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Cornelius – “A Certain Man”

In our lives there are people who are are mentors or people who we look up to. People who have lived a life that we want to live up to. Examples in the Bible of an individual that walks by faith and lives what he believes. 

In Acts 10 there is a certain man. A man that stands out in his class of people. Cornelius was an officer of the army of considerable rank and figure, a centurion. This is important because this man was a Gentile. At that time to share the true Gospel with anyone else but a Jew was unheard of. This was a mystery and surprise to the apostles. 

Acts 10:1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band…

I love that he was of the band called The Italian Band. Part of my family are Italian. I am so thankful that God allowed the Gospel to be preached to Cornelius and those like me. 

He was a devout man. He had very good character. Not an idolater, not a worshipper of false gods or images. Nor did he allow himself in any of those immoralities to which the greater part of the gentile world was given up to. He made a decision to serve God. He surrender to God’s will & ways. His mind, will, actions, & emotions surrendered and was devoted to God. 

He feared God. Not fearful, but revered God. Looks to Him & His sovereignty, surrenders to His ways in awe. Received instructions willingly, faithfully and his priority is to have a relationship with God. Not only did he fear God but brought his household in to that same relationship. His life touched all those that were around him. He made a difference in their lives because of the way he lived his. 

Proverbs 1:7 (AMP)

The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence];

But arrogant [a]fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline.

He was a very charitable man, He Gave Much… Matt. 6:1-3 Do unto God, 2 Cor. 9:6 Sow bountifully, 2 Cor 9:7 be a cheerful giver. 

Matthew Henry: Wherever the fear of God rules in the hear, it will appear both in the works of charity and of piety, and neither will excuse us from the other. 

He was much in Prayer. Why pray – The sovereignty of God – He is supreme. 2 Pet 3:9 He is not slack, He is long-suffering, & God changes not. God’s character should cause us to pray. He is compassionate, long-suffering, loving, merciful, good, tender, gracious are just a few of God’s characters that causes us to pray and believe Him as Cornelius did. 

Wherever the fear of God rules in the heart, charity, prayer, etc… will prevail in a persons life as it did in Cornelius. His prayers and alms went up to God as a memorial to him. 

1 Peter 2:12(AMP)

Keep your behavior excellent among the [unsaved] Gentiles [conduct yourself honorably, with graciousness and integrity], so that for whatever reason they may slander you as evildoers, yet by observing your good deeds they may [instead come to] glorify God in the day of visitation [when He looks upon them with mercy].

He had a good reputation. It’s not easy to get a good reputation & to keep it. There is always someone who doesn’t like what you do & who you are. HCSB – He had a good reputation with the whole Jewish nation. They would vouch for him. 

I love the Newsboys song, Cornelius: (this is pieces of the song)

“Cornelius”

And every generation’s got

The fearless few who can’t be bought

They don’t take polls or look around

They act on truth, and then they stand their ground

Cornelius

Core-strong like a centurion

I wanna be Cornelius

Core-strong like a centurion

I wanna be Cornelius

His kneel is real

His kneel is real

My prayer is that we all would walk out our lives with the same dedication to God as Cornelius. That we would be real in a world that thrives on being fake. They do everything to cover up who they really are. Let’s be people of prayer, of good character, fear God, and walk in the truth God has revealed to us. 

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“If I were the devil, I would tell you…”

So many of us have felt lack in our lives. We have felt we are not good enough. Mainly because we focus on our weaknesses and what we used to be. We focus on others and what they have or what they have accomplished that we have not. 

If I were the devil I would Tell you:

You are not good enough

You are not special like others

You are not going to get answered prayers like others

You are not smart enough

You are not going to have favor with God anymore

You are not blessed like others

You are not going to get over your past

You are not going to have a future

You are not going to have hope

You are not going to have everything God has for you

He is under the curse and he wants you to share in that curse. He is a lier and the father of it. (John 8:44)

We complain and then we get overwhelmed. Then when we get overwhelmed we lose spiritual vision. When we lose spiritual vision we start to agree with the devil. (Pastor Carter Conlon)

The enemy will point out all of your failures, all the areas you have fallen short, & he will get you so focused on all things that are NOT. 

He will do everything to get you to agree with him. Don’t agree with your enemy. God doesn’t agree with him. He has provided a way to be free of the voices of the enemy. It is time to start agreeing with God and not the devil. You are not washed up. Because of what Jesus did at the Cross we are not what we used to be. We do have a future and a hope. 

Philippians 4:8 King James Version (KJV)

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Here are just a few things to meditate on:

You are a partaker of the Divine Nature…YOU ARE IN CHRIST…

In Christ, I am:

God’s child, for I am born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God which liveth and abideth forever.

(1 Peter 1:23).

