Live by Faith in the Son of God

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. - Galatians 2:20

As pointed out in the post “Way to Righteousness”, legal obedience does not make one acceptable to God but faith in Jesus Christ does and this is God’s way of righteousness.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God but can be justified freely by grace. Not by works but by faith in Christ. As in this song Embrace the Cross by Steve Green, let us replace every doubt or fear with a deep abiding trust in Jesus.

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Healing

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. - Psalm 147:3

As shared in the post “Need for Great Physician”, sin created a serious condition for Israel. The quality of life would be in terrible shape with unclean food, children having difficulties, and insecurity.

But there is always hope because of the great gift we have in Jesus. God has provided the Great Physician who has the cure and His Word provides the nourishment needed. Step into the light of grace and enjoy today’s video: Tell Your Heart to Beat Again – Danny Gokey.

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Correction and Redirection

A person's steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way? - Proverbs 20:24

In the post, “Doing the Right Thing”, written about was how Israel was heading down the wrong path and that God’s judgment would come upon that nation. In many ways, the world today is not that different than during the time of Amos.

A lesson learned is that we need to listen, know God’s plan for us, make adjustments in life if necessary, and take action on doing the right thing. Here’s a video that highlights these thoughts and inspires us to do the right thing: Come Let Us Return to the Lord – Matt Redman.

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Be Someone Who Chose the One Who Knows

He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm - Proverbs 12:20

As written about in the post, “Build on a Firm Foundation”, there are consequences when we are associated with those who have turned away from God. Instead, we should build on the firm foundation of His Word which allows us to accumulate knowledge and understanding over time. We should also consistently pray for advice and confidently do what is needed.

I remember one hot summer in July, my daughter heard that a convenience store was having a special on slurpee drinks. The Seven Eleven convenient stores were giving out free slurpees because the date was 7-11. I went into the store and there was a crowd lined up so I followed the crowd. Well, I got my slurpee but ended up getting the wrong size just like everyone else and having to pay for it.

When you follow the crowd, it doesn’t always end up like you want. Instead, let us follow the Lord because He knows what is best for us as described in today’s video: He Knows – Jeremy Camp.

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The Need to Be Freed

The Pharaoh of Egypt continued to repent and ask that God take away the plagues but each time, he didn’t follow through with his end of the agreement. He wanted a compromise but as written about in the post No Compromises with God, we don’t make deals with God. He doesn’t need anything from us but we need something from Him.

We have a need to be freed and the only way to get it is to surrender all because we need His grace made available through Jesus. Here’s a song with this thought in mind: I Surrender - Hillsong.

But your hearts must be fully committed to the LORD our God, to live by His decrees and obey His commands, as at this time. – 1 Kings 8:61

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Irritations can Become Pearls

Some days are just frustrating and it takes some adjustment and soothing but like a piece of sand irritating a clam, our irritations might become our pearls.

This day with God, be an overcomer even when things happen that should not or when those you thought you could trust do something that makes you not trust them anymore. Be able to forgive, step ahead, and be grateful for what you do have. Here’s a video to spur us on with this thought: Overcomer - Mandisa.

To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on His throne. - Revelation 3:21

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Results of Kindness

Moses was helped early in life to survive. The king of Egypt was threatened by the Hebrew people whose population was growing in a nation that forced them to work as servants. Pharaoh had ordered every Hebrew male child born be put to death so the parents of Moses put him in a basket in the Nile River. Because of Pharaoh’s daughter and her kindness, Moses was able to be raised within the palace as the son of the princes.

Later in life, Moses returned an act of kindness to some Midian women when he came to their rescue while they were trying to water their father’s flock. Let us remember the results of being kind to others. What we make happen for others will be given back to us so when we give a smile, a smile will be given back. When we act kind, we receive kindness from others.

This day with God, remember the kind gift of His Son: Kindness – Todd Agnew.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. - Ephesians 4:32

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Glorify Him with One Mind and One Voice

In the post Concern for Others, I shared some thoughts after studying Acts 11:19-30. Within this passage, the Holy Spirit rallies Christians together for the purpose of spreading the Good News. The thought was that teamwork is demonstrated as Christian churches or groups show love and concern for each other.

This day with God, let us work as a team and show concern for each other. For it is Jesus Christ who binds us together and the Holy Spirit is with us wherever we go. Receive inspiration from today’s video: We will Stand – Larnelle Harris & Russ Taff.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. - Romans 15:5-6

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Setting Up a Good Foundation

While I was going through college, I worked for a construction company during summers and between semester breaks. Now I work with computer systems and in both areas, laying down a foundation is vital. To do things right, you want to set up a good foundation. In the post Grace Overrides the Law, Peter is laying down the foundation of the church so that it would lead to a movement in which an impact upon lives would be made.

This day with God, rejoice in the freedom He gives through grace. A freedom that helps us live, give, and love. A freedom that will speak and teach; setting a strong foundation that we can rely on. Receive inspiration from today’s video: In Christ Alone with Solid Rock.

Show me Your ways, Lord, teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long. - Psalm 25:4-5

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Winning Souls for Christ

Everyone has tremendous value in God’s eyes and He accepts all people. As explained in the post He Accepts All, those who continued to go by the old religious law of “Jew not associating with Gentile” were losing opportunities to win souls for Christ. Today’s video is about losing these opportunities and about forgiveness: Losing – Tenth Avenue North.

