Posts Tagged ‘ Daniel Klem ’
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
James 1:13-14 ESV
It is not God’s fault that we are tempted and sin. The devil may tempt us, or his followers, but it really comes down to our desires and choices.
Yours, O Lord , is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord , and you are exalted as head above all.
1 Chronicles 29:11 ESV
God is the only one worthy of all glory and praise and worship, for only He could create and hold together everything and redeem His people.
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:8-9, ESV
The reward for trusting in Him is the salvation of pur souls.
That’s the power of love.
Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.
1 Peter 2:16, ESV
Do not say, “I can just ask for forgiveness later,” or “I have freedom in Christ, so I can do whatever!”
You are still a slave to sin if you use excuses to sin or to whitewash sin.
Be a slave of Christ, chained to righteousness and love.
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24, ESV
Even Jesus had a small band of close friends (12) with an even smaller set of really close friends (James and John and Peter).
If you have hundreds of friends, but no confidants, you may find yourself alone when trouble hits.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Philippians 2:3-4, KJV
Do not cause problems or seek popularity or fame.
Take care of yourself, sure, but even more importantly take care of other people.
But, again, do not help others to seek favor, fame, or … revenge.
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
1 Timothy 2:5-6, ESV
Jesus came at the right time in history to show us our need for God and His forgiveness, and He sacrificed Himself to bring that forgiveness. If we believe, we are saved from God’s judgment.
The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
Proverbs 15:31, ESV
The ultimate life-giving reproof?
You are a sinner in need a Savior, and Jesus of Nazareth is that Savior.
Let us continue looking at the hymns and songs that have made a big impact on my spiritual life.
This week, I bring you two hymns that are simply … wondrous.
- On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.- Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.- In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.- To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me someday to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.
- When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.- Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.- See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?- Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
The work of the cross is central to Christianity!
Without the perfect, sinless sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, there is no forgiveness of sin. Without the atoning work of Christ on the cross, we are still steeped in and deceived by our sin.
Did Jesus gladly bear our sins? Yes. Did He enjoy the process? Absolutely not.
For the joy set before Him, having the hope of eternity with the Father and joined with the Saints, He endured the pain and shame of the cross to bring about our forgiveness. (Philippians 2, Hebrews 12)
If we claim to believe it, we are no longer our own (and never really were). Instead, we are God’s, and He commands all of our life. We owe Him everything, for He made the ultimate sacrifice to redeem our souls and our life on this Earth.
Turn to the cross and repent. Allow Christ to indwell you and change you by the Holy Spirit to the glory of the Father.
“. . . and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:32, ESV
Jesus is the truth. True freedom is knowing, believing in, and trusting Him.
Ultimately, freedom is from sin and fully realized in eternity.
a simple man of God 