Forgiven of all my sins and washed in the blood

(Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 9:14, Colossians 1:14, 1 John 2:12, 1 John 1:9)

A New Creature

(2 Corinthians 5:17)

The Temple of the Holy Spirit

(1 Corinthians 6:19)

Delivered from the power of darkness and translated into God’s kingdom.

(Colossians 1:13)

Redeemed from the curse of the law

(1 Peter 1:18,19 Galatians 3:13)

A Saint

(Romans 1:7, 1 Corinthians 1:2, Philippians 1:1)

Blessed

(Deuteronomy 28:1-14, Galatians 3:9)

The Head and not the tail

(Deuteronomy 20:13)

Holy and without blame before Him in love.

(1 Peter 1:1, Ephesians 1:4)

Victorious

(Revelation 21:7)

Set Free

(John 8:31-33)

Strong in the Lord.

(Ephesians 6:10)

Dead to sin

(Romans 6:2,11; 1 Peter 2:24)

More than a conqueror

(Romans 8:37)

Joint heir with Christ

(Romans 8:17)

Complete in Him.

(Colossians 2:10)

Crucified with Christ

(Galatians 2:20)

Alive with Christ

(Ephesians 2:5)

Reconciled to God

(2 Corinthians 5:18)

Free from Condemnation

(Romans 8:1)

Firmly rooted, built up, established in the faith and overflowing with gratitude.

(Colossians 2:7)

Born of God, and the evil one does not touch me.

(1 John 5:18)

The Righteousness of God

(2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24)

Chosen

(1 Thessalonians 1:4; Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 2:9)

The Apple of My Father’s Eye

(Deuteronomy 32:10; Psalm 17:8)

Healed by the stripes of Jesus.

(1 Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:6)

Being changed into His image

(2 Corinthians 3:18; Philiippians 1:6)

Raised up with Christ and seated in heavenly places.

(Colossians 2:12; Ephesians 2:6)

Beloved of God

(Colossians 3:12; Romans 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 1:4)

Established to the end

(Colossians 1:8)

One in Christ

(John 17:21-23)

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THE CHAIN BREAKER CHANGES LIVES

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What does The Lord Require of You?

What does The Lord Require of You?

There are so many things that are clamoring for our time. So many non essential things come into our lives and we have a choice to make. What will be do with our days? But what does God want us to do? 

Micah 6:8  (KJV)

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Micah 6:8  (AMP)

He has told you, O man, what is good;

And what does the Lord require of you

Except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion),

And to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]?

1. Do Justly – be honest, to be honorable, to be aware how we are acting towards others, ourselves, & toward God.  Acts 24:16 I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God & Men. 
2. Love Mercy – undeserved forgiveness. We love to receive mercy from God, but we have a hard time extending that mercy to others. Matthew 21:18-35 we can see the importance of forgiveness. How dare I if I have been forgiven of the Lord, not show that same forgiveness to others. Be you merciful, as your Father is merciful, Luke 6:36
3. Walk Humbly – walk devoting yourself to the purpose of knowing God & evaluating myself to see if I am walking humbly before God. 

Matthew Henry: We must, in the whole course of our conversation, conform ourselves to the will of God, keep up our communion with God, and study to approve ourselves to him in our integrity; and this we must do humbly (submitting our understandings to the truths of God and our will to his precepts and providences); we must humble ourselves to walk with God (so the margin reads it); every thought within us must be brought down, to be brought into obedience to God, if we would walk comfortably with him. This is that which God requires, and without which the most costly services are vain oblations; this is more than all burnt-offerings and sacrifices.

Colossians 3:12-13 (NKJV)

Character of the New Man

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

This was adapted from the teaching of my husband Len Paxton. For other free teaching Click Here

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Who Told You That You Were Naked?

Who told you that you were naked?

Many time we fail or we have fallen short of who we should be. The accuser daily is condemning us. We hear a voice say, “You are lost”, or “You are not worthy”. When you listen to the voice it drains you of your joy. It drains you of your excitement of life. You go through your day without expression of God’s love for you and others. You allow the little things angry you or upset you. He tells you that you are naked. You can’t get back to God’s love. You went to far. You keep doing the same wrong over and over, now you went too far. HE IS A LIAR. The Victory has been won.

BUT God has redeem you from this condemnation. Jesus came and won the victory and has covered you with His blood.

Adam & Eve walked with God in the garden daily. But when they disobeyed him and ate of the tree their eyes were open to things they weren’t meant to see or experience.

Genesis 3:8-15 They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden… They hid themselves from the presence of God… God said where are you? Adam said I heard the sound of You and hid myself, I was afraid because I was naked. God said, Who told you that you were naked?

Fast forward to Jesus. When He came and died on The Cross for us our fellowship with God was restored. We are covered by His blood.

