God's Promises through the Apostle Paul

When I first started reading the Bible, I didn't much like the apostle Paul. I thought that he was pompous and overbearing. He didn't seem to respect marriage. He talked with boldness and authority and He thought that he could tell everyone what they were suppose to do. But as God continues to grow me in my faith, He has been removing the veil from my eyes and is revealing much truth and Grace through this man. Paul was what the Bible calls a "Pharisee". He knew all the rules and regulations. He could tell them to you and would kill you if you didn't follow them to the letter. Until his encounter with Jesus, Paul didn't have the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He didn't have a relationship with the one who made the rules and therefore, he did not understand that the rules were not really rules but truths that were given in love by a God who loves us so much and has given us all we will ever need to live the life we were created to live. We were created to live life in relationship with Him and his people. Created to love and be loved. Created to receive God's blessings and to bless others. It is a life that is not dictated by legalism and religious piety. It is a new life that Jesus died and rose again to bring us. A life lived by the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul's prayers were inspired by the Holy Spirit. They are our strength and power and motivation to live this new life. They afffirm who we are in Christ. They are filled with much wisdom and hope. Words that edify our souls and bring truth to the gospel. The truth is that God loves you and he wants a relationship with you. He wants to entwine your spirit with his Holy Spirit that you might live and live abundantly. He sacrificed his Son on a cross to pay the penalty for our sins. He has chosen us. We are sons and daughters of the king! He sent his Son to die that we might have life. We are forgiven and righteous in his sight - justified by his grace. Praise God! We are dead to sin and alive to Christ. We are controlled by the Spirit of God because he lives in us. We have hope and a future! These are truths and promises spoken from God through the apostle Paul. It's time to claim what Jesus died to give us. Take time to read the epistles. God will bless you and strengthen you to walk this most awesome journey.
"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparabley great power for us who believe." (Ephesians 1:18-19)

Created To Be Free

" if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36)
"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31)

Jesus came to set us free.  When we accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord of our life, we received the promise of freedom.  God does not intend that we live a defeated life.  He doesn't want us to always be struggling with sin battles, character flaws, and past wounds.   God created us in his image and He created us "good" and for a purpose.  We are fearfully and wonderfully made! (Psalm 139:14)

As we walk this faith journey to the heart of God, we find that although the Bible tells us that we are free, it doesn't always seem that way. We do struggle with sin and with broken relationships.  We struggle with trust issues, selfishness, fears, bondages and strongholds. God really does want us healed and whole and free!  He wants it to be "Well with our soul".

I plan on using this blog to grow and learn.  I want to walk in freedom.  Isaiah 61 tells us that Jesus came to preach good news, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives.  If Jesus came to set me free, then I want to be free! 

The road is narrow.  Something that I have found that has to be done on this walk is a willingness to investigate one's soul (the mind, will, and emotions). We don't always like to do that.  It's uncomfortable.  It's unsettling.  We might see things about ourselves that we don't like.  But, I have found that for me, its the only way.  I have an inheritated "sin nature" that is constantly in battle with my Spirit and  God's Holy Spirit.  Our journey towards healing, wholeness, and freedom involves crucifying that pesky "sin nature" and living our life with God's power.  He has given us his Holy Spirit to live inside us to lead and guide us into all truth. And it is the truth that sets us free!  "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." (2 Cor 3:17) He has given us the Bible which is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16)  The Psalmist tells us "I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your ways" and I hold fast to your statutes O Lord....I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free. (Psalm 119:30-32)

I have tasted some of God's truth and I have been set free from some things already.  I want more freedom, more truth, more of God's love, more of God's best.  I want it to be well with my soul!

I invite you to walk the narrow path with me.  God is in the business of restoration.  "He that began a good work in you will complete it." He desires to restore us to His perfect order - that we may walk in his ways to the glory of his name!

This is what the Lord says:
Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls. ----   Jeremiah 6:16