Dealing with Sin

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Romans 6 (kjv)
1What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Commentary on Romans 6:1,2

The apostle is very full in pressing the necessity of holiness. He does not explain away the free grace of the gospel, but he shows that connexion between justification and holiness are inseparable. Let the thought be abhorred, of continuing in sin that grace may abound. True believers are dead to sin, therefore they ought not to follow it. No man can at the same time be both dead and alive. He is a fool who, desiring to be dead unto sin, thinks he may live in it.

3Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

Commentary on Romans 6:3-10

Baptism teaches the necessity of dying to sin, and being as it were buried from all ungodly and unholy pursuits, and of rising to walk with God in newness of life. Unholy professors may have had the outward sign of a death unto sin, and a new birth unto righteousness, but they never passed from the family of Satan to that of God. The corrupt nature, called the old man, because derived from our first father Adam, is crucified with Christ, in every true believer, by the grace derived from the cross. It is weakened and in a dying state, though it yet struggles for life, and even for victory. But the whole body of sin, whatever is not according to the holy law of God, must be done away, so that the believer may no more be the slave of sin, but live to God, and find happiness in his service.

11Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 15What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

Commentary on Romans 6:11-15

The strongest motives against sin, and to enforce holiness, are here stated. Being made free from the reign of sin, alive unto God, and having the prospect of eternal life, it becomes believers to be greatly concerned to advance thereto. But, as unholy lusts are not quite rooted out in this life, it must be the care of the Christian to resist their motions, earnestly striving, that, through Divine grace, they may not prevail in this mortal state. Let the thought that this state will soon be at an end, encourage the true Christian, as to the motions of lusts, which so often perplex and distress him. Let us present all our powers to God, as weapons or tools ready for the warfare, and work of righteousness, in his service. There is strength in the covenant of grace for us. Sin shall not have dominion. God’s promises to us are more powerful and effectual for mortifying sin, than our promises to God. Sin may struggle in a real believer, and create him a great deal of trouble, but it shall not have dominion; it may vex him, but it shall not rule over him. Shall any take occasion from this encouraging doctrine to allow themselves in the practice of any sin? Far be such abominable thoughts, so contrary to the perfections of God, and the design of his gospel, so opposed to being under grace. What can be a stronger motive against sin than the love of Christ? Shall we sin against so much goodness, and such love?

16Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 20For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

Commentary on Romans 6:16-20

Every man is the servant of the master to whose commands he yields himself; whether it be the sinful dispositions of his heart, in actions which lead to death, or the new and spiritual obedience implanted by regeneration. The apostle rejoiced now they obeyed from the heart the gospel, into which they were delivered as into a mould. As the same metal becomes a new vessel, when melted and recast in another mould, so the believer has become a new creature. And there is great difference in the liberty of mind and spirit, so opposite to the state of slavery, which the true Christian has in the service of his rightful Lord, whom he is enabled to consider as his Father, and himself as his son and heir, by the adoption of grace. The dominion of sin consists in being willingly slaves thereto, not in being harassed by it as a hated power, struggling for victory. Those who now are the servants of God, once were the slaves of sin.

21What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Commentary on Romans 6:21-23

The pleasure and profit of sin do not deserve to be called fruit. Sinners are but ploughing iniquity, sowing vanity, and reaping the same. Shame came into the world with sin, and is still the certain effect of it. The end of sin is death. Though the way may seem pleasant and inviting, yet it will be bitterness in the latter end. From this condemnation the believer is set at liberty, when made free from sin. If the fruit is unto holiness, if there is an active principle of true and growing grace, the end will be everlasting life; a very happy end! Though the way is up-hill, though it is narrow, thorny, and beset, yet everlasting life at the end of it is sure. The gift of God is eternal life. And this gift is through Jesus Christ our Lord. Christ purchased it, prepared it, prepares us for it, preserves us to it; he is the All in all in our salvation.