He has won the victory. Jesus is the head of the church and we are his body. Just as in a race when the head crosses the finish line, the race is won. Jesus has cross that line and is now seated at the right hand of God. I am complete in Him Who is the Head of all principality and power (Colossians 2:10).

Who told you that you were naked?

Revelation 12:10 … for the accuser of our [believing] brothers and sisters has been thrown down [at last], he who accuses them and keeps bringing charges [of sinful behavior] against them before our God day and night.

God has provided a way to combat these accusations, Jesus!

Romans 8:1 [ Escape from Bondage ] Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior].

Who told you that you were naked? Who told you that you were not forgiven or can’t be forgiven.

When you accept Jesus and what he did at The Cross you are cleansed & forgiven. Walk in that promise.

1 John 1:7 – “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

2 Corinthians 5:21 – “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

1 John 1:9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].

Who told you that you were naked? Who told yo that you were a slave to sin. You are redeemed. Walk in that promise.

Ephesians 1:7 – “In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”

Colossians 1:13 – “He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.”

John 8:36 – “If the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”

Who told you that you were naked? Who told you that you can’t go to God for all your needs? You have access.

Romans 5:2 – “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

Hebrews 10:19-22 – “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith.”

You told you that you were naked? You told you that you were unloved?

John 3:16 “For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.

I am holy and without blame before Him in love (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:16).

I am more than a conqueror through Him Who loves me (Romans 8:37).

I am greatly loved by God (Romans 1:7; Ephesians 2:4; Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:4).

You told you that you were naked? You told you that you couldn’t be healed?

When Jesus shed His blood He became our Passover Lamb. We must apply His blood to the door posts of our hearts and claim the healing provided through His atoning blood. The atonement brings spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental healing.

“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. Surely He has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and With His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:3-5).

Exodus 15:26 – “I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians (the world) for I, the Lord, am your healer.”

Who told you that you were naked? Who told you that you were not clothed?

We are clothed with the righteousness of Jesus

As believers in Christ, there is a great exchange that has taken place. One of the things exchanged is our sin for Jesus’ own righteousness. Let’s take a look at a few scriptures:

Romans 3:22, “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference.”

Romans 3:25, “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.”

Romans 5:17, “For if by one man’s offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.”

Jesus received what we deserved (punishment for our sins), and He gave us His righteousness in exchange!

We daily walk in the victory Jesus supplied for us. We have not arrived yet. We have been changed, we are being changed, and we will be changed.

Don’t let the accuser tell you that you are naked. He is a liar. You may have sinned and fallen short, yes indeed you have, BUT God has provided His only son so you can walk daily in newness of life. You are a victor in life. The enemy lies to you and tells you not to keep trying, just quit, you can’t make it, you have nothing in you that will provide you strength. HE IS  A LIAR!

Get up my friend. Walk in the victory provide you. Because He has provided all for you and the victory is won already. Don’t look at who you are outside of that victory. What you do is not what gave you the victory and is not what keeps that victory. Praise God it is not us that keeps us in the midst of challenges. It is Jesus and what He has done. THE VICTORY is won. Praise God.

Father help us to see these promises. Help us to fight the good fight of faith. It is Jesus who came so that we can have life and life more abundantly. Remind us daily that we are loved. Also, that we are forgiven and we can come to  you. That you desire us to look to you, not this world or ourselves. We are nothing without you. Oh Father when the voices come and are loud reveal yourself to us and quiet our hearts. Give us ears to hear. In Jesus Name, Amen!

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“Today I need strength”

So many wake up and pray this, “Father give me strength for today”. They have been tired out by the days before and need rest from the trials and burdens of life. God is so faithful. Not only does He promise strength for the day, but He promises strength for everyday.

Deuteronomy 33:25 … as thy days, so shall thy strength be.

As you live today, He will provide strength for the whole day. What ever you may face, He has already provided for the day.

Matthew Henry: “Thou shalt be strong and bright, as iron and brass.” The continuance of their strength and vigor: As thy days, so shall thy strength be. Many paraphrase it thus, “The strength of thy old age shall be like that of thy youth; thou shalt not feel a decay, nor be the worse for the wearing, but shalt renew thy youth; as if not thy shoes only, but thy bones, were iron and brass.” The day is often in scripture put for the events of the day; and, taking it so here, it is a promise that God would graciously support them under their trials and troubles, whatever they were. And so it is a promise sure to all the spiritual seed of Abraham, that God will wisely proportion their graces and comforts to the services and sufferings he calls them out to. Have they work appointed them? They shall have strength to do it. Have they burdens appointed them? They shall have strength to bear them; and never be tempted above that they are able. Faithful is he that has thus promised, and hath caused us to hope in this promise.

