Widening My Borders

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Freedom From Sin

Verse:  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which (who live in union) are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:2

So often after people get saved they feel as though they come up short. Living a life free from sin is impossible. Only one man ever did it and that was Jesus Christ. But there is good news.

We who have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior and live in union with him are no longer condemned. Because in our mind we choose to serve God we are set free from the law of sin and death. Trying to live without sin is overwhelming.

We are made of flesh and spirit. There is a war going on between our flesh and spirit. We overcome the urge to sin by bringing our mind back to Christ, praying, studying the Bible, meditating on a verse, listening to Christian music, etc. But sometimes that is not enough.

At times we will sin. It is important to not dwell on the sin. If you dwell on your mistake it will weaken your spirit. Instead dwell on the fact that the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made you free from the law of sin and death. 

One of Jesus Christ disciples and one of the best apostles who ever lived explained the war between the flesh and the spirit as follows:

For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent (agree) unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no (not really me) more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth (lives) in me.  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched (miserable) man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which (who live in union) are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity (opposed) against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye (you) are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. Romans 7:14 - Romans 8:10

I Am Justified

Verse:  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:24 (KJV)

Salvation is a gift that we receive by having faith in God. Because of God's merciful and loving-kindness he graciously set us free from sin. God made Jesus who knew no sin to be sin for us so that we might be made the righteousness of God. Jesus fulfilled the law so that we may live under the period of grace and have everlasting life. The only thing necessary for us to do to attain salvation is for us to believe in our heart and confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus and that God raised him from the dead. 

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV)

But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:8-13

But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6

We Don't

We don't try to live right with the standards that Jesus set to be superior over others, but to be humble and to love others with a Christlike love. We don't serve a church or denomination because we are people pleasers, but because we are active members of a church and care about our brothers and sisters in Christ and are doing our part in the church and the body of Christ using the gifts and talents that God has given to each of us. We aren't in a cult because we spend much of our free time worshiping God and helping others and witnessing to others, but we are ambassadors for Christ and when non-believers see our Christlike love they realize that God is real and he is  love. God loves us unconditionally. He doesn't expect us to be perfect. His grace covers our imperfections. And yes bad things happen to people who love and serve God, Jesus said they would,  but he never leaves us nor forsakes us and one day we will spend eternity with a new body that never gets tired or sick; happy, peaceful, worshipping and praising God.  I can not imagine anyone who was persecuted in Christ saying that he would go back and live for himself to have an easier and longer life. I can't imagine a child of God who has died whether young or old who would come back and live for himself and deny God even if it meant a longer life. To live is Christ. To die is gain. Don't judge me for living for Christ, because he died for me. Don't condemn me for making mistakes and doing or saying the wrong thing, because God loves me in all my imperfections and has clothed me in righteousness and I can ask for forgiveness and strength because I am given both. Try not to allow the whole 'bad things happen to good people or people turn their back on you or you have made too many mistakes or will never be good enough' to come between you and living with a healthy relationship with God and your brothers and sisters in Christ and cheat you out of the  anointing of the holy spirit. Christians are human and Satan tries real hard to break us and tear us down and the largest part of the spiritual battle is in an individuals mind where Satan attacks with thoughts of worry, fear, condemnation, guilt and so much more. Being an active member in the body of Christ, and being an active member of a church is a wonderful opportunity to not only serve God  and the body of Christ but gives you a support system because you are a family and help one another, edify one another, pray for one another,  build up one another and so much more. If you don't have a church I suggest you pray about it and ask God to lead you to the church that He wants you to be a part of for your benefit. Everyone needs to hear the Word.

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching. For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries (God-haters).  Hebrews 10:23-27

Who I Am In Christ

Hi, I have started a new blog that I am using to share articles about who we are in Christ. Come by and give it a look see. http://lisaclewis.wixsite.com/simplefunheavenabcd

I am still adding to this blog. God bless you.

Lisa Clewis

Jigsaw Puzzle

Life is like a jigsaw puzzle
Each moment is a piece.
Some are filled with laughter
Others filled with grief.

We can only see glimpses of what
Was and what we think will be
Would you rather trust God
Or fuss over a little piece

God can see our entire life
From beginning until end
Enjoy all the good parts
Give all the bad to him.

He is more capable than we
To fit the pieces together
We only see little glimpses
But he sees the whole picture.