Commentary from Matthew Henry

God bless you & may the Holy Spirit lead you
Rev. W. R. Martin Jr.
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Saints Flags

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I live in central Texas now after relocating from southeast Louisiana sometime after hurricane Katrina. So I find myself in Cowboys country ( the Dallas Cowboys) surrounded on the eve of the Cowboys vs. the Saints in New Orleans. Unfortunately the Saints lost and I’m still flying my flags on the car. While sitting at a red light a thought crossed my mind. First of all, how many people are looking at me thinking; losers cause of the game or what a true fan cause of the game. Then something deeper hit my heart. For months I have been riding around the city of Austin flying these flags in the mist of people who oppose me. I have let it be know what side of the fence I stand. When everyone else will say that I was crazy I stood behind my choice. As Christians we are to stand boldly by Christ. We should stand by our cross and proclaim the Gospel even when all around us the opposition stands ready to kill us. But can we continue to stand even when we lose or seem to be defeated? Peter denied Christ three times when it seem that Jesus was defeated. Many Christians stood their ground and faced death. Would you or could you die for Christ. In the face of the enemy who will say; “were is your God now? ask Him to save you now?” could you say let the will of my God be done?

There are layers of meaning in the phrase bear witness. It includes 1) speaking the truth of God as no man ever spoke; 2) being the truth of God in his person; 3) dying to establish the truth about God; and 4) sending us as the Father sent him to bear witness to the truth, both in speaking and dying.

Here are layers 3 and 4:

3. Dying to Establish the Truth

Third, not only was the Son of God born to bear witness to the truth by speaking the truth and being the truth, but also by dying to establish the truth. The Greek word for witness (martus) became the word for martyr because dying for what you stand for is the ultimate witness to it. So in Revelation, Jesus is called “The Amen, the faithful and true witness” (Revelation 3:14). This witness is thought of in terms of his death, resurrection, and reign as King of kings. For example, look at the sequence in Revelation 1:4-5, “Grace to you and peace from . . . Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth” (Revelation 1:4-5). Notice the order: first, death (faithful witness), then resurrection (firstborn from the dead), then rule over all kings. He was born to witness to truth in the greatness of the achievement of his death.

4. Sending Us to Witness to the Truth

Finally, he was born to bear witness to the truth, not just in the thirty-three years of his life on earth, but in all the time on earth till he comes again. That he is why he says, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you” (John 20:21). The church is called “a pillar and buttress of truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). The message we bring to the world is called “the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation” (Ephesians 1:13). And when judgment comes, the condemned will be those who “did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:12).

~Pastor John Piper

The thought of waving the blood stained banner proudly in the mist of adversity. When everyone around you see you as losing the battle but when the Saints of the Lord; knowing that the trumpet had not yet sounded because God is the author and finisher and for His glory do we fight on. Are you rooted in Christ enough to stand for Him when even family will talk about you? Do you wear and bear your cross not to be seen but for Him to be seen? Are you a fair weather fan and as long as the blessings are flowing in you are on team Jesus? Do you rejoice when things don’t look good? Can you rejoice in what has already been established; which is your eternal home in heaven? Think about it why do you do what you do? When your banner is beaten, wore out and battle scared do they still see Christ abiding in you?

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Coronary Circulation

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Coronary circulation is the circulation of blood in the blood vessels of the heart muscle. Although blood fills the chambers of the heart, the muscle tissue of the heart (the myocardium) is so thick that it requires coronary blood vessels to deliver blood deep into it. The vessels that deliver oxygen-rich blood to the myocardium are known as coronary arteries. The vessels that remove the deoxygenated blood from the heart muscle are known as coronary veins.

The coronary arteries that run on the surface of the heart are called epicardial coronary arteries. These arteries, when healthy, are capable of autoregulation to maintain coronary blood flow at levels appropriate to the needs of the heart muscle. These relatively narrow vessels are commonly affected by atherosclerosis and can become blocked, causing angina or a heart attack. (See also: circulatory system.) The coronary arteries that run deep within the myocardium are referred to as subendocardial.

