A Holy Dichotomy

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A Holy Dichotomy

A Holy Dichotomy?

2/14/24 = Ash Wednesday + Valentine’s Day

Juxtaposition or placing our heart in just the right position?

Two apparently different observances falling on the same day, but more apparent is what they both have to say about the only true love we will ever know — the love of God the Father through Jesus Christ His Son.

And oh how this world desperately needs this love…

The holiest of juxtapositions for sure. The Bible is full of seemingly contradictory concepts, and yet, when we take time to “ponder anew what the Almighty can do,” the dichotomies we see just communicate His great love a little more clearly.

God’s GREAT love for us is just that — it is the GREATest of the loves that we will ever know.

It is a love that cannot be fully realized until we truly realize our GREAT need for this GREAT love.

In my opinion, the dichotomy surrounding love and lent is even more beautiful when the two are blended together.

Strength made perfect and weakness.

Fullness felt only after emptiness is indwelt.

The bondage of sin leading to freedom in Him.

Apparently, you can’t spell vaLENTine without LENT.

True love is experienced only in a relationship with Truth and Love Himself.

“Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John‬ ‭14‬:‭6‬, ‭NLT‬‬)

“God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.” (1 John 4:16, NLT)

{And as I just looked up these two verses, the similarities jumped out at me — John and 1 John, 14:6 and 4:16 — transposed numbers highlighting these holy juxtapositions}

Ash Wednesday reminding us as God reminded Adam: “for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” (Genesis‬ ‭3‬:‭19‬b, ‭ESV‬‬)

We are but dust. Our Creator formed us, and He alone can fill us. And when we go straight to the source to receive love, forgiveness, acceptance, grace, mercy, and truth, those are the things we can then give to others.

Valentine’s Day reminding us that Saint Valentine gave his life trying to keep love alive by marrying soldiers in secret since a Roman decree forbade it.

To love others well, we must dwell in Love.

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (John‬ ‭15‬:‭5‬, ‭NLT‬‬)

“Man approaches God most nearly when he is in one sense least like God. For what can be more unlike than fullness and need, sovereignty and humility, righteousness and penitence, limitless power and a cry for help?” (C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves)

A Holy Dichotomy for sure.

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Never Forget {9/11/01}

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Never Forget {9/11/01}

I remember exactly where I was twenty-two years ago today on that tragic Tuesday. As those terrorists were boarding planes, I was buckling my four-month-old firstborn into his car seat, venturing out to Bible study. I was a young mom desperate to find connection with God and with others. I had no idea what was about happen, the lives that would be lost and others that would be changed forever.

I remember the outfit Joshua had on that day. I remember the sense of urgency to get home and talk to Steve when they told us what had happened and dismissed Bible study early. I remember being glued to the TV and watching it all in utter disbelief.

Twenty-two years later, I truly believe the world we live in is continually being attacked every single day in a very different way. The terrorist of our souls, the father of lies, the enemy himself has launched a full out attack on all that is good and all that God has established and set into motion. Oh, he’s been at it since the beginning of time, but everyday his tactics manifest in different ways, more manipulative and relentless than the day before.

He will stop at nothing to see to it that we crash and burn.

And now, more than ever, we need to show up to Bible Study — not in a formal way, but in a desperate to know Him way. What does God’s Word say about all that’s going on in the world around us? You may be surprised to know it has quite a bit to say about it!

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“Follow God’s Will” Focuses on the Practical Pursuit of Biblical Truths

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“Follow God’s Will” Focuses on the Practical Pursuit of Biblical Truths

Happy Friday! Being that it’s the final Friday in October, which happens to be launch month for several of my author friends, I’m giving away a copy of another book! This one is not my own, but rather, my friend Brittany Ann’s newest book, “Follow God’s Will.” And this giveaway will give way to a little preview just for you since I was blessed to receive an advance reading copy to review!

“Follow God’s Will” is filled with Biblical truths readers can practically pursue. It sticks to scripture and is Gospel centered. While you will definitely receive practical “how tos,” you more importantly will receive “who throughs,” meaning the message of “Follow God’s Will” simply points you to His Word, where He reigns supreme. It is only in His sovereignty and by His Authority, we can ever achieve what He has called us to do by being who He has called us to be.

“If God can use a scared fugitive (Moses), a shepherd boy turned a adulterer (David), an unwed teenager (Mary), a religious fanatic fanatic and persecutor (Paul), and a ragtag group of men you’d never expect to be chosen (Jesus’ disciples), He can certainly use me. And he can certainly use you.”

