March 2013 ~ RUN TO WIN

This morning I was reading form Romans chapter 4. See how Abraham exercised his faith in God.

How do we exercise our faith?

How do we respond to the impossibilities in our lives?

Our God is still working with people who believe God like Abraham. See God beyond the circumstances/ challenges. Nothing is too difficult for God.

Romans4:17 That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.”^[d] This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.

¹⁸Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!”^[e]¹⁹And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb.

²⁰Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. ²¹He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.

Seeing the impossibilities Abraham’s faith grew stronger and he was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.

How do you respond to impossibilities?

What is your conviction about God’s ability?

I pray that may the Lord help us to practice faith in our day to day life and we will see His glory.

Blessings,

Eldose Mathew

What is the difference between RELIGION and truth in Following Jesus as set forth in the Word of God, the Holy Bible.

The following chart may be helpful: (http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/helpseek/religion.htm)but the term Christianity changed to following Jesus

RELIGION	Following Jesus
"Salvation is something I must do. I must somehow earn or gain salvation by the way I live."	"Salvation is something only God can do. Salvation is of the LORD!" (Eph. 2:8-9; Jonah 2:9).
Religion is summed up in one word: DO--man trying to DO different things to please God and earn His favor.	Christianity is summed up in one word:DONE--Christ dying on the cross to save sinful man (John 19:30).
The religious man is busy "working" (doing good works) in order to be saved.	The saved person is "not working" (Rom. 4:5) but is RESTING upon the finished work of Another.
TRYING	TRUSTING (Acts 16:31)
A Work to Do which is never done (How can anyone work well enough and hard enough to earn salvation?)	A Word to Believe (1 Pet. 1:25) about a Work that is Done (1 Pet. 1:18-19).
Man hoping to save himself	God saving hopeless man (1 Tim. 1:15)
RELIGION is man trying to BRING HIMSELF TO GOD (by human effort, good works, ritualism, traditionalism, sacraments, etc.).	CHRISTIANITY is Christ BRINGING US TO GOD on the basis of what He did for us on the cross (1 Peter 3:18).
Religion is man trusting his own good works (Titus 3:5).	Salvation is man trusting the good work which the Lord Jesus did on the cross (Rom. 3:22-26).
A religious ritual	A real relationship (John 17:3)
Following rules	Enjoying life (John 6:47; 10:10).
"I must reform my life and turn over a new leaf"	"I must be born again" (John 3:7).
Doing Something	Knowing Someone (John 17:3)
Seeking to earn God's favor by works	Receiving God's favor by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8 and see Eph. 1:6).
"I can work my way to heaven and earn my salvation" (Romans 6:23 teaches that we have earned our way to hell: "the wages of sin is death")	"I could never live well enough to earn my way to heaven. Christ had to pay the price for my salvation (1 Cor. 6:20; 1 Pet. 1:18-19).
"Salvation is something that a person must earn."	"Salvation is a free gift" (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 4:10).
The sinner sees himself as good (Luke 18:11-12).	The sinner sees himself as sinful (Luke 18:13).
The religious man compares himself with others (Luke 18:11).	The saved man sees himself as God sees him (1 Samuel 16:7; Psalm 53:1-3; Rom. 3:10-12).
TRUSTING SELF (Luke 18:9)	TRUSTING CHRIST (Eph. 1:12-13)
BOASTING IN SELF (Luke 18:11-12)	BOASTING IN THE LORD (1 Cor. 1:29-31; Eph. 2:9)
The religious man is seeking to establish his own righteousness (Rom. 10:3).	The saved man is satisfied with the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:21).
Hoping to be saved by good works (a false hope)	Saved unto good works by God's grace (Eph. 2:10).
Religion teaches that good works are thecause of salvation.	The Bible teaches that good works are the result of salvation.
Religion says, "Good works are those things that a person does to be saved."	The Bible says, "Good works are those things that a saved person does" (James 2:14-26).
"I hope I will be saved." "I think I will be saved." "I feel that I will be saved, maybe."	"I KNOW I am saved right now" (1 John 5:13-"These things have I written unto you that believe on to name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life").