I guess you are wondering what’s up with the definition for coronary circulation?  Well, I have some posts here titled “finding God” and “Know who you serve“.   I even posted a commentary by Matthew Henry on John 16:7-15. So what does all this have to do with coronary circulation you might ask… Well, if you think about how all that God does in our lives start within the heart and how true faith starts there and moves outwardly.  The openness and strength of these arteries help maintain the health of the heart.  To be drawn by God the heart needs to be open. For there to be life the blood has to flow freely.  The harder it is for the blood to flow and the more resistance the circulation has, the greater the negative effects on the heart.  If we are resisting God or hardering our hearts against the flow of the Holy Spirit; as God draws us and teaches us in other to give us the Christ?  How does it effects our lives and the fullness of our lives?  The effects can be negative for an eternity of damnation.  We will never experience of the fullness of God’s righteousness or all the God has for His elect; the children of the living God.  As long as our selfish hearts put our selfish desires ahead of God’s will; we will continue to go through whatever it is God is doing to soften our hearts.  As long as we desire to be rebels against God, as long as we revel in sin and desire sin, glorify sin in song and dance, as long as we dance around our idols and worship them we will suffer greatly.  Brokenness is not what I use to think it was.  To me brokenness is the process of God killing the idols, the lust, the pride and the devils in our hearts as we fight to hold onto our sinful flesh’s will.  At time I feel that we are the pagan god mammon; but we can’t serve two masters.  We will love one and hate the other.  Whether you know it or not you are a slave to something; Christ or Satan; Jesus or your flesh; sin or the Holy Spirit.  Some of us are dying cause we have chosen to cute off circulation to Christ; as we picked sin over righteousness.  Right now you say that you are just having fun and you have time to serve God when you are old….   You should really rethink that statement and understand what it is that you are really saying to God and about God’s will…..   I refuse to put words into your head because you need to think about it on your own with your own heart and examine the relationship with God that you have.

Finding God

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Some of us don’t like the idea of going to church. We have issues of coming to Christ, walking to the front of the church before everyone. You stand there thinking about what everyone else is thinking about you. You wonder if they are playing “guess the new person’s transgressions”. So our shame keeps us in the seat or just at home. Others feel that it is ridiculous that they need a Savior; cause they are not that bad. For them the whole notion of “sin” is hard for them. They feel that they do not need God or Christ to tell them to do the right thing. They usually have the problem of over simplifying Christianity. The previous person mention eventually because of their shame try to fix their life on their own.
The last type just don’t like all of the “dogma” and the entire orthodox ways to salvation. I just call them “intellectuals” or a vast majority of America’s educated and wealthy. They believe that there are many paths to God and even God is a state of mind and not a being or Spirit. They even marginalize Christ to just a prophet and don’t really see him as a Savior. If I’m wrong someone correct me on how you see Jesus Christ; second person in the trinity…

One of the main issues with some is:

1. Some Christians don’t seem human enough
2. Some have a major problem with pride
3. Some have a disbelief in God period ( they seek to be convinced)
4. Some just don’t know were to go (which goes back to the first statement)

Mature Christians need to stop being so spiritual in the sense we seem cold or above human struggle. As believers we have experienced some of the same things or currently going through things. There are no new situations and we can all learn from each other. This is a spiritual family a global community with the same Heavenly Father. If you can approach your cousin in the time of need, then you should be able to approach your brothers and sisters in Christ as well. This really hurts our Great Commission and the growth of young Christians. Even with Pastors; they can appear like a high priest that can’t be touched. We need to stop this in our churches. Of course we love the class status but its hurting the body of Christ. Plus it can reflect a bad image of God to the world. It makes people feel like if I can’t go to my pastor or a church member then I know I can’t go to God. This is so far from the truth; Christ came to remove that barrier and we wasted no time putting it back up.

I have debated whether or not to include the verse below because it can confuse some. But I will put it like this, if there is a longing in your heart about God or you have an empty feeling and desire more; this verse is probably talking about you. If you have a sense of being drawn to God, Paul is talking about you. If you want to believe but are unclear this verse is for you. God is speaking to your heart and He is drawing you to him.

