McD

Summary for Friday, April 30, 2021

Milton's study this morning reminded me of the hit song by Jerry Lee Lewis - "Whole Lo:a
Shakin' Goin' On." Milton reminds us that the future judgment of the Lord, in the great Day of
the Lord (Joel 3:14-16), will SHAKE an un-expectant world and an expectant heaven by the
shout of His coming.

Heb 12:25-29 - "See to it that you do not reject the one who speaks. For if they did not escape
when they rejected him who warned them on earth, even less will we if we turn away from him
who warns us from heaven. His voice shook the earth at that Wme, but now he has promised,
Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens. This expression, “Yet once
more,” indicates the removal of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what is
not shaken might remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,
let us be thankful. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, for our God is a
consuming fire.”

The sign of shaking at His coming goes back to the Wme of the Lord rescuing His people from
their enslavement in Egypt. God presented himself on top of Mt. Sinai in a cloud and with fire,
shaking the enWre mountain and leaving all the people trembling in fear - see Ex 19:16-20.
Haggai 2:5-6 - "This is the promise I made to you when you came out of Egypt, and my Spirit is
present among you; don’t be afraid.’” For the Lord of Armies says this: “Once more, in a liEle
while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all
the naWons so that the treasures of all the naWons will come, and I will fill this house with glory,”
says the Lord of Armies.

It is not just the foundaWons of the earth that will be shaken in judgment. We serve a Lord who
has authority over all things and even the hosts of heaven will be shaken at the appointed Wme
of His coming. PS 82 describes the judgment upon His own council, the sons of god, in heaven
who are responsible for their parWcipaWon in leaving mankind to wander in darkness on earth.
"You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High. However, you will die like humans and fall like
any other ruler.” IS 34:4-5 reiterates the judgment of the heavenly host in a scene much like that
described by the cosmic sign of the Sixth Seal in Rev 6.

God warns us in Isaiah 1:2-15 that he abhors the outward acts of religious piety and
correctness, when the inner man is corrupt and unclean. Don't forget the prophet Jeremiah
standing at the Temple gate confronWng the people for their hypocrisy - claiming righteousness
by presenWng their sacrificial offerings, then conWnuing in sin as soon as they leave. God calls us
to repent of our sin, purify our hearts, wash and clean ourselves in the forgiveness of Christ - IS
1:16-31.

Will you be found on the right side of the shaking at the Lord's return? For the cosmic sign of
the return of the Lord includes a great earthquake as found in Ma: 24:29 & Rev 6:12 where the
powers of the heavens and the earth will be shaken. Are your ready? Has your heart been
purified? Is the Spirit of the Lord moving in your life? Are you ready to be tested in the greatest
trial ever at the coming of the lawless one (anWchrist) - 2 Thess 2:1-11? Will you be counted
among those who will fall away from their faith? God is giving us ample warning. He is paWent
and long suffering with our disobedience. He does not want anyone to perish in eternal death.
BUT, His day of wrath is coming! Will you be shaken or found standing steadfast on the Rock?
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McD Summary for Friday, April 23, 2021

First and foremost, pracWcing the presence of God is relaWonal. God designed us to have a
relaWonship with him (Gen 1:27) and he also created a place in which he could walk with us
(Gen 3:8) in our journey with him - the Garden of Eden (Gen 2:8). CreaWon, was, is and will
always be an expression of love, His love. He invites us to share in this love relaWonship and
gives us creaWon as a visual invitaWon to join with Him and live in it. Love is relaWonal and God
wants us to make Him, and our fellow man to be the object of our love. His desire is for us to
love him with all that we are (Ma:hew 22:37–40) with all our heart, soul and mind and to love
one another just as he loves us - John 15:9-17. Doing so requires an abiding in him; because
without him we can do nothing - John 15:4-5.