This is the message of the Gospel. This is the message of this book. God loved us enough to save and redeem us. He set us free from sin so we could follow Him freely, walk with Him daily, and follow His will completely.

The thing I love most about this book is that it points readers to the most important Book. Brittany Ann’s words, coupled with others’ words in “story sections” throughout the book, culminate with “dive deeper” sections that literally allow readers to rely on the infallible Word of God for their ultimate source of finding and then following God’s will.

So, to celebrate Brittany Ann and her new book baby, I’m giving away a copy to one to you! To enter to win, simply comment below. I’ll be choosing a winner Sunday (10/30) at 10:30pm.

For more information about Brittany Ann and her ministry, Equipping Godly Women, click here.

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 30: To Him Be the Glory

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 30: To Him Be the Glory

June 30th. Day 30 of walking through “Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily” — Part 1 of “A Gospel Primer for Christians” by Milton Vincent.


Today’s reason — To Him be the Glory.


Our final reason is another BOLD proclamation as to why we MUST keep the gospel at the center of all we do and say, think and feel.


And about this final reason to rehearse the gospel daily, Vincent says this...


“‘To the praise of the glory of His grace… To the praise of His glory… To the praise of His glory.’ {Ephesians 1:5-14} These refrains fly as banners over the gospel truths parading through the earthly verses of Ephesians. They herald the ultimate motive of God in all His gospel acts on behalf of those whom He has saved. They also announce the effect which the gospel will most certainly wield upon those who experience its fullness. It is no surprise, then, that the Apostle ends his gospel review in Ephesians 3 by bowing his knees in worship and ascribing all glory to God. {Ephesians 3:14-21} ‘Unto His be the glory,’ Paul exclaims at the end of Ephesians 3. ‘To…Him be the glory,’ he cries after his gospel meditations through Romans. {Romans 11:33-36} ‘To the King…be glory,’ he urges in 1 Timothy after speaking of God’s merciful saving of him. {1 Timothy 1:15-17} Clearly, the gospel generated in Paul an enormous passion for God’s glory; and the gospel does the same in me as I make it the meditation of my heart each day.”


He continues by saying...


“Understanding that I am not the ultimate end of the gospel, but rather that God‘s glory is, actually enables me to embrace my salvation more boldly than I would otherwise dare to do. For example, when my timid heart questions why God would want to love one so sinful as I, I read the answer, ‘to the praise of the glory of His grace.’ I figure, then, that my unworthiness must actually be useful to God, because it magnifies the degree to which His grace might be glorified as He lavishes His saving kindness upon me. This line of reasoning makes perfect sense to me and convinces me to embrace the gospel with greater passion so that God might glorify Himself through me, an unworthy sinner.”


Vincent concludes by saying this...


“Indeed, the more I embrace and experience the gospel, the more I delight in the worship of God, the more expressive my joy in Him becomes, and the more I yearn to glorify Him in all I say and do.” {1 Peter 1:6-9, 1 Corinthians 10:31}


Oh what a sweet 30 days this has been… Walking through these reasons to rehearse the gospel daily with each of you. Knowing the “why” behind our “walk” makes our daily walk with Him more consistent, more dependent upon Him, and more useful for His kingdom. I am convinced now more than ever that the gospel has everything to do with Him, and little to do with me — and that little it has to do with me is still ALL for His Glory! I am grateful for the gospel. I will not stop preaching it to myself and others each and every day — take hold of it and be bold with it!


Are you with me? Or a better question… Are you with Him? Have you given your life to Christ? If you are not sure how to answer that questions or you have other questions, I’d love to help. Just message me.

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 29: My Manifesto

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 29: My Manifesto

June 29th. Day 29 of walking through “Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily” — Part 1 of “A Gospel Primer for Christians” by Milton Vincent.


Today’s reason — My Manifesto.


Let me tell you right now, we are finishing strong! These last two reasons are like the grand finale of our a fireworks display. They’re a BOLD proclamation as to why we MUST keep the gospel at the center of all we do and say, think and feel.


And about this 29th reason to rehearse the gospel daily, Vincent says this...


“Boldness is critical. Without boldness, my life story will be one of great deeds left undone, victories left unwon, petitions left unprayed, and timely words left unsaid. If I wish to live only a pathetically small portion of the life God has prepared for me, then I need no boldness. But if I want my life to bloom full and loom large for the glory of God, then I must have boldness — and nothing so nourishes boldness in me like the gospel!


