YOU ARE THE WORD 

by CD SWANSON~

John 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, And the Word was with God,  And the Word was God. 

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WE LOVE YOU FATHER~ by CD Swanson

But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand   (Isaiah 64:8 KJV)

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We are the clay, He is the Potter.  As we go before Him, just as we are…not disguised, but with a humble and open heart, He will empower us.  He loves us and knows everything about us.  We are the clay…

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Think about clay for a moment.  It is soft and supple and can be molded easily.  If the clay is left without molding it, what happens?  It grows hard right?  So then it will become difficult to mold it because the properties have hardened it making it difficult to work with freely.

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So too are our souls if you think about it.  Listen, we are the clay, God is our Potter.  He “molds” and conforms us bringing us to the specifications of what a faithful soldier and servant should be.  If we don’t conform or allow Him to work within us, we will become “hardened” and unmovable.  When we’re open to His voice, His words, His ways…we are supple instruments who are able to perform to our fullest capacity according to His will.

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The beautiful hymn, “Just as I am” is so powerful and pertains to God loving us just as we are–  “Just as I am thou will receive, will welcome pardon cleanse and relieve, because thy promise I believe, O’ Lamb of God, I come, I come.”

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He accepts us for who we are. He gives us free choice to choose Him and love Him. His Son died for us and conquered death for us…He is our author of salvation.   He asks that we seek Him and love Him…Seek His face, ask and knock. Jesus promises you will find Him when you look for Him. You will get the answers when you ask…and the door will be opened to those who knock.

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Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened (Matthew 7:7-8 KJV)

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Our Father who loves us more than anyone ever possibly could is always near, always waiting and always wanting to “mold” you with His loving hands. Surrender to His touch, His voice and His will, and watch how life will be all that it could be and more.  For in Him we live forever. For in Him we walk in the light. And, because of Him…we are saved.

There is but ONE GOD and ONE GOD only. The same as He was in the beginning He is Now, tomorrow and always. In full control. Full control…thank You Lord. We are safe in Your hands.

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Father, we thank You for Your mighty hands of grace. O’ Father God, we ask that You continue to mold us thereby bringing us to perfection in Your sight, while we walk according to Your will, as may You receive the victory honor and praise, now and forever, in Jesus name…Amen.

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Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name Jah, and rejoice before him. (Psalm 68:4 KJV)

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But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. (1 Corinthians 8:6 KJV)

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And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. (Matthew 23:9 KJV)

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One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:6 KJV)

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And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. (Revelation 15:3 KJV)

 I Love to Rest in You and Your Word~  by C D Swanson

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart…. (Hebrews 4:12 KJV)

Jesus Christ is our High Priest and meditator.  It was established that He is the high Priest over Aaron and all else. “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.” – (Hebrews 4:15 KJV)

Jesus tells us to rest in Him. He calls us to do so repeatedly in many passages. To enter into full rest of the Lord, we must be believers. The doctrine of Christ and the gospel in spreading the good news are all part of enterting into rest.

He calls for us to Repent from sinful actions and have faith in God. To follow and believe in the Son and the resurrection are essential components to our faith. Rest in Christ therefore, cannot come without belief, and following Him. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. (Hebrews 4:9 KJV)

Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.  (Hebrews 4:11 KJV) 

Jesus tells us “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:29 KJV)  When we obey and follow Him, and truly outline the commandments in which He spoke, we will find the true meaning of rest.

Rest comes from trusting in the Lord, obeying the Lord…aligning with His word, and applying His doctrine into our lives while attempting to reach others.  Rest comes from acceptance and surrendering to His will. Rest comes from “hearing” and “understanding” His word. We are His sheep, and He knows us.  His sheep know His voice and follow Him.  Rest comes from that knowledge, knowledge comes from His word, wisdom is knowing the Lord, and rest is one of the rewards of our discipline in our faith.

Eternal Salvation was His gift to us.

When we aspire to grasp the “higher realm” in which Christ lives, and purport to learn and get to know Him personally, we will find rest and peace.

That’s a promise from God Himself. 

Don’t believe me? Don’t take my word or man’s word for it…instead—-

Read all about it in His word the Bible.  A book of love written for us exclusively so that we could live with Him forever and always~

IN OBEDIENCE TO YOU~ 

by C D Swanson

When we make a move is it from God that we do it?  Or is it from our own mind and will? 

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There are many who will make critical decisions without consulting with God.  Moving across the country; taking another job; selling or buying a house…all examples of pivotal growth and consequences in our lives.

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Waiting on God… (Psalm 46:10)… while adhering to His word are crucial and advantageous to our overall welfare in all aspects of our lives. Whether we’re taking on a new job, moving, selling, buying, or just merely making a decision about something that pops up in our lives. We should be conferring with God for His will as to what direction or action we should take. Never mind what man says, it’s what God says that’s important.

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There are references in the entire Bible based on “obeying” God, and ostensibly, there are passages that expressly state what happens when we “disobey” God. From Genesis to Revelation the Father’s Word in the Bible has a lot to say about obedience.

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The story of the Ten Commandments speaks of how important it is to obey the Father’s word and His will.  In Deuteronomy 11:26-28 it encapsulates and stipulates at the same time how important it is to obey.  Stating “Obey and be blessed” or  “disobey and be cursed.”

In the New Testament we begin to learn just how important it is to obey through Jesus Christ.  We are led to a life of obedience by Jesus Christ through His loving doctrine and by His actions.

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Jesus led by example through love,  it’s the primary focus of His ministry, while of course leading up the crucifixion which was His ultimate sacrifice, and a testimony of His love for us.

Jesus followed His Father’s will…He was in fact, the perfect role model of obedience to the Father. We not only learned by His love, but were saved by His love. While God sacrificed His beloved Son to set us free…and for us to have eternal salvation, if we believe.  In John 14:15  it reads , “If you love me you will keep my commandments”  yet another mention of obeying/obedience.

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In 1 John 5:2  It reads, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.”

Again referring to obedience. Salvation is a gift from God.  Biblical obedience means to hear, trust, submit and surrender to God, while we obey His Word.   True Christian obedience to the Lord will naturally flow from our hearts as we place our trust in Him, fully… always.

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We consult and pray and meditate.  We don’t give in to our “thoughts” of folly.  When we’re in compliance with His word, and His will you’ll know it.  Everything will flow unhindered, doors will open, things will follow in an orderly fashion, and most important…you will feel the peace of God in your heart.

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The Test of Knowing Him

 ^“Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. ⁴ He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. ⁵ But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.”   1 John 2:3-5

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But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” Luke 11:28  

Listening, and observing is a life long process that brings us closer to God each time we apply it to our lives. The world can be  a scary ugly place, but with God it isn’t scary at all. We are His and He is in us…and will never leave us.

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Adam & Eve sinned and so their actions brought it upon the rest of mankind. It was Jesus Christ the unblemished lamb and His perfect obedience to God that saved all of those who believe in Him.

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2 Corinthians 7:1
 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

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 The passage above states that we should work toward perfecting holiness in the love of God. This is something that doesn’t occur overnight, again, it’s a lifelong process that we actively seek on a daily basis. Remember that we are not perfect…only One is perfect.

As we seek His face and walk in obedience we are aspiring to get closer to Him through His word and His love. Until we’re called to our permanent home we must pursue our purpose through His will and His love by obedience and dedication…

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Thank you Father for Your love, Your word, and Your direction in our lives. May we always consult You for all of our decisions and know that Your will is the best course of action. In Jesus name, Amen.

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