Author Archives: finishingwithlampsburning
God’s Christmas Gift for You!
God loves you and me so much that He sent His Son Jesus to earth as a human baby with the purpose of living a perfect life and dying a cruel death to pay the penalty for our sins. Whosoever believes His death and resurrection were for them receives His perfect life and substitutional death and resurrection accredited to their account. This Christmas will you accept God’s gift of the Christ child for you?
John 3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Why should there be joy at Christmas?
We cannot consider Christmas without also considering the crucifixion and the resurrection. Each event was part of the plan. Why would there be joy at Christmas if it cost Jesus so much?
The angels’ reason for Christmas – Luke 2:8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
The tidings were good. The tidings were of great joy. The tidings were for all people. The tidings were of peace on earth between God and His rebellious creation. The tidings were of good will from God toward men. God’s solution to our sin problem. What do the tidings mean to you?
God’s reason for Christmas – Galatians 4:4But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Here again we see evidence of a plan, a purpose, a Person. What does your relationship with God, your Creator and Savior, mean to you?
Philippians 2: 5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
What do the actions of Jesus Christ mean to you?
Why Should He Love Me So? -Robert Harkness, 1924
Love sent my savior to die in my stead; Why should He love me so?
Meekly to Calvary’s cross He was led; Why should He love me so?
Nails pierced His hands and His feet for my sin; Why should He love me so?
He suffered sore my salvation to win; Why should He love me so?
O how He agonized there in my place; Why should He love me so?
Nothing withholding my sin to efface; Why should He love me so?
Refrain
Why should He love me so? Why should He love me so?
Why should my Savior to Calvary go? Why should He love me so?
Dearly Beloved,
Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!
Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!
Run in His strength alone!
Run with your eyes on the prize!
Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!
Run with the desire to finish strong!
Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!
Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!
Run to His glory alone!
Run and keep on running!
Coach Patti
What price did Jesus Christ pay for the free gifts He offers you and me?
What price did Jesus Christ pay for the free gifts He offers you and me?
Some of the free gifts Jesus Christ offers you and me include:
Salvation = freedom from the penalty of sin; freedom from the pattern and habit of sin; and someday freedom from the very presence of sin
Justification = standing before God just as if we had not sinned
Reconciliation = made compatible to God
Redemption = bought back from slavery to our sin nature with faults and shortcomings offset
Propitiation = completely satisfied conciliation with all distrust and hostility gone and given favor with God
Regeneration = revived; renewed; restored; made over especially in a better form
Sanctification = consecrated and set apart; rendered legitimate; made productive
Translation = changed in form, condition, nature and position; moved from the power of darkness into the kingdom of Jesus Christ
Kingdom = realm or sphere of independent control; the domain over which the spiritual sovereignty of Jesus Christ extends, whether in heaven or on earth.
What are the physical costs Jesus Christ paid for your free gifts?
He was accused – Matthew 27
12And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
He was ridiculed and mocked
Matthew 27:
27Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.
28And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
29And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
30And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
31And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.
Matthew 27:
35And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
36And sitting down they watched him there;
Mark 15:
31Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.
32Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.
Luke 23:
35And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
36And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
37And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
He was scourged
Matthew 27:
26Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
Mark 15:
15And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.
16And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.
17And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,
18And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!
19And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.
20And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.
John 19:
1Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.
He was crucified
Matthew 27:
31And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.
Mark 15:
20And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.
Luke 23”
33And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
John 19:
15But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.
16Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.
He bled
Luke 22:
41And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
42Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
43And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
44And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
John 19:
32Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.
33But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
34But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
He was thirsty – John 19:
28After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
What are the Emotional costs Jesus paid for your free gifts?
Jesus felt compassion – John 19:
26When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother,Woman, behold thy son!
27Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
Jesus felt forgiveness – Luke 23:
34Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Jesus felt forsaken by God –Matthew 27:
46And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Questions for reflection
- What do these free gifts mean to you?
- What does the cost Jesus Christ paid for your free gifts mean to you?
- How does this information impact your Christmas celebration?
Wounded for me – William Ovens
Wounded for me, wounded for me, There on the cross He was wounded for me;
Gone my transgressions, and now I am free, All because Jesus was wounded for me.
Dying for me, dying for me, There on the cross He was dying for me;
Now in His death my redemption I see, All because Jesus was dying for me.
Risen for me, risen for me, Up from the grave He has risen for me;
Now evermore from death’s sting I am free, All because Jesus has risen for me.