He continues by saying...


“The gospel gives me boldness by banishing my great fear, the fear of God’s eternal wrath. Indeed, Christ bore God’s wrath upon Himself, not simply so I could escape that wrath on some future Day, but also that I might be released from the daily fear of such wrath as I think ahead to judgement day. Because this fear hinders the ongoing work of God in me, the love of God continually expels this fear (whenever it appears) and nurtured within me a confident eagerness to face God on judgement day. {1 John 4:17-18} Living in the daily relief of this fear frees me up to continue being perfected in confidence by the love of God, and it also serves to put all other fears, especially the fear of man, into perspective.” {Matthew 10:28}


Vincent continues by saying this...


“Additionally, the more I experience the life-transforming power of the gospel, the more confident I am in speaking it to others, both saved and lost. {Romans 1:15-16, 1 Corinthians 1:18} I know what the gospel can do in people’s lives if they would believe the fullness of it, because I see what it is doing in means in others. Therefore, I have increasing boldness to speak the whole gospel to others, {Acts 20:26-27} even amid opposition.” {Acts 4:29-31}


And continues with...


“Also, the more I comprehend what God has done for me through Christ, the more I find myself confidently coming before God in prayer, {Hebrews 4:16, Hebrews 10:19-22} speaking to Him in situations in which I formerly would have shrunk from Him, and offering requests that I formerly would have been too timid to offer (due either to the largeness of the request or my own sinful unworthiness). With greater boldness in prayer comes an increased enjoyment of God and the bounty that He gives, due simply to the fact that I was daring enough to ask for what was needed.” {James 4:2}


Vincent concludes with this...


“Preaching the gospel to myself each day nourishes within me a holy brazenness to believe what God says, enjoy what He offers, and do what He commands. Admittedly, I don’t deserve to be a child of God, and I don’t deserve to be free of sin’s guilt and power. I don’t deserve the staggering privilege of intimacy with God, nor any blessing that Christ has purchased for me with His blood. I don’t even deserve to be useful to God. But by the grace of God I am what I am and I have what I have, and I hereby resolve not to let any portion of God’s grace prove vain in me! {1 Corinthians 15:9-10} And to the degree I fail to live up to this resolve, I will. Oddly take for myself the forgiveness that God says is mine and continue walking in His grace. This is my manifesto, my daily resolve; and May God be glorified by this confidence that I place in Him.”


Like I said yesterday, and will continue to remind myself everyday: We must take hold of it and be bold with it. Preach the gospel daily — to ourselves and others.

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 28: The Ultimate Prize

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 28: The Ultimate Prize

June 28th. Day 28 of walking through “Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily” — Part 1 of “A Gospel Primer for Christians” by Milton Vincent.


Today’s reason — The Ultimate Prize.


And about this reason to rehearse the gospel daily, Vincent says this...


“In the New Testament, the gospel is several times referred to as the ‘gospel of God.’ {Romans 1:1; Romans 15:16; 2 Corinthians 11:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:2, 8, 9; 1 Peter 4:17} Such an expression should be understood in the fullest sense possible. The gospel is called the ‘gospel of God,’ not simply because it is from God, nor merely because it is accomplished through God, but also because ultimately it leads me to God, who is Himself its greatest Prize. Indeed, what makes the gospel such great news is God, who brings me to Himself {Ephesians 1:4-5} and then gives Himself so freely to me through Jesus Christ.” {Romans 5:5, John 14:21}


He continues by saying...


“The essence of eternal life is not found in having my sins forgiven, in possessing a mansion in heaven, or in having streets of gold on which to walk forever. Rather, the essence of eternal life is intimately knowing God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. {John 17:3} Everything else that God gives to me in the gospel serves merely to bring me to Himself so that this great end might be achieved. Christ died for the forgiveness of my sins so that I might be brought ‘to God.’ {1 Peter 3:18} Christ is preparing a place for me in heaven so that He might receive me ‘to Himself’ and have me forever with Him where He is. {John 14:2-3} And yes, there is a great street of gold in heaven, but is there any doubt where the street leads? Unquestionably, it leads straight to the throne of God Himself, {Revelation 21:21, 22:1-1} as do all of God’s gifts to me in the gospel.”


Vincent concludes by saying this...


