“So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.” Acts 24:16 Do you offend people? Do others offend you? The apostle Paul understood the necessity of both dimensions of God and man. Paul was intentional about being moral at all times with God and with others. Paul wanted to make sure at all times there was no offense between him and others. Join me as we learn about having a clear conscience. Has the Holy Spirit convicted you of a sin you had committed against someone, or you had no peace in your conscience until you made it right with that person? We can…
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Seeking Him
. If you love me, you will keep my commandments. John 14:15 What is hindering you from a close relationship with God? Could it possibly be disobedience? Each act of disobedience is a step away from God. However, with each step of obedience to God is a step towards Him. In Malachi 3:7, God says “Return to me and I will return to you, says the Lord of Hosts.” Are we being honest with ourselves, others, and God about our obedience? Have God asked something of you and you have yet to obey? Are we at a place in our walk with God where we know God’s truth and now we…
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The Half Hearted Obedience
Samuel also said to Saul, “The Lord sent me to anoint you king over His people, over Israel. Now, therefore, heed the voice of the words of the Lord. Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he ambushed him on the way when he came up from Egypt. Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’ ” 1 Samuel 15:1-3 Are you as obedient as Moses was? Or do you think you can relate to…
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God’s Glory And Obedience
Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart, you shall take My offering. And this is the offering which you shall take from them: gold, silver, and bronze; blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, and goats hair; ram skins dyed red, badger skins, and acacia wood; oil for the light, and spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense; onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate. And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. According…
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Obedience: The Foundation Of Our Walk
Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it! Luke 11:28 If you were brought up in the church as a child, Do you remember singing the song, “The Wise man built his house upon the rock”? This song was based on the parable from Matthew 7:24-27. “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. “But everyone who hears these sayings…
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Being Obedient To God
If you love me, you will keep my commandments. John 14:15 Do you find it hard to be obedient to God and His word? Do you find it hard to surrender all to him? God loves His children. In order to experience His love and enjoy His love, we have to be obedient to Him. Obeying God is a willing heart towards him, not a cold requirement. God has the best interest at heart for us. What do you think about when you think of obedience? Is it positive or negative? Is it hard or easy? Do you have teenagers? I have and have had a few. They hate rules…
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Seeking Him
Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and . . . be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and . . . put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4: 22-24 Apostle Paul shares important insights about the life – long process of pursuing holiness. As new creatures in Christ, we are to put off anything and everything that is apart of our old sinful life. This could be habits, attitude, impure motives, and so forth. We must daily put on the new self. These are the…
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Jubilation Of Holiness
Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah. But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah. Offer right sacrifices and put your trust in the Lord. Psalm 4: 1-5 What words come to mind when you hear…
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The Heart of the Matter
This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worhsip me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men,’ You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” Mark 7:6b-8 Do you know where your heart truly is? Is it far from God or is it close? In Jesus’ day, the religious leaders were highly respected and were considered holy. They were the experts of the Old Testament law. The religious leaders prided themselves on keeping the law. Their outward behavior could not be critized. The only person that could was Jesus. He did call them out. True…
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A Heart Like Like His
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 When you think or hear the word holiness, what comes to mind? Does dour faces, rigid rules, or self – righteousness come to mind? What about when you hear people talk about God and seeking him? Can I tell you a little secret? Seeking God is anything but dull! However, What does it mean to be holy? Well holiness can be defined on two levels. The first one is positional holiness, which is what God imparts to us when we become His children. Since we are sinners and God is holy,…