Setting Captives Free – Breath of Life

So let us be clear, that with Jesus Christ freedom is not only possible, it is inevitable. We must beg Christ to do His work in our hearts, for when He does we will be free. No more slavery to sin, no more giving in just because the impulse comes to do so, no more quitting only to relapse later, reliving the guilt and stress each time. Freedom from habitual sin is real. My prayer is that you will experience and enjoy it

Day 9

 

I want to share with you that I was crawling in the dirt and mud of bondage to various types of sin, including habitual smoking, for most of my life, inching my way along the road that goes nowhere. I was depressed, moody, and hopeless. I really wasnt much fun to be around. But I praise God, because He did not let me languish in the dirt and ashes forever. He opened my eyes to the truth and His grace set me free When He did so that metamorphosis that we just read about began to take place in my heart and life I began actually applying biblical principles to my life, instead of just reading about them and preaching them. God made me serious about CHANGE, and one change that was needed was to rid my life of all types of bondage to anything but Jesus Christ, and for me that included my habitual smoking. As I began offering my body as a living sacrifice every morning, and renewing my mind in His Word, I have been experiencing changes in my thoughts, my desires, my goals in life-everything Everything is changing, and I feel as though I have been given wings of grace to soar to the presence of God.

I love this metamorphosis, and dont ever want to go back to crawling in the mud. How about you? You may be sensing this metamorphosis already. Many will begin to experience real and lasting victory before long. But also about this time period the devil begins stomping his feet and throwing a temper tantrum over his captives leaving. For me, the hardest part was the first two weeks. For others, the hardest times may be weeks three and four. Its different with every person. But I must warn you that things may get harder before they get easier, and to be forewarned is to be fore-armed.

ESV Study Bible – Tony Evans

Dr. Evans on the ESV Study Bible connecting God…I hope this applies to the new Journaling Bible I just bought over the STUDY BIBLE!!!!!!

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TONY EVANS Christmas Message

Dr Tony and Lois Evans year end Christmas 2007 …

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Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, SCF, and a New Bible!!!!

From a recent devotional from Setting Captives Free:

Moreover, “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (v. 8).

To every guilt-ridden sinner who puts their trust in Jesus Christ as their savior the LORD God comes today and whispers in your ear “neither do I condemn you.” “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

But Jesus’ statement of grace is immediately followed up by an admonition to “go and sin no more.” Theologians have made terms that describe what Jesus did here: Justification and Sanctification. Justification is: “Neither do I condemn you.” Sanctification is: “Go and sin no more.” And it is critical to see the order of Jesus’ statements, for He did not say, “Go and sin no more, neither do I condemn you.” “Clean up your act and then I will forgive you.” Jesus Christ here uses grace as the motive for pure living.

via Setting Captives Free

 

As many of you know I’m in Dallas with my family and had the blessed opportunity to hear Dr. Tony Evans speak this summer at Camp-of-the-Woods in Speculator, NY. I WENT TO HIS CHURCH TODAY!!!!!! IT WAS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OAK CLIFF BIBLE FELLOWSHIP! WOW! There was so much love in that congregation. I felt so welcome and inspired to be a member of the body of Christ. Worship was so exciting! It was like we actually felt the things we were singing about! The sermon seemed to cover EVERYTHING!!!! The woman who I never met before, nor even caught her name, gave me a big hug as we were both leaving! 

Ironically, on my drive over to OCBF from Arlington, I thought to myself, “wow, this is messed up. I am more excited to hear Tony Evans speak than to glorify God!” To my surprise (a welcomed surprise), Tony Evans wasn’t even there!!! Associate Pastor Rodney Carter delivered God’s message today: “A Moment in Time.”  AMAZING!!! I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED CHURCH LIKE THAT BEFORE!!!!! 

 

I FOUND A COPY OF THE ESV STUDY BIBLE! IN PERSON! After looking at its pages and all, I thought I would not use all of the additional features and get the $50 worth. Instead I found an ESV JOURNALING BIBLE (ORIGINAL BLACK). It is SO SWEET!

SALE: ESV Study Bible

Look what Shea (!) found (there are others as well at the site):

ESV Study Bible, Hardcover

Crossway Books & Bibles / 2008 / Hardcover

5 out of 5 stars(31 Reviews)

Retail Price: $49.99

CBD Price: $29.99

You Save $20.00 (40%)

Availability: In Stock

Product Description

The ESV Study Bible includes more than 25,000 notes, written specifically for the ESV Study Bible. These notes focus especially on understanding the meaning of the text, giving answers to frequently raised questions, and providing theological, historical, and archaeological background—all for the purpose of helping readers to understand the Bible in a deeper way.

The ESV Study Bible also provides a wealth of additional resources. Thus the introductions to each book include essential information about the author, date, and place of writing; an extensive chart of key themes; a summary of how the book fits in with the rest of the biblical storyline; a description of literary features; an outline of the book; and a large full-color map showing the setting of the book.

Another unique feature is the inclusion of over 50 helpful articles on topics such as the authority and truthfulness of the Bible, reading the Bible for application, the Bible in worship and prayer, the reliability of the biblical manuscripts, the relationship between archaeology and the Bible, an overview of biblical theology, and many more.

Other key resources include a system of 80,000 cross references and a concordance (which together facilitate easy location of important words, passages, and biblical themes). In addition, over 200 color charts, located throughout the Bible, provide clear, concise presentations of essential information.

via ESV Study Bible, Hardcover – – Christianbook.com.

1000 Visitors

Sweet.

From Setting Captives Free

I found this powerful passage in the Setting Captives Free site that I mentioned a couple of days ago. It is a reminder of how sin (anything that creates distance from God and/or anything that hinders producing the fruit of the spirit) is so powerfully attracted to secrecy and darkness.

The truth of John 3:19-20: “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.”

His perspective

I found this video some time ago, and I have always been moved by its message: how powerful one’s perspective is on every discussion they make in life. I am reminded of an incidence from back in September where I walked into a WalMart, and almost teared up because of all of the hurt I could see on people’s faces. 

I scares me to think that one could look in the mirror and not see their own pain and need for a Savior.

With His true, eternal perspective, can we claim the promises of His Word. 

Brandon Heath – Give Me Your Eyes

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Stick-shifts and Safety-belts on Vimeo

Mary Farray and I on our way to California (from Dallas). Video posting test!

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