Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Faith & Grace

Brad Reiches

May 10 2006 12:43AM

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

A GodThoughts Classic:

"Faith & Grace"

"For by grace you have been saved through faith..."

Ephesians 2:8

A Christian is one who is a "partaker" of the grace of God (see Philippians 1:7). He/she is one who willfully receives the unmerited favor of God and chooses to walk in His empowering presence. By faith we accept grace (see above), and by grace we choose to walk in faith. Faith and grace are inseparably linked. Faith is not available without grace, and grace can only be accessed through faith. It is only through God's merciful initiative, grace, that man is given the opportunity to walk by faith (see 2 Corinthians 5:7), live by faith (see Romans 1:17; Hebrews 10:38), and please God by his faith (see Hebrews 11:6).

By faith we put our trust in the grace of God. For this reason we are challenged to GROW in grace (see 2 Peter 3:18). I believe that "growing in grace" means learning to live by faith in an ever-increasing way. Tragically, "popular Christianity" has missed the ENTIRE point and purpose of grace! God has given us His grace...to provide us the power and potential to live by faith...which brings about obedience. And where did I come up with that pray tell?

"Jesus Christ our Lord,

through whom we have received grace...

to bring about the obedience of faith."

Romans 1:5

Grace through faith. Learning to access the presence and power of God that enables us to become...and overcome.

Monday, May 8, 2006

The Worry-Free Lifestyle

The Worry-Free Lifestyle
Brad Reiches
May 8 2006 03:27AM

Monday, May 8, 2006

A GodThoughts Classic

"5 Keys to a Worry-Free Lifestyle"

"Do not fret...Do not fret...Do not fret."

Psalm 37:1, 7, 8

An interesting word, "fret." It means, "to gnaw, wear away, worry." God says, "DON'T DO IT!" Don't fret because of others. Don't fret over things. Don't fret about circumstances. Sure it's easier said than done, but God gives us 5 keys to a "fret-less" life from Psalm 37.

Instead of fretting...Trust in the Lord. -see verse 3.

Instead of fretting...Delight yourself in the Lord. -see verse 4.

Instead of fretting...Commit your ways to the Lord. -see verse 5.

Instead of fretting...Rest in the Lord. -see verse 7.

Instead of fretting...Wait for the Lord. -see verse 34.

Trust, delight, commit, rest, wait. The 5 keys to a worry-free lifestyle. The paraphrased version goes like this:

"Set your mind on the things above,

not on the things that are on earth...

Fix your eyes on Jesus."

Colossians 3:2; Hebrews 12:2

Losing the "T" and adding an "E" changes fret...to FREE!

Wednesday, May 3, 2006

What Must I Do to Be Saved? Part 3

What Must I Do to Be Saved? Part 3
Brad Reiches
May 3 2006 10:00PM

Thursday, May 4, 2006

GodThoughts Wired!

"What Must I Do To Be Saved?"

ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE

Part 3

Indeed, "the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men." So what's the "our part?" Is there an "our part?" I've heard it said, "Jesus plus nothing." Is that true? What does the Bible say?

Well, the Bible clearly defines an "our part." God declared throught the apostle Paul in Acts 17:30:

"God is now declaring to all men that

all people everywhere should repent."

The "our part" is to REPENT!

What must we do to be saved? REPENT!

Isaiah: "In repentance and rest you shall be saved" (Isaiah 30:15).

Jeremiah: "Return (repent) O' faithless sons...Return (repent) O' faithless sons..Return (repent) O' faithless sons..(Jeremiah 3:10, 12, 22).

Ezekeil: "For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies, declares the Lord God. Therefore, repent and live" (Ezekiel 18:32; see also, verses 20-31).

John the Baptist: "Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand" (Matthew 3:2).

Jesus: "Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand" (Matthew 4:17).

Peter: "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).

Paul: "God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent...That they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance" (Acts 17:30; 26:20).

The 12 Apostles: "They went out and preached that men should repent" (Mark 6:12).

Jesus to the churches of churches of Revelation:

"Repent...Repent...Repent...Repent...

Repent...Repent...Repent...Repent..."

-see Revelation 2 & 3

The angels: "There will be more joy in Heaven over one sinner who repents...There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents" (Luke 15:7, 10).

"Repentance: The only hope for the American church."

What Must I Do to Be Saved? Part 2

What Must I Do to Be Saved? Part 2
Brad Reiches
May 3 2006 11:12AM

Wednesday, May 3, 2006

GodThoughts Wired!

"What Must I Do To Be Saved?"

ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE

Part 2

What is the gospel? The gospel is the "good news." What good news? The good news that "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day, according to the scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Why is this such "good news?" Because "The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

This is what it means that, "The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men" (Titus 2:11). And as many as receive this "free gift," this "grace," to them God has given the right to be called children of God (see John 1:11-12). To them God has given the right to be saved.

How do we "receive" this "free gift?" How do we appropriate the grace of God? Through repentance. By turning away from our sin, and turning to God. "Repentance" (literally, "to change your mind"), is the means by which we "receive" what Jesus has done for us. The methods for presentation of this gospel has changed with the times, but the message of the gospel NEVER CHANGES, at least according to the Bible. It is the same yesterday, today, and forever (see Hebrews 13:8). The message, the gospel of grace (see Acts 20:24), the good news, is that Christ Jesus paid the price for our sins, and the invitation is to receive what Jesus has done for us. To receive it is to believe it. To believe it is to put your trust in it. And putting your trust in it "produces a repentance that leads to salvation" (2 Corinthians 7:10).

Tuesday, May 2, 2006

What Must I Do to Be Saved? Part 1

What Must I Do to Be Saved? Part 1
Brad Reiches
May 2 2006 12:28AM

Tuesday, May 2, 2006

GodThoughts Wired!

"What Must I Do To Be Saved?"

ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE

Part 1

If you are among the 5 to 10% that believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God and only revelation to man, then this message is for you.* Indeed, the Bible gives us a clear answer to the question of salvation and we will devote the next several editions of GodThoughts Wired! to this subject.

Question: "What Does the Bible Actually teach about salvation?"

Answer: The Bible tells us that, "Salvation has appeared, bringing salvation to all men" (Titus 2:11). How then, does "grace" bring salvation to men? Through faith. "For by grace you have been saved, through faith" (see Ephesians 2:8-10). GRACE DOES NOT SAVE US! Grace makes salvation possible, through faith. Faith as opposed to the law. "For we are no longer under the law but under grace" (see Romans 6:12-15). The Bible warns us that grace is never to be misunderstood as a license to sin (see Romans 6:15; Jude 4). Grace does not negate righteousness. In fact, biblical grace makes righteousness possible, through Jesus Christ.

The Bible teaches us that we have received grace, to bring about the obedience of faith (see Romans 1:5). Further, the Bible warns that "Faith without works is dead, being by itself" (James 2:14-26). Why? Because the faith that results in salvation is a belief that puts its trust in Jesus. Why? Because the faith that saves us is different than the faith that the demons possess. (see James 2:19). The demons are not saved, nor is anyone else who possesses a "demon-like" faith. Why?

Because the faith that saves us is the faith that responds to the invitation of Christ to, "Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand" (Matthew 4:17).

*If you do not believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God then personal opinions are your only other option. Buddha, Oprah, Mohammed, Ghandi, Hugh Heffner, Madonna, Joseph Smith, The Rolling Stones...pick one.