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We all say that we love, but how can we know for sure? What is godly love? What is worldly love? What kind of love are we practicing? Whose Love are you and I displaying and how can we tell the difference? Let us look at Galatians 5:22-26 concerning the fruit of the Spirit. This will form a base from which we can build and understand love and the conditions surrounding it. The NIV says it this way: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love. (The characteristics of love) are joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." This implies that we have a choice to either love or not to love. What a discovery! It appears that the degree or level of our love is dependent upon how much we have put to death (crucified) our sinful nature with its passions and desires. |
How Dead are We Really? |
© By Nikki Jourdan |
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Do not be deceived; even a child knows the difference! Since love has such a high priority on God's list, how can we be assured of following that which pleases Him? Well, for one thing, His kind of love acts and behaves much differently than the works of the flesh. Worldly love is self-centered...always. Take a look at the fruit of the Spirit once again and distinguish between the two for yourself. There is a conflict and we must choose. We must decide to be led by the Spirit under God's grace or else live by the works of our flesh, which is under the law. The entire law is summed up in one commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself. It is God's way of doing things. So to love is no longer an option. The conflict is in our mind, but we can renew our mind with the Word of God. Therefore, the Word causes a change the way we think and act towards each other and God. If we are not paying much attention to God's way, then the only thing left is the way of the world. There is no middle ground. Are you getting this? It is vital for you and me to love the God kind of love; not the |
fake, so called love the world offers by the hand of satan. If you are truly dead, you should have no problem loving, as you ought to. But if you are feeling resistance and full of anger or frustration, think again. Who have you offended or lashed out in anger lately? Have you stepped out of love by your words, actions or evil thoughts? Or maybe you are sly with it and have not gotten caught, ha! Check that love level gage daily. Let us examine ourselves, first, and then judge based on God’s word. You and I are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. |
Forgiveness - Myths and Reality |
People who have been abused or mistreated know this myth for what it is. Forgiveness is so much more than saying the words "I Forgive." Anyone can say the words and even sound sincere. When, however, you bear the consequences of someone's sin against you, it is hard work. |
How do you maintain or restore a friendship with someone who refuses to accept that they mistreated you? In a relationship where one person won't accept that they mistreated the other, you cannot have peace because of this fundamental disagreement. Friends don't have to agree on everything, but behavior matters. Fact is this: |
"Forgiveness depends on me, but reconciliation depends on us." If one part of the us won't acknowledge that they hurt the other, you cannot have a relationship. You can forgive but you don't have to be friends with them. |
You have to refuse to give in to resentment and bitterness and commit to leave revenge in God''s hands, not your own. The fact is this: "Forgivenes is always difficult and often illogical, but it is the only remedy God offers to heal our hearts." |
WHAT WE BELIEVE |
The Fall Of Man |
We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore, under just condemnation to eternal ruin without defense of excuse. The Way Of Salvation We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through the mediatorial office of the Son of God, who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full atonement for our sins, that having risen from the dead. He is now enthroned in Heaven and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies to be a suitable, compassionate and all sufficient Savior. Justification We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to those that believe in Him is Justification; that Justification includes the pardon of righteousness; that is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemers blood; by virtue of which faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us with God; that it brings us into a state of a most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity. |
The Resurrection We believe that the Scriptures clearly teach that Jesus rose from the dead. His grave was emptied of His contents. He appeared to the disciples after His resurrection in many convincing manifestations. He now exists in His glorified body at God's right hand. There will be a resurrection of the righteous and the wicked. The bodies of the righteous will conform to the glorious, spiritual body of Jesus. The Lords Supper We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer; into the name of the Father and Son, and Holy Ghost; to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church; and to the Lord's Supper; in which the members of the church, by the sacred use of bread and wine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination. |
learn from our past hurts and move forward with power. "Forgiveness is not denying the reality of our pain. To ask someone to simply forget a wrong is like asking a person who has lost both arms to shake hands. If you forget you don't learn and if you remember and still forgive, you grow in grace to be more God like. |
Under Construction - Please be patient with us. |
Scribes & Vibes |
Rev. Michael K. Jones |
MYTH 1 FORGIVENESS IS ALWAYS EASY: |
MYTH 2 FORGIVENESS REQUIRES THAT YOU MAINTAIN |
OR RESTORE THE RELATIONSHIP |
MYTH 3 FORGIVENESS MEANS FORGETTING WHAT HAPPENED |
If we forget what happened, we will never |