Walking with him, in his way, step by step, requires a sepng of the mind and the heart upon
him as Paul tells us in Rom 8:5–6. Our path to conWnually being in the presence of God is to
renew our thinking with regard to saWsfying the desires of the flesh - Rom 12:2. If we walk in the
Spirit, we will not carry out the desires of the flesh - Gal 5:16. God tells us to set our minds on
the things above - Col 3:2. It is the things above that are to be treasured, not the things of this
world. Ma: 6:21 tells us that the condiWon of our heart is defined by what we hold as our
treasure. Luke 6:45 tells us that our speech indicates the condiWon of our heart - good or evil. In
other words, what comes out of our mouth reflects what is going on in our heart and mind.

Being in God’s presence conWnually means to be keeping in step with the Spirit - Gal 5:25. Don’t
allow the desires of the flesh nor the cares of the world to distract you from experiencing the
Spirit of God present with you in all things - Heb 13:5. If our minds are set upon Him, then His
peace can rule our hearts - Col 3:15. Paul instructs us in 1 Thess 5:16-18 to “Rejoice always, pray
constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Once we have our minds and hearts set and aligned with Him, then we can offer and submit
ourselves to Him as living sacrifices to do His perfect will - Rom 12:1-2. Paul reaffirms our
sacrificial offering of our lives in Gal 2:20 - “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer
live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who
loved me and gave himself for me.” Now having changed our thinking, with repentant hearts set
on Him, and dedicaWng our lives in service to His will, we must live the life set before us running
with endurance, keeping our eyes on Him - Heb 12:1-2. Paul’s spiritual maturity was rooted in
his thinking about and always pursuing the prize of the heavenly call in Christ Jesus - Phil
3:12-15. He never thought he a:ained the prize but he conWnually pursued it because he knew
heaven was the desWny of believers in Christ.

Phil 4:4-7 - Rejoice in the Lord always … Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through
prayer and peWWon with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Deut 8:3 -
“He humbled you by lepng you go hungry; then he gave you manna to eat, which you and your
ancestors had not known, so that you might learn that man does not live on bread alone but on
every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” This is the pracWce of being with God,
moment by moment.

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McD Summary for Friday, April 16, 2021
Today's theme was a reminder to rejoice and be thankful for all the things that have happened
and will happen in our lives. Milton, a faithful bond-servant (slave) of our Lord, read through all
of PS 145 sharing a spirit of encouragement and hope that is found throughout God's word -
embrace it.

Rom 8:31-39 - How can we not be exceedingly thankful for the triumph we have as believers
through the love of Christ? I had to go back and read over these passages and let the truth of
these words sink deep into my soul and to realize that no matter what my life struggles and
sufferings are, no matter what my circumstances are, no matter what challenges I face, nothing
can separate me from the love of Christ who sits next to the Father (who wills) and intercedes for
me. It is, of course, beyond any of us to contemplate how this could be true for each of the
hundreds of millions who call on his name at any given time. Nonetheless, it is true - PS 145:18,
“The Lord is near all who call out to him, all who call out to him with integrity.”

The Lord is unchanging regardless of your generation. The Gospel message is the same
regardless of which generation you are in. Golden Nugget - Truth is not relative, it is true for
everyone, everywhere, at all times!

Jesus has been given supreme authority over all that was, that is and will be, despite the fact
there are mighty spiritual forces in opposition - Eph 6:12. For this is the reason we can do all
things through Him and by His name. This is how we can lay aside sin in our lives, because
greater is He who is in us, then he that is in the world. Heb 12:18-29 tells us about His
unshakable kingdom that is to come and warns us that the earth will be shaken at His coming.
Esau gave up his inheritance because of his short sighted, worldly viewpoint and unrepentant
heart. Most of the world who have built strongholds in their lives and rebellious nations will be
brought low by the shaking of His coming. Just like at Jericho, the hopes and ambitions of an
unbelieving world will come tumbling down by the blast of the trumpet and a shout at His
coming. All unclean things and unrighteous acts will be consumed by the fire of His wrath.

Milton asks an important question - What do you thirst for?

