Faith in “Creds”? or Faith in Christ? – Joy in Believing – PHILIPPIANS (Chapter 3c) [10]

June 24, 2015August 21, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

We saw in the the last post, All My “Creds” are Garbage??? – Joy in Believing – PHILIPPIANS (Chapter 3) [9], http://wp.me/p5nZpi-sC, that Paul had a change of attitude. A attitude change from forcibly sharing God with people, to lovingly sharing God with people. Paul realized that neither he nor other people could be made right with God by “doing” or by following “the rules”. Instead, change comes about through faith in, and relationship with a person, Jesus.

HOW DID PAUL COME TO THIS REVELATION?

“I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ.For God’s way of making us right with Himself depends on faith.“ – Philippians 3:9b

Look back at this verse. Paul says, “I become righteous through faith in Christ.”

It is not faith is what, but faith in who.

RIGHTEOUSNESS?

Righteousness, right standing with God, comes from God. It is not what we “do”, what we force others to “do”, or what makes “sense” to us. It is the provision of our Creator that has made righteousness available to all people through faith. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9

FAITH IN WHO?

Jesus Christ!!

For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. – 2 Corinthians 5:21

When we put our faith in Jesus, trusting that He took all our sins upon Himself when He was crucified, He then exchanges those sins for righteousness, right standing with God, – Philippians 3:9b

So it wasn’t a matter of Paul suddenly forgetting all his education, his knowledge, or his upbringing. It was a matter of Paul following God’s ways, instead of man’s ways. No longer putting his trust and faith in himself, but in God.

HAS PAUL REACHED THE GOAL? HAS HE COMPLETELY EXPERIENCED THE JOY OF BELIEVING?

Here’s what Paul has to say about his faith journey, ^“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to make it my own because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” – Phil. 3:12

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead… – v.13

Paul’s end goal – to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. – v.14

THE JOY OF BELIEVING – AN ONGOING EXPERIENCE —

As we press ahead in our daily lives, temptations will arise, and we may even stumble from time to time. But Paul reminds us that we are forever maturing if we obey the truth we have learned already. – Phil 3:16 So don’t beat yourself up because you’re not “perfect”, pull yourself up by your bootstraps, get back on the horse. Seek God’s guidance and direction for all that you don’t know, and continue applying daily, all that you do know.

Paul experienced Joy in Believing. Not in himself and his “creds”, but in the saving power and Lordship of Jesus.

We’re not alone on “the journey”. We have the Holy Spirit’s guidance, the Bible, and as Paul reminds us, we have a community of believers to tangibly support, comfort, and guide us.

“Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.” – Phil. 3:17

Our joy doesn’t come from our circumstances, relying on what we have obtained or accomplished, but rather, joy comes from our reliance on Christ within us. See, “I Just Wanna Be Happy!!” (Part 1), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kK

Experiencing Joy in Believing is an ongoing process. We now know that the first step towards experiencing the joy Paul speaks about is putting our faith in Jesus vs. ourselves. If you would like to take that next step, and put your faith in Jesus, see The Cornerstone… in the above tabs, http://wp.me/P5nZpi-bJ.

LET GO AND LET GOD…

< KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THE FINAL CHAPTER OF PHILIPPIANS, CHAPTER 4, THE JOY IN GIVING — ALL Our “Needs” Will Be Met 🙂 – Joy in Giving – PHILIPPIANS (Chapter 4) [11]http://wp.me/p5nZpi-ul >

< IN CASE YOU MISSED PARTS 1 & 2 OF PHILIPPIANS CHAPTER 3… >

Yeah, but I’ve Got the “Creds”!! – Joy in Believing – PHILIPPIANS (Chapter 3a) [8], http://wp.me/p5nZpi-sk

All My “Creds” are Garbage??? – Joy in Believing – PHILIPPIANS (Chapter 3) [9], http://wp.me/p5nZpi-sC

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Beatings, Pain, Death… – Why is Today Called “Good” Friday??