Ephesians 1:3-5, 10-14

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

John 6:41-51

So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” 43 Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me— 46 not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

Sermon from John Piper found on DesiringGod.org

Teaching Our Minds, Humbling Our Wills

John7:16-18 16 So Jesus answered them, j“My teaching is not mine, but his kwho sent me. 17 lIf anyone’s will is to do God’s5 will, mhe will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I nam speaking on my own authority. 18 The one who speaks on his own authority oseeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.

See, those that are looking for truth you know where to find it but Satan has put a fear in you. Our rebellious will doesn’t want to lose a life in the world. Some will never understand how Christians love Christ and desire to do God’s will. Because we are born with a will to serve self. We continue to fight with this will or flesh or sin nature even as Christians. Our egos stand in the way of us seeing Christ clearly and it can even give us a false sense of God. And when we realize that its not all about us then do we see Christ. It as this moment I feel the following verse truly rings true in the heart of a Christian or in the heart of someone who is “seeking God”:

Mark 12:28-34

28 And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 29Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. 33And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions.

But some feel that they don’t have to go through Christ and that there are many ways to God. But they have made God a state of mind and not the Spiritual Being and Creator that He is. They feel that they can be “good” on their own. So they say that they don’t need Christ to be “good”.

Luke18:19-25

19″Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 20You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’[b]” 21″All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said. 22When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 23When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. 24Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

See its not about being “good” to get into heaven and even if we were “good”; in the recesses of the heart lays evil intent or selfish desires. If you knew the reasons behind all of the “good” things people did you wouldn’t call them good anymore. If you could see all of the selfish reasons. Example: if people were so good then they wouldn’t worry about the tax breaks and PR they get from donations, non profits, community work, food drives, and etc. God is more concern about the state of your heart. When God has your heart; loving your neighbor in pure unconditional love becomes second nature. When you truly love God; His law is on your heart and it becomes natural to you.

John 10:1-6

1Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. 6This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

John 16

7Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

The Truth that is harassing you and reproving you is the Holy Spirit. If you read anything that claims to be the “Truth” as it relates to God if it doesnt do this: “13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” Don’t trust it. The entire bible points to one Savior; Christ. Even with its many authors (all Holy Spirit inspired) and years in the making all hold true to this scripture. Some people will claim the Jesus got His ideas from elsewhere or some other group before Him. But ask them who can predate Christ if Jesus Christ is God? Who was before the Creator of the universe? What man can claim supreme knowledge over God? See its not that your are seeking or trying to find God but He has found you. There is only one way and no matter what all those that are drawn by God will go that way. We can try to make our experience special to stand out from others; that’s just your ego talking. But we all are humbled and submit to God’s will. And it is in your best interest to heed the call of the Spirit on your heart. Please find someone that can help you with the scriptures and who will pray for you as well as with you. Be careful of those who seek to take advantage of you. Christ is the Good Shepherd and He has laid His life down for you. He will put the person or people in your life to disciple you. If you can’t find someone to walk with you on this Christian journey just contact me.

God bless you & may the Holy Spirit lead you Rev. W. R. Martin Jr.
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email: revroymartin

Know Who You Serve

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John 7
15And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? 16Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

17If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. 18He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. 19Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?

People these days will believe just about anything. False teachers don’t really stand up and say “I’m a false teacher and I preach a false doctrine that will lead you astray”. A lot of people are mesmerized by fancy words and charming speakers. Our lack of study makes us prone to fall into traps set by the enemy because we don’t even know the voice of the Lord we say that we love so much. I could tell you that the truth doesn’t contradict itself but you wouldn’t know it if you don’t read the bible. If you just do the two commandments Christ called the greatest, it would serve as a solid foundation on which to test the doctrines against the truth. What are the two? Love God with all your heart, soul and mind and to love your neighbor as your self. If a doctrine ask you to elevate yourself above God or to put yourself in front of others; its not of God. Christ calls us to deny thyself and pick up your cross. You can’t deny thyself and seek your personal wealth at the same time.

