One Nation, One Faith, One Baptism

"I will make them one nation in the land, upon the mountains of Israel, and there shall be one king for them all. They shall never again be two nations, never again be divided into two kingdoms." (Ezekiel 37: 22)

One Nation, one Prince, one Church, one Faith, one Baptism.

"striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace:
 one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (Ephesians 4: 3 - 6)

“I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me."  (John 17: 20 - 21)

Righteousness and freedom

"He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed." (1 Peter 2: 24)

One thing I have learned about freedom this week is that freedom from the point of view of the kingdom is freedom from sin.  We pray usually for freedom from the spirit of fear, freedom from anxieties, freedom from debt and so on.  I am beginning to perceive that at the root of every type of enslavement or lack of freedom is sin.  This is a difficult admission to make for one who suffers from anxieties and at the same time is not conscious of any serious sin.

How do we explain this?  Perhaps the scripture below may offer some light:
"If we say, “We are without sin,” we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.
If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."  (1 John 1: 8 - 10)

Jesus Christ who bore our sins in His body upon the cross is both willing and able to free us from sin and the consequences of sin which is complete lack of freedom.  Living in righteousness is living in complete freedom.   "By his wounds you are healed."  (1 Peter 2: 24)

Jesus Christ is the Gift of all gifts

"He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:32)

God will give you everything that is best for you. Jesus Christ is the Gift of gifts, the Mother of all gifts. The Father freely and spontaneously bestowed His Son to us. What will He refuse us? Nothing!

True freedom comes from Jesus

"So if a son frees you, then you will truly be free."  (John 8: 36)

Lord Jesus, free me from the spirit of fear.  Free me to from enslavement to debt.

I found a good commentary on John 8: 36 from John Gills Exposition.  It is reproduced below:

"Men are home born slaves; the chosen people of God are such by nature; they are born in sin, and are the servants of it; Christ the Son makes them free; and then they are no more foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God. This suggests, that true freedom is by Jesus Christ, the Son of God; see ( Galatians 5:1 ) . He it is that makes the saints free from sin; not from the being of it in this life, but from the bondage and servitude of it, from its power and dominion, and from its guilt and liableness to punishment for it, by procuring the pardon of their sins through his blood, and justifying their persons by his righteousness: he also makes them free, or delivers them from the captivity of Satan, by ransoming them out of his hands, taking the prey from the mighty, binding the strong man armed, and delivering them from him, and from the power of darkness, and putting them into his own kingdom; he does not indeed free them altogether from his temptations, but he preserves them by his power from being hurt and destroyed by him: he likewise makes his people free from the law, not only the ceremonial law, which is abolished by him, but from the moral law; not from obedience to it, as it is in his hands, and a rule of walk and conversation to them, but as in the hands of Moses, and as a covenant of works, and from the rigorous exaction of it, and from seeking justification and life by it, and from its curse and condemnation: and he gives them freedom of access to God, as their Father, through his blood and by his Spirit; and admits them to all the privileges and immunities of the church below; and gives them a right to, faith in, and an expectation of the glorious liberty of the children of God hereafter; and such are truly Christ's freemen:"  (John Gills Exposition on John 8: 36)

Power of faith

"The Promise Realized Through Faith 13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith."  (Romans 4:13)

Through the law, I fail woefully. But through the Holy Spirit who lives in me, I can do all things.

Feast of St Joseph

http://www.pray-as-you-go.org/mp3/PAYG_130319.mp3

My grace is sufficient

"He gives me work so that I may seek His rest. He gives me strength to meet the hardest test; and as I walk in providential grace, I find that joy goes with me, at God's pace." Gustafson (Daily Bread)

Shine on me and set me free

"Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  (John 8: 12)

Lord Jesus, I want your light to shine brightly in my life.  I want it especially to shine on my family, health, finances, job, tools, food and future.  I want to know your truth on all of these areas.  Let your truth set me free from worry, fear and doubt as you promised.  Thank you Lord for your promises.  I believe everyone of them.  As I appropriate your promises this afternoon, I ask you to strengthen my faith.

Be still and trust in Me

15 For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: By waiting and by calm you shall be saved, in quiet and in trust shall be your strength. (Isaiah 30:15) Wait, be calm, be still, just trust Serenity, acceptance = Salvation & Strength. "You shall be saved." = You shall be redeemed, you shall be delivered from your distress, your sins; you shall find contentment... CENTERING Prayer Psalm 46:10 10 “Be still, and know that I am God. Exodus 14:13-14 13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Amen! I cannot change my financial and job situation. "Faith that is firm is also patient."

An error in the beginning

"An error in the beginning is an error indeed." - St Thomas Aquinas

Ignorance is the mother of all errors

"Ignorance nourishes vices and is the mother of all errors" St Isidore of Seville

Various manifestations of evil in the hour of darkness

Manifestations of Sin

Don't be afraid - God is with you

Deuteronomy 31:6,  8

6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

8 It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
03/15/13