April 3, 2015April 5, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

GOOD FRIDAY – The Crucifixion of Jesus.

My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot,
    like a root in dry ground.
There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance,
    nothing to attract us to him.
He was despised and rejected—
    a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.
We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.
    He was despised, and we did not care.
Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;
    it was our sorrows that weighed him down.
And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
    a punishment for his own sins!
But he was pierced for our rebellion,
    crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
    He was whipped so we could be healed.                                                                                                  Isaiah 53:2-5
—————————————————-

Why is today known as “Good” Friday?

Although Jesus died a terrible, excruciating death, on Good Friday, this day is remembered as “Good” because it was through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross that ALL PEOPLE, (not some, not just “special” people, not just rich people, not just poor people, not just law-abiding people, etc.), ALL PEOPLE, have the opportunity to restore their relationship with God.

And when the time comes for our earthly lives to be over, we will not simply be reduced to nothing, nor will we be alone. No, we will live forever with God in heaven. When God promises He will, wipe every tear from our eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things will be gone forever. – Revelation 21:4

See my tab, The Cornerstone…,http://wp.me/P5nZpi-bJ, if you’d like to know how you can have a personal relationship with God, the creator of everything.

If you would like to receive notifications when new posts are published, click on the FOLLOW button in the sidebar. Or if you are viewing from your mobile device, scroll down the page and you’ll see the FOLLOW blog via email button 🙂
It you are viewing with the mobile version, scroll down to the bottom of this page for additional info and pics 🙂
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Heal My Illnesses Lord…

March 31, 2015March 31, 2015buildafoundation 1 Comment

Lately, there seems to be more and more people who have been diagnosed with cancer. More and more people who are battling various strains of the flu, cold viruses, and a variety of other diseases. More and more people generally feeling “not quite right”.

The breakdown of the physical body was never God’s intention. When Adam and Eve lived in Eden, all was perfect. They were physically strong and healthy. It was not until they gave into the serpent’s, Satan’s, temptation – choosing to eat the fruit God commanded them not to, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” – that life, as they knew it, began to crumble.

…their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. – Genesis 3:7
…they hid from the Lord God – Genesis 3:8
women would feel the pain of their pregnancy, and in pain you will give birth. – Genesis 3:16
men would now be working in pain all their lives, to get food and survive – sweating from dawn to dusk – Genesis 3:17
Then, the Lord God banished them from the Garden of Eden… – Genesis 3:23

Thankfully God, because of His love for us, put into motion a means by which we can be saved. And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife. – Genesis 3:21 This verse foreshadows Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for all humanity, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life – John 3:16

< If you would like to know how you can have a personal/intimate relationship with God, our creator, the creator of everything, take a look at my tab in the menu – The Cornerstone… http://wp.me/P5nZpi-bJ >

THERE IS HOPE – for there will be a time when God will be among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. And He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. – Revelation 21:3-4

Until that time comes, God has given us many verses in the Bible. When we pray back the Word of God, we are praying according to His Will. And God promises, …that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. – 1 John 5:14

< For more on praying and seeking God’s will, see my post, I Pray, Does God Hear Me, Does God Answer Me?? – (Part 1 of 3) – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-hK >

Below are some verses to get you started. Pray one, or all of these, throughout your day and experience for yourself hope, healing, encouragement, and comfort.

May the Lord bless you
    and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you
    and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his favor
    and give you his peace. – Numbers 6:24-26

**For more encouraging boards see my tab – The Mortar… – http://wp.me/P5nZpi-7R**

If you would like to receive notifications when new posts are published, click on the FOLLOW button in the sidebar. Or if you are viewing from your mobile device, scroll down the page and you’ll see the FOLLOW blog via email button 🙂
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Take a look at the other tabs in the menu for encouragement and inspiration as you continue to BUILD A FOUNDATION!!