WE ARE LIKE SHEEP

As humans we are naturally inclined to scatter, to wander about
in our own way. Christ brings us together into Him, as a shepherd
with his sheep. He took the punishment for our selfish and sinful
ways, and made it as if we had never strayed. Jesus Christ was
innocent but became sin for us, so that we, as sinners, would be
declared innocent before God.

Heavenly Father, there is no way we can repay the sacrifice you
made for us. We can only give our lives to you, and as we do, we
ask that you make us more like you. In Jesus' name.

Read Isaiah 53:6

"We all like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his
own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (NIV)

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his
own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." (KJV)
    
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SAME LOVE FOR ALL

Jesus tells us in the Word that we are to imitate the love of
God by showing the same love to our enemies. He showed
His love to us when we were His enemies. He brings to all,
the good and the bad, sunshine and rain to bring bountiful
harvest in the earth. We are called to be like Him.

Heavenly Father, only by your grace can we love those who
are unlovable. We desire to be like you and accept your grace
to love both good and ungodly people. In Jesus' name.

Read Matthew 5:45

"...that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes
His sun to rise on the evil and the good; and sends rain on the
righteous and the unrighteous." (NIV)

"That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven:
for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and
sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." (KJV)
    
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REFINING THE CHRISTIAN

We have learned how silver and gold is purified by the refiner's
fire; how it separates the purity from the impurity. So it is when
we are given praise by others. Our response will show what is in
our hearts. Are we prideful, feeling superior, and self-satisfied?
O are we even more humbled and willing to be given and poured
out for the honor of God?

Heavenly Father, may we never be puffed up by praise, but let
it give us motivation to ever be busying ourselves with seeking
to glorify your name. In Jesus' name.

Read Proverbs 27:21

"The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested
by the praise he receives." (NIV)

"As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man
to his praise." (KJV)


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SLAVE OR MASTER?

There are corrupt, sinful people who make every effort to persuade
the spiritually weak or those new to the Faith to follow them and to
persuade them the believe they will be free. These vile people can't
provide freedom to anyone, since they are prisoners of their own sin.
We are all slaves to whatever or whoever masters us.

Read 2 Peter 2:19

"They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of
depravity--for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him." (NIV)

"While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants
of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he
brought in bondage." (KJV)
    
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WE ARE STRANGERS HERE

God judges impartially, so we are judged with the same set of criteria
that all men are judged. As Christians, we live our lives totally different
than people of this world, because we are strangers and aliens here.
Therefore we live our lives as Godly people, not taken in by the cares
and ways of this world.

Heavenly Father, help us to live by faith in you and not by the influence
of this world. We ask for strength to live our lives reverently, knowing
we are strangers and aliens in this world and that you are our Judge.
In Jesus' name.

Read 1 Peter 1:17

"Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially,
live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear." (NIV)

"And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth
according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear." (KJV)

   
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BE CAREFUL

We are to be careful about who we choose as our Christian leaders.
They must have proven themselves in Godliness and faithfulness. We
are to be careful not to overlook and condone those of our fellow believers who are engaging in sin. That makes us as guilty as they are. We are to walk in the Holy Spirit so that we remain unstained by the world.

Heavenly Father, give us wisdom to choose those who teach and lead us, strength to call those fellow Christians who are doing wrong to acount, and to keep ourselves pure. In Jesus' name.

Read 1 Timothy 5:22

"Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure." (NIV)

"Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure." (KJV)

    
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SET FREE

God's Word is clear that, as Christians, we are set free from the mastery of sin to become slaves of the Master. There is no middle ground, where we can be our own masters. We are slaves of sin or we are slaves of Christ. The lives we live will reveal who our master is.

Heavenly Father, we thank you that your yoke is easy and your burden
light. We thank you always that you bought us as slaves with your blood and we are free from sin. In Jesus' name.

Read Romans 6:18

"You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
(NIV)

"Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness." (KJV)

    
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