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Archive for the ‘God’ Category

Expunged

Posted in Explanations, Forgiveness, God, Guilt, tagged on April 23, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. – Hebrews 10:22-23

The Bible’s Letter to the Hebrews uses the rich imagery of the Old Testament to present the central benefit of Christ’s sacrifice for sin — a cleared conscience!

Clear, not from having done nothing wrong or sinful, but cleared by having our wrong deeds expunged by Christ’s actions. How do I know? God said so and I have no reason to doubt him. If the Judge, himself, says “Not Guilty!” who am I to argue?

Sound Bite: My criminal record with God has been expunged. In Christ I can walk with God as if I had never sinned.

-fritz

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Easy – Not Always Wrong

Posted in God's Calling, God's Plan, God's Will, Hearing from God, Jacob, tagged on April 7, 2011| Leave a Comment »

“And Jacob noticed that Laban’s attitude toward him was not what it had been. Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.” – Genesis31-2-3

It’s easy to hear God say what you want to hear – but easy is not always wrong.

Jacob, keeping his father-in-law’s sheep, noticed a strain in their relationship and he longed for home. God often works in these circumstances, like a mother eagle pulling feathers out of her nest so the little chicks become uncomfortable and want to fly.

So how does one know if the time is right for a change?

Two indicators:

  1. If the change requires manipulation of people or systems or a compromise of principles, be cautious. Most things I had to finagle ultimately turned out to be mistakes.
  2. If an opportunity is accompanied by an inner peace and a sense of excitement, God is probably involved.

If your circumstances become difficult, God opens the door, and you have peace about walking through,  take the step and don’t even look back.

– fritz

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Same God, Different People

Posted in God, tagged on March 19, 2011| Leave a Comment »

“Every Scripture passage is inspired by God. All of them are useful” – 2nd Timothy 3:16a

There is a noticeable difference in Bible passages – some show God angry, others full of love and compassion. Why the difference?

Some believe the Old Testament God is not the same as the New.1 Others teach it’s man’s understanding of God that evolved and continues to do so – hence a need to rewrite scriptures for our day.

The Church has always taught God is the same, has not changed, and all scripture is equally inspired.

The Old Testament is the only Bible the early church had. They didn’t say, “Hey, we can do better than that!”

The difference is relationship.

Example:Vandals think I’m a bad grouchy man when I call the police on them, but my family thinks I am wonderful when I give them Christmas gifts. It’s the same me, the difference is relationship and their actions. I am more complex than either view. Sometimes I have been known to let my children suffer the results of their actions when I think it is in their best interest. I then seem to have become a mean grouchy man, but I haven’t really changed.

God has different relationships with different people groups but he is the same God. He has always been compassionate but our sin evokes justice. In Christ the justice is satisfied and we can walk with God in peace.

“[W]e have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” – Romans 5:1b

– fritz
1 – Marcion of Sinope, 144AD

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