“As I meditate on the gospel each day, I find my thoughts inevitably traveling from the gifts I’ve received to the Giver of those gifts; and the more my thoughts are directed to Him, the more I experience the essence of eternal life. The ‘gospel of God’ is from God, comes through God, and leads me to God; {Romans 11:36} and it is in Him that my soul finds its truest joy and rest.” {Psalm 16:11, Psalm 37:4, Psalm 73:25-28}


He is the greatest Prize, and the gospel is the only thing that gives us access to Him. Until the things of this world pale in comparison to this great Prize, we are not allowing it to change our lives. We must take hold of it and be bold with it. Preach the gospel daily — to ourselves and others.

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 27: Thankful esa Enriched by Relief

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 27: Thankful esa Enriched by Relief

June 27th. Day 27 of walking through “Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily” — Part 1 of “A Gospel Primer for Christians” by Milton Vincent.


Today’s reason — Thankfulness Enriched by Relief.


In today’s reason to rehearse the gospel daily, Vincent starts with this profound reminder as to why this daily exercise and total absorption in the gospel is key to truly living it out...


“The more absorbed I am in the gospel, the more grateful I become in the midst of my circumstances, whatever they may be.”


He continues by saying...


“Viewing life’s blessings as water in a drinking cup, I know that I could discontentedly focus on the half of the cup that seems empty, or I could gratefully focus on the half that is full. Certainly, the latter approach is the better of the two, yet the gospel cultivates within me a richer gratitude than this.”


Vincent goes on to say...


“The gospel reminds me first that what I actually deserve from God is a full cup churning with the torments of His wrath. {Revelation 14:10, Psalm 75:8} This is the cup that would be mine to drink if I were given what I deserve each day. With this understanding in mind, I see that to be handed a completely empty cup from God would be cause enough for infinite gratitude. If there were merely the tiniest drop of blessing contained in that otherwise empty cup, I should be blown away by the unbelievable kindness of God toward me. That God, in fact, has given me a cup {Psalm 116:12-13, Psalm 23:5} that is full of ‘every spiritual blessing in Christ,’ {Ephesians 1:3} and this without the slightest admixture of wrath, leaves me truly dumbfounded with inexpressible joy. As for my specific earthly circumstances of plenty or want, I can see them always as infinite improvements on the hell I deserve.”


He concludes...


“When I look at any circumstance that God apportions me, I am first grateful for the wrath I am not receiving in that moment (The empty part of the cup never looked so good!). Second, I am grateful for the blessings that are given to me instead of His wrath. (Life‘s blessings, however small, always appear exceedingly precious when viewed against the backdrop of the wrath I deserve.) This two-layered gratitude disposes my heart to give thanks in all things {1 Thessalonians 5:18} and it also lends a certain intensity to my giving of thanks. Such a gospel-generated gratitude glorifies God, contributes to peace of mind, {Philippians 4:6-7} and keeps my foot from the path of foolishness and ruin.” {Romans 1:21-29}


This reason resonates as well simply because viewing ALL we have in Christ against the backdrop of ALL we would miss without Him...Wow! Even the tiniest drop of blessing in Him is more than enough to sustain my parched soul, because without Him even a cup overflowing with all the world offers would never ever come close to satisfying what He alone can supply.

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 26: Mortifying the Flesh with Fullness

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 26: Mortifying the Flesh with Fullness

June 26th. Day 26 of walking through “Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily” — Part 1 of “A Gospel Primer for Christians” by Milton Vincent.


Today’s reason — Mortifying the Flesh with Fullness.


Another amazing reason in today’s reading — another reason that resonates deeply!


Vincent starts his explanation with this...


“Though saved, I am daily beset by a sinful flesh {Galatians 5:19-21} that always craves those things that are contrary to the Spirit. {Galatians 5:17} These fleshly lusts are vicious enemies, constantly waging war against the good of my soul. {1 Peter 2:11} Yet they promise me fullness, and their promises are so deliciously sweet that I often find myself giving into them as if they were friends that have my best interest at heart.”


He continues by saying...


“On the most basic of levels, I desire fullness, and fleshly lusts seduce me by attaching themselves to this basic desire. They exploit the empty spaces in me, and they promise that fullness will be mine if I give in to their demands. When my souls sits empty and is aching for something to fill it, such deceptive promises are extremely difficult to resist.”


Vincent goes on to say...


