The God-centered life works.
And it rescues us from a life that doesn’t.
-Max Lucado
#LiveLoved
The God-centered life works.
And it rescues us from a life that doesn’t.
-Max Lucado
#LiveLoved
Posted: 23 Aug 2011 12:00 AM PDT
By Jon Walker
I do not condemn you either. Go, but do not sin again. (John 8:11 TEV)
Grace is meant to justify the sinner — “Go and sin no more.” Grace is never meant to justify our sins — “Everything is forgiven, so you can stay as you are.”
In other words, the grace of God is not a cosmic “get out of jail free” card.
Grace is given freely, but it cost Jesus a bloody price to offer it to us: “Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13 NLT).
Grace is given freely, but to walk in grace with Jesus will cost us everything as we join Jesus in “the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing” (Ephesians 2:10 MSG).
Jesus rescued the woman caught in adultery from certain death, but his expectation was that her life would change immediately. To return to her old life would have mocked the very grace that Jesus offered her that day.
His expectation of a changed life is no different for us: “Go in my grace, and sin no more.”
By Joel C. Rosenberg
(Washington, D.C, August 24, 2011) — “While the U.S. is entering into a catastrophic financial and economic phase,” Iranian Brigadier-General Masoud Jazayeri recently said in a speech to the Revolutionary Guards Corps ground forces, “Iran can, with a serious offensive, emerge economically and financially.”
You probably didn’t hear that on any of the networks’ evening newscasts. What about these headlines:
* Iranian persecution of Christians grows
* Reza Kahlili: Iranians: Time ripe for ‘Great Satan’ to be removed: Military leader says crises will bring America to its knees
* Ahmadinejad says Iran can cripple enemies on their ground, Tehran shows off new cruise missile
The Iranian threat to Israel and the West is rising. What’s more, next month Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is expected to return to New York City to speak to the opening session of the United Nations General Assembly. Will he again pray for Allah to hasten the coming of the Twelfth Imam? Will he go further?
By Joel C. Rosenberg
(Washington, D.C, August 25, 2011) — Today, my friend Reza Kahlili, the former Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps officer, has posted an article on his blog telling the world that he has renounced Shia Islam and become a follower of Jesus Christ. The article is also running today on the WorldNet Daily website.
An excerpt: “Jesus came to me when I needed guidance. He came to me at a time when my faith in man and religion was totally shaken. His words and His love became the guiding light to set me free from sin and hopelessness. I found myself knowing there is goodness and kindness and that it comes from within us – that it is only through His love that we will find peace and eternal life….After a long journey, I have finally found my God. I feel at home now. And as I continue my fight against the evil in Iran, I know in my heart that the Lord will guide me in that fight because He loves the people of Iran even more than I do. The Iranian people are desperate for their freedom, and Jesus says, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free (John 8:31-32).”
Publicly professing one’s faith in Jesus Christ is a big step for anyone from Shia or Sunni Islam. This is no less true for Reza today. Please pray for him to be strong. Please pray for him to walk with Jesus every day. Please pray that the Lord would protect him and his family spiritually, emotionally and physically as Reza takes this important step in the life of all Christ followers. Pray, too, that many will be moved to read the New Testament and consider the claims of Jesus of Nazareth and come to realize that Jesus truly is the Messiah. Feel free to share Reza’s article with family, friends and colleagues who would
1 John 5:18 KJV
When we are born of God, we are safe. We have no reason to fear because Jesus Himself is our protector. This Bible verse says that the evil one cannot touch us. What a promise! In the world we live in, there is much to be afraid of, so much uncertainty that can keep people living in a state of fear. But we are not of this world, we are born of God. In John 3:9, the Apostle John says that God’s seed remains in us, His very DNA.
So be of good courage today because you have nothing to fear. For God has promised to keep you safe and secure in His loving embrace.
Psalm 119:165
Great peace have those who love your law,
and nothing can make them stumble.
Read all of Psalm 119
Hatch or Go Bad (revised) « Two Minutes of Grace.
Thought-provoking. Many times I just want to stay in my shell. It’s easier than breaking out of it, huh? And it feels safer at the time. I think that’s why we restarted our “site”. It’s safer, while still breaking through the shell, at least a little bit.
It’s hard to not “Hide our light under a bushel”.
A Cosmetic Evil | BROKEN BELIEVERS.
A call to recognize what is going on around us and “put on our warpaint”.