John 4:13-14 - “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of
the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will
become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Paul gave us a clue as to how he
might have answered the question. In 2 Cor 12:7, Paul asked God to remove the thorn from his
flesh. I believe he was seeking freedom from the sin and the evil spirit that kept snaring him.
What is the longing of your heart? What is the constant petition you have for God? Does it center
on your self life or He that is in you? God wants our attention on Him and promises that we will
lack nothing if we just listen, obey and follow Him. Jesus set the supreme example by accepting
the cup of sacrifice that was set before Him by the will of the Father. His suffering over this cup
was so great that he ask for it to be removed; if it was His will - see John 19:28 & Luke 22:42.

We must be doers and not just hearers - James 1:22. Jesus listened and obeyed the will of the
Father in all things - even unto death. We are called to do the same - even unto death. God give
us the strength to do so.

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McD Summary for Friday, April 9, 2021
The Set-up ...
God gave us the true life examples of Cain and Abel along with Jacob and Esau to show us that
we have a double sided condition in our hearts and minds - read PS119:113, James 1:8 & 4:8.
Despite being brothers, their actions and behavior demonstrated the contrasting nature of their
choices and life consequences. In like fashion, God presented Adam and Eve with contrasting
choices in the Garden - the Tree of Life and the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which
leads to death (Gen 2:17). Even though He gives us freedom to make our choices, He also
instructs and warns us of the consequences of the choices we make. At times, in the life of the
believer, the struggle between choices seems like an unfair fight. We can easily get discouraged,
depressed and even angry with ourselves for satisfying the desires of the flesh which war within
us (Rom 7:22). The law of sin dwells deep within our flesh and will always be with us (Rom
7:21) constantly tempting us to choose the alternative path of sin which leads to death (1 John
5:16 & Rom 8:13), instead of His Way which leads to Life (John 14:6). Jesus showed us and
Paul told us that we can be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom 12:2). To think
differently about our approach to the problem of sin we must see ourselves differently. We must
see that we are righteous saints, because Jesus has already finished the work of conquering sin
and death for us on the cross. Unfortunately, most believers see themselves as unrighteous
sinners seeking to be saintly. This is wrong thinking. If we try in our own strength to conform to
a list of do’s and don’t, we are doomed for failure. Paul knew this very well, “For I do not do
what I want, but I do the very thing I hate” - Rom 7:15. Instead, we must know, think and believe
that “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me (Gal
2:20).” The apostle John says, “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for
he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).” Therefore, renew your mind
by changing its thinking about who you are in Christ - “present your bodies as a living sacrifice,
holy and acceptable to God (Rom 12:1). Choose to conform yourself to His image and likeness
(Rom 8:29), fix your eyes on Him (Heb 12:2), and with the help of the Spirit, you will have
freedom (2 Cor 3:17) from your sin.

The Way Out ...

Milton presents, through Scripture, a 5 day devotional to understand how we can live a more
godly life in Christ.

Day #1 Sight - Like lost sheep who are unable to see their master, the Lord Jesus came into
the world to recover the sight of the blind found in Luke 4:18 and IS 61:1-2.
Day #2 See - Once having received our sight (Luke 18:42), we are able to see Jesus (Acts
22:14, John 3:3, Jer 23:18) for who He truly is - the Righteous One, our Master (Good
Shepard), Savior, Redeemer, Healer, etc...
Day #3 Step - Now that we see Him; we are able to follow in His footsteps or step along side
Him through life - Mark 8:34, 1 Peter 2:21, Jude 24.
Day #4 Serve - Once we are on the path of being in step with Him, as we walk together, we
are able to serve Him - Matt 4:10, John 12:26, Phil 2:13.
Day #5 Say - Finally, serving leads to saying or sharing the Word of Truth with others - Acts
4:20, Acts 22:15, 1 John 1:3.

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McD Summary for Friday, April 2, 2021

Paul is spot on in his assessment in 1 Cor 15:14 - “and if Christ has not been raised, then our
proclamation is in vain, and so is your faith.” But let us rejoice in the truth of his resurrection,
for in it we have life forevermore - John 11:25.

