With Salvation Comes Responsibility

                                                  When The Door Slams

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.                                                   Philippians 2:12-13

         Salvation is not an event; it is a process. Salvation is God's gift, for there is nothing we can do to save ourselves (Eph. 2:8-9). Yet with salvation comes the responsibility to work out our salvation. Once we have been saved, we must claim all that has become ours. 

        Through salvation, God gave you victory over sin. That victory applies not only to past sins but also to every sin you will ever commit. When you became a Christian, God made you a new creation      (2 Cor. 5:17). God wants to continually build new things into your life as you walk with Him. God gave you His joy when He saved you, and He wants to fill you with His joy daily. 

        When you first repented of your sin, you surrendered your right to your life. God continues to ask you to yield your will to Him and follow His leading rather than lean on your own understanding and direction for your life. When you were converted, God made everything available to you; how you implement what the Lord God has given you is your choice (2 Peter 1:3-9).  

        Think about this: This is the great paradox of the Christian life. We are to work diligently on our faith, yet always with the awareness that only the Lord God can bring about lasting change in our lives. As we see the Lord God at work in us, we are motivated to work even more diligently. The Lord God will not force His changes upon us; neither can we bring about lasting change in our lives apart from the work of the Holy Spirit. When you sense Lord Jesus developing an area of your life, join Him in His activity so that His salvation will be demonstrated fully.

Ask the Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin.                                            Acknowledge these to the Lord God and thank Him for His forgiveness. 

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When The Mind Is Blinded

                                                       When The Door Slams       

The Devil who rules this world has blinded the minds of those who do not believe. They cannot see the light of the Good News-the Good News about the glory of Christ, who is exactly like God .                                                                                                                                             2 Corinthians 4:4  

        When you are blinded, you cannot see things as they really are, even though others around you see them clearly. You cannot experience the full reality of all that there is to life, yet you may be unaware that you are missing what God desires for you. You may even be in danger because of your blindness and not even know it.

        Paul warned that the "god of this age" can blind you to the reality of Jesus Christ. Christ 's presence can make a significant difference in your life. However, if Satan convinces you to doubt that Christ can do what He promised, the Devil will have blinded you to the reality of what your life is really like and to what it could become. Others may see what your unbelief causes you to miss, but you will be unaware of it. Your life may be steadily moving toward disaster, but you will be oblivious  to it. In other words: The lights on, but no one home. 

        Think about this: Christ comes to you as light (John 1:4, 5,9). He illuminates your sin so that you see its ugliness and destructiveness. Christ Jesus reveals Himself so that you can appreciate the glory of His person and the marvelous riches He brings. His presence light your path so that you can see impending danger. Don't let the god of this age distort your spiritual vision. Don't be fooled into thinking that everything is as it should be, when it is not, when you are living a lie. When in fact, you are missing out on so much that God wants to do in your life. Ask Christ Jesus to illuminate your life and let you see clearly your spiritual condition.

People cannot see their own mistakes. Forgive me for my secret sins. Keep me from the sins of pride; don't let them rule me. Then I can be pure and innocent of the greatest of sins (Ps.19:12,13). Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh and strength to your bones (Prov. 3:5-8).   

Ask the Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin.                            Acknowledge these to the Lord Jesus and thank Him for His forgiveness.                  

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When You Become A Christian.

                                                      When The Door Slams

Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again,                            he cannot see the kingdom of God."                                                                John 3:3

        When you enter a life saving relationship with Christ is a life-changing experience! All things become new! Not somethings, but all things (2 Cor. 5:17). for the first time in your life, Christ is Lord; God is Master. When you become a Christian, Christ's presence will affect every part of you. 

        You will have new thoughts, new attitude, new values, and new sensitivities. new priorities will dramatically affect your relationships. You will view everything in your life from a Christlike perspective. Christianity is not something you add to your life; it is life.  

        Nicodemus thought that salvation meant performing certain religious exercises and holding to particular religious teachings. He dad no idea of the all-encompassing nature of salvation! When you become a Christian, God gives you a new heart so that everything becomes new!

        God gives you a new mind, like that of Christ, so you think differently. He gives you new emotions, so you feel deeply about completely different matters. You become sensitive to sin, so you are no longer comfortable with Sins. Your recreation will be affected as you are made aware of what is honoring to God and what is not. Your relationships will now be guided by the Holy Spirit. Destructive habits and attitudes, previously immune to change, will be transformed. 

        Think about this: Have you noticed the changes God has brought to your life since you entered a true relationship with Jesus Christ? Good are bad, these changes should be very noticeable as a testimony of the new life you received when you trust Jesus as your Savior and Lord.

Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. (Ps.51:1,2).

Ask the Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin                                    Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness.        

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Holy Spirit Sorrow

                                                     When The Door Slams 

For godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.                                                            2 Corinthians 7:10

        There is a difference between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow, though both are deeply felt. You can feel genuine sorrow over something you have done. Your mind can become consumed with your failure and offense against God and others. 

        The Bible said that Judas felt this kind of sorrow. He betrayed the Son of God for thirty pieces of silver, the standard price of a slave. Yet his sorrow did not lead him to repent and seek restoration with his fellow disciples, but rather to a lonely field where, in his anguish, he took his own life (Matt. 27:3-5). Judas carried his sorrow to the grave. Just like some of us still do today, take it to the grave.

