The Resurrected Life Always Follows the Crucified Life

Jesus is the author of our faith. He is the one who has planted faith in our hearts, and He is also the finisher of our faith. “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).

VIEW: TRAILER – NO ROOM IN THE INN

 If you are still worshiping God at the foot of the Cross, you are living in the past. Move beyond the Cross and live in the power of His resurrection. We do this as we enter the fellowship of His suffering. The Cross was the tool God used to prepare the way of salvation. We must also believe that God raised Jesus from the dead because this is where the power of God enters our lives. We died at the Cross to our old life. We begin our new life in the resurrected power of the Holy Spirit. As we live the resurrected life, we enter the fellowship of Jesus' suffering. Thus, preparing us for trials and the spiritual battles we will fight.

It is through the fellowship of His suffering we grow in faith. And as we look to Jesus, the author, and finisher of our faith, all things are possible. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed [surrounded] about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrew 12:1-2).

The writer of Hebrews likened the Christian life to running in the Olympics. We that run in a race should put everything we've got into winning. Let's note that we are not running a human race where only one receives the prize. Our competition is spiritual, and we’re running ours alone. Of course, we have God running alongside us.

You're not trying to beat other believers over the finish line. The only competitor is you, and the competition is the weights and the sins that might stumble your life off course. Lay aside the old life, sin not, resist the devil and let God be your running track. Stay focused on Jesus and keep within your line.

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GOD WILL REDEEM OUR IMAGE

"And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly" (1 Corinthians 15:49).

 VIEW: TRAILER – I AM THE IMAGE MAKER

"In the beginning God". . .

 The subject of the Bible is God, and the purpose of the Scriptures is to bring us to the saving knowledge of God and His love for us through Jesus (The Word). "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1).

Genesis is the book of beginnings: the beginning of creation, the beginning of man, the beginning of sin, the beginning of death, and the beginning of God's plan for the redemption of mankind. Man has fallen from grace, he has a broken image, separated from God, and we all are reaping the consequences of sin.

A sinful life has ramifications on the individual, their circle of family, and friends. Justly, we do reap what we sow. Sin has consequences that affect us momentarily, seasonally, generationally, and in some cases, eternally.

We need God’s Word (Jesus) to provide us with a dependable body of knowledge concerning God and His eternal plan. He is the creator of all things, the object of creation, and the sustainer of all things that are. "God created the heaven and the earth." The Hebrew word for God in verse 1 is "Elohim," which is plural. Indicating the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit acted together to create the world.

In Genesis chapter one, God began with creating the earth and adapting it for man. When God had the earth ready, He "formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul" (Genesis 2:7). When God created man and placed him upon the earth, He created him with his spirit uppermost. The man was spirit, soul, and body, reflecting the image of God.

God is God, and we are not. The Bible never seeks to prove the existence of God. The Word tells us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12) Scripture assumes that only the fool would say that there is no God, and it is folly to argue with a jerk. 

God is although out in His creation. The apostle Paul puts it this way, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead so that they are without excuse.” (Romans1:20)

It was by His Word that the universe came into existence, "For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm" (Psalm 33:9), and "we understand that the universe was created by the Word of God” (Hebrews 11:3).

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10 - GOD’S STILL SMALL VOICE

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TRAILER - I AM THE PROMISE KEEPER

Have you ever argued with God knowing you will never win? Or making promises in the Spirit that your flesh refuses to fulfill? Well, a crazy thing happened on the way to eternity. I lost an argument with God. Can you believe that? There I was in the back of my semitrailer, making a delivery, and arguing with God. Attempting to negotiate terms with Him knowing quite well, He doesn't play that game.  

I was trying to negotiate the terms of dating my checkout girl at the grocery store. I had been going there buying one item at a time to talk to her. Never having the nerve to ask her out, I just kept going in, hoping God would open the door. Maybe He might give me the backbone to pursue this desire. I tried bargaining with Him explaining how great of an addition she would be to His kingdom, and I would help bring this about for Him.

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GOD’S PATH – GOD’S WORD – GOD’S HEART

The Good News is we have a roadmap to follow, and it is the WORD of GOD. If we lack understanding, ask God in prayer, and He will increase our faith to understand His wisdom and truth. 

Following is an excellent roadmap to guide us and equip us to apply His Word as we move toward eternity.  Keeping our eyes upon the prize that is in Christ Jesus, let us commit ourselves to the leading and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The Word will lead you, instruct you, mature you, protect you, and supply a way to escape the fiery trials of life.

Knowledge is the Apprehension of TRUTH in one’s mind, but Wisdom is the Application of TRUTH to one’s life.

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves" (James 1:22).

THE GOAL OF THE WORD: To “study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

THE PURPOSE OF THE WORD: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

THE QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE WORD:

• Are there any Examples for me to Follow?
• Are there any Commands for me to Obey?
• Are there any Errors for me to Avoid?
• Are there any SINS for me to Forsake?
• Are there any New Thoughts about GOD Himself?
• Are there any Promises for me to Apply?
• Are there any Principles I must Accept?

THE PROMISE FROM THE WORD: “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26).

