07/07/14 WISHING FOR IT, AIN'T GOOD ENOUGH

07/07/14 WISHING FOR IT, AIN'T GOOD ENOUGH

I am so glad that my grandchildren are growing up with a love for Jesus and the advantages of moral standards, both as precepts and as behavior.
I am glad they are growing up with a sense of innocence and being led into the life of heart purity that results in perfect love.

If they follow this path they will have a full and satisfying journey through adolescents, which will keep them throughout their adult and senior years.
They will be able to avoid the pitfalls of sin and shame as they follow Jesus.
And when they do encounter the dark stretches of life that bring disappointment and suffering, they will find the presence of Jesus is more than able to deliver them through the valley of the shadow of death.

I am not talking about a life of rules and regulation religion.
I am not talking about a commitment to a set of religious tenets.

I am talking about a life lived openly and freely in the power of Christ, where love fills their hearts and joy overflows.
I am talking about a life lived in service to others.
I am talking about a life of hope, faith, love, joy, peace, power, purpose, purity, kindness, goodness, patience and every good thing that should fill a person's heart and life.

If you want your child or grandchildren to grow up in the beauty of the kingdom of God; if you want them to live out all of their adult days in the presence and power of God, then you need to raise them in the kingdom of God. You need to be part of the kingdom, living under the beneficent rule of the loving King of kings.

For those who might not know, the term, "Old Ship Of Zion" was used years ago in reference to the Church. We have some Biblical background to this in Hebrews 12:18-29, where Mt. Sinai and Mt Sion (Zion) are contrasted. Mt. Sinai represents the Old Testament Law and Zion represents the New Testament Grace.

Also remember, in Romans 13 God gave the sword of steel (authority and obligation) to the State to protect the righteous and punish the wicked. The Church is not given the power of the sword of steel, it is not allowed to wield the sword of steel, as is the State. The Church wields the sword of the Spirit (Ephesian 6:10-18), to bring men to Christ. The State serves God and His people on the earth (the Church), though it is separate from the Church. The Church is subject to the State, as long as the State is obedient to God.

Therefore I say, you are either signed onto the Ship of State (committed to worldly and temporal concerns and responsibilities) or you are signed onto the Old Ship of Zion (committed to eternal and spiritual concerns and responsibilities). The Church is the blood bought, Spirit born and led family of God.