Living for me, living for me, Up in the skies He is living for me;
Daily He’s pleading and praying for me, All because Jesus is living for me.
Coming for me, coming for me, One day to earth He is coming for me;
Then with what joy His dear face I shall see, Oh, how I praise Him—He’s coming for me!
Dearly Beloved,
Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!
Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!
Run in His strength alone!
Run with your eyes on the prize!
Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!
Run with the desire to finish strong!
Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!
Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!
Run to His glory alone!
Run and keep on running!
Coach Patti
Jesus Christ offers you 8 free gifts! – #8
Gift #8 Translation
When you choose to receive the free gift of salvation, you are given automatically at least seven more free gifts. The free gift of salvation is the only one you must choose. All the others are given freely to you when you choose salvation.
Translated =to change form, condition, nature; to move from one position to another
Kingdom = realm or sphere of independent control; the domain over which the spiritual sovereignty pf Jesus Christ extends, whether in heaven or on earth.
A kingdom change requires a new ruler, new laws, new citizenship, new allegiance, a new destiny.
Not under the law but under grace
Citizenship in Heaven
No longer a slave to the sin nature but now contain a new nature
Jesus Christ is preparing an eternal dwelling place with Him for you and me
You and I are delivered from the power of darkness translated into the kingdom of Jesus Colossians 1:
12Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they bethrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
What do you understand the power of darkness to be? Is it your sin nature? Is it the enemy’s wiles?
What does it mean to you to have citizenship in the kingdom of Jesus Christ?
Philippians 3:
17Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example.
18(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
20For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Subdue = conquer; overpower; bring into subjection
What does receiving a new body mean to you?
How much power must Jesus have to subdue all things unto Himself?
Can there be any room for fear?
I’m a Child of the King – Harriet Buell, 1877
- My Father is rich in houses and lands, He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands!
Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold, His coffers are full, He has riches untold.- Refrain:
I’m a child of the King, A child of the King:
With Jesus my Savior, I’m a child of the King.
- Refrain:
- My Father’s own Son, the Savior of men, Once wandered on earth as the poorest of them;
But now He is pleading our pardon on high, That we may be His, when He comes by and by.
- I once was an outcast stranger on earth, A sinner by choice, an alien by birth,
But I’ve been adopted, my name’s written down, An heir to a mansion, a robe and a crown.
- A tent or a cottage, why should I care? They’re building a palace for me over there;
Though exiled from home, yet still may I sing: All glory to God, I’m a child of the King.
Dearly Beloved,
Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!
Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!
Run in His strength alone!
Run with your eyes on the prize!
Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!
Run with the desire to finish strong!
Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!
Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!
Run to His glory alone!
Run and keep on running!
Coach Patti
Jesus Christ offers you 8 free gifts! – #7
Gift #7 Sanctification
When you choose to receive the free gift of salvation, you are given automatically at least seven more free gifts. The free gift of salvation is the only one you must choose. All the others are given freely to you when you choose salvation.
Sanctify = to consecrate and set apart; to render legitimate; to make productive
You and I are legitimately saved from the penalty of our sins; justified before God; reconciled to our Creator, redeemed from slavery to sin; regenerated with a new nature and spiritual birth by the propitiation Jesus Christ gave for us.
There should be an obvious difference in our lives demonstrated by the choices you and I make.
Jesus Christ is actively involved in making you and me more like Himself and more useful to Him and the advancement of His kingdom.
1 Thessalonians 4:
3For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
4That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
5Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
6That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in anymatter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
7For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
Help for possessing yourself in honor includes:
Study the Bible daily
Pray always about everything
Fellowship with other Christians
Remember your enemy wants to steal your earthly inheritance, ruin your testimony and take down others with you. His weapon is always lies.
John gives this instruction for living in this fallen creation -1 John 3:
1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Are you hoping Jesus Christ will appear?
Do you desire to be like Him?
What steps are you taking to live purely in His sight?
Paul gives more information about the process in Romans 5:
1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Where would you say your current circumstances put you in this process?
Are you in tribulation?
Do you know peace?
Are you developing patience?
Are you feeling no shame?
Do you know God’s love?
Tell it to Jesus! He loves you and cares!
Dearly Beloved,
Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!
Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!
Run in His strength alone!
Run with your eyes on the prize!
Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!
Run with the desire to finish strong!
Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!
Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!
Run to His glory alone!
Run and keep on running!
Coach Patti
Jesus Christ offers you 8 free gifts!-#6
Gift #6 Regeneration
When you choose to receive the free gift of salvation, you are given automatically at least seven more free gifts. The free gift of salvation is the only one you must choose. All the others are given freely to you when you choose salvation.
