From a place of Victory

 The apostle Paul teaches that believers come from a place of victory, which is found in their faith in Christ. Here are a few points that illustrate God's hand in this victory, using the biblical acronym "ENEMY":

E: God has "enlightened" believers to the truth of the gospel and given them the knowledge and wisdom they need to overcome the lies of the enemy (Ephesians 1:17-18).

N: God has "nourished" believers with His Word, providing them with the spiritual sustenance they need to grow in their faith and withstand the attacks of the enemy (Matthew 4:4).

E: God has "empowered" believers with His Holy Spirit, who enables them to live according to His will and empowers them to overcome the works of the enemy (Acts 1:8).

M: God has "made" believers into a new creation through their faith in Christ, freeing them from the power of sin and death and equipping them for victory (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Y: God has "yielded" the victory to believers through Christ, who triumphed over the enemy on the cross and has granted them access to the abundant life and eternal blessings that come through Him (1 Corinthians 15:57).

Overall, the Bible teaches that believers can experience victory over the enemy through their faith in Christ, who has already secured the ultimate victory on their behalf. By relying on God's enlightenment, nourishment, empowerment, transformation, and yieldedness, believers can live in the fullness of this victory and overcome any obstacle that comes their way.

From His hand, comes our victory: crushing the enemy's head through faith in Christ."

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L.O.V.E. - Leading Others with Value and Encouragement

L.O.V.E. - Leading Others with Value and Encouragement

L - Leading: Christians are called to be leaders in the world by serving and showing love to others.

O - Others: The focus of love should be on others, not just ourselves.

V - Value: We should value others as God's creations and treat them with respect and dignity.

E - Encouragement: We should use our words and actions to encourage and build up one another, especially in difficult times.

You are Kadosh (Set Apart)

 Kadosh is a Hebrew word that means "set apart" or "separate," and is often used in the Old Testament to describe God's holiness and the call to holiness for His people. Here are three prophecies from the Old Testament that use the word kadosh:

1. Isaiah 6:3 - "And they were calling to one another: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.'" This passage describes a vision that Isaiah had of the Lord, and emphasizes the holiness and glory of God.

2. Ezekiel 39:7 - "So I will make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel, and I will not let my holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel." This passage describes a future time when God will restore His people and make His holy name known to the nations.

3. Zechariah 14:20-21 - "On that day 'Holy to the Lord' will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, and the cooking pots in the Lord's house will be like the sacred bowls in front of the altar. Every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be holy to the Lord Almighty, and all who come to sacrifice will take some of the pots and cook in them. And on that day there will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the Lord Almighty.'" This passage describes a time when everything in Jerusalem and Judah will be considered holy to the Lord.

In the New Testament, the concept of kadosh is manifested in various ways, such as in the call to holiness for believers and the recognition of Jesus as the Holy One of God. Here are just three supporting Bible references:

a. 1 Peter 1:15-16 - "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" This passage emphasizes the call to holiness for believers, based on God's own holiness.

b. Luke 1:35 - "The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.'" This passage refers to Jesus as the "holy one" who was born of the Holy Spirit.

c. Acts 4:27 - "Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed." This passage refers to Jesus as God's "holy servant."

In conclusion, the concept of kadosh is an important one in the Bible, and is closely tied to the idea of holiness and the call to live a life that is set apart for God's purposes. As believers, we are called to be holy and to honor God's holiness in all that we do. This means living a life of moral purity, seeking to reflect God's character and values in every aspect of our lives, and recognizing the holiness of Jesus as the Son of God. Let us therefore strive to be kadosh, as God is kadosh.

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Advancing God's Kingdom on Earth

The building God's kingdom is a central theme throughout the Bible, and there are numerous verses that encourage Christians to participate in this mission. Here are a few examples:

1. Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

2. Matthew 28:18-20 - "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'"

3. Mark 1:15 - "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!"

4. Luke 9:2 - "And he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick."

5. Acts 1:8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

These verses (and many others) urge Christians to actively participate in building God's kingdom on earth by spreading the gospel, making disciples, and engaging in acts of love and service towards others. The specific ways in which this mission is carried out may vary depending on a person's individual gifts and calling, but the underlying goal remains the same: to bring glory to God and to advance his kingdom on earth.

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Consequences of Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus

 Here are a few consequences of Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus, as recorded in the Bible:

1. The betrayal led directly to Jesus' arrest and subsequent crucifixion, which was a pivotal moment in Christian theology and salvation history. (Matthew 26:47-56, 27:1-26)

2. Judas' actions led to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah being betrayed by a close associate. (Psalm 41:9, Zechariah 11:12-13)

3. After his betrayal, Judas experienced deep regret and remorse, but ultimately committed suicide rather than seeking forgiveness or reconciliation. (Matthew 27:3-10)

4. Judas' actions led to the need for a replacement among the apostles, which was ultimately filled by Matthias. (Acts 1:15-26)

These consequences highlight the seriousness and gravity of Judas' betrayal, and suggest that his actions had far-reaching spiritual and historical implications. They also underscore the importance of faithfulness and loyalty among Jesus' followers, and the need for all of us to carefully consider the consequences of our actions and choices.

Consider your choices, face the truth, repent to Christ - the only way to be made anew!

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The Shema calls us to active Obedience

 Active obedience refers to the idea of actively living out one's faith through actions and deeds that reflect one's beliefs and values. In the context of the Shema, active obedience means not only hearing the words but also living out the commandment to love and serve God with all one's heart, soul, and might. This involves actively seeking to follow God's commandments, to live according to His will, and to serve others in love and compassion.

Active obedience is an important concept in many religious traditions, including Judaism and Christianity. It is based on the idea that faith is not just a matter of belief or personal conviction but also involves a commitment to action and service. Active obedience is a way of expressing one's faith in concrete and tangible ways and is an important part of living a life that is pleasing to God.

Don't just hear it, live it! The Shema calls us to active obedience.

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Perseverance through patience

 Jesus' display of patience and how following his example leads us to eternal life:

I. Jesus' display of patience

A. Enduring temptation in the wilderness for 40 days (Matthew 4:1-11)

B. Forgiving his persecutors on the cross (Luke 23:34)

C. Waiting for God's timing before beginning his public ministry (John 2:4)

II. The importance of following Jesus' example of patience

A. Patience leads to spiritual growth and maturity (James 1:4)

B. Patience is necessary for enduring trials and hardships (James 1:12)

C. Patience demonstrates faith in God's plan and timing (Hebrews 6:15)

III. How following Jesus' example of patience leads to eternal life

A. Patience in persevering in faith leads to salvation (Matthew 24:13)

B. Patience in doing good works leads to eternal rewards (Galatians 6:9)

C. Patience in waiting for the Lord's coming leads to eternal glory (James 5:7-8)

Perseverance with patience, follow Jesus' way. Endure for eternity, starting today!

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