"Thy WORD is a Lamp unto my Feet and a Light unto my Path"

(Psalm 119: 105).

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 Is God’s image on the Auction block? What will a man give in exchange for his soul?  If not His image then who’s? God created man in His image; unfortunately, for the price of an apple, Adam and Eve discarded their true reflection. Your soul is eternal, and the image of Christ is essential.

The world is going to pass away and the lust thereof.  Then the question, “what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” What would you take for your soul? Some of you have been wandering in the wilderness in your Christian experience, maintaining a barren soul—His image, just a dimming light. God is calling you to spark up the flame, pass over Jordan, and enter the promised land.

VIEW: TRAILER – I AM THE IMAGE MAKER

 Satan’s greatest weapon is man’s ignorance of God’s Word! Additionally, half of the truth is the worst part of the lie. With every temptation, there is a lie involved. (1) The Prove It Lie, (2) The “For It Is Written” Lie, and (3) The Short Cut Lie. The devil deceived Eve in the garden with these lies while Jesus was victorious in the wilderness. 

The devil would have us conform to the ways of this world through peer pressure.  The Christian life is so different from the world’s way of thinking. The world wants their self-esteem to feel good, while God tells us to esteem others more highly than ourselves. Non-believers need their image to shine above all others, but God wants Jesus’s Image to prevail. The world says to go for it, no matter the cost. God’s Word tells us to count the cost.

God’s image is worth the battle. Winning victories as we put off the old man and put on the new. We experience transformation when we learn how to use the Word of God to overcome the world. 

 When we become Christians, God does not remodel us or add to who we are – He transforms us.  A Believer does not have two different natures.  He has one new character – the single life in Christ.  The old self dies, and the new person becomes alive; they do not coexist.

God’s Word urges us to “Put on the new man,” a new behavior that is proper to our original nature. But to do so, we must end the patterns and practices of our old life. Furthermore, He has given us the rules, the principles, the strategies, the armor, and the promises for fulfilling His purpose. If we will renew our minds and study the Word, then we will be able to sort out and discern the will of God. When we make the right decisions combined with some skills, we will succeed and come out on top.

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 LIAR-LIAR, PANTS ON FIRE

 “But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.”

(James 5:12)

VIEW: TRAILER – I AM THE IMAGE MAKER

Satan’s greatest weapon is man’s ignorance of God’s Word!  Additionally, half of the truth is the worst part of the lie. With every temptation, there is a lie involved. (1) The Prove It Lie, (2) The “For It Is Written” Lie, and (3) The Short Cut Lie. The devil deceived Eve in the garden with these lies while Jesus was victorious in the wilderness. 

The problem with half-truths is that when we believe them, we receive the consequences of that decision. Half-truths are enticing, pleasant, and more natural path to take. Satan told Eve half of God’s truth, deceiving her into partaking of the fruit of the tree. That decision resulted in the fall of man and the curses pronounced upon Satan, Adam, and Eve. Everyone today is experiencing the ramifications of their choice; each day we live on earth.

Satan later tried this deception on Jesus in the wilderness, but Jesus wisely used the WORD to overcome the temptations. Jesus replies to every lie by speaking the Word of Truth; “For it is written . . . Worship the Lord thy God” (Matthew 4:10).

The greatest and most deceptive half-truth conceived by man is that “ALL ROADS LEAD TO GOD.” This eternally destructive lie states that since God is love, and you are a good person, God will never send you to hell. The whole and complete truth are that all roads do lead to God but for distinct reasons and different ends: believers for their rewards and non-believers for judgment.

I think Alice-in-Wonderland said, “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.” I am sure she was referring to the rabbit hole roads in her fairy tale. Maybe this is what people are miss quoting when they say, “All roads lead to Heaven.”  It is vital to understand what happens with this kind of Half-Truth-Thinking.

Indeed, God does not send anyone to hell. We alone choose between heaven or hell according to our belief in or rejection of Jesus Christ. Those who accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior will receive eternal life. Those who deny Christ will, by that decision alone, will separate themselves from God for all eternity. Free choice can either be a gift or a curse.

When tempted, there is a lie involved, and we must use the Word of God to overcome Satan. THE PROVE IT LIE, THE “FOR IT IS WRITTEN” LIE, and THE SHORT CUT LIE. Eve had the misfortune of being deceived by these lies. On the other hand, they were unsuccessful with Jesus in the wilderness.

These lies are temptations familiar to us all. We will face them for the rest of our lives.  There is no escape other than through Jesus.  Spiritual maturity only causes Satan to increase pressure. The devil attacks us in all areas of our life, trying to deceive us and draw us away from our walk with God. The Word of God helps us to overcome the things of this world.

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Embrace trials while resisting Temptations

 "Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."  (James 4:7).

VIEW: TRAILER – NO ROOM IN THE INN

“NO ROOM IN THE INN” has become a metaphor for just about everything that goes wrong in our lives. Not that we take the story of Mary and Joseph lightly, but we can see their trials and hardships reflected in our situations. However, take courage in the Lord, knowing that our tests will produce patience and hope. God is faithful to His promises to be with us, deliver us, and strengthen our walk with Him. 

