[Faith-talk] Thoughts for Thursday,

[Amy Ragain]

Subject: Morning Thoughts for Thursday, June 16, 2011
> 
> John 12:41-50 (NASB)
> [41] These things Isaiah said because he saw His glory, and he spoke of Him. [42] Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; [43] for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.
> [44]  And Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me. [45] “He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me. [46] “I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. [47] “If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. [48] “He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. [49] “For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. [50] “I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.”
> 
> Good morning my blessed and precious family!!  How are you today?  Is your soul as fresh and alive as the early morning rays of sun?  Are you fortified with the strength of God's Word in your mind?  If you are reading this, it is testimony to your desire to seek to follow God more closely, and I praise Him for that move of His Holy Spirit in our lives.
> 
> If you are like me, there is a desire deep within your soul to be in communion, at peace, and one with God, yet there always seems to be a struggle, a battle, a war, raging somewhere within.  There is an enemy within each of us - the remnant of our fallen state, sin, selfishness, lust and pride.  Someone once taught that this recurring tendency to sin is like a baseball game.  We are the batter.  The ball is hit and we make it to first base, where we acknowledge the sin that dwells in each of us.  As we slide into second base, we confront the reality of that sin and all of its damage to our souls, our spirits, our relationships, and commit ourselves to turn away from it.  A walk, and we move to third base.  Now is the time for action.  What will we actually do, in the fleshly bodies we inhabit?  Now is the time to put actions to our thoughts and words, to complete the process.  God is waiting at home plate for those of us who will run those last steps - to score, into the waiting arms of our Savior.  The victory is ours!!  Jesus payed the price!!  He coached us with the Father's Words.  But wait, the season is not over.  Tomorrow there will be another "game" against the enemy of God.  Will we be victorious?  It's our choice.
> 
> May God richly bless us, each and everyone, with the presence of His Holy Spirit in our lives, coaching us with the Word of God for every encounter.
> 
> With great love and hope in the faith of our fathers, Jesus Christ,
> 
> <3Steve:-))