From:
Date: February 22, 2019
Subject: It's February 22; Good Morning Union
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1
When I look at my spiritual journey and compare it to God’s word, I look for ways that I can determine if I am tracking consistently with this ultimate journey guide. My verse for this morning reminds me of another checkpoint along the way.
How’s my “condemnation factor?” If I’m on track with God, my verse says that I will have no condemnation. So I assume the opposite would also be true. If I AM feeling condemnation them maybe I’m off track on the journey. Grace is a pretty big step in the journey and often misunderstood.
Not that I deserve it, but as I see it condemnation should be instantaneous at worst and last only as long as it takes me to come to Jesus and say, “I’m sorry, please forgive me.” I almost leave off the last part of that expression because I don’t have to plead with Jesus to forgive me—He already has! I simply need to acknowledge my sin and my attitude toward it. Remember 1 John 1:9? “If I confess my sins He is faithful and just to forgive my sins and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness.”
If I’m feeling condemned and I haven’t seen the beauty of forgiveness and cleansing, then I have not fully discovered the joy of being “in Christ Jesus.” To be “in Him” I believe is to acknowledge His grace, my unworthiness, AND the reality of His forgiveness. I might go so far as to say that when I am “in Him” there will be no condemnation because I’m “following the Lamb wherever He goes,” and in that there is no condemnation.
What amazing potential to be in Christ Jesus. What “amazing grace!”
Have a great day realizing forgiveness and acceptance as you “follow the Lamb” and experience “NO condemnation in Him,”
Pastor Rich
Quote for the day: "May your life preach more loudly than your lips." - William Ellery Channing
PS Join Dean Coridan, President of the Iowa-Missouri Conference and the Religion Department as they continue an exploration of the Reformation, the reorganization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1903 and how they relate to us today. We will also compare the true gospel to the false gospel mentioned by Paul in Galatians.
When: 5:30-7:30pm
Where: Woods Auditorium
Worship credit will be given
PPS Family Worship- Power Pac with Yami Bazon, dean of students at La Sierra University. Join us in the church at 7:30 for this amazing lady’s even more amazing presentation on Grace!
PPPS Afterglo by Liz and her BCS friends
In the busyness of today, do something kind for yourself. As easy as it is to get swamped with selfishness, it is just as easy to get trapped in self-hatred. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." Today's challenge is to honor yourself.
Submit a picture of what you did for yourself for your points:)
https://goo.gl/forms/