Regenerated = revived; renewed; restored; made over especially in a better form
Jesus Christ gives you and me a new birth spiritually and a new nature that desires to please and obey Him rather than rebel against Him. Sure we still have our rebellious sin nature but now we do not have to obey it. We are free to choose which nature to feed. Jesus Christ makes us new!
Remember the discussion Jesus Christ had with Nicodemus recorded in John 3:
3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
What does it mean to you to be given sight for the kingdom of God?
What does it mean to you to have entered the kingdom of God?
What does it mean to you to have a new birth? You have a new nature, one that wants to serve and obey Jesus rather than rebel against Him.
Titus puts it this way recorded in Titus 3:
3For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
4But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
You and I are regenerated because of Jesus’ love for you and me and because of His mercy.
What does the love of Jesus for you mean to you?
What does the mercy of Jesus for you mean to you?
You and I also have the Comforter, our own personal Guide to all truth shed abundantly on us by Jesus Christ
Paul says it this way recorded in 2 Corinthians 5: 17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
The person you were before you chose to receive the free gift of salvation is gone. You have been regenerated, made new and all things about your person are being made new. What does that mean to you?
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine – Fanny Crosby
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine; Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
Refrain
This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect submission, perfect delight, Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending, bring from above Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
Perfect submission, all is at rest, I in my Savior am happy and blest;
Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
Dearly Beloved,
Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!
Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!
Run in His strength alone!
Run with your eyes on the prize!
Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!
Run with the desire to finish strong!
Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!
Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!
Run to His glory alone!
Run and keep on running!
Coach Patti
Gift #4 post script
When Paul talked about redemption, Jesus Christ buying us out of slavery to sin, he also talked about forgiveness. Do you realize you and I are completely forgiven of all sins – those we have committed and those we will commit?
Ephesians 1:6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Regret is a hard emotion. Some things we wish we had done or had not done. Some things we wish we had said or had not said. Hind sight is so good. All is forgiven by God, our Creator and Redeemer. Yes, you and I may feel regret. But we can not undo what has been done. We can not take back words that were said or should have been said; deeds that were done or should have been done. But we see Jesus Christ. He has completely forgiven us!
Jesus Christ is all knowing, all powerful, all good. He is able to take our mistakes and use them for good and to bring glory to Himself. Even our wrong choices? Even our sins? Notice there are no exceptions – Romans 8:28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Jesus Christ can and will use our mistakes for good!
What does that mean to you?
Can you think of a Biblical example of Jesus overturning some one’s mistake?
What about Paul? What about Jonah? What about Moses?
Dearly Beloved,
Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!
Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!
Run in His strength alone!
Run with your eyes on the prize!
Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!
Run with the desire to finish strong!
Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!
Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!
Run to His glory alone!
Run and keep on running!
Coach Patti
Jesus Christ offers you 8 free gifts! – #5
Gift #5 Propitiation
When you choose to receive the free gift of salvation, you are given automatically at least seven more free gifts. The free gift of salvation is the only one you must choose. All the others are given freely to you when you choose salvation.
Propitiation = the act of conciliation; to overcome distrust and hostility; to gain favor and make compatible; to reconcile
What does it mean to you to gain favor with God, to have all distrust removed and to be compatible and reconciled to God?
John says it this way in 1 John 2: 1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
What do you think John’s words mean that he is writing so we sin not?
Do you see love in John’s words?
What do you think of God’s love for you?
What does it mean to you that God planned and provided the propitiation not waiting for you and me to change?
God is satisfied with the payment Jesus Christ gave for all your sins and my sins – all the sins we have committed and all the sins you and I will commit in the future. The payment for all our sins is paid in full. You and I have no more debt owed to God requiring payment for breaking His laws.
What difference does the free gift of propitiation make in your daily choices?
Jesus Paid It All – Elvina Hall, 2865
- I hear the Savior say, “Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in Me thine all in all.”- Refrain:
Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,He washed it white as snow.
- Refrain:
- For nothing good have I Whereby Thy grace to claim;
I’ll wash my garments white In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb. - And now complete in Him, My robe, His righteousness,
Close sheltered ’neath His side, I am divinely blest. - Lord, now indeed I find Thy pow’r, and Thine alone,
Can change the *leper’s spots [*leopard’s] And melt the heart of stone. - When from my dying bed My ransomed soul shall rise,
“Jesus died my soul to save,” Shall rend the vaulted skies. - And when before the throne I stand in Him complete,
I’ll lay my trophies down, All down at Jesus’ feet.
