He Abides In Us

1 John 3:24

“Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.”

Truth is truth! There is not my truth and your truth, just truth. Truth is never new, it is discovered! The Gospel is the good news – the truth that has been, and will be, for eternity. I recently saw an interview where someone was telling their “truth” of life and behavior. It wasn’t a new truth, but it sure was an excuse. 

Many times we want to ignore truth and grasp at false, flashy, popular lies to make us feel better about what we are doing. The more we study God’s Word – the more we understand His truth, His ways, and His direction for our lives. In this understanding of His truth, we find the assurances and promises of scripture. 

Let the Holy Spirit guide you to truth and the truth will set you free.

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by Jim Sellers

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Sealed With The Spirit

Ephesians 1:13

“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.”

We often must show our identification or ticket that we belong where we are. It helps us to drive a car, inter a country, board an aircraft, and get into a movie or concert. In a recent hospital stay, the staff checked my identity bracelet before they administered a drug, took my vitals, ran a test, or examined me in any way. 

We are identified with Christ, His Spirit lives in us. We belong to Him and are a part of the family of God. We didn’t purchase the ticket or earn such a status in any way; it is a grace gift from the Lord for those who trust Him as Lord and Savior.

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by Jim Sellers

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A Son, not a Slave

Galatians 4:7

“So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”

When training elephants, I understand they shackle a baby pachyderm to a stake with a strong chain or rope. The young beast tries to pull against the bonds but is not strong enough to pull away. Soon the elephant feels the resistance and gives up on freedom. Even when the animal is huge and strong enough to break free, the negative training has done its job and is enslaved to the memory of the bondage. 

If we’re not careful, we stay enslaved to our past, our sin, our memories, and forget that Christ has set us free. We are freed of the penally of sin, we are being freed from the power of sin, and one day we will be freed from the presence of sin. 

He hold to the promise of salvation, sanctification, and coming glory; not by our strength, but by His.

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • How is your life different now that you are no longer a slave to your sin? 
  • How is it possible that we still sin even though it states we are no longer a slave to our sin? What is the difference?
  • Christ has set us free. What in your past do you need to let go of in order to live free?

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by Jim Sellers

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Heirs with Christ

Romans 8:12-17

“So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”

A Christian leader once said, “I’ve really never been any of the stuff I should have been: but Jesus has always been the Jesus He promised to be.” We desire fleeting bits of life: good looks, health, money, fame, family, power, and the list goes on. Exterior moments that make us feel good for a short time, then move on. Some folks chase these their entire lives. 

Bob Dylan recorded a Christian album in 1979 with the song, “Gotta Serve Somebody.” The chorus of the song says; “But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed – You’re gonna have to serve somebody – Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord – But you’re gonna have to serve somebody.”

God has promised us abundant life in His time and in His way. Let us seek Him.

Today’s post is by Jim Sellers

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The Spirit is Life

Romans 8:9-11

“You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”

Knock, knock – who’s there? When we confess our sin and ask the Lord to forgive us, His Spirit moves in, makes our spirit come alive, and lives within us. Sometimes I am ashamed of the living conditions the Holy Spirit must endure within me. One of my frequent verses is I John 1:9 because I am in need of frequent cleaning. I have received His Spirit once and for all – but need many fillings of the Spirit because I leak. I recently had the honor of ministering a grave side service for a dear saint. I passed a few tomb stones of people I have known. I don’t have the mind of God, but I knew the living testimony of some of these folks and have no doubt in my heart that I will see them again. Christ lives in me and when I lay down this “earth suit”, I will rise because of what He has done. So when you hear of my demise you can say “Knock, knock” and my Spirit will say “He is now here, He is with the Lord.”

Use the HEAR method as you spend time with today’s scripture.

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by Jim Sellers

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Sunday Edition

Good morning and Happy Easter! We hope you’ll join us for worship today.  

On-Campus – Contemporary worship 9am and 11am, Blended 9:45am. 
Streaming online 11am at mybelmont.org/sermonsonline or facebook.com/mybelmont/live 

Verses for the week:

  • Monday – Romans 8:9-11
  • Tuesday – Romans 8:12-17
  • Wednesday – Galatians 4:7
  • Thursday – Ephesians 1:13
  • Friday – 1 John 3:24

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