        The Bible shows different in Peter's sorrow was! Peter, too, failed Jesus on the night of His crucifixion. Peter also went out and wept bitterly (Luke 22:62). Yet Peter returned to Jesus and reaffirmed his love for Him (John 21:15-17). Peter was not only remorseful; he was also repentant. Peter's life changed. There is no record of Peter ever denying his Lord again, even when he was persecuted and threatened with death. Peter repented, turned his life around, and never committed that sin again.

        Think about this: Don't allow mere lies and unhappiness over what you have done to rod you of genuine repentance. You can blame yourself and be angry that you have been expose for the sins you have committed, but that is not repentance. Allow the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the gravity of your sins. ask the Spirit to clearly show you how God views you character. When you see your sin from God's perspective, you will experience Holy Spirit sorrow.  

Ask the Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin.                                  Acknowledge these to the Lord God and thank Him for His forgiveness.         

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Effective, Righteous Prayer

                                                        When The Door Slams

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.                      The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.                                                                                                                                                                           James 5:16

        God promises all believers that if we live righteously and pray fervently,  our prayers will be effective and produce significant results. How do we treat a promise like this? We might argue, "But I do pray, and nothing happens!" Our problem is that we do not hold ourselves accountable or true to the Scripture. 

        God's Word says that prayer ought to accomplish much. If our prayer life is not accomplishing much, what should we do now? If we are praying but seeing no results, should we conclude that this promise is untrue and it is not working for you? Should we excuse this Scripture as impractical and unrealistic? Or should we examine ourselves to see if we meet its conditions? 

        James says that fervent prayer avails much. Could it be that we are not righteous in our praying as we should be? Fervent prayer means we do not quit easily. Fervent prayer means we purposefully spend sufficient time in intercession. Fervent prayer means we cry out to the Father, sometimes in tears, with our heart and soul. Fervent prayer comes as the Holy Spirit assists us in praying with groaning too deep for words (Rom. 8:26).

        According to James, our righteousness will ensure effective prayer. God's standard of righteousness is different from ours, for He looks beyond our actions, even beyond our thoughts, directly to our hearts. How then should we hold ourselves accountable if our prayer are accomplishing very little? 

        Think about this: If nothing happens when you pray, the problem is not with God. The problem is with you, for God's Word is absolutely reliable. If we are obedient to what God requires, He will lead us to pray for thing that align with His purposes, and God will answer your prayers in a mighty way.

Ask the Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin.                                  Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness.

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Pride Will Bring You Low

                                                     When The Door Slams

A man's pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor.                                                                                                                                                 Proverbs 29:23 

        Pride is the enemy of Christian. Pride is an overly high opinion of yourself. It motivates you to do things that you know are not Christlike, and hinders you from doing what bring glory to God. Pride influenced Adam and Eve to try to become like God (Gen. 3:5). Pride motivated Cain to murder his brother (Gen. 4:5). Pride caused King Saul to resent David so deeply that he tried to murder him            (1 Sam. 18:8). Pride led King Hezekiah to foolishly reveal his nation's wealth to his enemies (Isa. 39:2). Pride was at the root of the Pharisees' anger toward Jesus. Pride was the reason the disciple argued over rank in the kingdom (Luke 9:46). 

        Think about this: Pride is your relentless enemy. If you succumb to its influence, there will be consequences. You may know that you have offended someone, but pride holds you back from asking forgiveness or telling the truth. You may realize you need to reconcile a broken relationship with trust, but pride will lead you to lie or deny the need. 

        The Spirit may convict you that you are living a sinful lifestyle, but pride will discourage you from admitting the true. Pride will convince you that you deserve better treatment. Pride will hold back your serving others. Instead, pride will have you striving for places of respectability. Pride will have you listen to flatterers and ignore honest counselors. Pride will lead you to isolate yourself so that you are not accountable to others. Pride is demonic, and it will bring you shame and disgrace 

        Humility, on the other hand, is pleasing to God and places your life in a position where God will honor you. If pride has crept into some areas of your life, get spiritual counseling and ask God to give you victory over it before pride robs you of God's will for you. 

Ask the Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin.                                  Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness.       

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Lean Not On Your Own Understanding

                                                     When The Door Slams    

There is a way that seems right to a man, But it's end is the way of death.                                                                                                                                                  Proverbs 16:25

        Things are not always what they seems. Proverbs warns that we can be deceived into believing we are going down the right path and yet be heading toward death, the opposite direction from God's will.  People do not naturally seek Good or pursue His righteousness (Rom. 3:10-18). 

        Only as the Spirit awakens our hearts to the Person of Christ are we able to desire God's will. If we make decisions apart from the guidance of the Spirit of God. We will become like the way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble. We will do what makes the most sense, based on own our understanding. 

        What looks attractive may actually lead to sin, ultimately destroying what is precious to us, for our most best human thinking is mere foolishness to God (1 Cor. 1:18-20). Only God knows the way that leads to life, and He wants to lead us to walk in it (Matt7:13-14).

        Think about this: Don't assume every opportunity that arises is from God. Satan will disguise himself as an "angel of light, lies and his invitations will seem to be your best interest (2 Cor. 11:14). Yet his way leads only to death (John 8:44). The Word of God will be like a light to your path, guiding you in the ways of righteousness (Psalm 119:105).

        It can dangerous to follow a path that seems right without first consulting the Holy Spirit for guidance (John 16:13). Take time to seek the Holy Spirit's direction when you face decisions. He knows the full ramifications of your choice. The Holy Spirit will assist you to understand truth and to experience abundant life. Be obedient to the Word of God. Trust Him as He leads you.

        Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh and strength to your bones (Proverbs 3:5-8).      

Ask the Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin.                                  Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness.                

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