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Choice: The Uncomfortable Truth

1/30/2022

"14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,[a] 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”[b] 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son." John 3:14-18

The choices we make is what determines are eternal destiny. Presently in society it is "norrmal" and glorified to turn away from God. If we follow Self we are going against God.

“There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, in the end, "Thy will be done." All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. Those who knock it is opened.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce

Either you choose God or you don't. Jesus says he wishes we were all cold or not. If we are lukewarm fence sitters he will vomit us up.

All have sinned. Hell is our destination apart from Jesus Christ.

"11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’" Matthew 25:11-12

43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out." Mark 9:43

"Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you,
    for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets." Luke 6:26

If it's contrary to the Bible, it isn't reality; it isn't true.

So many are determined to live by their own rules. The woke ones of our society want to find loopholes.

"12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books." Revelation 20:12

"15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire."
Revelation 20:15

There will be many who say they know Jesus and they never knew Him. If they haven't turned to Him and repented they won't be in heaven.

"Seek the Lord while he may be found;
    call on him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake their ways
    and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
    and to our God, for he will freely pardon." Isaiah 55:6-7

Today is the day to find God. Today is the day to seek the Lord. Tomorrow may never come. God can't force you to follow Him. He has given us free will to choose Him freely.

"The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace." Romans 8:6

"13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14

If you go with the flow of the world you are going toward hell. The world is going to hell.

Be new, not original.

"8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator." Colossians 3:8-10

Repentance is daily. Daily you choose to die to self. Take up our crosses daily.

"15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”" Joshua 24:15

It is Your Choice. Every choices has consequences.

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What are you worth?

1/23/2022

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"And the Lord has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands." Deuteronomy 26:18

The world likes to tell you you aren't good enough, but we don't get our value from the world. We get it from God. God says we are because He loves us.

Plenty of people felt unworthy in the BIble:

Moses:
"12 And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you[a] will worship God on this mountain.”13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘ What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”" Exodus 3:12-13

Jeremiah:
6 “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” 7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord." Jeremiah 1:6-8

It's easy to look from the world's point of view -- we always hear the "not good enough" message.

Our worth is not set by the world but by God

"And the Lord has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands." Deuteronomy 26:18

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9

You are Chosen by God!

"For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession." Deuteronomy 7:6

God loved us first. Don't take this light. You are chosen. You are chosen.

"4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he[a] predestined us for adoption to sonship[b] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves." Ephesians 1:4-6

Before the beginning of time He knew I was going to mess up and sin and do wrong things and there would be no way I could be with Him. That wasn't acceptable to God!

Nothing can separate us from God.

"37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39

Nothing and no one conquers God! God is The Conqueror of all!

It's hard to accept love sometimes because we think we don't deserve it. Love isn't about deserving love. That is called work/employment. Love is about love.

Know the Source

"17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[a] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people," Ephesians 1:17-18

"31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31

Children of God

Every person is a creation of God and every person is loved by God. But we aren't children of God until we believe in Jesus.

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,[a] we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." 1 John 3:1-2

"12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God." John 1:12-13

Our Father

"32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom." Luke 12:32

"15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,[b] Father.”" Romans 8:15

Live as Children of God
Stop doubting yourself. Go to God for strength. Live in the environment of heaven within.

"16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." Romans 8:16-17

The world doesn't know God. The world can't understand God.

Live like a child.

"Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God." Matthew 5:9

The world needs peacemakers. The world needs us to be peacemakers. The entire world is yelling and no one is listening. God doesn't want this. Be a peacemaker.

Family resemblance. We should look like Jesus.

"1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5:1-2

Respond to people as Jesus did/does.

"But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked." Luke 6:35

We are not meant to be misers -- be lavish in your love toward others.

The prayer and desire of Jesus for you and me:
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one-- 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." John 17:20-23

The world needs to see Jesus through His people. The world needs the light of Jesus in us.

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1/16/2022

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"When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” 40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”“Tell me, teacher,” he said.
41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[a] and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”
“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:36-5

Labels that society and we put on each other divide us and are not what Jesus does. We are to see people not dismiss them. Simon only saw what this woman was known for -- labeled her as a sinful woman -- didn't actually see her as a person created and loved by God.

Simon didn't show Jesus common courtesy. The woman went above and beyond common courtesy. She showed him love.

