12.10.2016 (2 Timothy 1-4)
“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David – that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also love with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful – for he cannot deny himself.” 2 Timothy 2:8-13
If you follow my postings you may remember the phrases Over-the-horizon faith and Over-the-horizon promise. In this scripture we see both in the very beginning. “Remember Jesus Christ” is the act of moving forward in faith, into the future, (over-the-horizon) remembering Christ our Savior; “raised form the dead” is the promise. The last 3 verses are prescriptions for living out faith into the future based on the promises of God. “If we have died with him, we will also love with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful.” I encourage us all to live with faith based on God’s promises. Journey into the future, “Over-the-horizon” to things not seen or known based on promises of things to come, assurance of God’s mercy, grace and love.
12.11.2016 (Titus 1-3, Philemon)
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds. Declare these things; exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one look down on you. Titus 2:11-15
God’s grace at work in each of us long before we recognize it is God in our lives, becomes apparent and we accept the work of God in our hearts, we receive that which God has been doing; we receive salvation at once, but not all at once. Not to worry, the grace of God continues to work in us so that we may renounce impiety and worldly passions as we live into the glory of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Accept this promise, then declare to others the promise is real. In this Advent Season live in to the fullness of the hope, peace, joy and love God offers through our Savior, Jesus Christ.
12.12.2016 (Hebrews 1-4)
“Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.” Hebrews 1:1-4
In faith, we believe that God continues to sanctify us, transforming us into Christ likeness. Christ, the Son of God, through whom God the Father created the entirety of creation; to whom the entirety of Creation is given. Christ, the Son, is the exact imprint, a perfect reflection of God. We who believe are being transformed into that image. As we continue to journey in this Advent season, prayerfully ask God what it is about you that keeps you from the fullness of this image. What is it that keeps you from realizing the entirely of the hope, peace, joy and love found in Christ?
12.13.2016 (Hebrews 5-7)
“but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always loves to make intercession for them. For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.” Hebrews 7:24-26
Christ, the Son of God, has been, is and will always be the source of salvation. It is impossible for me or you to save ourselves, if we could, we wouldn’t need a Savior. To achieve holiness, blamelessness, righteousness we need a Savior who is all these things in His very being. Praise God there is a way.