There are many scriptures that encourage us for our days ahead.

Habakkuk 3:19 (AMP)

The Lord God is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army]; He has made my feet [steady and sure] like hinds’ feet And makes me walk [forward with spiritual confidence] on my [a]high places [of challenge and responsibility].

I love these words, source of courage, My invincible army, spiritual confidence…

We must daily remember that He is our source. We must look to Him, not our circumstances or our own strength. Our strength will weaken if we continually look to ourselves. Draw your strength from Him.

Ephesians 6:10(AMP)

…be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might.

2 Corinthians 12:10 (AMP)

So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength].

I am truly able, I am truly powerful, when I draw from God’s strength. Vs. 9 says “for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” His strength, His Grace, for today, you can trust Him.

Psalm 46:1

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

A very present help. Today, what ever you need He is there NOW. TODAY.

One of my favorite verses is:

Lamentations 3:22-23 (AMP)

It is because of the Lord’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed,

Because His [tender] compassions never fail. They are new every morning;

Great and beyond measure is Your faithfulness.

Every morning is new. God will provide you strength for today. His mercies and loving kindness is new today. He wants you to trust Him for today. You can’t change yesterday or do anything about tomorrow. You can only live one day at a time.

Hebrews 4:16 (AMP)

Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].

Just at the right moment He will come. He is never late. He is always on time. Call on Him today. You will find His amazing Grace come upon you.

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“A Transformed Life” By Angie Paxton

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

This transformation happens in one moment and is a process that takes a lifetime.

As one surrenders their life to God through what Jesus did at the Cross they are changed, they are transformed, & they are made new.

(YOU WERE ONCE) You were slaves, you were disobedience and rebellious towards God, You lived & conducted yourself according to your passions of your flesh. You were afar off. You lived in your addictions. You were not a people.

(NOW YOU ARE) Now you are made near, now you are a child of God, now you walk in newness of life, now you washed. & are cleansed, now you are obedient, now you are free…

(YOU WILL BE) 1 Corinthians 15:52 (AMP) in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at [the sound of] the last trumpet call. For a trumpet will sound, and the dead [who believed in Christ] will be raised imperishable, and we will be [completely] changed [wondrously transformed].

That is a transformed life… You were – Passed…. Now you are – Present… You will be – Future…

Romans 6:17(AMP)

But thank God, though you were once slaves of sin, you have become obedient with all your heart to the standard of teaching in which you were instructed and to which you were committed.

Romans 11:30

Just as you were once disobedient and rebellious toward God but now have obtained [His] mercy, through their disobedience,

1 Corinthians 6:11

And such some of you were [once]. But you were washed clean (purified by a complete atonement for sin and made free from the guilt of sin), and you were consecrated (set apart, hallowed), and you were justified [pronounced righteous, by trusting] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the [Holy] Spirit of our God.

Ephesians 2:3

Among these we as well as you once lived and conducted ourselves in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed by our corrupt and sensual nature], obeying the impulses of the flesh and the thoughts of the mind [our cravings dictated by our senses and our dark imaginings]. We were then by nature children of [God’s] wrath and heirs of [His] indignation, like the rest of mankind.

Ephesians 2:13

But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were [so] far away, through (by, in) the blood of Christ have been brought near.

Ephesians 5:8

For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [lead the lives of those native-born to the Light].

Colossians 3:7

Among whom you also once walked, when you were living in and addicted to [such practices].

1 Peter 2:10

Once you were not a people [at all], but now you are God’s people; once you were unpitied, but now you are pitied and have received mercy.

This transformation is like a caterpillar and the metamorphosis that takes place from one form to another.

“Christians are to undergo a complete change, under the power of God, which will find expression in our character & conduct.”(Vines) 

Matthew Henry – And so great is the change the grace of God makes in the soul, that, as it follows, old things are passed away—old thoughts, old principles, and old practices, are passed away; and all these things must become new. Note, Regenerating grace creates a new world in the soul; all things are new. The renewed man acts from new principles, by new rules, with new ends, and in new company.

This transformation is something we allow to be done in us, not something we do by our own power. We submit to The Holy Spirit as He changes us from the inside out. He performs the work and we walk out the results.  

You have been changed, you are being changed, & you will be changed…. You have been changed by the sacrifice of Jesus on The Cross. You are being changed as the Holy Spirit works in you. And one day you will be changed from this life to the next. 

Father we surrender to you today. Make us new. Change us and transform us to the person you want us to be. Help us to remember that it is the work of The Holy Spirit in us and as we surrender to Him our lives will reflect that change on the outside as we walk and as we talk.  It is your Grace that draws us to you and your compassion that moves in our lives. Thank you Lord that you don’t leave us the way you found us. 

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