Straightway Ministry: May 14, 2013

The Message of the Cross

The only solution for sin, the only answer to sin, is the Cross of Christ!

The Cross of Christ is the foundation principle of all Bibical Doctrine. It is the foundation because it is the first principle of Redemption, brought about in the Mind of God even before the foundation of the world (1 Pet. 1:18-20). This means that every single doctrine must be built on the foundation of Christ and the Cross, or else, in some way, it will be spurious. And that's the problem with the modern Church; in many cases it is building doctrines on other foundation.

Requirement for Salvation: Romans 10:9-10 9)"That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead you shall be saved. 10)For with the heart man believes unto Righteousiness and with the mouth confession is made unto Salvation".

Say outloud this prayer: Lord Jesus I am a sinner, please forgive me and cleanse me from all my sin. I am sorry please come into my heart as Lord and Savior and save me. In Jesus Name I pray. Thank you Jesus right now I am saved.

Let us know if you prayed that prayer and accepted Christ.

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Tuesday, May 14, 2013

The Habit of Rising to the Occasion

Paul speaking to the church in Ephesus says; “… that you may know what is the hope of His (Speaking of Jesus’) calling …” (Ephesians 1:18). Remember that you have been saved so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in your body (see 2 Corinthians 4:10). Direct the total energy of your powers so that you may achieve everything your election as a child of God provides; rise every time to whatever occasion may come your way. You did not do anything to achieve your salvation, but you must do something to exhibit it. You must “work out your own salvation” which God has worked in you already (Philippians 2:12).

Let me ask you: Are your speech, your thinking, and your emotions evidence that you are working it “out”? If you are still the same miserable, grouchy person, set on having your own way, then it is a lie to say that God has saved and sanctified you. God is the Master Designer, and He allows adversities into your life to see if you can jump over them properly—“By my God I can leap over a wall” (Psalm 18:29). God will never shield you from the requirements of being His son or daughter. Listen: 1 Peter 4:12 says, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you … .”

So what does all this mean, it means, rise to the occasion—do what the trial demands of you. It does not matter how much it hurts as long as it gives God the opportunity to manifest the life of Jesus in your body. May God not find complaints in us anymore, but spiritual vitality—a readiness to face anything He brings our way. The only proper goal of life is that we manifest the Son of God; and when this occurs, all of our dictating of our demands to God disappears. Our Lord never dictated demands to His Father, and neither are we to make demands on God. We are here to submit to His will so that He may work through us what He wants. Once we realize this, He will make us broken bread and poured-out wine with which to feed and nourish others.