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  Back in a ‘previous lifetime’ of mine, when I lived in San Antonio, I spent a few years working with two different friends learning how to build cabinets and houses. It truly was a character developing season in my life that was much needed at that time. One of those friends, Tim, asked me a profound question one time, passing on some words of wisdom to me. Sensing I was getting in a bit of a rush on a project, he asked: “If you don’t have time to do it right the first time, how are you going to find time to go back and fix it?” It's one thing to hang on to and remember... ‘pearls of wisdom’ like that for a long period of time; but it’s another thing altogether to put those words of wisdom into practice; and I have not always been good about doing that in multiple areas of my life. How many have learned the hard way... how easy it can be to ‘get ahead of God’? His ‘timetables’ differ greatly from our timetables...as I have come to learn. His ways and methods are not like ours...
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  You’ve probably heard that sage advice that discourages one from attempting to ‘argue with a drunk person’. It is, at best, and exercise in futility to do so. Paul, in his writings to Timothy does not mention those in particular who are ‘under the influence’, or are inebriated, but he does point out a particular mindset of people that Timothy would do well to avoid wasting time arguing with, and it’s those who teach Bible doctrine that does not lead to godliness (1 Tim. 6:3). Reading on in the next verse, one gets the idea that pride tends to rise up in such people unwilling to hear God’s word when it doesn’t agree with their ‘take’ on various matters. It can quickly escalate to disputes and arguments leading to envy, strife, reviling, etc. (4). Paul’s advice? – “from such withdraw yourself”. He would warn Timothy in his second letter that a time will come where people are no longer interested in, nor desire to hear truth and sound doctrine, and instead will flock to those wil...
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  We read in Genesis 1 that God created man in His image and likeness (26). In the following chapter, we are told that as God sat back to take in all that He created, He expressed this observation: “It is not good that man should be alone...” (2:18), and so He created Eve to be Adam’s companion, encouraging them both to ‘go forth and multiply’ (1:28). Please make note that it was God’s assessment that we needed people in our lives, for a host of reasons. Even Jesus, when He first started sending out His disciples to preach the gospel...He sent them out in two’s (Luke 10:1). When Jesus fed the 5000+ on that day He multiplied the fishes and loaves of bread, He instructed for the people to sit in groups of 50 (Luke 9:14). I’ve often wondered if that was a template for the ideal size for a ‘church fellowship’, but that’s a discussion for another day. So now having made that case that God did not intend for us to be ‘lone rangers’, that is not to say that when it comes to your persona...
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  I don’t know who needs to hear this, but for all those who are committed to following Jesus and ‘walking in the Spirit and no longer fulfilling the lusts/desires of the flesh nature’ (Gal. 5:16)...this does not mean you won’t ever be tempted to sin again. On the contrary... Nor should one who is ‘walking in the Spirit’ think they will never experience frustration or discouragement. We read where Paul grew ‘greatly annoyed’ with a spirit that was harassing him through a woman, in Acts 16:16-18. You may encounter some strong disagreements with a brother/sister in Christ that can hopefully be resolved in an appropriate manner. You might go through seasons feeling isolated and even abandoned, as Paul often did. In fact, it’s okay to be ‘angry’ at times...provided you don’t ‘sin’ by acting out in that anger (Eph. 4:26). Have you ever wondered why you seem to run into the same ‘tests’ repeatedly when it comes to certain people or situations? How’s that temper doing when you get in h...
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  So...do you want to be ‘saved’ and escape the ‘wrath of God’ that is on the world today? (John 3:36; Rom. 5:9) You might give careful consideration to the words of instruction that Jesus came to give us – ‘Repent’ (turn from the way we have been walking- Eph. 2:1-3) and start following Him. (Matt. 4:17,19). If you don’t repent, things don’t bode well for you, and I don’t say that to threaten anyone; I’m just telling you what Jesus said in Luke 13:3,5. And honestly friends, I don’t know any better way to express what God’s word teaches other than to remind you that this loving and gracious God is ‘long-suffering towards us, not willing that any perish but that all would come to repentance’ (2 Pet. 3:9). Jesus did not come to condemn anyone, given we were already under the penalty of sin (which is death), and condemned. He came to save us from it (John 3:17-18). But there’s just a tad more to this ‘getting saved’ and ‘being conformed to the image of Christ’ than just saying a sim...
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  I’ve always thought it was a bit presumptuous on our part to think we could understand, let alone explain in simplistic terms...the ‘godhead’. If you’ve been around ‘church speak’ for any length of time, you probably have heard terms like ‘Trinitarians’ - those who believe in the ‘Trinity’ which explains God as being ‘3 in 1’ (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). Then there is the ‘Oneness’ folks who teach that there is only the ‘One’, and Jesus IS Him- God almighty ...come in the flesh’. Trust me...the divide is so strong that separate denominations have evolved as a result of the differing views. The truth of the matter, if I may be so bold to say...is both sides are right; but leave it to a spiritual enemy to bring more division to the body of Christ. I only bring this up because of a reference I left you with in yesterday’s message citing the writings found in Hebrews 5. It’s a passage that always gives me pause when I read it, as we are told that Jesus the ‘Son...learned obedience...
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  To state the obvious: It’s one thing to have God’s Spirit dwelling within you; it’s another thing altogether to be led by Him.(Rom. 8:14; Gal. 5:16; John 10:27) As I have grown older (and hopefully wiser)...I find myself being a tad more reluctant to jump the gun and just start telling people what they ‘have’ or don’t have when it comes to spiritual matters in God’s kingdom. Who am I to suggest I know that a person is ‘saved’ or not, or if they have God’s Spirit dwelling in them? All I know to do is point to Jesus and His word and encourage people to ‘examine their own hearts’ (2 Cor. 13:5)... and to make sure they are truly ‘abiding’ in Him (John 15:1-8; 1 John 2:6; 3:6). This I do know, based on what I read in God’s word and have personally experienced myself...that when a person is truly humbled and brought to repentance...that God’s Spirit is most assuredly at work in that person’s heart/life. And such a place brings ‘times of refreshing from God’s presence (Acts 3:19; Jam...
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