JUST BELIEVE OR FOLLOW ?

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We tend to define belief as the acceptance of something
as real or true.
But biblical belief is more than just an intellectual acceptance
or a heartfelt acknowledgement;
it is a commitment to FOLLOW.
Following by definition requires more than mental assent,
it calls for MOVEMENT.
One of the reasons our churches can become "fan-factories"
is that we have separated the message of "believe" from
the message"FOLLOW".
After separating the two messages they get out of balance.

Jesus requires a relationship with you that will hold you accountable to be a FOLLOWER.
He requires "movement" on our behalf, remember the bibles teaches that even the demons believe, Satan believes.
A true relationship with Jesus Christ will COST you something.
Lets turn our Belief into Movement, into FOLLOWING.

" SANCTIFICATION "

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" This is the will of God, your sanctification.............."
                              ( 1 Thessalonians 4:3 )

THE DEATH SIDE.............
Am I willing to reduce myself down to simply " me "?
Am I determined enough to strip myself of all that my friends think of me, and all that I think of myself ?
Am I willing and determined to hand over my simple
naked self to God ?  Once I am, He will immediately 
sanctify me completely, and my life will be free from
being determined and persistent toward anything
except God. (see 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).

When I pray, "Lord, show me what sanctification means
for me,"
He will show me.
It means being made one with Jesus.
Sanctification is not something Jesus puts in me--
it is Himself in me. (see 1 Corinthians 1:30)

A WORTHY FOCUS

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Seek righteousness, seek humility.
I proclaimed a fast........that we might
humble ourselves before our God.
You, Lord, are my choice and I will obey you.
I have learned both to be full and to be hungry,
both to abound and to suffer need.
For I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me.

DENY SELF

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Jesus talked with his disciples about denying self and
taking up the cross even before they understood the
significance of the cross.
What did the cross mean to them ? Execution.
Jesus is saying that denying self is like being executed.
We must carry the cross around with us daily so that,
we can execute self.
Unfortunately its not just a one time thing,
its every day of our life.
Are you prepared to pick up your cross and carry
it daily, to execute self on a daily basis ?? 

CALLED TO BE HOLY

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When there is sin in the camp of my heart,
I must deal with it ruthlessly lest it contaminate
and ultimately destroy me.
The transgression may appear small, but any forbidden
thing, no matter how small, will grow to overwhelm me
if left UNREPENTED.

REMEMBERING GODS PRESENCE

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One thing that I long to develop in my walk
with the Lord is a spiritual disposition that
causes me to seek Him immediately in every
single situation of life.
I am so reactive by nature !!! So often I simply 
react to a situation rather than remembering
how my God would have me respond because 
of who He is and because of what He has said.

ENCOURAGEMENT TO STAND FIRM

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2 Thessalonians 16-17
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father,
who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal
encouragement and good hope,
17. Encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

Never fall short to encourage your hearts...............

SIN INHIBITS OUR WITNESS

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Is my attitude humble, do I consider the needs of others,
is my life a testimony of faithfulness?
Holy Spirit, be a light in me,
shining into the lives of others.

FACE TO FACE !!!!!!!

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Proverbs 13:12
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror;
then we shall see face to face.
Now I know in part;
then I shall know fully,
even as I am fully known

Soon the fog obscuring so much of our big picture
interpretation will be lifted,
and our understanding will be perfected.

NEVER DOUBT !!!!!!

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Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV)
" Ah , Sovereign Lord, you made me the heavens and earth
by your great power and outstretched arm.
Nothing is to hard for you.

Never doubt our Sovereign Lord,.....
He made the heavens and earth,........
Nothing is to hard for Him, this means anything that you are going through He is able.
When we do doubt, we only need to go to His word,
His promises.
Yes, He is able !!!!!

THE COST OF DISOBEDIENCE..............

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God had given Adam and Eve specific words to follow,
but they failed to view the word of God as the supreme
authority.
They allowed someone else's word to carry weight.
They treated Gods word as a lesser authority,
putting their own desires above His.

Whenever we disobey His commands, we are rejecting
His authority and asserting our own.
We basically say, "God, You may be the author of my life,
but your not the authority in my life.
I choose what I do, not you.
I'm in control here, not you."

From this point of view we can see that we are no different
than Adam and Eve.
Yes, the same Adam and Eve that created this whole mess,
created the curse between God and His creation.
We are rejecting Him and simply saying,
I can do it my way..........

Lets really think about this and surrender our will 
and our life over to the care of God.
Lets say God, my life is yours, have it your way God.

"BLESSED IS THE NATION"

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Psalms 33:12 (KJV)
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord;
and the people whom he hath chosen for his 
own inheritance.

I pray that America turn back to God who
is our Lord..............,Repent.........Surrender.........,
Give our nation back to the hands of God.

CONVICTION

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(Isaiah 6:5). KJV.
"Woe is me, for I am undone !
Because I am a man of unclean lips........"

The cleansing fire had to be applied
where the sin had been concentrated.

(6:7) "Behold, this has touched your lips;
your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged.

He will lead us down to where He can reveal the vast underlying nature of our sin.
That is the way God always deals with us when we are consciously aware of His presence.

CONDITIONS OF TRUE DISCIPLESHIP.

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Matthew 14:26-27, 33  (KJV)
              26. If any man come to me, and 
hate not his father, and mother, and
wife, and children, and bretheren, 
and sisters, yea, and his own life also,
he cannot be my disciple.
27. And whosover doth not bear his cross,
and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

              "CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE"
Yes that is Jesus Himself speaking !!!!!!!!!!!

33. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath,
he cannot be my disciple.

Discipleship means; Personal, Passionate Devotion to a person - our Lord Jesus Christ.

To be a Disciple is to be a Devoted Bondservant motivated by a great love for our Lord Jesus Christ.