Do you not know, that, all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus, were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him, by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead, by the glory of the Father, we too, might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be raised to life as He was. We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ, so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. Romans 6:4-6

February 26^th

“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering”.

“The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But, if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace”. Thank you, Lord, for your grace and mercy towards us who are tempted, and you give a way out, and we take it. THE STRUGGLE IS REAL! Help us Lord!

“For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and present the parts of your body to Him, as instruments of righteousness. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live”. Praise the Lord!

My brothers and sisters in Christ, we who were once darkness, now are light in the Lord. Let us walk as children of light, and this light within us, should only produce what is good, and right, and true.  Let us do something to show, that, we have really given up our sins. Let us produce fruit worthy of repentance and by our fruits, others will know, that we have been changed. Praise the Lord!

“Do not be deceived, neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, will inherit the kingdom of God; and such were some of you. But, you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God”. Oh glory be to God! Thank you, Lord, for saving me! Now, help me to live a life that is pleasing to you, so that I may inherit the kingdom of God.

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. If My people, who are called by My name, humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, I will forgive their sin and will heal their land”.

“Do you really think you can steal, murder, commit adultery, lie, and burn incense to Baal and all those other new gods of yours, and then come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, ‘We are delivered!’— only to go on doing all these abominations? Yet, they act so pious! They come to the Temple every day and seem delighted to learn all about me. They act like a righteous nation that would never abandon the laws of its God. They ask me to take action on their behalf, pretending they want to be near me”.  My brothers and sisters in Christ, we cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. We cannot eat at the Lord’s Table and at the table of demons, too. Let us not provoke the Lord to jealousy with our strivings, but repent and return to the Lord, lest his wrath come upon us.

Lord, “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments”. Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your statutes; I will meditate on Your precepts and fix my eyes on Your ways”. Psalm 119

My brothers and sisters in Christ, we get so distracted by our troubles, that instead of turning to God who alone is able to deliver us, who alone knows the beginning and the end, we get caught up in situations that lead us into more trouble. Lord, teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom, for before we were formed in our mothers’ womb, you knew us, you predestined our path. Let us continually seek your guidance and love, so that we could discern the path you have set before us, and faithfully walk in it. Like many of us, Job was tested, and he said, “My anxiety intensified, and as I thought about it, I became impatient, and I spoke with my tongue”. That is a dangerous move! Yet, even though we know it is, we still utter words that we cannot take back. Job cried out saying, “”Lord, how long will I live? When will I die? Tell me how soon my life will end.  What is my strength that I should wait? And what is my end that I should endure? How long, Lord, will I wait expectantly”? But, when Job came to himself, as I am hoping all of us would before it’s too late, he repented, saying, “I have placed my hope in you, deliver me from all my transgressions; make me not the reproach of the foolish. I will keep quiet, I will not say a word, for you are the one who made me suffer like this; but, I am confident, that you already know the way I will take; and after you have tried me, I shall come forth as gold”, and he did.