Like Jesus said : “17If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. 18He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. “

That speaks for itself, there is nothing I really need to add. Christ said it all

Amen

God bless you & may the Holy Spirit lead you

Rev. W. R. Martin Jr.
visit me at: http://anointedplace.wordpress.com
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2 seconds Left, No Timeouts

As Christians we all come to that place in life were we truly can relate to Job and his ordeal. We have questioned God as to His motives for such heartache. At this point all hope seems to be lost. None of the scriptures and all of our friends words of encouragement just fall to the wayside. Its like the parable of the sower, the seeds of faith, trust, and hope are being choked out by the afflictions of Satan.

“So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. His wife said to him, ‘Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!’” (Job 2:7-9).

Job 34:32 Teach me what I do not see; If I have done iniquity, I will do no more?

We don’t always see what God is doing. We don’t always understand the things going on around us. There is just so much God has working for our good and how He accomplishes it is just to grand for our little minds to understand. Sometimes our self-righteous attitudes get in the way because we are “blessed and highly favored” we think we know all that we need to know. We feel that at this point in our lives that we have paid our dues and that God should now be bent to our will. When we get like this; we easily forget that our sins murdered a innocent man on Calvary. Even though it was planned by God from the foundation of creation doesn’t negate the fact that all of God’s wrath was turned on Jesus Christ for us. It is during these times of doubt and feelings of hopelessness as well as feelings of abandonment that I turn to my hail Mary pass to the corner of the end zone with 2 seconds left scriptures. These words of God reminds me of His purpose and the path that I’m on…

Romans 8:18-35 ESV
Future Glory
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because [1] the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, [2] for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
God’s Everlasting Love
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be [3] against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. [4] 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

God bless you & may the Holy Spirit lead you

Rev. W. R. Martin Jr.

visit me at: http://anointedplace.wordpress.com
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Matthew Henry’s Commentary on John 16:7-15

John 16:7-15 (New International Version)

7But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt[a] in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

12″I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

John 16:7-15 Christ’s departure was necessary to the Comforter’s coming. Sending the Spirit was to be the fruit of Christ’s death, which was his going away. His bodily presence could be only in one place at one time, but his Spirit is every where, in all places, at all times, wherever two or three are gathered together in his name. See here the office of the Spirit, first to reprove, or to convince. Convincing work is the Spirit’s work; he can do it effectually, and none but he. It is the method the Holy Spirit takes, first to convince, and then to comfort. The Spirit shall convince the world, of sin; not merely tell them of it. The Spirit convinces of the fact of sin; of the fault of sin; of the folly of sin; of the filth of sin, that by it we are become hateful to God; of the fountain of sin, the corrupt nature; and lastly, of the fruit of sin, that the end thereof is death. The Holy Spirit proves that all the world is guilty before God. He convinces the world of righteousness; that Jesus of Nazareth was Christ the righteous. Also, of Christ’s righteousness, imparted to us for justification and salvation. He will show them where it is to be had, and how they may be accepted as righteous in God’s sight. Christ’s ascension proves the ransom was accepted, and the righteousness finished, through which believers were to be justified. Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. All will be well, when his power is broken, who made all the mischief. As Satan is subdued by Christ, this gives us confidence, for no other power can stand before him. And of the day of judgment. The coming of the Spirit would be of unspeakable advantage to the disciples. The Holy Spirit is our Guide, not only to show us the way, but to go with us by continued aids and influences. To be led into a truth is more than barely to know it; it is not only to have the notion of it in our heads, but the relish, and savour, and power of it in our hearts. He shall teach all truth, and keep back nothing profitable, for he will show things to come. All the gifts and graces of the Spirit, all the preaching, and all the writing of the apostles, under the influence of the Spirit, all the tongues, and miracles, were to glorify Christ. It behoves every one to ask, whether the Holy Spirit has begun a good work in his heart? Without clear discovery of our guilt and danger, we never shall understand the value of Christ’s salvation; but when brought to know ourselves aright, we begin to see the value of the Redeemer. We should have fuller views of the Redeemer, and more lively affections to him, if we more prayed for, and depended on the Holy Spirit.

