What We Expect From Others?

I found this challenging and helpful and wanted to give you all the opportunity to read it!!! God Bless, Eric

My Utmost for His Highest - July 14

The Account With Persecution
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But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil; but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." "

Matthew 5:39

These verses reveal the humiliation of being a Christian. Naturally, if a man does not hit back, it is because he is a coward; but spiritually if a man does not hit back, it is a manifestation of the Son of God in him. When you are insulted, you must not only not resent it, but make it an occasion to exhibit the Son of God. You cannot imitate the disposition of Jesus; it is either there or it is not. To the saint personal insult becomes the occasion of revealing the incredible sweetness of the Lord Jesus.

The teaching of the Sermon on the Mount is not - Do your duty, but - Do what is not your duty. It is not your duty to go the second mile, to turn the other cheek, but Jesus says if we are His disciples we shall always do these things. There will be no spirit of - "Oh, well, I cannot do any more, I have been so misrepresented and misunderstood." Every time I insist upon my rights, I hurt the Son of God; whereas I can prevent Jesus from being hurt if I take the blow myself. That is the meaning of filling up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ. The disciple realizes that it is his Lord's honour that is at stake in his life, not his own honour.

Never look for right in the other man, but never cease to be right yourself. We are always looking for justice; the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount is - Never look for justice, but never cease to give it.

I need to remind us all that our flesh is incapable of producing such a mindset. It is the fruit of Christ in us that gives us the desire and ability to turn the other cheek and go the extra mile!

"In Him"

“In Him” that is really all you need to know. If you correctly understand these 2 words you correctly understand the gospel. What do I mean? Well I was just studying Philippians 3:9 which says “and may be found in Him not having a righteousness of my own…” I have been studying this section for 2 weeks now. Today as I went to read through it again those 2 words just stuck out. “In Him” we are either found in Him or we are still trying to accomplish something on our own. Earn our way, buy our way, perform our way into righteousness. The problem is that the righteousness that is of God only comes from God in Him(Christ). There is nothing (no thing) we can do that produces righteousness before God. So my question was what does it really mean to be found in Him? I am just going to list a few verses and let the scripture speak for itself.

1 Corinthians 1:4-9 “I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

2 Corinthians 5:21 “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

Ephesians 1:3-4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love”

Ephesians 1:13 “In Him you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,”

Colossians 2:6-10 “Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;”

Grace is given in Christ. You are enriched with everything you need in Christ. You become the righteousness of God in Christ. We have every spiritual blessing in Christ. We are chose in Christ. We are sealed in Christ. We walk in Christ. We are rooted and built up in Christ. All of the fullness (completeness) of God dwells in Christ. In Christ we are made complete (or full). Are you getting the picture? Christianity really is a person and not a set of religious principles! Are you living in that truth. As Paul said do we see all other things as garbage compared to knowing Him.

New Camp 2008

Thanks to all for a great week of camp. We had a great time, made new friends, and most significantly we sat under the teaching of the Word of God. Judging from your feedback God was at work doing what only He can do. Challenging, correcting, encouraging, teaching, and growing. I hope you are taking some time to process what God may have been saying to you. As we were reminded if you haven't been already, expect that life will soon give you a good squeezin. When it does allow Jesus to be Jesus in you! We can't, He never said we could. He can and He always said He would. I love you guys! Enjoy the pics!
God Bless,
Eric

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