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. - Romans 15:7

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Taking Action to Fulfill His Purpose

In the post Putting His Guidance into Practice, God gives Cornelius instruction through an Angel and prepares Peter for his future association with gentiles through a vision. These men of faith took action to fulfill God’s purpose. As we pray about taking action on God’s purposes daily, remember the Holy Spirit is with us helping to provide the guidance needed at work, at home, and wherever we are.

Pay attention to this guidance and take action. God blesses those who seek His advice and follow through. Let us be inspired to take action with this video: As It Is In Heaven – Matt Maher.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. - James 1:22-24

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Meeting Challenges Head On

Sometimes we face challenges in life that seem overwhelming. That’s when knowing that with God, everything is possible can keep us heading in a positive direction. We can pray about the challenge, make accurate decisions, gain momentum, and meet the challenge head on.

In the post Healing Power, I wrote about Peter receiving the power through Christ to heal a paralytic man named Aeneas and bringing a disciple named Dorcas back to life. The amazing power of God was made known and many turned to the Lord.

These were two of the great miracles found in the Bible but the greatest miracle of all is eternal salvation through Jesus Christ. We serve an awesome God … enjoy today’s inspiring video: Awesome God by  Michael W. Smith.

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us. - Ephesians 3:20

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With God All Things Are Possible

The post The Greatest Conversion Story was about Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus. He had been a persecutor of the followers of Christ but suddenly became their strongest advocate. That’s how God works; turning what seems to be something impossible into something that is possible. Today’s inspiring video is about changing people for the better: Changed – Rascal Flatts.

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us. - Ephesians 3:20

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The ONE Who Perfected Our Faith

Like in the post Focused on Opportunities to Share, many may read the scriptures and seek the Truth but still need to be shown the Way. When they ask questions and show an interest, it’s important that we take the opportunity to share with them about Jesus.

Enjoy today’s video of the ONE who perfected our faith: Here is our King – David Crowder Band.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:1-2

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He Knows so Fully Disclose

There is a saying that character is doing what is right when no one is watching. In the post He Knows so Fully Disclose, I wrote about Ananias and Sapphira who sold some property. They held back a portion of the money and took the rest to lay at the apostles’ feet.

The husband and wife didn’t give the full amount they had received; only a portion but wanted people to think they had given it all. Their pride made them want to look good in front of others. The result was that they died for lying.

If our world was filled with people of character, the world would work the way God designed. He knows everything we do; all our thoughts and motives. Here is today’s inspirational video of a Man Who Finds 15 Thousand Dollars in a Computer Case and Returns the Money.

In my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever. - Psalms 41:12

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Partnership in the Faith

In the post Believe and Have No Need, I wrote about the believers becoming of one in heart and mind. It was not about the individual but about something bigger. It was about working together to spread the Good News of the Lord Jesus.

We can do the same today but at an even greater rate because of the Internet. Thoughts and ideas can be shared with believers across the globe. There are inspiring videos, quotes, thoughts, and ideas that are easily shared daily.

Let us purposefully look for God today in nature, music, sports, movies, at the golf course, work, the shopping center, and in His people. Document what you see. Collect facts, quotes, and personal thoughts from your experiences. Let us work together to highlight the building blocks of faith that lay a path for us to step ahead and spread the Good News.

Let us be thankful that Christ has given us a helper in the Holy Spirit that we can lean on together as our partner in the faith. Enjoy today’s video Lean On Me – Bill Withers

I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. - Philemon 1:16

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He Blesses Those Who Seek His Advice

example of their boldness as they stood up to the rulers, the elders, and the teachers of the law. They went through trying times but they were bold, they knew the power in Christ, and they prayed for their needs.

Let us also be bold today, pay attention to our dreams, and take action to create better situations for our future and the future of our loved ones. God blesses those who seek His advice and follow through with His guidance. Let us look forward to better times ahead and take inspiration from this video: Blessings – Laura Story.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God. - Romans 8:26-27

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Step Ahead in Faith Towards Our Purpose

We have a much better shot at victory if we have a plan and through Jesus, God has given us a plan. Life may disappoint at times but the good news is that there is something better ahead if we step ahead in faith, choose to make every day count, seize the moment to be the light, and share this light with others.

Let us believe things will fall into place and let us see in our mind how great things will be accomplished today. Let us believe that this day with God will be amazing because of who He is and who we are; an important name in history – one of His children. Here is today’s inspiring video about who we are in Christ: Born Again - Newsboys.

“...let us know His secret purpose.  This was what God wanted, and He planned to do it through Christ.  His goal was to carry out His plan, when the right time came, that all things in heaven and on earth would be joined together in Christ as the head. - Ephesians 1:9-11

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Power within Us

The post Empowerment gave one example of God empowering Peter to give healing to a crippled beggar. There is power in Jesus’ name and with this power, we can passionately believe in improved tomorrows.

Let nothing hold us up in our work for Him and know that one day at a time the impossible will become possible because God empowers His people. Let us praise the people who help us and remember to praise God. Here is today’s video to inspire us towards sharing our story: Life and Favor – John P. Kee.

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us - Ephesians 3:20

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Return and Discern

The followers of Christ joined together constantly in prayer and as explained in the post Vision for Decisions, they benefitted from scripture, prayer, and God’s providence to change the course of history.

We can tap into the same beneficial resources of God this New Year to enable us to make good decisions as we lead our families, communities, and work places; helping us to plan the right things to do for an amazing New Year. Receive inspiration from today’s video: Lead Me - Sanctus Real.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6

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