Now!

I have decided that for the rest of my life right NOW! I will live for Christ. Right NOW! I will carry my cross, be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. I will be unashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. At this moment I will reflect God’s glory and act like I do indeed belong to Him. I will love my brother as Christ has commanded so that they will know that I’m one of His disciplines. At this point in time I will love the body of Christ because how can I love God whom I have never seen and hate my brother and sisters whom I see everyday. I will do this because I have heard Him knock at my door and I very much so desire to fellowship with Him. So I have yielded to the call of the Holy Spirit to be holy, to be the living stone, the member of the royal priesthood, to bare fruit and to be God’s vessel and extension of grace. I have a desire to please Him because He loved us first without hesitation with all of our faults. Because His love is based on who He is and not what I do. Because I do so many things that I should not do and the things I should do I don’t do. But right NOW! I will present myself as a living sacrifice and declare war on my flesh; because Christ defeated sin and death; so I’m no longer a slave to sin. I have been justified, redeemed, reconciled back to my one true heavenly Father. I have never belonged to myself; yet the world thinks otherwise. From the foundation of the world I was bought with a price. I know that I am a temple and the holy of holies is gone because His Spirit is indwelling and has sealed me. God the Holy Spirit has finalized the blood purchase. By He’s power I will stand victorious over sin cause my Savior died once and for all; for every and all sins now and to come. In this I shall seek ye first the kingdom of God and all His righteousness and the desires that the pagans waste their lives for shall be added unto me. My Father has opened up His home to me and invited me in. He sat me down and told me that all I need to do is pick up my cross and follow Him. He is my provider and He knows my needs. So right NOW, I live for Christ and I will never regret yesterday and not be anxious of tomorrow because yesterday I for sure lived in His will and in the future I’m living in His grace. I’m that college kid who lives at his parents house while going to school. I don’t have to work cause I have grace as well as a father who provides. So I focus on studies; seeking Him. In my efforts my father sees me and is filled with joy so he blesses me. Since I know all that he does I’m humbled, I approach as a child and in my meekness he delights and lifts me up because I brought myself low. I reverence my father because he didn’t have to do it. And when I graduate, he will be there full of love because I now I look like him. I have learned and was shaped. I’m a new man free from my short comings as a child because I was corrected, purged, pruned, and persevered to bare even more fruit. This all happened because right NOW for Christ I live and for Christ I’ll die and I did die… to myself; yes I killed my flesh and my pride.

Gray Areas

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Sometimes we find ourselves in situations that we feel are tricky. Usually the problem requires us to make a choice. But the choices are the problem plus we would rather select something that benefits us as well. so we compromise in order to please all that are involved. And actually they may come away happy but not with what they really wanted. So they just learn to deal with it. Or we are faced with a situations were one option is clearly wrong but going with the right will leave you out in away.
So we compromise again to satisfy our needs. What I”m talking about is the infamous gray areas in our lives. Our laws though the foundation is black & white and yes & no; the law’s substance is filled with gray area; bills, by-laws,amendments, and court rulings. People have made a living out of this and they are called lawyers.

So what does this have to do with God you may ask? Well, have you every read the ten commandments? If not I will list them:

Exodus 20
The Ten Commandments
1 And God spoke all these words:

2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

3 “You shall have no other gods before [a] me.

4 “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments.

7 “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

13 “You shall not murder.

14 “You shall not commit adultery.

15 “You shall not steal.

16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

18 When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance 19 and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.”

20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”

21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.

This is nothing that is as black and white as to what God wants us to do. Yet statues and ordinance were added and even some were later changed; not the ten commandments but the statues added by Moses.

example:
Mark 10
Divorce
1Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them.

2Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”

3″What did Moses command you?” he replied.

4They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.”

5″It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. 6″But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’[a] 7′For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,[b] 8and the two will become one flesh.’[c] So they are no longer two, but one. 9Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

Jesus Christ even made the issue more black and white:

Mark 12
The Greatest Commandment
28One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

29″The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.[e] 30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[f] 31The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[g]There is no commandment greater than these.”

