The Wounds of Self-Affliction

The Wounds of Self-Affliction Brad Reiches Sep 10 2007 10:37AM Monday, September 10, 2007 GodThoughts Wired!    "The Wounds of Self-Affliction" ONCE IS ENOUGH "They ambush their own lives." Proverbs 1:18 I did that once...ambush my life, I mean.  I forsook wisdom and reaped the consequences, just as the scripture prophesy's:  "He who sins against me (wisdom) injures himself" (Proverbs 8:36).  I didn't mean to.  I would never purposely harm myself, nonetheless, all who forsake wisdom are destined for the same fate. "He who neglects wisdom despises himself... He who hates reproof is stupid." Proverbs 15:32; 12:1 Indeed, "Cease listening, my son, to discipline, and you will stray from the words of knowledge" (Proverbs 19:27), and "A man who wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead" (Proverbs 21:16).  Having been there and done that, I have great compassion for those in similar circumstances.  "There is a way which seems right to a man..." (Proverbs 16:25). As the years continue to pass, it appears that, for me, once was PLENTY. I pray that "once" is enough for you as well (see 1 Peter 4:3).

Dead Man Walking

Dead Man Walking
Brad Reiches
Sep 7 2007 11:47AM

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Friday, September 7, 2007

GodThoughtsWired!

"Dead Man Walking"

"That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection..."

Philippians 3:10a

Have you given much thought to "resurrection power?"  Do you know how to access it?  Death.  It requires death.  "Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires..." (Galatians 5:24).  Do you "Consider the members of your earthly body as being dead..." to sin? (see Colossians 3:5-6).  Resurrection power!  The ability to become...and overcome!  To be all that God has called us to be, and do all that He has created us to do (see Ephesians 2:10).  How?

"I have been crucified with Christ;

and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me."

Galatians 2:20a

"If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me" (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23).  This is the truth that will MAKE YOU FREE! (see John 8:32).

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Some of My Notes: Matthew 16:21-27 3

Some of My Notes: Matthew 16:21-27 3
Brad Reiches
Sep 6 2007 12:13PM

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Thursday, September 6, 2007

GodThoughts Wired! 

 

"Some of My Notes"

From Matthew 16:21-27

PART III:  The Essence of Discipleship

"He (Jesus) turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind Me Satan!'

You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your

mind on God's interests, but man's."

Matthew 16:23

I find it significant here that Jesus identifies Satan as the originator of all "self-interest."  Indeed, the lifestyle of the true disciple is one spent in the pursuit of "God's interests."  Consider the following teachings of Jesus.  I call it, "The Essence of Discipleship:"

"If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him

deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

Matthew 16:24

Indeed, sacrifice and self-denial are synonymous to following Christ.  This is why, for example, teachings such as the "Prosperity Doctrine" are so disturbing to me.  It is certainly true that God has called us to the "abundant life" (see John 10:10), and the "prosperity of the soul" (see Psalm 25:12-13) however, if God chooses to bless us materially, it will only be as a bi-product of prioritizing His kingdom ahead of our own (see Matthew 6:33-34), and attempting to put Him first in every area of our lives (see Colossians 3:18). 

Again, according to Jesus, the author of all self-interest is Satan himself! 

He who has an ear to hear...let him hear.

Some of My Notes: Matthew 16:21-27 1

Some of My Notes: Matthew 16:21-27 1 Brad Reiches Sep 4 2007 11:53AM Tuesday, September 4, 2007 GodThoughts Wired!    "Some of My Notes" From Matthew 16:21-27 PART I "From that time Jesus Christ began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things...and be killed..." Matthew 16:21 It was His Father's will that Jesus suffer and die on the cross for our sins.  INCREDIBLE!  Suffering and torturous death were both a part of God's perfect plan for His Son, Jesus.  For most of us, I think, it's VERY HARD TO ACCEPT that pain and suffering can be a part of God's best for our lives (see Job 1:8-2:7; Deuteronomy 8:3; 2 Timothy 2:3; Hebrews 5:8; Philippians 3:10; 1 Peter 4:13; 1 Peter 2:19-20; 2 Corinthians 12:7-9). Peter certainly didn't understand it. "And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, 'God forbid it, Lord!  This shall never happen to You.'" Matthew 16:22 That seems like a very natural, caring response to me.  Peter loved Jesus and, like us, we would never choose any of our loved ones to suffer.  We never want to see those we care for suffer harm.  I would have thought that Jesus would be comforted by such loyalty and concern...BUT HE WASN'T!

A Supernatural Consequence

A Supernatural Consequence
Brad Reiches
Sep 3 2007 01:28PM

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Monday, September 3, 2007

GodThoughtsWired!

TODAY'S ENTRY REPRESENTS ONE OF THE

GREATEST LIFE LESSONS I'VE EVER LEARNED

"A Supernatural Consequence"

"Sin takes away the understanding."

Hosea 4:11(paraphrase)

If you are living in sin today (by "sin" I mean living in a way that the word of God warns against.  Either doing what God says not to do, or not doing what the Bible says we should be doing)...YOU ARE DECIEVED!

Those who are decieved...

Don't know they are deceived...

Because they are deceived!

Deception is the supernatural consequence of sin.  The only hope for one who is caught up in such bondage is...REPENTANCE!  If you are living in sin today it is highly probable that you have no idea the kind of damage being done.  "Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil" (Ecclesiastes 8:11).

HORRIFICALLY!  much of today's visible church lies firmly in the grip of the "evil one," with absolutely no awareness that such is the case:

"They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially,

saying 'Peace, peace,' but there is no peace."

Jeremiah 6:14; 8:11 (see also, Jeremiah 14:13-16; 2 Peter 2:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:3

-If you are living with unrepentant sin in your life today, you're not OK, even if the preacher says you are.

-If you are living with unrepentant sin in your life today, there is no peace, even if your pastor  says there is.

-If you are living with unrepentant sin in your life today, the grace of God alone IS NOT SUFFICIENT FOR YOU, until you appropriate (take advantage of) that grace through confession and repentance.

-If you are living with unrepentant sin in your life today, you are DECEIVED...it's just that you're not aware of it.

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