Do not let this Resurrection weekend go by without acknowledging the impact that Christ has
made on you, both in his death and his resurrection. 2 Cor 4:10 says we carry the death of Jesus
in our body so that his life can also be on display. Paul implores us in Romans to put the deeds of
the flesh to death by the Spirit so that we might live - Rom 8:13. Not according to our worldly
desires, but to do the will of the Father just as his son Jesus obediently did. John 17:6 makes it
clear that we belonged to God the Father, as he chose us (Eph 1:4) and who predestined each of
us to be conformed to the image of his son (Rom 8:29) and to be kept in his care as our good
shepherd.

Conforming to Jesus means we are to die to self just as he did on the cross. He told us that a
grain must die in order to produce good fruit - John 12:24. He is the first fruit of this resurrection
life and he gives it to us so that we might partake in its richness through him. Many of life’s trials
& tribulations are but tests to exercise our faith and to deny the self life in favor of the more
abundant life in him. A Godly life is only possible by choosing his Way and it favors those who
follow the wisdom of PS1. Producing good fruit that lasts forever will require a death. PS1 tells
us you can’t have it both ways. Last weeks message reminds us we can’t have it both ways. Are
you ready and willing?

We are dead in our sin - John 5:25 & Eph 2:1 and are destined for the Lake of Fire unless we
repentant and believe that his sacrifice bore the punishment for our deeds. It’s hard to take in
what he did on the cross but he is not finished yet. He has conquered sin and death but he has not
yet destroyed it. Once risen we must wait for the new life to come in which their is no sin or
death.This is why he is so deserving of our adoration and devotion and desire to have his way in
us. We are destined for an everlasting relationship with him but we sometimes miss the point that
it has already begun.

Ed Fruit made the wonderful comment that we must recognize we are already saints in the family
of God who still contend with a sinful flesh. Too many Christians, however, get it wrong by
thinking we are sinners trying to be saints. This is a key understanding in relating to Christ as we
carry his death in our body so his light can shine before others.

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McD Summary for Friday, March 26, 2021
In keeping with the upcoming celebration of the Resurrection of Christ (Easter), our lesson
today, from the Lord through Milton, centered on John 11 - the resurrection of Lazarus. The
question of the day is, what is the condition of your heart when you go to church and attend
worship service? The corollary is, what is the condition of the heart of your brother and sister in
Christ at church? The second question is asked in order for you to be attentive to the spiritual
needs of others. Think of attending church as an opportunity for you to serve the Lord by helping
someone else in their walk with the Lord.

We begin with IS 56:7 in which the Temple of the Lord is to be a House of Prayer and it is for
ALL people. The plot thickens, however, when Jeremiah (Jer 7:1-15) is told to stand in the Gate
of the Temple complex and instruct the people to amend their ways and deeds. In other words,
repent! Stop deceiving yourselves by outwardly and ritualistically chanting “this is the Temple of
the Lord” but go on sinning in your daily life. God warns them they will not be allowed to live in
the Land He promised unless they listen to His voice and obey - Jer 7:23.

The Hard Lesson ...

Don’t think you can do whatever you want during the week then come to church on Sunday and
think all is well with your soul. Don’t let church give you a false sense of security and safety
from God’s judgment, believing you are acting righteously through your attendance and then do
as you please the other days of the week. Amos 5:21 - I hate your offerings because you worship
idols. Ohhhh, no wonder the prophets weren’t popular. Repentance is not popular; but a
necessary action if we are to abide in Him and He in us. Jesus warns us, through the parable of
the Ten Virgins (Matt 25:1-13), that half of Christian church attendees will not pass through the
door/gate of heaven to participate in the Wedding Feast of the Lamb.

Recognizing your Condition ...

• Luke 6:45 - your speech reflects the condition of your heart, whether it is good or evil.
• Matt 6:21 - your heart is where your treasure is
• Matt 15:18 - evil thoughts come out of the heart
• Prov 4:20-23 - If you are not guarding your heart with the Truth of God’s Word, then you
are exposing yourself to be influenced by the lies and the prince of this world.