Written By
Lisa Collier Clewis
18May2016

Not Good Enough

So often we fail. We are slapped in the face with the humbling and terrifying fact that we will never be good enough regardless of how hard we try? That question that has burned a rut into our brain, "How could I ever be good enough" starts pricking our heart every time we make a mistake because we want so much to be perfect and holy, without spot or wrinkle for our father who gave his Son for our sin. We want our wedding garment to be perfect.

But what we aren't remembering is that Christ died for our sin and God says we are made righteous through faith. It is so easy that it becomes a stumbling stone. All we have to do to please God is believe in Christ and do our best, just be ourselves and don't let feelings or works hinder us in worshipping and having a relationship with our heavenly father. 

God has forgiven us and made us clean and knows that we will not be perfect until Christ returns or we go to heaven but we are learning,  he is preparing us for our wedding day to Christ. But he wants us to live in joy and peace and knowledge of his word and his love for us  and we have been given gifts which enable us to play a specific part in the family of Christ now. We learn every day how to put on the mind of Christ and keep it on for longer periods of time.

Works will not get us into heaven but faith does.  Honor God today by realizing that you will never be good enough on your own but through the blood of Jesus you are righteous to stand before God without any sense of sin or guilt because you have been set free from the bondage of sin and sacrifice and are a joint heir with Christ,  a son or daughter to the one true God. You are family. Pull a chair up to the table and sit down with your family, your Father, your brother, and the holy spirit.

Read Romans chapter 3 then bask in God's love. Don't cheat him from giving his child everything you need and good gifts. Let him be a loving and attentive father.

Church Covenants

Have you ever wondered why most church covenants state that a member should not drink any alcoholic beverages? The word clearly states that everything should be done in moderation. Philippians  4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

How often do people do anything in moderation?  How many people actually just have one glass of wine or one mixed drink or just one or two beers? How many people buy their kids fast food often to save money or time even though it isn't healthy?  How often do people let their kids fill up on empty calorie foods so they won't have to cook?  How many people never drink water because soda taste better?  It is so important to do things in moderation.

But what else goes along with that? Why should godly people do everything in moderation?  Why do we have to do things in moderation? We have to exercise self control. Let's read the rest of that passage of scripture. Philippians  4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.  4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Nine times out of ten when we are not doing things in moderation we are not keeping ourselves in check and our thoughts are running wild. But why else would the word instruct us to do everything in moderation?  And why do most church covenants instruct us to not drink alcoholic beverages?  The word states that a drunkard will not inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians  6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.  6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.  6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.  6:13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.  6:14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.  6:15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.  6:16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.  6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.  6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.  6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Let's see how this works: 1. We don't do things in moderation. 2. We don't keep our mind in check with the word. 3. We take for granted our salvation by giving in to the flesh, and; 4. Sin enters our minds and hearts. It is true we all make mistakes but if you will be honest with yourself you consciously make the decision to not do things in moderation because the holy spirit tells us right from wrong.

Church covenants do not state to not drink alcoholic beverages out of religion but out of knowledge of the common human being. Do yourself a favor, if you know you can't do something in moderation don't do it at all to resist temptation. God bless you.

God Hears Us

God is still our great physician. He hears our petitions. I know what it means to be kept by God because I can look back over my life and see where he has healed my body, healed me emotionally from baggage that I was carrying around from my past, protected me from being drowned, kept me from being killed in a car accident, and kept me from being paralyzed from the neck down. God has healed me from a heart condition and seizures, a bone spur and many other times.

God wants to heal you too. God is no respecter of persons. We are all special to him. He loves us each and every one. And He deserves our love and respect. He is Yahuah Elohim. He created the heavens and the earth. He is our sufficiency in all things. He woke us up this morning.  He deserves our praise. We should glorify His name and be thankful for Him and bless him.

I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I owe God my life. He has saved me from dying. He has given me life over death. And he has healed me from fibromyalgia, mitral valve prolapse, enlarged heart, hypertension,  tonsillitis and so much more.

He has not only saved me in this life but given me hope. He has cleansed me from my sins. He has given me eternal life. I look forward to the return of Christ. God is my everything and he is yours too. He is perfect. He is love.  He is a caring and giving father.

Won't you give all your worries and cares to him. Won't you give your heart to the keeper of hearts and God of love. God is love.

For the thief cometh not, but for to kill, and to steal, and to destroy: but I am come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly.
John 10:10.

If you want to give your heart to God and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior and don't know how or just want someone to pray with you or talk to contact me at clewislisa01@gmail.com.