Exp God – The Judgment Seat

Friday, August 29, 2014
5:45 AM

[10] For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.  (2Co 5:10 NLTse)

…Paul never carelessly assumed that, because of all he had done for God’s kingdom, God would overlook his sin. Instead, he understood that to whom much is given, much is required…

[9] So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please Him. [10] For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.  [11] Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too.  (2Co 5:9-11 NLTse)

…Christians have been pardoned by the sacrifice of Jesus. We are not condemned. But because God is absolutely just, we will be called on to give an account of our actions…

[48] But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.  (Lk 12:48 NLTse)

from Exp God – Righteousness (For me, still very much a work in progress – hh)

Thursday, August 21, 2014
5:26 AM

…Righteousness is not to be taken lightly, nor is it easily attained. Holy God does not give His righteousness to people indiscriminately. He gives it to those who know they cannot live without it. Our desire for personal righteousness must be powerful, all-consuming, dominating everything we do. Pursuing righteousness means that we value the opinion of God far more than we treasure the opinions of people.

Righteousness is not merely an absence of sin. It is allowing God to fill us with His holiness (Ro 6:11). It is being like Christ. Jesus is our model of One who sought God’s righteousness first, and then the Father glorified Him. We are not only to seek the kingdom of God, but we are also to pursue His righteousness (Mt 6:33).

(Ro 6:11 NLTse)[11] So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.

 (Mt 6:33 NLTse)[33] Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Exp God – You Are Salt

[13]  “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.  (Mt 5:13 NLTse)

…The presence of Christ in you makes all that He is available to others.

…All of this is available to those around you as Christ expresses His life through you.  If we are not in a right relationship with our Lord, however, Jesus said we are like salt that has lost its saltiness and is, therefore, good for nothing. None of God’s saving grace and power can be dispensed through us to others…

…Observe our community. Is it a better place because we are involved in it? …

…The evidence that we have been used by God as a preserving agent is that things are becoming spiritually better around us instead of worse…

Exp God – Dec 5, Hold Fast

[21] but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. [22] Stay away from every kind of evil. (1Th 5:21-22 NLTse)

…Never take the good in your life for granted. If you do not hold on to it firmly, it may be lost….

…Time pressures will attack the good in your life. Your time to pray, study Scripture, be with your family, and serve in your church will all be pressured by the many other time demands you face…

…you will be tempted to spend your money selfishly and minimize the good you are doing with your finances. Scripture reveals the solution for holding on to what is good — abstain from every form of evil. Evil robs you of what God intends for you. A spouse and family are great blessings, but the evil of adultery can rob you of the good that God has given. Prayer is a wonderful gift from God. Yet sin robs the power of prayer (Isa 1:15). If you will not abstain from evil, it will rob you of the good things God has given. God’s commandments do not restrict you: they free you to experience God’s best…

 
[15] When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look. Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims.  (Isa 1:15 NLTse)

Exp God – Nov 22, Standing with Others

[9] Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. [10] If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.  (Ec 4:9-10 NLTse)

…God did not create us as isolated individuals, each seeking to achieve our own goals. Rather, the success of our endeavors depends upon our interdependence…

…During difficult times it is critical that we are walking in fellowship with other Christians. When a crisis hits, it is overwhelming to face it alone. But if we have cultivated supportive friendships, we will find strength in the comfort and encouragement of those who care about us.

Interdependence is also a safeguard for us when we are lured by temptation. The consistent testimony of those who have fallen to temptation is that they isolated themselves from other believers and were not held accountable by Christian friends…

Exp God – Nov 5, Wisdom Justified

[35] But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.*[ Or But wisdom is justified by all her children.]”  (Lk 7:35 NLTse)

…it is not the one who declares his viewpoint the most loudly or vociferously who is the wisest, but the one who is vindicated over time…

…time is the best judge of their wisdom. The result of a practice proves its validity, not how loudly it is promoted…

…time will reveal the wisdom of your actions far better than you could through argument.  Through the ages, the wisdom found in God’s Word has been tested and proven true…

 …Trends in psychology and philosophy come and go, but God’s Word is timeless…

 …If, over time, you clearly see you are wrong, ask God’s forgiveness and seek a fresh word from God through the Scripture. Then obey that word and watch to see God confirm His wisdom in your life.

Exp God – Oct 19, It Is Your Life!

[47] These instructions are not empty words–they are your life! By obeying them you will enjoy a long life in the land you will occupy when you cross the Jordan River.” (Dt 32:47 NLTse)

…so many Christians try to live the Christian life without reading their Bible, except for sporadic perusals of God’s Word, seeking a pithy thought for the day. The Word of God is not merely a source of helpful suggestions, preventive warnings, or inspirational thoughts: It is life itself!  …

… God commanded His people to bind His words on their hearts, to teach them diligently to their children, and to regularly discuss them in their homes (Dt 6:4-9). So essential was His Word that it was to hold a prominent place in the daily lives of His people.  Our reverence for God’s Word is revealed not only by what we say but also by what we do. Spending more time reading and studying the words of people rather than the Word of God reveals our hearts’ condition. To blatantly disregard God’s Word is to reject life itself…

[4] “Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone.* [ Or The L ORD our God is one L ORD ; or The L ORD our God, the L ORD is one; or The L ORD is our God, the L ORD is one. ][ Or The LORD our God is one LORD; or The LORD our God, the LORD is one; or The LORD is our God, the LORD is one.] [5] And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. [6] And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. [7] Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. [8] Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. [9] Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Dt 6:4-9 NLTse)

Exp God – Oct 11, Spiritual Preparation

[10] “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked.  (Mt 25:10 NLTse)

There is no substitute for spiritual preparation. Spiritual preparation equips you for unforeseen crises or opportunities. However, if you are unprepared you will be vulnerable in life’s unexpected events…

…If you are spiritually prepared when a crisis comes, you will not have to try to develop instantly the quality of relationship with Christ that can sustain you.

If you suddenly have an opportunity to share your faith with an unbeliever, you will be equipped to do so.

If you enter a time of worship spiritually prepared, you will not miss an encounter with God.

If you are spiritually filled when you meet a person in sorrow, you will have much to offer.

If you have established safeguards in your life in advance, you will not give in to temptation…