So why is it hard to deal with black and white; good and bad; left or right? The gray areas show up because we wish not to do what is right or we have placed our own comfort above all. Sometimes compromise is not a good thing, sometimes trying to please everyone is not good as well. When we start to do things like this almost 100% of the time, we are about to sin against God. Some people are partially forced into the gray area because we as Christians have not obeyed God commandments. You don’t think so? If you “Love your neighbor as yourself” just think of all the people who wouldn’t have drug addictions or other deadly addictions because they can’t handle life’s stress cause they have no one to turn to. Think of all the people who feel that they have no choice but to rob. If we ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ we would not have homeless people or jobless people. But since we put ourselves above all we create gray areas were people feel helpless. Then they sin trying to make it because a Christian cut jobs so his company makes more money so this “Christian” can buy a bigger house. Or a Christian, cheats his company by stealing or you try to get even with someone. Our actions as Christians have a ripple affect on the world. If we followed the simple command of ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength’, just think of how things would be…. The Law and the Prophets and the Apostles are our foundations.

Matthew 7
Ask, Seek, Knock
7″Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

9″Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Read the commandments above and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you. See God in His law. See that the will of God is plain and don’t pollute it with your loop holes. Don’t add to God’s Law in order for you to sin freely. If you obeyed God in the first place then you wouldn’t be praying now to get you out of the mess you created. Yes, we are all guilty of doing it; even me. But at some point we should start to do better, at some point our regenerated nature should say; enough is enough. We should say to ourselves, obeying God is more important than fitting in with the world and keeping our friends that live contrary to God. We will risk our salvation for the company of friends? Are we that welling to give up our Savior for the world and temporary satisfaction? When we come into God’s glory it will be like all this trouble on earth never happened.

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Trapped Butterflies

I look around and I wonder about us as the body of Christ.  I look at us and just think…. As we run to the store and the schools and work, are we thinking about God?  And not just thanking Him but are we worshiping Him?   I have heard all the time that no one can be holy all the time.  Yes, in our current sinful bodies its hard but think about this, have you forgot how to walk or breath?  We do those things all the time right?  But those things are different right?  Those things we do to survive right?  So why do you have faith in Christ?  Why do you trust God and what is it that you are trusting Him for?  Did not Christ die to save us from death?  Are we not pursued by Satan daily as he tries to devour us?  Some of us are persecuted (physically) because of their faith in God and we trust in Him for deliverance.  When you “see” God and “see” Him as the source of your life, He becomes essential to your living.  He breathes His life into you.

 

Romans 6

¹What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? ²By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? ³Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

⁵If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. ⁶For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with,^[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin— ⁷because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.

⁸Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. ⁹For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. ¹⁰The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

¹¹In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. ¹²Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. ¹³Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. ¹⁴For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

 

We don’t live like this means anything to us.  We live like we want to all week and wait until Sunday to live it out.  The sermon on Sunday should not be enough for us we should hunger for more of God like the growing infants that we are.  We are babies that are never learning how to chew real food cause we have become happy with just knowing that “we” are going to heaven.  It doesn’t matter if everyone else never hears about Christ.  We go on living making plans taking life for granted.  Just breathing and no worship of the God that made it possible.

 

James 4

Submit Yourselves to God

¹What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? ²You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. ³When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

⁴You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. ⁵Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely?^{[a] 6}But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
“God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.”^[b]

⁷Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ⁹Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. ¹⁰Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

¹¹Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. ¹²There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

Boasting About Tomorrow

¹³Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” ¹⁴Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. ¹⁵Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” ¹⁶As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. ¹⁷Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.

We are butterflies half way out of the cocoon and discover food right there and decide to go no further.  We see half of Him and not the whole picture so we never experience the liberty that is in Christ Jesus.  The air never touches our wings and we never fully experience the presence of the Holy Spirit as God’s breathe carry us through the sky worshiping Him in Unity. Holy, Holy, Holy