Refining in His Timing

Always be glad because of the Lord! I will say it again: Be glad. - Philippians 4:4

Touched upon in the post “The Law and the Fall” are two opposite laws that Paul explains. One is the law of God that is holy, just, and good. Then there is the opposite law that he calls the law of sin which the human race is under because of Adam’s fall in the garden.

Every day, we get hit with so many negatives and it is a battle to control our thought life but with Christ, there is hope because there can be refining in His timing. We can overcome and live a life that is pleasing to God.

Some ideas that might help with our attitude and thought life is to start or end the day with uplifting positive music like this one: Live Like That by Sidewalk Prophets. This will allow your thoughts to have a better chance to get in the right frame of mind as you start the day or retire for the evening. Then each day, you will be ready to show the world the love God has shown you in Christ.

Another idea for the end of each day is to write out a sentence or two on something good that happened or why the day was amazing. Think about what you are looking forward to tomorrow. Even though there is an internal spiritual war inside our soul between good and evil, we can be optimistic. With Christ by our side, the Holy Spirit will make it possible for the law of God to be in control and there are no limits to what can be accomplished.

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Directions for Our Steps

A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. - Proverbs 16:9

Pointed out in the post “The Purpose for the Law”, salvation and sanctification are not obtained by keeping a list of rules but in knowing Christ. The law reveals right and wrong, initiating accurate thinking and self-discipline for the purpose of obtaining the intangible qualities of Christ.

Without God’s principles and the example given to us in Christ, we wouldn’t have much. Like this song points out Me Without You - TobyMac, we have all we need to become a champion for God.

Since we have a plan to direct our steps today, let us believe that we have a better shot at getting things done. Let us believe that things will fall in place and we will end up getting a lot more done than we ever thought we could.

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Fired Up

His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not. - Jeremiah 20:9

As explained in the post “Released from the Law but Bound to Christ”, we are free from the demands of the law because Christ has given us a new Way that allows us to do some amazing things for God together.

Our past is wiped clean and there is power to fulfill our purpose for the future. I tell you what – that should get us fired up just as in this song Soul on Fire by Third Day.

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Will is More Important than Skill

For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. - Colossians 1:13-14

The post “Instrument of Righteousness” was about yielding to God and using this as the catalyst to ultimate victory in life.  On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate yourself in yielding to God’s will and being used as an instrument of righteousness?

You have a role to play because you have will and will is more important than skill. Choose to be on God’s side for He is always right.

In the song My Victory by Crowder, one point made is how the Cross which was meant to kill was used to bring victory for you and me. To step ahead, let us think about what the enemy uses to attack us with. Let us think about ways to turn it against the enemy and use as a means to bring victory to many lives today.

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Dear Younger Me by MercyMe

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. - Ecclesiastes 4:12

Brought out in the post “Shared Experiences” is the thought that we are united with God through Christ who conquered death. We are a new person in Christ with the purpose of serving a great God who has given us the help of a body of believers. For a triple-braided cord is not easily broken just in the scripture above points out.

We can feed each other Spiritual food for the soul to fulfill God’s purpose. There is no need to worry or nothing to fear for we are free to be the person God wants us to be. As in the song How Great is Our God by Chris Tomlin, we can rejoice in our future together as we use our individual strengths for His great purpose.

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Free Indeed

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. - 2 Peter 3:18

Explained in the post “From Death to Life” is how the pattern of sin and death was broken by the free gift of Christ. The grace of God and the gift of righteousness reigns in life eternal. There’s no better deal in the world. To me, it makes good sense to take it.

Everyone needs God’s grace. Once received, one can gain wisdom to live the way life is meant to be lived. As the main point given to us in the song Dear Younger Me by MercyMe, our tomorrows can be better than our yesterdays and today can be amazing because our growing faith can never be taken away or depleted. The Gospel message has a beautiful and refreshing simplicity about it that sets us free and never let us down.

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Sing of the Lord’s Great Love

I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. - Psalm 89:1

This day with God, receive the peace Christ has provided. Express your joy for God’s love to you by persevering, building character, and maintaining hope. 

Just as in the song I Am Free by Newsboys, each day can be amazing because we can live out loud. We can pray, listen for instructions, and get things done now. Opportunities to do great things are right in front of us so let’s go out and give God our best.

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