Tag: character

Real Talk – If the Son Sets You Free

John 8:36 ESV

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

What if you found out that a spirit of divination (Acts 16:16-18 ESV) had been cast over your life? And over a period of roughly six months you pieced each spell or incantation together like a puzzle. At the expense of others who suffered from the decisions you made.

Would you have the faith to overcome it? Would faith the size of a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20) be large enough overcome it? Would legalism or dogma be necessary? Ritualism? Or would shoot from the hip Christianity, the opposite, be sufficient?

What if you were off on your game? What if it had been while since you stepped on the court?

In Real Talk- A Series of Unfortunate Events, I spoke about being exhausted and not knowing what to do or where to go back in October. I guess what I am asking is, do I have the strength to continue?

I do not trust a single soul; the devil is a liar (John 8:44). Can I win the race the Lord has given me? And what is the prize? Is it a crown (1 Corinthians 9:24, 25)? New Jerusalem (Revelation 21)? A gold city (Revelation 21:18)? Paul said that we “glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produce perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3, 4 NKJV).

However, if you have made the inward and outward (spiritual, emotional, and verbal) expressions of accepting Christ (Romans 10:9-10), can we believe that faith in Christ is sufficient—therefore, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Personal Note

This blog aims to be a written life application of what I have studied in my Bible. I pray that you will relate to it and choose to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Disclaimer: I am not an ordained evangelist or teacher (Ephesians 4:11 KJV).

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Thanksgiving

1 Corinthians 1:4 KJV

I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

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Real Talk – Formula for Answered Prayer

John 14:13-15 KJV

13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Is John 14:13-15 a magical formula to get anything we want? The answer is no.

God has a will or desire for all of our lives. He has one for your life and my life.

Think of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46). He said to Peter, James, and John, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death” (Matthew 26:38 KJV). He then “went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:39 KJV) And “went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.” (Matthew 26:42 KJV)

Formula for Answered Prayer

When Jesus says that we can ask for anything in His name, it means according to God’s character and will. One of God’s characteristics is His goodness. His goodness works together in all things for the believer (Romans 8:28). God is also omniscient—His understanding is infinite (Psalm 147:5). Could the reason we think our prayers are unanswered be because they are contrary to God’s nature and will?

For example, I could pray for a million dollars 💵 every night. But if God knows having a million dollars is not the best thing for me right now, is He going to grant that prayer request?

In other situations, a loved one or we may be going through something difficult. And we must ask ourselves—what is God’s will? Could God be bringing forth something in our lives that will bring us closer to Him or bring glory to His name, providing us with an opportunity to testify of His goodness? I encourage you to read the book of Job!

What becomes interesting is as we learn and grow in our faith, sincerely seeking God and His will, our prayers will align. And He will answer them because He is sovereign (Job 37:23)!

Interesting Fact: Something else that blew my mind is when we don’t have the words to pray, the Holy Spirit wordlessly groans for us (Romans 8:26)! And while Satan is accusing us before God day and night (Revelation 12:10), Jesus is our advocate, interceding for us at God’s right hand (Romans 8:34)!

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Real Talk – Marketing 101 (A.D.)

The apostle Paul once studied under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). Gamaliel was an honored Jewish teacher of the time (Acts 5:34). Therefore, the apostle Paul possessed an extensive knowledge of the law.

With the Holy Spirit’s guidance, he also understood his audience, which is a crucial aspect of present-day marketing. When speaking to a Jewish audience in Acts 13:13-52, he began with themes that were familiar to them. And when addressing a Greek audience in Acts 17:16-34, he understood that Jewish history would be meaningless. So he pointed out what they believed about their god. But in both cases, he centered the rest of his sermon around the resurrection of Christ.

Marketing 101 (A.D.)

In the same way, understanding our audience will help us introduce the Good News. And that is only one small detail I find most interesting of the apostle Paul’s enormous, yet humble, character. A man stoned and beaten (both in and out of prison) (Acts 14:8-20; 16:16-40), shipwrecked (Acts 27:1-44), placed under house arrest (and still wrote letters to all the churches) (Acts 28:16-31), and finally faced death in a cold Roman prison (2 Timothy 4:6-8)—all for the sake of the gospel.

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Real Talk – Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God . . .

“. . . and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33 KJV)

Okay. So what does that mean, right? Lately, I have been curious. So I took a look.

To “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” means that we should seek God first when we need help. We should try our best to make His character our own. We should think His thoughts, thinking of things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise (Philippians 4:8). And in everything we do, we should be sure to serve and obey Him.

In this day and age, just about everything else we encounter in a typical day can distract us from God. We must actively seek Him, or any of these things can become what is most important. What is it that is most important to you?

Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God . . .

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