“Consequently, the key to mortifying fleshly lusts is to eliminate the emptiness within me and replace it with fullness; and I accomplish this by feasting on the gospel. Indeed, it is in the gospel that I experience a God who glorifies Himself by filling me with His fullness. He is the One, Paul says, ‘who fills all in all.’ {Ephesians 1:22-23} He is the One who ‘fill[s] all things‘ with the gifts He gives. {Ephesians 4:7-10} And He lavishes gospel blessings upon me with the goal that I ‘be filled up to all the fullness of God.’ {Ephesians 3:14-19} This is the God of the gospel, a God who is satisfied with nothing less than my experience of fullness in Him! The first command God spoke in the Garden was, ‘eat freely.’ {Genesis 2:16} And with similar insistence He says to me now, ‘be filled.’” {Ephesians 5:18}


He continues...


“What happens to my appetites for sin when I am filled with the fullness of God in Christ? Jesus provides this answer: ‘He who continually comes to Me will never hunger or thirst again.’ {John 6:35} Indeed, as I perpetually feast on Christ and all of His blessings found in the gospel, I find that my hunger for sin diminishes and the lies of lust simply lose their appeal. Hence, to the degree that I am full, I am free. Eyes do not rove, nor do fleshly lusts rule, when the heart is fat with the love of Jesus!”


And the author concludes by saying...


“Preaching the gospel to myself each day keeps before me the startling advocacy of God for my fullness, and it also serves as a means by which I feast anew on the fullness of provision that God has given me in Christ. ‘Eat[ing] freely’ of such provision keeps me occupied with God’s blessings and also leaves me with a profoundly enjoyable sense of satisfaction in Jesus. And nothing so mortifies the fleshly lusts like satisfaction in Him.”

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 25: Hope of Heaven

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 25: Hope of Heaven

June 25th. Day 25 of walking through “Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily” — Part 1 of “A Gospel Primer for Christians” by Milton Vincent.


Today’s reason — Hope of Heaven.


Oh how this reason resonates in a way that has my heart living in the tension of longing for heaven and loving others into heaven while on earth. The most loving thing we can do is give others the truth of the gospel, plain and simple. Yes, we must live it out, but we desperately need to speak it out, too. Everyone longs for the Hope of Heaven.


I LOVE the way Vincent explains this reason to rehearse the gospel in today’s reading...


“The more I experience the riches of Christ in the gospel, the more there develops within me a yearning to be with Christ in heaven where I will experience His grace in unhindered fullness. {Philippians 1:23, 1 Peter 1:13} The reason for this yearning is simple:however great may be the present blessing of salvation, they are but the ‘first fruits of the Spirit,” the first installments of an unimaginably great harvest of glory which I will reap forever in heaven.” {Romans 8:23}


He continues by saying...


“The apostle Paul could not rehearse gospel blessings in Romans 5-8 without being reminded of his anxious longing for the future glories awaiting believers in heaven. {Romans 8:18-23} Likewise, the Apostle John could not speak of his and his readers’ status as children of God without also relishing the beautification they will experience at the revelation of Jesus Christ. {1 John 3:1-2} Neither will I be able to think long upon gospel blessings without thinking also of the infinite glories which will be mine to enjoy in heaven.”


Vincent goes on to say...


“Such a gospel-generated heavenward focus yields enormous benefits to me while on earth. The mere hope of seeing Christ in glory releases the purifying influence of heaven upon my life from day to day. {1 John 3:3} Also, knowing of the future love that God will show me in glory enables me to love my fellow-saints with a heaven-inspired love even now. {Colossians 1:4-5} I love others out of the fullness already given to me in Christ, and also out of the greater fullness that will be given to me in glory!”


He continues...


“Hope of eternity with Christ in heaven also enables my heart to thrive during the most difficult and lengthy of trials here on earth. When looking at the sheer weight of unseen glories to come, my troubles seem light by comparison; and when looking at the staggering length of eternity, my troubles seem fleeting by comparison. {2 Corinthians 4:16-18} It is only against the backdrop of a glorious eternity that my circumstances can be seen in such a manner; and the promise of this glorious eternity is part and parcel of the gospel itself.” {Colossians 1:5}


And the author concludes by saying


“Preaching the gospel to myself every day is a great way to keep myself established in ‘the hope of the gospel,’ {Colossians 1:23} so that I might experience the practical benefits that such hope is intended to bring me here on earth.”

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 24: All Things Crucified (Part 2)

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 24: All Things Crucified (Part 2)

June 24th. Day 24 of walking through “Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily” — Part 1 of “A Gospel Primer for Christians” by Milton Vincent.