Knowing God’s ways are not our ways, yet His way will always perfect us as we wait upon Him. The trying of our faith is transforming us into the image of Christ. Whatever the tribulation we are going through, He has a divine plan for it and a purpose for us to fulfill.

God has a promise we can count on whenever we feel that there is “NO ROOM IN THE INN” for us. “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). We need to exercise faith in His preordained will and discipline ourselves to wait on the Lord and develop patience while waiting for His answers to our breakthroughs.

Embrace trials while resisting temptations because the temptation to evil desires and to act on them is dangerous. James tells us that the reason this is so is that it will lead to sin and death: "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death" (James 1:14-15). 

Where there is sin, there is always death of some kind. We experience — the end to a relationship, our influence, our intimacy with God.  The equation is absolute but straightforward:  temptation plus sin equals death.  Is the gratification of your fascination and evil desires worth what it will destroy? Beware!

It is easy to become discouraged and tempted to give up and give in when we continue to fail before the tempter.  Our continued failure is often, in part, the result of our misunderstandings about the nature of temptation. Our responsibility is to control the things that dominate our thoughts.  Christ was tempted, but without sin.

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9 – MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD

"It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes." (Psalm 119:71)

VIEW: TRAILER - I AM THE PROMISE KEEPER

God is setting up His eternal kingdom, and He uses the fiery trials of life to build our faith, mature us, lead us, deliver us, and develop character within us. Foremost, tests are one-way God's plan can merge with His purpose for our lives. 

So, it’s critical to understand the purpose of trials so as to know what to do, how to do it, when to do it, why we are doing it, what happens if we don’t do it and what are our rewards for doing it right?  A great insight is we embrace trials while resisting temptations. We must get it right here on earth, so as to be right when we arrive in heaven. Remember, there are no do-overs once we leave this life behind.

God desires us to embrace trials while resisting temptations.

Discerning the origin of trials helps formulate the proper response to them and uncovers God’s purposes behind them. Are they from the devil, our carnal mind, imposed by a fallen world and the people around us, or something God would have us embrace?  Discovering the purpose of trials, how to overcome them, how to be obedient during them, how to grow because of them, and which promises can I apply to them, will lay the foundation to ". . . Count it all joy" when these fiery trials appear. 

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8 - PRAYING SCRIPTURE EMPOWERS OUR PRAYER LIFE

VIEW: TRAILER - I AM THE PROMISE KEEPER

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him” (1 John 5:14-15).

Praying and seeking God should be a top priority in the believer's life. Prayer is mentioned over 500 times in the Scriptures.  Everyone can exercise this fantastic resource. It's a ministry for many, and the most crucial activity afforded a believer.

Incredibly, we each have a high priority connection directly into the Throne Room of the Universe! It is bizarre to realize that this astonishing resource is so available and so rarely used. It is unquestionably the most potent weapon we could have. 

What a powerful spiritual weapon prayer is. In this spiritual warfare, prayer is often the deciding factor in the spiritual battle. “Praying with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, watching with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints; and for pray for me, [Paul says,] that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel” (Ephesians 6:18-19).

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HOW TO EMBRACE THE TRIALS OF LIFE

"It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes." (Psalm 119:71).

VIEW: TRAILER – NO ROOM IN THE INN

One purpose of a trial is to know what is in your heart. Not that God doesn't already know. The problem is, we don't know what's in our hearts. We may think that we're okay and we don't have a problem. Thus, God will allow a trial in our life to show us what's really in our hearts.

The prophet Jeremiah reaffirms, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind.”  (Jeremiah 17:9-10). God’s testing helps us to understand ourselves and to know our limitations and our weaknesses, so we will learn to trust in God and not in ourselves.

During trials, it is challenging to realize that God will lead us step by step. There are so many things in our hearts that God needs to deal with, but He cannot deal with them until they surface, and testing will do that to allow us to see the truth. We need to be humble. We cannot allow pride to rule in our hearts. Pride will always keep us from seeing the truth about ourselves. Always remember that God hates the proud (Proverbs 6:16-17). Pride is a great enemy to you. It will lie to you, and it can destroy you. But "humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up" (James 4:10).

Every trial is intended to bring us closer to God, where we learn to grow and where we see the power and the love of God manifested. It's there where you come into a deeper relationship with God. James tells us to, “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:4).

Another purpose for trials is to mold us into the image of Jesus Christ. They also bring you into maturity as you learn lessons from trials. God would have us to grow up and become mature. Patience is one of the main ways that produces wisdom and maturity.

Trials bring a necessary season to seek wisdom from God. We often don't know how much we need understanding until our time of difficulty. During a test we need to see if it is something God wants us to eliminate from our lives, is it a lesson we need to apply to our lives, or is the devil attacking our faith in God?  Wisdom must discern between the three, perseverance to get through it, and trust in God is knowing He is with us.

Wisdom is much more than knowledge, and believers need to seek it with their whole heart. Knowledge is raw information, but wisdom knows how to use it. Someone once said that “knowledge is the ability to take things apart, but wisdom is the ability to put things together.”

“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind” (James 1:6).

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