1 Kings 18:21 - Elijah asked the people assembled at Mount Carmel - “How long will you waver
between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him. But if Baal, follow him.”
Your everlasting destiny is determined by your choice and you only have two choices. John 8:43
- Evil does not understand Truth. They are in opposition to each other. You can not have it both
ways. You must choose your path and stick with it. Have you chosen the “Way, the Truth and the
Life?’ If so, stick with it so “that it will go well with you (Jer 7:23).” Living a Godly life is
profitable, so do it - Tim 4:8. None of us can see the future plans God has for our lives. However,
we can exercise our faith and believe that His plan must certainly be better than our own. Let’s
stop trying to control what we can not control and follow as the Spirit takes us forward in life -
John 3:8. Having listened to the Lord in life and obeying his Word, we will also hear His voice at
His second coming and we will be raised to new life - John 5:25. Also, John 11:25-26 - “I am the
resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. Everyone who
lives and believes in me will never die.” He proved this statement to be true by raising Lazarus
from the dead. My prayer for you is to listen and obey, so that it will go well with you.

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McD Summary for Friday, March 19, 2021

God has provided a complete set of instructions for life in His word and the overseeing of His
flock. Why would we seek wisdom from any other source?

Let’s not forget who’s in charge ...

• IS 40 - The Lord reminds us that he is the Alpha and Omega. He created all things and he
will make all things new. He humbles us by asking which one of us counsels and advises
him (v.13-14)? His understanding is unsearchable v.28.

He knows how things will work out. We have free will but who has the better plan ...
• IS 46:9-10 - “For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me,
declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done”

Our role is to listen and obey ...

• Jer 7:23 - But this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you
shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with
you.’
• Deut 6:2-3 - that you may fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son’s son, by
keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your
life, and that your days may be long. 3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them,
that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the Lord, the God of
your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.

Humbleness and a repentant heart garners mercy from the Lord ...
• 2 Chron 12:7 - They have humbled themselves. I will not destroy them

The Lord will provide the Shepherd for His flock ...
• Jer 3:15 - And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with
knowledge and understanding.

A warning of judgment against those shepherds who care more for themselves than the
flock ...
• EZ 34:10 - Thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require
my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the
shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be
food for them.

God provides the laborers with the necessary skills ...

• Ex 31:1-3 - I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah,
and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge
and all craftsmanship
• Eph 4:11-12 - And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and
teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ

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Elder discernment and proper shepherding requires paying attention to ALL of scripture
and not isolating selective passages to fit a predetermined conclusion ...
• Eph 4:11-12 - I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. Pay careful
attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you
overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood

A shepherd requires gentleness and self-sacrifice ...

• 1 Thess 2:7-8 - But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her
own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you
not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to
us.
• Rom 5:6-8 - while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us

The work of spiritual leaders will be accountable to the Lord and should be done in the joy
of the Lord ...
• Heb 13:17 - Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your
souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with
groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Jesus warned that prior to His return, many in the Church will fall away from the faith, their love
for one another will grow cold and they will fall prey to false teachers. I pray that the shepherds
of the CBC flock do not fall prey to the lies that are being spoken from the pulpits of our
churches today. There is no lie or deceit in Truth, so let’s stick with that!
• 1 Tim 4:1 - Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith
by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons

We should all be armed with the names of false teachers so that they and their teachings can be
avoided and denounced. We have a duty to protect the Truth by exposing the lies …
• Eph 5:11 - Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

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McD Summary for Friday, Feb 5, 2021
A Journey of Faith - Part 1
Walking by faith and not by sight may be the greatest differentiator between man and angels.
Angels see God for who he truly is and in all His glory. We have not yet been given this
revelation, but we groan along with creation for it’s coming - Rom 8:22. In the meantime, we are
given faith as a gift from God (Eph 2:8) as a means to empower us in a partnership with God to
walk through life with Him. Heb 11 gives us example after example of those who came before us
exercising their faith in God. Heb 11:1 tells us that biblical faith is the confident belief that what
is hoped for will come true. Faith and hope are intertwined but they are not the same. Hope is the
desire of a future outcome, whereas faith is the reality of that outcome and the proof of what is
not yet seen.