Today’s reason — All Things Crucified, Part 2.


As a continuation of yesterday’s reason, today’s reason looks at crucifixion and death as a way to resurrection and life. It is equally as rich in truth as yesterday’s reason; however, it tells the “rest of the truth” in that it reassures us that death is not the end.


Vincent says it this way...


“Thankfully, the gospel teaches me that dying is not an end, but a beginning. For after Christ took up His cross and died, God raised Him from the dead, {Ephesians 1:20} exalted Him to the highest heaven, {Philippians 2:8-9} and drew Him into His bosom. {John 1:18} These facts surrounding Christ’s resurrection stand as proof positive that God will not leave me for dead, but will raise me similarly, if I would only allow myself to die. Indeed, on the other side of each later dying lie experiences of a life with God that are far richer, far higher, and far more intimate than anything I would have otherwise known.” {Romans 6:4}


Vincent goes on to say...


“In God’s economy, death is the way to life. ‘Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,’ Jesus says, ‘but whoever loses his life for My sake, he shall find it.’ {Luke 9:24} Indeed, the more comfortable I am made to the death of Christ, the more I experience freedom from from sin {Romans 6:6-7} and taste the power of the resurrection of Jesus Himself. {Philippians 3:8-10} The path to such power is paved with many dyings, and each stage of resurrection is achieved with each incident of dying to myself and reckoning myself dead to sin.” {Romans 6:11}


Vincent concludes with this...


“The more I contemplate the gospel, the more I understand this ‘word of the cross’ {1 Corinthians 1:18} stands as a blueprint for my own life story. The death that Christ died is the death to which I am also called, and the death to which I am called is my entry point to the union with Christ and life at its fullest. {Romans 6:5} So, come what may, I’ll let no one take this death from me!”


Praise God for Part 2! Death leads to life because Christ paid the ultimate price. We have access to eternity and freedom from fear of death because we have the hope of life eternally with Him!

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 23: All Things Crucified (Part 1)

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 23: All Things Crucified (Part 1)

June 23rd. Day 23 of walking through “Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily” — Part 1 of “A Gospel Primer for Christians” by Milton Vincent.


Today’s reason — All Things Crucified, Part 1.


Today’s reason is a longer one, but it is so rich in truth and will leave you excited to hear even more tomorrow for part 2. It today, Vincent starts with this...


“The gospel is not simply the story of ‘Christ and Him crucified’ {1 Corinthians 2:2}; it is also the story of my own crucifixion. For the Bible tells me that I, too, was crucified on Christ’s cross. {Galatians 2:20} My old self was slain there, {Romans 6:6} and my live affair with the world was crucified there too. {Galatians 6:14} The cross is also the place where I crucify my flesh and all its sinful desires. {Galatians 5:24} Truly, Christ’s death and my death are so intertwined as to be inseparable.”


Vincent goes on to say...


“God is committed to my dying every day, and He calls me to that same commitment.{Luke 9:23} He insists that every hour be my dying hour, and He wants my death on the cross to be as central to my own life story as is Christ’s death to the gospel story. ‘Let this same attitude be in you,’ He says, ‘which was also in Christ Jesus...who became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.’” {Philippians 2:5-7}


In the next three paragraphs, Vincent continues to expound upon what Christ’s crucifixion actually means for our own. How do we live it out daily? It’s not easy or pretty, but it sets us free from self, thus freeing us to love God because He first loved us and to love others because we are called to love them for Him. Stay with me. Keep reading...


“Crucifixion hurts. In fact, its heart-wrenching and brutality in Canaan the senses. It is a gas being in bloody affair, and there is nothing nice, pretty, or easy about it. It is not merely death, but excruciating death.”


“Nevertheless, I must set my face like a flint {Isaiah 50:6-7} toward the cross and embrace the crucifixion in everything I do. I should expect every day to encounter circumstantial evidence of God’s commitment to my dying; and I must seize upon every God-given opportunity to be conformed more fully to Christ’s death, no matter the pain involved.”


“When my flesh yearns for some prohibited thing, I must die. When called to do something I don’t want to do, I must die. When I wish to be selfish and serve no one, I must die. When shattered by hardships that I despise, I must die. When wanting to cling to wrongs done against me, I must die. When enticed by allurements of the world, I must die. When wishing to keep besetting sins secret, I must die. When wants that are borderline needs are left unmet, I must die. When dreams that are good seem shoved aside, I must die.”


