*Giving a boost to our day and life, with this 10-minute Weekday Blog*
Our 2nd Blog Mini-Series, each Weekday in JULY!
Thank you for joining us as we
continue this JOURNEY...
digging into the 2nd - 3rd CHAPTERS of Keith's book,
“Keep the FAITH…Keep Your VISION”!
If you will read this book in its entirety, then you will be equipped to begin walking with the confidence and authority that Jesus Christ came and died to provide for us, in order that we may work *with* Him, be *fulfilled* in our work, lead a *successful life*, and...
Day #2 of 20-day Blog mini-series #2
Chapter TWO, "In Christ Jesus our Lord"
"In Christ Jesus our Lord"
How is the life of Christ lived in us? Jesus said, "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15:5) Think about what Jesus said, "without Him" we can do nothing. According to Webster's Dictionary (1828), "without" means "on the outside, out-of-doors, lacking." "Within" on the other hand has the opposite meaning. Webster's defines "within" as "on or into the inside, indoors, inside the body, mind, etc."
You see, Jesus was not merely saying that, if we do not hang out with Him sometimes or throw a prayer or two His way from time to time, we will not be able to do anything. He was actually saying that, if we are not "in" Him, we can do nothing! Now, to be in Christ, we must be one with Him (see a good example in John 17:21-23). It should be obvious that there is a huge difference between standing next to someone occasionally and being one with them continually. However, this reality is one that many professing Christians today would consider heretical. This is no surprise, because many people who lived in Israel during the time of Jesus' earthly ministry thought so, too, and some sought to put Jesus to death for that very reason.
Question to ponder:
What are some of those common, every-day things that come to mind, just when you are getting into the Scripture or quiet time with God? _________________________________________
What are some of those common, every-day things that come to mind, just when you are getting into the Scripture or quiet time with God? _________________________________________
Keith's "Comments from the Author":
"At times in my life, when I was stepping out in faith to accomplish something *with* God, I found myself letting my old thought life, from my old flesh nature, dictate to me to depart from the ONLY thing that can help me break loose of my old flesh nature – studying the Word of God. You may know what I'm talking about but, if not, pull out your Bible and start reading, and watch what happens. If you listen to the thoughts and voices that begin to come, you'll notice how they start working to get you away, and separated, from Christ Jesus and His Word. You likely will hear some commonly-heard thoughts about common, every-day things that come to your mind, trying to get you out from the intimate presence of God. I have learned that this whole process of dying to our old flesh nature and its ways, in order to pursue oneness with God and the wisdom of His Word, is indeed a fight. It is a fight we must win at all costs. Anything of great worth requires great effort to obtain it, and is worth fighting for! There is nothing more worthy in the universe than God, and doing whatever we must do to become 'one' with Him. Remember the Bible verse, 'Take every thought captive'? In the Name of Jesus Christ, pull down every thought that would try to exalt itself above God in your mind. Read God's Word, study what He begins whispering into your spirit, ask the Person of the Holy Spirit to help tutor you, and let it begin transforming you in EVERY way, especially in doing and being all of what He created in you to do and to be!".
We encourage you to pull up the Scripture of what Jesus said to Father God in John 16:21-23. As you read and meditate on it, remember that NOTHING is more WONDERFUL than working *w-i-t-h* God to fulfill the plan He has created for our lives."
"That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us ... And the glory which Thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are One...." (John 17:21-23)
*See you tomorrow, and please make sure to invite your friends who are lost or who just need encouragement too! God bless you!*
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Find this blog mini-series message, and more on the topic, in our book Keep the FAITH Keep Your VISION based on crucial, real-life matters for each of us. To ask questions, make a special donation, request a large quantity of books, or to share a testimony or prayer request with us, please click for e-mail, or write a letter and mail it to the address shown on our website, and as provided below.
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Your friends & servants in Christ,
Keep PRESSIN' IN!
To Show GOD BIG in a World that Sees Him small…
sums up the reason Keith stepped out in faith 35+ years ago to focus full-time on reaching the lost and strengthening believers everywhere, through Toward The Mark, Inc. Keith and Brenda's prayer is that you will be encouraged and edified by the Secrets from God's Word that Keith recounts in our written and recorded products. The complete collection of original podcasts, music, blogs, books, CDs, and other resources of Toward The Mark, Inc. are made possible thanks to the faithful prayer and financial contributions of the TTM Support Family. We'd like to invite you to join our family, and welcome you to become a special part of our regular sponsorship team TODAY!
sums up the reason Keith stepped out in faith 35+ years ago to focus full-time on reaching the lost and strengthening believers everywhere, through Toward The Mark, Inc. Keith and Brenda's prayer is that you will be encouraged and edified by the Secrets from God's Word that Keith recounts in our written and recorded products. The complete collection of original podcasts, music, blogs, books, CDs, and other resources of Toward The Mark, Inc. are made possible thanks to the faithful prayer and financial contributions of the TTM Support Family. We'd like to invite you to join our family, and welcome you to become a special part of our regular sponsorship team TODAY!
We INVITE You ... to follow and share these resources that are also available, for helping build your faith in God, His Will, and His Ways:
Keep PRESSIN' IN!
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