Life in Christ...

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1)
 Why?
Because: "...You have died to the Law through the body of Christ..." (Romans 7:4)
..."   Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin." (Romans 7:24-25)
I can't do it on my own! That's reality!
"For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."  (Romans 8:2-4)

"The righteous requirement of the law is fulfilled in us..." (vs. 4)
What does that mean?
Let me give you this illustration: Internet law, if you will, requires a server. You want a web site, you need a server. In order for a website to be their at all times, the server must remain on at all times. However, I can post on my google blog (as I'm doing right now), turn my computer off, and walk away; and yet my post will remain online for others to view at their leisure even though my computer is off, and I'm in deepest darkest Africa. That is because the requirement of internet law (a server) was fulfilled by someone else (Google). I published my blog post on their server. In essence the requirement of internet law was fulfilled in me, since the post has my name on it, even though Google did the law fulfilling.
See, what happens is that God through Christ fills up what the law requires in us, as we walk by the Spirit.

Ever swing a splitting maul, and hit a dry oak log right in the center? As the log splits in two, you feel that sensation: " Yes! One hit K-O Baby!"
Last night I had the priveledge of sharing a few words of my testimony with a co-worker. When I finished talking I felt that ax-swinging sensation, that I had said exactly what God wanted me to say, and it had hit exactly where He wanted it to. I found out later that my co-worker spent the next three hours thinking about what I had said, and told me that He wanted me to teach him (in essence) how to have a relationship with God. Wow!

Love - just thinking out loud and on paper.

I watched a couple go by today, as I went on a late morning walk along Copper-Creek. They stayed in close proximity to one another, yet neither said a word during my observation. They were not bothered with one another, they were just enjoying a quiet intimacy of being together. In our lives words are not always necessary; but words mingled with love can be very beneficial. According to 1 Cor. 13:1 I am guilty of making a lot of annoying sounds. The couple I mentioned were two of the most beautiful creatures I have ever seen. They were Wood Ducks.

Faith

I was cleaning up around the cardboard bailor at work when Randy came and started inserting his cardboard. I said hey Randy! how's it going? he said: good, but I'm surprised because we had two trucks today instead of one, I was expecting it to be a really difficult day. I was like see, that's what everyone says, oh it's gonna be hard or difficult or whatever, but you can't go by that. Yeah you should expect that it might be difficult, or challenging, but don't expect a bad day; expect your co-workers to step up at the right time, and expect to get a lot done in a short amount of time. That's faith, if you're driving a race car around a turn at 120 mph, you have to have faith in yourself that you can make the turn at that speed or you will crash. "Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that comes to God must beleive that He exists, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)      

Today at Wally-World...

A co-worker of mine was struggling with a pile of boxes today, and said: "Jesus hates me..." I asked her if I could lend a hand and she told me what she needed help with. I said: "Jesus didn't stack this pallet, I watched the person who did, are you a Christian?" I told her that Jesus was telling me to help her with the pallet, and wanted her to know that He still loves her. she said: "I don't think that's what He's saying". It was awesome to see God at work today.

Staggering Chapter...

                               Psalm 24

1. God owns the earth, the world, and everyone in them.

2. Because He was the architect and Builder of each one.

3. Who will make the hike up Yahweh’s hill?

    Or who will stand before Him?

4. Someone who has washed their hands with clean water (Eph. 5:26), and who’s heart has been made pure through shed blood; one who’s mind, will, and emotions only hear truth (falsehood can enter the ear, but not reach the heart) and they keep their promises.

5. This pure hearted person will receive blessing from the LORD

They will also receive righteousness from the God of their salvation.

6. God-seekers have their own generation

-Those that seek His face.

7. Lift up your heads, O gates!

        And be lifted up O ancient doors,

              (Let the real King come in.

                     The High King of heaven.)

                            The King of Glory.

8. Who is this King of glory?

          The LORD strong and mighty,

                The LORD mighty in battle!

9. Lift up your heads O gates!

         And lift them up, O ancient doors,

                That the King of glory may come in.

10. Who is this King of glory?

           The LORD of hosts,

                 He is the King of glory.

-Paraphrase by N.L.  Vss. 8-10 From the ESV

Do you see the picture painted by David?

We’re part of this huge procession of people who are God seekers. We are in the capital city waiting and watching as the King returns. As He approaches the entrance of the city, we give the command that the gates and the ancient doors be opened, so the King of glory may enter. And when He enters we introduce Him as the LORD of Hosts – The King of Glory!

Journal Entry October 20th 2011

      Daniel took some significant risks in his walk of faith. Daniel refused to eat the king's meat, even though he knew that he and his friends, and the captain could be severely punished for it. Daniel easily could have battled in court over the crazy religious laws that were put into effect, and with the kind of position, and reputation he had; he would have easily won, but instead he willingly "took up his cross", he was thrown into a den full of lions, these were ferocious beasts, and I wouldn't be surprised if Daniel had already witnessed others who were eaten alive, having their flesh removed and their bones crushed. Daniel wasn't afraid to go before the king who had already planned his funeral, knowing full well that this could expedite his execution or bring about a more torturous death. Daniel knew that the "safest" place he could possibly be, was in the center of God's will.