r L n -- really LOVE now! : May 2018

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

CHRISTianity's Foundational TRUTHS

WHAT CHRISTians BELIEVE --

The Bible is GOD’s inspired Word, the COMPLETE, SUFFICIENT and FINAL Authority for a Life of FAITH and OBEDIENCE to GOD.

(https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/romans-1-2/the-holy-scriptures/)

The ONE TRUE GOD exists in THREE Persons -- FATHER, SON and Holy SPIRIT who EQUALLY share the SAME ESSENCE and ATTRIBUTES.

(https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/colossians-1-14/god-so-loved/)

JESUS CHRIST is the SON of GOD, born of a virgin by the POWER of the Holy SPIRIT -- TRUE GOD and TRUE Man -- Who lived a SINLESS Life and offered Himself on the Cross for our SINs, LITERALLY RISING FROM THE DEAD on the third day.

(https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/john-1-16/truly-man-truly-god/)

The Holy SPIRIT of GOD is the third Person of the Triune GODhead who CONVICTS us of SIN, RIGHTEOUSNESS and JUDGMENT and grants to us NEW Life through our FAITH in CHRIST and emPOWERs us to honor GOD through a Life of OBEDIENCE.

(https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/john-1-12-13/leading-of-the-spirit/)

ALL mankind needs CHRIST as Savior since ALL have SINNED and FALLEN SHORT of GOD’s Standards, as such ALL are DESERVING of GOD’s Judgment and completely UNable to remedy their spiritual dilemma apart from GOD’s GRACE.

(https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/romans-3-9-20/there-is-none-righteous/)

SALVATION is the FREE Gift of GOD’s GRACE received solely on the basis of FAITH in CHRIST’s Sacrifice, NOT through ANY human WORK or MERIT.

(https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/ephesians-2-8-10/by-grace-through-faith/)

The Church is the Body of CHRIST composed of ALL who have received Him as LORD and Savior and are given the responsibility to share the GOOD News of GOD’s GRACE to ALL people and then to baptize, teach and equip those who put their TRUST in CHRIST.

(https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/great-biblical-doctrines/the-doctrine-of-the-church-2/)

JESUS CHRIST WILL RETURN to earth to RAISE the DEAD, JUDGE the WORLD and REWARD Believers.

(https://www.gotquestions.org/second-coming-Jesus-Christ.html)

The 5 Principles of the REFORMATION

SOLA SCRIPTURE = Scripture ALONE is the sole basis of Authority for the Church’s beliefs and practices.

SOLA FIDE = SALVATION is granted to a sinner SOLELY on the basis of FAITH and TRUST in the finished work of CHRIST on the Cross.

SOLA GRATIA = SALVATION is based SOLELY on the sovereign GRACE of GOD and not upon the will, the works or the merit of the sinner.

SOLUS CHRISTUS = There is ONLY ONE Mediator between GOD and man. CHRIST ALONE is The WAY, The TRUTH and The LIFE and NO ONE CAN COME TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH HIM.

SOLI DEO GLORIA = ALL GLORY belongs to GOD and GOD ALONE since SALVATION is accomplished SOLELY THROUGH HIS WILL and WORK.

(The above STATEMENT of FAITH is from Westview Bible Church --http://www.wvbc.net/what-to-expect-when-you-visit-2/what-we-believe/. For a COMPLETE Statement of Faith, see http://www.wvbc.net/complete-statement-of-faith/).

And WHAT is a TRUE CHRISTian?

"A TRUE CHRISTian is a person who has put FAITH and TRUST in the Person and Work of JESUS CHRIST, including His DEATH on the Cross as PAYMENT for SINs and His RESURRECTION on the third day. John 1:12 tells us, “Yet to ALL who RECEIVED Him, to those who BELIEVED in His Name, He gave the right to BEcome children of GOD.” The mark of a TRUE CHRISTian is LOVE for OTHERS and OBEDIENCE to GOD’s Word (1 John 2:4, 10). A TRUE CHRISTian is indeed a child of GOD, a part of GOD’s TRUE Family, and one who has been given NEW Life IN JESUS CHRIST." (https://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-a-Christian.html)

A TRUE CHRISTian THINKS, TALKS, ACTS like CHRIST. (https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/philippians-3-3/the-true-christian/)

my Prayer For You

When i think of the wisdom and scope of GOD's plan, i fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. i pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will give you mighty inner strength through His Holy SPIRIT. i pray that CHRIST will be more and more at home in your heart as you trust in Him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of GOD's marvelous love.

And may you have the power to understand, as all GOD's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love really is. May you experience the love of CHRIST, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from GOD.

Now to Him Who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by CHRIST JESUS to all generations, forever and ever. AMEN!

(Ephesians 3:14-21)

The Great I AM

I AM the Bread of life. He who comes to Me will never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.
(John 6:35)

I AM the Light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the Light of life.
(John 8:12)

I AM the Door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I AM the Door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
(John 10:7, 9)

I AM the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep. I AM the Good Shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.
(John 10:11, 14)

I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. I AM the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
(John 15:1, 5)

I AM the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
(John 11:25)

I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
(John 14:6)

Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" JESUS answered, You say rightly that I AM a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the Truth hears My voice.
(John 18:37)

LOVE is...

Though i speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, i have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

And though i have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though i have all faith, so that i could remove mountains, but have not love, i am nothing.

And though i bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though i give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;

does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

For we know in part and we prophesy in part.

But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

When i was a child, i spoke as a child, i understood as a child, i thought as a child; but when i became a man, i put away childish things.

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now i know in part, but then i shall know just as i also am known.

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

(I Corinthians 13)

Rejoice!

Rejoice in the LORD always. i will say it again: Rejoice!

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The LORD is near.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to GOD. And the peace of GOD, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in CHRIST JESUS.

Finally, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.

(Philippians 4:4-8)

How Great Thou Art!

O LORD, my GOD! When i in awesome wonder consider all the works thy hands have made.
i see the stars, i hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, my Savior GOD to Thee: how great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior GOD to Thee: how great Thou art! How great Thou art!

And when i think that GOD, His Son not sparing, sent Him to die, i scarce can take it in;
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, my Savior GOD to Thee: how great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior GOD to Thee: how great Thou art! How great Thou art!

When CHRIST shall come with shout of acclamation and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then i shall bow in humble adoration and there proclaim, my GOD, how great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Savior GOD to Thee: how great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior GOD to Thee: how great Thou art! How great Thou art!

Amazing Grace

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! i once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now i see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear the hour i first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares, i have already come; 'tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.

The LORD has promised good to me, His word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease, i shall possess, within the veil, a life of joy and peace.

The world shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun refuse to shine; but GOD, who called me here below, shall be forever mine.

When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun; we've no less days to sing GOD's praise than when we'd first begun.

The Holy BIBLE -- The Word of GOD

The BIBLE contains the mind of GOD, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.

It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the CHRISTian's charter. Here is Paradise restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.

CHRIST is its grand subject, our good the design, and the glory of GOD its end.

It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.

(Foreword from The Gideons International)