Jesus often showed his disciples how little and lacking their faith was as they served with Him in
His ministry - Luke 12:28. He performed many miracles that transformed their thinking about
what was possible through faith - Matt 17:20. Praying with faith can change any circumstance
we face in life. God sends us trials to test and grow our faith so that we become equipped to do
His will and serve Him with our lives. Perhaps there is no greater example of fearless faith than
that of Daniel when faced with the Lion’s Den and his cohorts when they were thrown into the
fiery furnace. They stood firm and steadfast in their faith; even when faced with certain death.

Peter teaches in 2 Peter 1:3-11 that a cascade of personal spiritual growth is possible in a process
of progressive sanctification as we grow as partakers in His divine nature. The key ingredient of
this growth is faith and the exercising of it in life’s circumstances. Peter shows us that our faith is
supplemented and therefore strengthened by following a pattern of personal behavior.

“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your …

1. Faith with goodness,

2. Goodness with knowledge,
3. Knowledge with self-control,
4. Self-control with endurance,
5. Endurance with godliness,
6. Godliness with brotherly affection,
7. Brotherly affection with
8. Love.”

What a privilege and honor it is to partake in Christ’s divine nature, given this wonderful
pathway of faith to love. 1 Cor 13:1-3 and Ecc 1:1-3 affirms that all things are meaningless
without love, because God is love (1 John 4:8). Our life’s mission is to conform ourselves to the
image of Christ, who is the image of the invisible God - 2 Cor 4:4 and Col 1:15. God created us
in His image Gen 1:26, but the god of this age (Satan) blinded our minds and kept us from seeing
the truth that Christ is the image of God (2 Cor 4:4) and that He will restore us to this original
design when he returns.

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A Journey of Faith - Part 2
Rom 10:17 - “So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message
about Christ.” Our spiritual birth, growth and maturity is tightly linked to faith. Without faith I
am unable to be justified and made righteous before a just and holy God - Gal 2:15-16 & Rom
4:5. My faith, unto salvation, comes from the calling, the hearing and my favorable response to
the Spirit of the Lord. The blindness of my sin is removed from my sight and thanks to the word
of God, I am able to see and know I must repent. Repentance brings forth forgiveness by
receiving the gift of His sacrifice and taking on himself the penalty for my sin. My act of faith in
His sacrifice brings about the reality of my spiritual rebirth into the family of God - John 3:7. “If
you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him
from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one
confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation” - Rom 10:9-10.

Faith is unable to operate with doubt. Jesus tells us that if we believe and do not doubt in our
heart, we can move mountains - Mark 11:23. Our hearts are not to be troubled by the cares of this
world - John 14:1. Our focus is to be on Jesus “the founder and perfecter of our faith” - Heb
12:2. Keeping our eyes on Jesus and not our troubles is the key to overcoming. Our faith must be
focused on Him to be our deliverer, not doubting in our hearts, but knowing that he endured the
cross and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God over a kingdom that cannot be shaken.

With our eyes on and faith in Jesus, he will guide our steps and path. We must strive to serve
Him and to do the works He wants us to accomplish. Our faith is worthless or dead without the
accomplishment of works - James 2:17. We must not only be hearers of the word but also doers
of it - James 1:22. Following the pattern of 2 Peter 1:3-11, it is the practice of brotherly affection
and love that is the outgrowth of the exercising and work of our faith.

We cannot, however, be deceived by doubt and fear. These are the attributes of rebellion against
God. 1 Cor 10:13 says, “No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity.
But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the
temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.” God has not left
us defenseless. We have spiritual tools to protect and defend ourselves from attacks seeking to
minimize or neutralize our faith. Paul teaches us in Eph 6:16 to take up the shield of faith and
stay alert to protect ourselves in every situation and circumstance, because the evil one is firing
flaming arrows at us. Satan’s goal is to take us out of the battle. He knows he cannot win the war,
but he can delay the inevitable judgment by slowing down and diminishing the message of the
gospel to the Gentiles. Jesus will not return until the time of the Gentiles is complete - Luke
21:24 and Gal 3:8.

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