Vincent concludes with this...


“‘Not my will, but Yours be done,’ Christ trustingly prayed on the eve of His crucifixion; {Luke 22:42, 1 Peter 2:23} and preaching His story to myself each day puts me in a frame of mind to trust God and embrace the cross of my own dying also.” {1 Peter 2:21-24, 1 Corinthians 15:31, Romans 8:36}


Today’s reason is a heavy one. We must die to self in order to live for Him. Period. There’s just no way around it, but oh the grace that abounds in it.

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 22: A Heart for the Poor

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 22: A Heart for the Poor

June 22nd. Day 22 of walking through “Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily” — Part 1 of “A Gospel Primer for Christians” by Milton Vincent.


Today’s reason — A Heart for the Poor.


And about today’s reason, Vincent has this to say...


“Like nothing else could ever do, the gospel instills in me a heart for the downcast, the poverty-stricken, and those in need of physical mercies, especially when such persons are of the household of faith.” {Galatians 6:10}


Vincent furthers his explanation of this reason by saying...


“When I see persons who are materially poor, I instantly feel a kinship with them, for they are physically what I was spiritually when my heart was closed to Christ. {Revelation 3:17-20} Perhaps some of them are in their condition because of sin, but so was I. Perhaps they are unkind when I try to help them; but I, too, have been spiteful to God when he has sought to help me. Perhaps they are thankless and even abuse the kindness I show them, but how many times have I been thankless and used what God has given me to serve selfish ends?”


Vincent goes on to say...


“Perhaps a poverty-stricken person will be blessed and changed as a result of some kindness I showed him. If so, God be praised for his grace through me. But if the person walks away unchanged by my kindness, then I still rejoice over the opportunity to love as God loves.” {Matthew 5:44-45} Perhaps the person will repent in time; but for now, my heart is chastened and made wiser by the tangible depiction of what I myself have done to God on numerous occasions.”


Vincent concludes with this...


“The gospel reminds me daily of the spiritual poverty into which I was born {Psalm 51:5} and also of the staggering generosity of Christ towards me. {2 Corinthians 8:7-9, Romans 8:32} Such reminders instill and me both a felt connection to the poor and a desire to show them the same generosity that has been lavished on me. {Ephesians 1:7-8} When ministering to the poor with these motivations, I not only preach the gospel to them through word and deed, but I reenact the gospel to my own benefit as well.”


Today’s reason to rehearse the gospel daily has this song on repeat in my heart. May we make it our heart’s cry today and everyday...


All I Have Is Christ (Sovereign Grace)


I once was lost in darkest night

Yet thought I knew the way

The sin that promised joy and life

Had led me to the grave

I had no hope that You would own

A rebel to Your will

And if You had not loved me first

I would refuse You still


But as I ran my hell-bound race

Indifferent to the cost

You looked upon my helpless state

And led me to the cross

And I beheld God’s love displayed

You suffered in my place

You bore the wrath reserved for me

Now all I know is grace


Hallelujah! All I have is Christ

Hallelujah! Jesus is my life


Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone

And live so all might see

The strength to follow Your commands

Could never come from me

Oh Father, use my ransomed life

In any way You choose

And let my song forever be

My only boast is You

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 21: Saved for Good Works

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 21: Saved for Good Works

June 21st. Day 21 of walking through “Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily” — Part 1 of “A Gospel Primer for Christians” by Milton Vincent.


Today’s reason — Saved for Good Works.


“Through the gospel I learn not only of the saving works of God on my behalf, but I also learned that one of God’s key purposes in doing these works has to put me to work myself.”


Such a powerful introduction to today’s reason to rehearse the gospel! My takeaway already: His completed work on the cross fuels our ongoing work in this world.


Vincent continues with a broader explanation...


“The Bible tells me that when Christ redeemed me, He did so in order that I might now be ‘zealous for good works.’ {Titus 2:14} When God ‘works’ in me day by day, He does so in order to produce in me that desire and the power to ‘work for His good pleasure.’ {Philippians 2:12-13} Indeed, though I am saved by grace and not by works, I am God’s ‘workmanship,created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that [I] would walk in them.’” {Ephesians 2:10}


Vincent goes on to say...


