Christian vs. Christian

So what does it mean? Christian vs. Born-Again Christian.

To me, a Christian is a follower of Christ. If you are following Christ you are born-again. You turned away from your old self, past mistakes, your sins, and turned to Jesus. If you haven't done that, how can you make any claim to be a Christian?

Unfortunately, however, there are many people who profess to be a Christian simply because they believe in God.

But a Real Christian
an Authenic Christian
a True Christian ....

.... believes in, accepts and follows God the Father
Jesus Christ the Son
and The Holy Spirit

as One.

Power

We have to turn to God, to Jesus, to have the full power to destroy the enemy Satan.

When we do not believe all God says He is and can do and has done, when we do not believe Jesus is the son of God or God himself, we do not have the power.

THOUGHT TO PONDER: ... The Lord decided long ago what now He has caused to happen.

This 'n That

When we trust in what Jesus has done for us, a relationship with God begins and sin no longer has control over us.

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God always stands between the Christian and the enemy.

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Our new life begins the moment we accept Christ died for us. Our sinful self died, was crucifed with Christ, so sin no longer has power over us. Unfortunately, so many of us fail to realize this and continue to allow Satan the controlling hand of influence. If we would only realize that God is the controlling power, not Satan, we would, could live as Christ desires us to live.

Negativity is not part of Christ's legacy, nor is fear of unknowns. Thoughts that you're not good enough, you'll fail, the church by-laws say no, all this and more get in the way of living for Christ and in Him.

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Romans 6:12a in New Living translation says "Do not let sin control the way you live."

v. 13 "...Give yourselves completely to God since you have been given new life. And use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God."

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If you say you love God, then why would you not believe Jesus is the son of God? Why would Jesus lie? Why would those he miraculously healed lie?

John 8:42 says "Jesus told them, 'If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God.' "

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Individuals born with disabilities .....

John 9:3 says "It was not because of his sins or his parents' sins,' Jesus answered. 'He was born (blind) so the power of God could be seen in him.' "

Seeing and being blind is not always about "sight."

Isaiah 35

When Jerusalem / Zion / The Holy City is restored, all will be rejoicing, singing, abundance of beautiful flowers, green lushness everywhere - the Lord's splendor will abound.

A main road through that once deserted land - called Highway of Holiness:

Only for those who walk in God's ways,
Only the redeemed,
Only those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return to Jerusalem.

My dad's birthday

Today is my dad's birthday - 97 years ago he was born. Nearly a century. So long, so very long, and I didn't know him really at all. The family unit of four lasted until I was 8 and my sister was 5. I did converse with him from time to time over the years -- when I was in my first year of college we talked on the phone. In 1972, the year my sister graduated from high school and I had finished my junior year in college, he died. And that was 35 years ago.

Temptation

My devotion this morning was from Matthew 4: 1-11 and although only three temptations are actually listed, the Devil tempted Jesus way more times in those 40 days and 40 nights.

Temptation ... distracting enticements ... destructive lifestyle

Its more than ... its less than ... drugs and gangs, alcohol and drunken driving, obesity, anorexia, bulima, smoking cigarettes or marijuana or crack cocaine, swearing, robbery/stealing, pornography, abuse -- maiming, killing.

When the powers of darkness comes in like a flood (and it is all around us), the Battle belongs to the Lord!

To conquer sin, nip it in the bud of temptation.