GREENE STREET LETTERS: GIVE IN----GIVE UP----OR GET ON

Thursday, November 3, 2022

GIVE IN----GIVE UP----OR GET ON

Funny how God repeats Himself in scripture. Is He forgetful? Nope we are. Well, maybe not so much forgetful as we are dull of hearing. I was reading in Revelation this morning about the seven churches that were sent letters. At the end of each letter, there was the same closing statement. "TO HIM WHO OVERCOMES."

Strange isn't it? That the statement carries with it the idea of resistance, as if things, people or situations would arise that would try to hinder or stop God's word from moving forward. The other thing that caught my brain was the phrase "To him." As if this were an individual mandate even though the letter was addressed to the church.

If you want to get to the heart of the matter when it comes to relationship with Christ, we have an enemy who wants to attack us on so many levels. Probably the greatest attack is when he seeks to take our life. If the devil can't kill you, he will throw things into your daily life trying to get you to "Give in" and operate in the ways of this world. Romans 12:2 tells us that we are not to be Conformed to this world. Some versions of scripture read that we are not to be conformed to the patterns (or way of living) of this world. He wants us to give in and simply become one of the blind souls that follow his dictates and instructions which are given to feed our flesh (sin-nature).

If the devil cannot get us to give in....he will do his best to get us to give up. Have you ever been to this place where life is so hard and you are so tired that you just want to give up? I have stood at the edge of this pit more times than I can count. But God in His faithfulness always draws me away and turns my attention to Himself and His word. Such a turning always reenergizes me to get away from the "giving up" place as fast as I can. I turn my mind and my heart to Him as I pray and read from His world.

The last part of this spiritual equation of "give in - give up" is the best piece of instruction a body could receive from God. GET ON! Get on with His kingdom business that is a part of our daily lives. Telling our story, being there for others, encouraging one another to not give up or give in. TO make sure that those around us don't fall prey to the age old trap set by the devil.

SO where do you live today spiritually? Are you ready to give in and live according to the world's directives? Are you so broken and battered that you are ready to give up? Or do you feel that flame inside you given by God that whispers "GET ON."

Don't let the enemy rob you of what God is growing you into. Don't let the process of following God be halted by having your attention turned from Him so you can gaze and long for the things of this world.

Think on this today, and as always......God on you!

Michael b

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Looking At The World Through Cracked Lens

As ol' Paul wrote in his Corinthian letters.."We see in part and we know in part." Now what piece of this bit of wisdom do we not get? I wish to not run around acting and trying to be some sort of Biblical G00-Ru (I meant to spell it wrong). Or a sage of sages.

I simply want to be able to communicate some of what God has given to me. Why? Do I think what I get is better than what you may have received from Him? Nope. But I do think encouragement comes when we share our daily story of struggle and victory in an effort to encourage each other.

Thanks for letting me share.

Time to soldier on..

mbb

Our Statement of Faith

We believe that God is the eternal king. He is an infinite, unchangeable Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, goodness, justice, power and love. From all eternity He exists as the One Living and True God in three persons of one substance, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit equal in power and glory. we believe that God created mankind in His image, male and female, for relationship with Himself and to govern the earth. Under the temptation of Satan, our original parents fell from grace, bringing sin, sickness and God's judgment of death to the earth. Through the fall, Satan and his demonic hosts gained access to God's good creation. Creation now experiences the consequences and effects of Adam's original sin. Human beings are born into sin, subject to God's judgment of death and captive to Satan's kingdom of darkness. We believe that Jesus, God's Son, was sent to this world, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, Mary, fully God and fully man in one person. He is humanity as God intended us to be. Jesus was anointed as God's Messiah and empowered by the Holy Spirit, ushering in God's kingdom reign on earth, overpowering the reign of Satan by resisting temptation, preaching the good news of salvation, healing the sick, casting out demons and raising the dead. Jesus' atoning death on the cross took God's judgment for sin which we deserved as law-breakers. Jesus' resurrection and ascent back to heaven opened the door for those who received salvation to begin a relationship with God.

Little Nets Into Deep Waters

Fishing nets were designed for one purpose only. To catch fish. Nets are no good if they stay on the boat. Nets serve no purpose if they are never used. I think maybe God sees us this way. We are all created for a purpose (by the way, the creator gets to define what our purpose is). Any other use besides the one we were created for does us no good. But when the creator places His hands upon us, casting us out into those scary, dark places with deep waters, it is then we can see the reality of our purpose. He knew there would be a catch waiting for us. I think I will be the net God has called me to be.

The Twelve Steps

As a community of people in recovery, we affirm that our higher power is Jesus Christ. He did for us what we could not do for ourselves. Just as God told the children of Israel He was going to give them a promised land, He has revealed to us that He desires to give us a "Promised Life." When Israel got to the promised land, God instructed them to go and in a possess it, fight for it and claim it. In recovery, the 12 Steps are the directions given to us on how to fight, possess and claim this promised life.

Thursday, November 3, 2022

GIVE IN----GIVE UP----OR GET ON

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THE REALITY OF THE NAME OF GOD