A Personal Testimony: 1

A Personal Testimony: 1
Brad Reiches
Feb 16 2007 01:46AM

ANOTHER FREE OFFER FROM THE AUTHOR OF GODTHOUGHTS!

"Brad, this is the best message I have ever heard!"    -Barb Hightower, Moraga, California

"You hit a home-run today, pastor Brad."         -John Diestler, Lafayette, California

"That's it!  That's it!  Preach that message every Sunday and we'll have to get a bigger church!    -Bill Roth, Moraga, California

"Pastor Brad, I pray that the whole world will get hold of that message!"    -Patty Roth, Moraga, California

"You were on fire today, man."    -Kevin Ryan, San Ramon, California

"These were just a few of the comments that I received a few weeks ago after preaching the message entitled, GRACE & TRUTH.  It may have been the most annointed message I have ever had the privilege to give.  It literally felt at times like I was taking dictation from God."    Pastor Brad

Most preachers fall into one of two extreme categories.  They are either big on "truth" and often found to be "legalistic."  Or they are big on "grace" and leave out 90% of the whole gospel.  But the Bible says, "Grace AND truth were realized through Jesus Christ" (John 1:17, bold mine).

Please order your FREE copy of Grace & Truth (simply send me an e-mail with "Grace & Truth" in the subject box, along with your snail mail address).  All I ask is that after you listen to it, you are obedient to the Holy Spirit's leading in how He would use you to best to support this ministry.

-Pastor Brad

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Friday, February 16, 2007
GodThoughtsWired!

"Personal Testimony 1"

Who I am and Why I do What I do

"As you therefore have received Christ
Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him."

Colossians 2:6 

The Bible tells us that we will be judged even as we judge others (see Matthew 7:1).  That being the case, 40+ years on this earth has purged all judgement out of me.  "Mercy triumphs over judgement" (James 2:13).  Sadly, if there were a list somewhere of the "Top 10 Worst Sins" my name would appear on more than my share.

"It is a trustworthy statement, deserving of full acceptance,

that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,

among whom I am foremost of all."

1 Timothy 1:15

That said, the beauty and glory of God's mercy and grace is that, "There is therefore, no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1).  INCREDIBLE!  I entered into a saving relationship with Jesus roughly 40 years ago and, as a result, the condemnation that I rightly should have, and would have received, Jesus has paid the price for once and for all.  "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).

That's called GRACE received.

As if that weren't enough, grace is just the beginning.  By the grace of God, Jesus has revealed His truth.  The significance?  Truth makes us free!  "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall MAKE you free" (John 8:32, emphasis mine).  The Bible teaches us that Jesus came to set us free (see Isaiah 61:1-3).  "It was for freedom that Christ set us free" (Galatians 5:1).  Despite a generational heritage entangled and burdened with every kind of abuse, bondage and addiction, the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit of Christ has delivered me from all of it!  Imagine that!  Delivered from alcoholism and drug addiction at age 5!

That's called truth believed.

So...I preach "grace" because "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God...but God demonstates His own love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us...and to as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to be called children of God, even to those who would believe in His name" (Romans 3:23; 5:8; John 1:12).

And..I preach "truth" because grace makes freedom possible, but only when we accept and embrace and walk in biblical truth can we ever be free.  "For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ" (John 1:17).  DID YA' SEE IT?  "Grace AND truth."*

*Please see the above free sermon offer for an in-depth study on the subject of "Grace and Truth."