[Faith-talk] Morning Thoughts: Tuesday, June 28

[Amy Ragain]

Morning Thoughts for Tuesday, June 28, 2011
> 
> 1 John 2:1-14 (NASB)
> Christ Is Our Advocate
> [2:1] My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an *Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; [2] and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.
> [3]  By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. [4] The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; [5] but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: [6] the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.
> [7]  Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. [8] On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining. [9] The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. [10] The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. [11] But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
> [12]  I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name's sake. [13] I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. [14] I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
> 
> Good morning Father, Savior, Holy Spirit!!  You and You alone are the author of my salvation.  In Your hands rests the eternal future of my soul.  There is no other power in, on, under or over the earth that can come anywhere near to matching Yours, nor Your Love, nor Your Compassion!!  And Father, there is no other power that has set a standard so high as Yours.  I am totally unable to achieve that standard, in spite of my best efforts, and all the supplements, devices and ways that the mind of man can imagine.  I have come to the realization that the only way to please You is to simply love You with all my heart, mind, strength and soul, and to love those whom You bring across my path, just as You first loved me.  Father, You have taught me that to love someone means to provide for their security in You and to protect them from all of the arrows of the enemy - the one who would steal their souls and confine them to hell for all eternity.  Protection, even if it costs my life.  Father, I cannot do this.  Only You, in me, have the power to love to that extent.  I am Yours, Lord.  Do with me what You Will.  I Love You, Father, Son, Holy Spirit!!!  Amen, and so be it!!
> 
> Good morning precious family!!  Remember yesterday?  I talked with you about secret sins, and had to continue to this morning.  This is it, in a nutshell.  The solution I have found that works best for me.  Maybe it will for you too.  To start, I have to tell you that I have battled sin all my life, succumbing to it more often than I want to admit.  The hardest thing for me to do was to realize I simply don't have the capability within me to win.  I am not strong enough to do battle with Satan.  There is only One who is, and He is my Savior, Jesus Christ.  His Holy Spirit has been whispering in my soul to fulfill the two great commandments and let Jesus handle Satan.  For me, the answer has been to focus all my energy on loving God first, and loving you second.  Loving God begins with staying in His Word, praying, and staying in fellowship with others who do, whenever possible.  Christian radio, fellowship groups, accountability partners, my Godly wife, they all help.  The more of my time with Jesus, the less there is for Satan to attack.  But what about those times when I'm alone?  
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> I've asked God to give me a purpose that is all-consuming, and gradually He laid out my mission.  I'm currently on assignment to reach by writing, and to build relationships based on responses to those writings, for the purpose of encouragements for walking the journey God has set for each of us.  My heart is with those who, for whatever reason, do not have an earthly father in their lives, whether through death, abandonment, abuse, or neglect.  I know I cannot be that missing father, but I can do what I can.  This is a consuming fire in me, and as long as I am focused on it, the desire to veer off-track in my own selfishness, pride and lusts diminishes.  
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> I am committed to the belief that God has a specific mission for every believer, and I also believe that most, like me, shy away from asking for that assignment.  Shying away from our God-given responsibilities opens wide, the door for Satan to walk through, penetrating our beings, even down to our souls.  We can lock Satan out, but not in our own strength.  We must rely on God, through His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, which God sent to us for the very purpose of equipping us for the mission of our lives.  
> 
> Most of you reading this message know God, His Son, at least some of His Word (the Bible), and are acquainted with His Holy Spirit.  This is an army of power, standing at the ready, waiting for you to call upon them to lead the way as you venture forth on your journey, in faith.  Your only responsibility is to listen, learn and obey.
> 
> Father, in the Name of Jesus, I pray that those who read these words will receive hope, encouragement, and motivation to seek You and Your Will for their lives, for their next assignment and adventure.  May all the glory be Yours, Lord, that You may be pleased in what You see, hear, and feel.  In Your Holy Name, Jesus Christ, I pray.  Amen.
> 
> With great love, hope and faith in Jesus Christ, 
> 
> <3Steve:-))
> 
> PS: Wherever you are, to our daughter Star, may you know we love and miss you every day, and constantly pray for the day we are reunited in Jesus.  Until then, and on this the 31st anniversary of your birth, we remember you and pray for you with all our love.  Mom & Dad