We all sin but we are no longer sinners (1 John 1:8). Through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross the price was paid for our sins past, present and future (1 Cor 15:3). As born-again Christians God no longer sees us as sinners he sees us in Christ, the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2 Cor 5:21). Righteousness basically means right standing with God.

Satan may try to condemn us but we have an advocate (Rom 8:34), Christ Jesus, who pleads our case before God (1 John 2:1)! As God’s children and members of his kingdom (Col 1:13) we are still tempted to sin and we do sin (1 John 1:8), but the word says that if we repent and ask for forgiveness God is quick to forgive us (1 John 1:9). Now that’s good news.

So, how many times will he forgive us in any given day? Well, we are instructed to forgive our brother 7 time seventy times (Matt 18:22) and God is far more loving and merciful than we are. But brother Norman you don’t know what I have done. God forgave David when he repented after committing adultery and murder (2 Sam 11). Don’t be condemned, look to God our loving and merciful father, humble yourself and ask forgiveness with a truly repentant heart.

Now, as Christians we should not go on willfully and deliberately sinning, if we do, then there is something very wrong. Our spirit (conscience) should convict us of sin if we are born again and in fellowship with God (Rom 2:15). Check yourself; are you truly born again? Have you given your life to the Master? Talk to a mature Christian friend and settle the matter today.

As Christians, we should be quick to repent whenever we sin (1John 1:9); Sin does not cause us to lose our salvation but it does cloud our fellowship with God, just as in any human relationship (1 John 1:7). Run to your loving father, repent and enjoy unbroken fellowship with him. There is nothing better. God bless you, we love you. Norman and Jean. Please take a moment and send God’s word onto others We would be happy to come and minister in your Christian fellowship. All rights reserved.

A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com    

I encourage you to read from John’s Gospel chapter 13 and verses 1-17 today. This is a wonderful passage where Jesus teaches us humility and servant hood. Jesus showed us his supreme confidence in his relationship with his Father in verse 3. This allowed him to humble himself and show his penetrating love for his disciples in washing their feet.

God calls us to serve (Mark 9:35) and we can only humble ourselves and do that if we know who we are in Christ. We are his sons and daughters (2 Cor 6:18), joint heirs with Jesus (Rom 8:17) and seated in the heavenly places with him (Eph 2:6). Nothing can ever separate us from his love (Rom 8:35). In that confidence, we can walk in humility and serve.

In our passage from Johns Gospel, Peter protested that Jesus should not wash his feet (v 8); but notice Jesus’ response. He said that if he could not wash Peter’s feet, Peter would have no part with Jesus (v 8). We have no part with Jesus if we do not have a servant’s heart.

Jesus established servant hood as a mark of the Christian for all time (v 12-15); He demonstrated it for us. In the word we are told that if we humble ourselves God will exalt us (1 Peter 5:6). We are told that we are called to serve and in serving we will find greatness (Mark 10; 43-45). Look for ways to serve people today; this pleases the heart of our heavenly father.

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 A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com    

In Daniel 11:32 we are told that: “the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits” (KJV). This is great news but sometimes we get tired and plain worn out from our busyness and efforts, often because we try to do things our way; or is that just me.

But be encouraged as the word says that: “they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isa 40:31). To wait means to be bound together with and wait or tarry patiently for.

In Isaiah 41:10 we are told that we should not fear as our God will strengthen us, help us and uphold us. We don’t need to fear as God is the strength of our lives (Ps 27:1). “We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us” (Phil 4:13). Don’t let satan steal your joy as: “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh 8:10b). So, just cast all your cares on him today because he cares for you (1Peter 5:7).

He is your strength, do things his way. He will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb 13:5). Have a strong day in him.

Please pass this on. All rights reserved.

A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com    

A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com    

“While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease"(KJV Gen 8:22). God’s kingdom is ruled by principles such sowing and reaping. Like gravity, this principles cannot be violated. If we try to get results with God and work against or outside of his principles we will be unsuccessful and get frustrated; we tie God’s hands.

Examine your life today. If you are fighting God in an area of your life or operating outside of his will, direction or kingdom principles, life will be hard and things will not go well. Humble yourself, repent and hear from God; walk in his love and obedience and see things turn around for you. Ananias and Sapphira tried to do it their way, thinking God would not see and this resulted in the death of them both (Acts 5:1-11). Israel withheld their giving to God and tied God’s hands in terms of blessing and protection (Mal chapter 3). God promised a blessing they could not contain if they just obeyed his principle of sowing and reaping.

This principle applies to every are of our lives; if we abuse our bodies do we expect health? If we refuse to forgive, God cannot forgive us (Mark 11:25-26. In Matthew 7:2 it says that with the measure we use it will be measured back to us.

Let me leave you with Galatians 6:7-10: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he who soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith".

Wow, that says it all! Let’s get sowing today using Gods seed.

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A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com    

Proverbs is replete in its exhortation to us to get knowledge, understanding and wisdom from God’s word (see chapters 2, 3 and 8 for instance). “How much better is it to get wisdom than gold!” (Prov 16:16; KJV). Wisdom will keep us, we are told it is the principal thing (Prov 4:5-7). 

The three words we started with above are interesting; although their definitions can overlap somewhat, there is a progression with them that is important for us to know. Knowledge is when a scripture verse jumps off the page of our bible for the first time, we never saw it before. It could be the verse that says: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Prov 18:21). As we meditate on this verse we gain understanding. Understanding is like putting 2 and 2 together, we see the implications of the knowledge. Wow, my words have power, they can hurt or build up. Wisdom is really the practical application of knowledge and understanding to everyday life. In our example it would be to realize that I need to really watch what I say and aim to speak only those things that bring life (Prov 25:11). 

This is why it is so critical not to just read the word in a cursory manner but to meditate it and let God bring us a full revelation. I think that was two thoughts for the day in one.

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