justpassinthrough

Separating ourselves from sinful and defiling people and places is the key to walking according to the Spirit, rather than walking according to the sinful desires of our flesh.

A disciple that stays close to the Lord, and values his or her relationship with the Lord is a disciple that will continue when others turn away. Receiving the words of correction as well as word's of encouragement from the Lord, is the mark of a disciple that will endure to the end. Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you? What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.” From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”John 6:60-69

Everything we do should come from being led by the Spirit, and have it's foundation and pattern from the scriptures. Programs and "good ideas" will not transform people's lives, nor change communities for Christ Jesus.

Personally, a long time ago, I set aside a room in my house for prayer and worship. For me, I need a place that is set apart for just the Lord and myself, that I can be alone with Him, to worship and pray. Without His presence and grace upon my life, I am lost. I would like to be more consistent with fasting and to spend more and more time with Him, without neglecting my responsibilities to my family.

Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem. And whoever is left in any place where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, besides the freewill offerings for the house of God which is in Jerusalem. Then the heads of the fathers’ houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, with all whose spirits God had moved, arose to go up and build the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem. And all those who were around them encouraged them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with precious things, besides all that was willingly offered. Ezra 1:3-6 Key Verse 4: And whoever is left in any place where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, besides the freewill offerings for the house of God which is in Jerusalem. Some were called to go with the first group to rebuild, while others were called to support the effort with silver & gold, goods and livestock.

Obedience. Faith without the corresponding action [work] of obedience is dead, and can not justify. Faith which comes by hearing God's word [voice; rhema] must find it's life in the act of obedience, which by any definition is being a doer of the word we hear. Justified means; Made righteous; declared to be righteous. as well as shown to be righteous. Believe carries the idea of committed trust, as well as obedience. Unbelief is disobedience. Abraham showed that he believed by obeying what he heard God tell him to do. What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh?[a] 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say?“Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”[b] 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. Romans 4:1-4 Some think this somehow means Abraham did nothing. Abraham was first justified, when he obeyed the Lord to get out of his father's house, to a country that God would later show him. By faith Abraham obeyed. By faith Abraham believed, and showed that he believed by obeying what he heard. Likewise, with the Gospel, we believe the Gospel, by obeying the Gospel. Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand. If we don't obey with the corresponding act of repenting, then our faith that we received when we heard the Gospel is dead, and can not save. It is by confessing with our mouth, Jesus as Lord, that faith finds it's expression in obedience and is able to save. In other words, we can believe that Jesus died for our sins, and God raised Him from the dead, but if we don't turn from Satan as our lord [master; the one we obey] by confessing Jesus as Lord, then our believing all by itself, without the act of obedience is dead. That's why Paul said it is both believing together with the act of obedience, that saves. 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10 justpassinthrough

We need to be reminded continually of the truth's of God's Kingdom for the purpose of renewing our mind's, which is the key to transformation. In this, we are able to comprehend more and more what the will of God is for both our life and that of our family. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 Walking in harmony with the Lord, staying within the reach of His "rod and staff" is where we learn from Him, and are comforted by these. The renewed mind is able to "receive the things of God" for they are spiritually discerned. It is He who must lead us in the paths of righteousness... so by "hearing His Voice and following Him", we are successful in the ways of righteousness. A path is a well worn route that has been traveled many times. The paths of righteousness are no different. It is by the continual application of these "righteous habits" that we will walk in and practice the ways of righteousness as a lifestyle. John says it this way - Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 1 John 3:7 justpassinthrough