Like Father, Like Son

“Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does." – John 5:19

In verses 1-15 of Chapter 5, Jesus was accused of violating the Sabbath. In His reply, Jesus said that He cannot act apart from God because of the father/son relationship. And while father/son relationships here on earth may not be perfect, in this relationship, the Son is true to the Father, and must act in accordance with the Will of God. 

The implication here, is that if Jesus is acting in obedience to God's will, then He cannot sin. So if Jesus has violated the Sabbath as accused, so then has the Father.

How often do we hear the Will of God, but act according to the world, for fear that we may stand out? The time is rapidly approaching where we will be called to take sides.  We will choose to either stand with Him, or against Him.

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

War and Peace

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." – Ephesians 6:18-20

> Put on the full armor of God
> For our struggle is not against flesh and blood
> When the day of evil comes, stand your ground
> Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist
> With the breastplate of righteousness in place
> Fit your feet with the readiness
> Take up the shield of faith
> Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit


In warfare, whether it is the first wave of attacks, or the second, third or fourth, if you are not fully prepared, you can be taken out at any time.   But with preparation, intensity and passion, comes the staying power essential for victory.  


Our spiritual enemy is extremely dangerous.  He is patient, cunning and relentless.  And because we can't see him coming, he is much more treacherous.  He comes at you from every direction, searching your soul for weakness. If you prepare with intensity and passion, beginning each day by donning the full armor of God, grounding yourself in the gospel, shielding yourself by faith, girding yourself in truth,  guarding yourself with righteousness, and protecting yourself with the salvation provided through Christ, the enemy is rendered powerless.  


As Christians, we are soldiers for Christ. Prayer polishes our armor, and weakens the enemy. Pray always, unceasingly with supplication. And peace will be with you.

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

A Whack on the Side of the Head

"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." – Ephesians 6:17

A warrior would never go into battle without a helmet to protect his head from blows from the sword or ax. And likewise, a Christian would never allow himself to enter a spiritual battle unprotected, leaving his mind exposed.


In the letter to the Ephesians, Paul is not just writing about salvation, but everything that is based in salvation; which includes all the promises of salvation and the ultimate promise, which is our hope. The hope is that faith founded in salvation, will save us from daily conflict and sustain us through the spiritual battles. And it is the same salvation that delivers us from the penalty of sin, and into God's Kingdom for eternity.

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.