B.E.S.T. Shabbat

Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? (Jas 3:11) Last week we spoke about our new identity in Messiah.  We spoke about inner conflict and how it is of the old nature.  Our new nature is to be reconciled and to be an agent of reconciliation. Turn 2Corinthians 5:17-21 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold , new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation , namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation . Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him . (2Co 5:17-21) Liste...

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Co 5:17) The new creation reality is the most powerful truth of the Gospel.  Everything we are is based on our grasping that reality.  For most of us our struggles come from how well we walk in the reality of our new identity in Messiah. Listen to " Transformed Identity " Let’s use a parable or story to illustrate the point.  Let’s say a man has 2 sons.  One of them always does what is right.  The other never does what is right.  He constantly walks to a different drummer than the will of the father. The father goes on a day trip and gives each son a set of tasks.  The first son completes his tasks as always.  The second son not only doesn’t do his tasks but ends up breaking a priceless vase that is the father’s most treasure possession. When the father returns, he sees that the first son has done what was asked...

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. (1Co 13:11) There is something so precious about the birth of a child.   We see in the child, the miracle of life, the newness of potential and the joys of caring for such a tender and vulnerable expression of God’s creation of man. Each child is a new creation, unique and special.   The DNA of the mother’s family combines in a once in lifetime creation with the DNA of the father’s family and a unique expression of the Father’s love is brought forth into this world. Listen to " Healing Our Inner Child " For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes ...