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Enter into your purpose

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Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15) Who are you living for? It is a valid question, is it not? We wake up each new day, actively choosing to live for someone or something. The one given over to substance abuse might not realize it, but they are living for a 'thing', not for someone. The one so concerned about what others think isn't living for themselves as much as they are those others who consume their thoughts, actions, and heart. If we choose to live for Christ, we are making a different choice - to lay down our lives, allowing his life to flow through us. We receive a new life in Christ Jesus. We choose to live differently when we say 'yes' to Jesus. Someone may not realize the life cha...
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Glorious Grace, Unmerited Kindness, and Open Access

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So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. (Ephesians 1:6-8) Glorious grace - unmerited, unearned, and very frequently unexpected privilege and forgiveness. We do nothing to deserve it and can do absolutely nothing to earn it. Yet, we can revel in the goodness of a God that provides a means for us to enter into close, intimate relationship with him. His kindness supersedes any earthly kindness. Earthly kindness is much more superficial, although it has great meaning, it still falls short of the kindness God extends to us through his Son, Jesus. Along with his kindness comes wisdom and understanding. Wisdom that helps us make new, better choices. Understanding that enlightens us to the pull of sin and the weakness of our own flesh to resist it. We mi...
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Around, but not within

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And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. (Romans 8:2) Because - due to the fact that - don't miss that - it is a FACT that you belong to him, having the power of his life-giving Spirit indwelling you. NOW, live free from the power of sin that you once were controlled by! Fact determines reality - start living in the FACT. A fact is that which actually exists or is the case; reality or truth - there is no argument that stands against the FACTS. We are freed, so we need to stop living like 'bondmen' - bound to serve sin's every whim, impractical advice, or evil intent.  Both righteousness and unrighteousness have a power 'backing' them. Righteousness has God's life-giving Spirit backing its every encounter. Unrighteousness has the power of our sin nature offering all manner of confusing thought, 'options' from which to choose, and ill-intentioned suggestions. It is goo...
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