Dearly Beloved,
Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!
Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!
Run in His strength alone!
Run with your eyes on the prize!
Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!
Run with the desire to finish strong!
Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!
Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!
Run to His glory alone!
Run and keep on running!
Coach Patti
Jesus Christ offers you 8 free gifts!-#4
Gift #4 Redemption
When you choose to receive the free gift of salvation, you are given automatically at least seven more free gifts. The free gift of salvation is the only one you must choose. All the others are given freely to you when you choose salvation.
Jesus Christ is your Redeemer. He has redeemed you from the slavery to sin.
Redeem = to buy back, to recover by payment, to offset faults and shortcomings
Paul says it this way in Ephesians 1:
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
OK! There are lots of nuggets of truth and information in these verses. Let’s examine them.
Notice that Paul calls these ‘spiritual blessings’. In the spirit world you have an enemy who wants to steal your inheritance, ruin your testimony and take others down with you. Jesus Christ is stronger than that enemy and He stands ready to help you.
How aware are you about your enemy and his tactics to cause you grief, sorrow, regret and sin?
Jesus Christ chose you before He made the world so you could be blameless and holy in His love before Him. Have you thought about seeing Him face-to-face?
What does it mean to you to be chosen by Jesus Christ before He even made the world?
What does it mean to you knowing you will be in His physical presence holy and blameless?
Jesus Christ predestined you to be His adopted child because your relationship to Him gives Him pleasure.
What does it mean to you to be predestined by Jesus Christ?
What does it mean to you to be adopted into God’s family?
What difference should that make in your daily living?
You are seen in Jesus Christ and accepted because He has lived a perfect life and died the cruel crucifixion to pay the penalty for your sins.
What does it mean to you to be accepted by God, your Creator?
Why do you think Paul included all these others truths in his telling about the Redeemer?
Your redemption from slavery to sin was purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ, your Redeemer
You still have your sin nature which makes you want to rebel against God’s best for you.
But you are free from slavery to sin – you can choose not to sin.
Your Redeemer even provides a remedy for your wrong choices. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it! – Fanny Crosby, 1882
Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy, His child and forever I am.
Refrain
Redeemed, redeemed, Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed, His child and forever I am.
Redeemed, and so happy in Jesus, No language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence With me doth continually dwell.
Refrain
I think of my blessèd Redeemer, I think of Him all the day long:
I sing, for I cannot be silent; His love is the theme of my song.
Refrain
I know there’s a crown that is waiting, In yonder bright mansion for me,
And soon, with the spirits made perfect, At home with the Lord I shall be.
Refrain
Dearly Beloved,
Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!
Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!
Run in His strength alone!
Run with your eyes on the prize!
Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!
Run with the desire to finish strong!
Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!
Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!
Run to His glory alone!
Run and keep on running!
Coach Patti
Jesus Christ offers you 8 free gifts!-#3
Gift #3 Reconciliation
When you choose to receive the free gift of salvation, you are given automatically at least seven more free gifts. The free gift of salvation is the only one you must choose. All the others are given freely to you when you choose salvation.
Reconciliation = the process of making compatible.
Imagine! Jesus Christ gives you the free gift of reconciliation with your Creator, the One Who designed you; the One Who gave you all your unique characteristics, personality, strengths and limitations. This means you can approach Him, talk to Him, share the moments of your life with Him.
What does it mean to you to be reconciled to God, your Creator?
How does this reconciliation impact your life?
Paul says reconciliation demonstrates His love for you – Romans 5:8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Everyone who chooses not to receive the free gift of salvation will be subjected to God’s wrath. But reconciliation restores the right relationship your Creator intended to have with you. You become a new person with an assignment to tell others about the available reconciliation.
1 Corinthians 5:17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
You and I are reconciled to God because Jesus Christ made peace for us.
Colossians 1:18And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
19For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
20And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
21And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
When Jesus Christ finishes His work in you and me we will be unblameable and unreproveable in His sight!
unblameable = Not deserving of fault
unreproveable = Not deserving of criticism or correction
When you consider things you have done wrong, intentionally or unintentionally, how do you feel to be unblameable and unreprovable?
Dearly Beloved,
Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!
Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!
Run in His strength alone!
Run with your eyes on the prize!
Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!
Run with the desire to finish strong!
Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!
Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!
Run to His glory alone!
Run and keep on running!
Coach Patti
Finishing With Lamps Burning 