Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey

Romans 6:16, portion

Although Paul here was speaking of submission to sin, he spoke of a general principle which holds true in all things.  When we submit our spirits to any thing, we become its slaves.  This is true, whether it is to a job, a spouse, an organization, or any other thing.

Jesus said that, for believers, we are to call no one Rabbi, Teacher, Father, Leader, or Master, for God alone is all of these things (Matthew 23:1-12).  In fact, Jesus Himself said that the Gentiles even consider it to the benefit of those they are leading when they do so, and call themselves their subject’s “benefactors” (Luke 22:25).  But, He said,

But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

Luke 22:26-27

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From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Matthew 4:17

The revival we are seeking is the “revival of repentance”.  We could say, we see a measure and we must prepare our hearts more for the coming thing that God has, but the heart of every true revival must always include a increasing draw towards holiness, from the head to the foot.

The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.  The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

Matthew 12:41-42

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By Him, all things were created.  Things that are in Heaven and in the Earth, both visible and invisible.  Whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers, all things were created by Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16).

The Builder Himself came down to the built, the maker to the made, and lived with them in skin.

Through Him, all things were made that have been made, yet it, they, we did not recognize Him.

The most stunning puzzle of all Eternity, God Himself, the only self-existent God, lived a life of a creature, indwelt the flesh, and became man.

The one deserving to be served, served, and humbled Himself to His Father’s will.

Untold angels peered on into this delivery, as messengers came by.  Prophets of old had desired to understand this, and the multitude of the heavens looked on to comprehend.  What was this bold, blazoned, bizarre, and blessed plan of God?

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I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.

John 3:11

One of the tenets of the Gospel is faith.  This can mean many things to some people, but a Bible definition goes something like this:  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1).  While many people claim to have a “faith”, their claims prove to be nothing at all.  They are houses built upon sand (or worse), and they have no ability to stand up for the Truth.

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Don’t miss God’s plan…  It doesn’t’ include you, per say, although it does…  You’ll be there, when you’re in His love, but it’ll be His power.

But, a whole nation missed it, because the physician was sent to the sick, and not to the well.  Those who said they saw, their sin remained, but to those who cried out in poverty, desperation, and misery, the Son came.

Only the eyes of a child can see it, and only the pure can remain.  Only by the blood, and only as a child.  Nothing else matters in Eternity, nothing.

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His mouth is sweetness itself;

Song 5:16 (portion)

Oh, how I love His Word.  His mouth is sweetness itself.  There is nothing finer, nothing more pleasant, nothing more desirable, than His mouth.  Taste and see that He is good.

If ever there was a question about God’s greatness, it is settled in this.  You may talk about love, but He is it.  You may talk about justice, but He is it.  You may talk about joy, but He is the only source.  You may talk about peace, but He is its prince.  You may talk about patience, but who is more than He?  You may talk about kindness, but show me another father willing to send all his prophets, and then, at the last, His son.  You may talk about anything that it is to be human, and, you may see someone demonstrate some portion of it, or you may see idealized someone who is famed for it, but Jesus is it all.

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