of weapons that is far more powerful than anything the tempters could throw at me. i am transformed to the likeness of Christ Jesus. my favorite words to command the devil with are these, "no", and "go"... at the sound of my voice, water's still... righteous, peace and joy, in the holy spirit.

Why is holiness so hard?

So I've started to study the Book of Romans... Good Book! I must say however that it's not quite what I thought it would be, not a bit. The first question I ask when I learn something new is "how can I do that." It has always served me well. Romans is different... The purpose of the book is to tell every person that they are welcomed into the beloved. Christ died for each and every man, woman and child... No exceptions. But in order to do that, he had to qualify that everyone is equal the good people, and the bad people. "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." "There is none righteous, No not one." All indeed are have had their debt paid, but all indeed are guilty of death. It takes humility to admit that, "no, my plans have utterly failed me". Especially when this word is so keen on promoting another person who worked hard and made something of themselves.
My attempt at living Romans has had mixed results... I've taken the book to my prayer room, thought about it as I am ready to sleep listened to it on my ipod-I've immersed myself in this book, but the more I read it the deeper darkness I feel within myself... and the more I struggle with sin in my own life, I feel as if I am Paul saying His words, "OH what a wretched man I am," and "I do that which I hate." Even writing this post, I feel like a hypocrite. But I guess this is what faith really is, believing in Christ for my righteousness. Not that we deserve it, but that He is merciful. God's Word has such a way of pulling back all of the crutches and false supports and dealing with the heart of our issues. WE NEED Grace, and we won't make it without receiving mercy. True repentance does not mean living the rest of your life with a guilt trip you cannot outrun, hoping all your good deeds will make up for your shame. True repentance means coming to terms with you are as a human, and meeting God almighty with the understanding that He is un-repentantly in love with you. The hardest part of repentance is coming to terms with the fact that no matter how we see ourselves, our view is not the one that matters... Seeing yourself from Gods view is the only way to truly live the Gospel.

Who I was made to be...

I may have missed it; But I think my Christianity has boiled down to the idea that God is who He said He is, and I am who He said I am. I might just be foolish enough to believe this idea.

Oh, The grace of God... It passes understanding.
I've wondered many times how I could possibly go my own way ever again.
then, all of a sudden i've done it again. Grace, Grace, Grace! There is no more actions for me... I will live by the spirit, and Him alone.

God is so faithful

It's so amazing how hope works... God allows the darkness of our hearts to rise up, sometime even feel overwhelming... then all of a sudden, wham! He rescues us in a moment. The question is, do I believe Him before or after the rescue?

Just getting started

So I give this piece of media to my Lord and coming King Jesus Christ.
For those of you that will read this one day, I bless you with the Light of His face. Numbers 6.