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Power Point:
When
you take a good look at the Gospel, does it really affect you personally? The Gospel (that very Good news) was meant to
have daily impact in our lives. It was not a promise to us of simply a glorious future of riding on the clouds, (although that would be quiet enough wouldn't it)? There
should be some measurable side effects of the gospel for you personally in the here and now.
The apostle Paul tells us that Godliness accompanied by contentment is
great gain. (I Timothy 6:6). The Father tells us that when Jesus lights up our lives, we will be contented like stall fed calves.(Malachi 4:2) That's a perfect picture of staying in the confines of the stall (the kingdom of God), and eating only the heavenly food He puts in front of you. The result is that you become so full of life and energy that you can hardly wait to run outside into the open fields.
I love being contented. The word actually means, “contentedly satisfied”. I just spent some time with the Roberts' gang in Phoenix and found myself contented, and satisfied, simply enjoying my family, and being a
part of their lives. I have the joy of knowing that I am part of such
a wonderful family; of seeing my grandchildren growing tall, inside and out. Of
course grandparents can be more objectively contented than parents, but I see
that Kim and David have shot the arrow “fitly”. It’s headed in the right direction toward the goal that God has
for all of them. A major side effect of the Gospel is moving in the direction of a Godly life,
which brings satisfied contentment because you know where you are headed and you know Who you are headed there with.
Another side effect? Confidence. No matter what things may look like or
feel like or seem like, you can have perfect confidence that the things you
have committed to Him, will come to a flourishing finish. Confidence is “full trust”. The
opposite of “full trust” is, of course, mis-trust. Which side-effect are you experiencing?
The final side effect of the Gospel is consistency. One of the
definitions of “consistency” is to shape, or form something, and then retain
that shape in its original form. The Gospel is meant to reshape us into something wonderfully new. We are to be someone that
consistently holds the original form of the GOOD news that Jesus left us. We are determinedly and confidently content that God will do what He has said He will
do. We are consistently consistent with the wonderful news He has given us.
So, here’s a brief synopsis of the side effects of the Gospel
in your life.
Are you more content? Is the good news really good news for you?
Are you more confident? Are you trusting fully?
Are you more consistent in your faith? It's been said that, "In consistency lies the key." That's a primary key to the kingdom of God.
Being consistent, confident, and contentedly satisfied leads to the abundant life that Jesus promised us in the Gospel. He's done His part. It's your move. Are you making progress on your journey and experiencing fewer negative side effects?
Being consistent, confident, and contentedly satisfied leads to the abundant life that Jesus promised us in the Gospel. He's done His part. It's your move. Are you making progress on your journey and experiencing fewer negative side effects?
Power Thought:
Satisfaction guaranteed!
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