Don't follow society's practice of using labels. It is comfortable placing people in categories. Then you can predict what they will do (not really, but that is what we think). We only then see categories, impersonal groups we love or hate.

Examples of Label Using in the BIble:

John 4 -- The Samaritan Woman
John 8 -- The woman caught in adultery -- seen only as an adulterous
Acts 4:13 -- Uneducated, common people "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." Acts 4:13

Don't be a Label Maker/Caller

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Matthew 7:1-2

And don't limit yourself with labels either.

Here are 3 labels you have that you can and should embrace:

#1 I am forgiven.

#2 I am capable (I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13)

#3 I am dearly loved. (Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12

#4 I am a child of God. ( 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God." John 1:12-13)

Live in Humility. We are not meant to be part of the labeling trend.

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine." Isaiah 43::1b

We need to be unifiers.

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Sabbath

1/9/2022

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"23 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. 24 The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” 25 He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? 26 In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” 27 Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”" Mark 2:23-28

Sabbath in Hebrew = Shabbat = Rest = Sabbatj

Man made the the rules and limitations we put on the Sabbath and all of life.

"13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you[a] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross." Colossians 2:13-14

"16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ." Colossians 2:16-17

The reality is Christ. The Sabbath Rest is found in Jesus Christ.

chasing a shadow will get you nowhere.

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." Matthew 5;17

2 Types of Sabbath: Work or Rest

24 The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” Mark 2:24

Pharisees were focused on rules. Using the law to work their way to heaven, to be good enough. This is impossible. They also made everyone else afraid. We can't get to heaven from here -- gotta go through Jesus.

"8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2;*-9

Life is a gift. Salvation is a gift. Abundant life is a gift.

"23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23

"10 As it is written:
“There is no one righteous, not even one;" Romans 3:10

"27 Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”" Mark 2:27-28

Jesus is the completion of the law. Jesus finished it, completed it.

"30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." John 19:30

The law was fulfilled and completed in those last three words of Jesus before He died.

It is easy to fall into living by the rules. But we aren't called to this. This isn't the Christian life. We are to be rooted and living from Jesus's rest. His desire is for us to rest in Him now, not just in heaven.

4th Commandment:
21 “Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest." Exodus 34:21

Work is good -- just has to be in the right priority in our lives.

"10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”"
2 Thessalonians 3;10

Work 6 days. God expects us to work. God made us to work. But not endlessly. Too much work is not good.

Rest examples:

"2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work." Genesis 2:2

"16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." Luke 5:16

Don't be afraid to be still. Let your soul catch up.

"He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”" Psalm 46:10

"Be still before the Lord
    and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
    when they carry out their wicked schemes." Psalm 37:7

'11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.' 1 Kings 19:11-12

Give God time to speak to you. Listen for Him. Listen for His still small voice.

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The New Year

1/2/2022

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"1 Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither--
    whatever they do prospers." Psalm 1:1-3

Instead of making New Year's Resolutions this year, we ought to seek new revelations from Jesus Christ. Revelations about Him.

Looking back at 2021 we should remember what God did for us this past year:
-- Answered prayers
-- healings
-- direction
-- Promises kept
-- Restoration and renewal
-- Food, clothing, jobs, children, shelter, life

Let's seek New Year's Revelations!
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it." John 1:1-5

We can start at the beginning as in the above verses. Start with Jesus!

First
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Matthew 6:33

Start with seeking God and His kingdom.

'You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.' Jeremiah 29:13

"Seek the Lord while he may be found;
    call on him while he is near." Isaiah 55:6

Stand Firm

"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58

Give yourself fully to seeking Jesus. Thinking of living for the Lord as your profession, your job. We do everything for our jobs. We always show up. We set the alarm. We work around our job. We make sacrifices -- why not do all this and more for your relationship with Jesus Christ?

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15

We must know the Word to be able to handle it correctly. Get into your word. Write it down. That may help you remember it.

Stay the Course

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love." 2 Peter 1:5-7

Keep your eyes on the finish line.

Everyone looks good at the beginning of a race. You gotta know where the finish line is to run well.

"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, 2 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

Keep your eyes on Jesus! He is the finish line.

"Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:28-31

'Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.[a]' Proverbs 3:3-6

New Indeed!
"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”" Lamentations 3:22-24

Take what God gives

Are you going to invest in your plans or His plans?

"11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

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Choice: The Uncomfortable Truth

What are you worth?

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The New Year

Shannon Hinrichs

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