“Being naturally lazy, I do not normally thrilled at the prospect of work; but the more I am brace the saving work of God on my behalf, the more I find myself in bracing the works for which God saved me. And as I am ‘working hard’ at doing these works for the hood of others, I experience the truth of Jesus’ words: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ {Acts 20:34-35} I also find myself saying with Christ, ‘My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to accomplish His work.’ {John 4:32-34} Indeed, gospel-motivated works do for this so what food does for the body. They bring refreshment, enjoyment, blessing, and strengthening to the doer of the deeds, even more so than to the receiver. Hence, the fact that God has prepared such works for me to do becomes a part of what makes the gospel such great news to me.”


Vincent concludes with this...


“Preaching the gospel to myself each day not only reminds me of the of love God for me, but it also reminds me of the love of God for the works that He has saved me to perform. When I see the Cross, I see the premium that God places on the works that He has prepared for me. How valuable all of these works must be if Christ would die so that I might now perform them! And how precious are those for whom those works are done if Christ would die that they might be served!”

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 20: Chosen for Prayer

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 20: Chosen for Prayer

June 20th. Day 20 of walking through “Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily” — Part 1 of “A Gospel Primer for Christians” by Milton Vincent.


Today’s reason — Chosen for Prayer.


I already LOVE today’s reason. Chosen to have conversations with the God of the Universe. Chosen to intercede for others as Jesus interceded for you and me. What an honor. What a reason to rehearse the gospel daily.


“When God chose me in Christ before the foundation of the world, he did not merely choose me to be ‘holy and blameless’; He chose me also to be ‘before Him in love.’ {Ephesians 1:4} To be sure, I am always in God‘s presence on earth, and in heaven I will be in His presence more fully than ever. But it could also be said that in this life I am especially ‘before Him in love’ when I come ‘before Him’ in prayer and worship.” {Psalm 100:2, Psalm 68:4, 1 John 5:14}


Vincent continues by saying...


“Therefore, I can infer that prayer is not simply something I am allowed to do as a Christian; prayer is actually one of the great purposes for which God chose to save me. Christ Himself confirms this fact when He makes the following statement to His disciples: ‘I chose you...that whatever you ask of the Father in my name He may give it to you.’ {John 15:16} As a chosen one of God, I was saved to pray; and whenever I come into God’s presence to behold Him, worship Him, or make request of Him, I am arriving at the pinnacle of God’s saving purpose for me.”


Vincent elaborates a little more...


“God is radically committed to my life of prayer. He shed the blood of His son so that I might be cleansed and rendered fit {Ephesians 1:6, Romans 5:9} to stand before Him in love. He also permitted the brutal rending of His son so that I might now have a way into the Holy Place through the torn flesh of Jesus. {Hebrews 10:19-20} ‘Draw near’ {Hebrews 4:16} He says in Hebrews 4; ‘draw near’ He says in Hebrews 10; {Hebrews 10:19-22} ‘pray without ceasing,’ {1 Thessalonians 5:17} He urges elsewhere. How can I not feel the infinite sincerity of these invitations, especially when considering the painful lengths that God endured so that I might enter His presence in prayer?”


Vincent concludes with this...


“Indeed, the gospel itself serves as the sweetest of invitations to pray; and preaching it to myself each day nurtures within me a mighty impulse to come ‘before [God] in love’ and do the praying that I was elected to do.”

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 19: Exposed by the Cross (Part 2)

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 19: Exposed by the Cross (Part 2)

June 19th. Day 19 of walking through “Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily” — Part 1 of “A Gospel Primer for Christians” by Milton Vincent.


Today’s reason — Exposed by the Cross, Part 2.


Vincent continues this reason by saying...


“The cross also exposes me before the eyes of other people, informing them of the depth of my depravity. If I wanted others to think highly of me, I would conceal the fact that a shameful slaughter of the perfect son of God was required that I might be saved. But when I stand at the foot of the cross and I am seen by others under the light of that cross, I am left uncomfortably exposed before their eyes. Indeed, the most humiliating gossip that could ever be whispered about me is blared from Golgotha’s hill; {John 19:17-18} and my self-righteous reputation is left in ruins in the wake of it revelations. With the worst facts about me thus exposed to the view of others, I find myself feeling that I truly have nothing left to hide.”


Vincent concludes by saying...


“Thankfully, the more exposed I see that I am by the Cross, the more I find myself opening up to others about ongoing issues of sin in my life. (Why would anyone be shocked to hear of my struggles with past and present sin when the Cross already told them I am a desperately sinful person?) And more open I am in confessing my sins to fellow-Christians, the more I enjoy the healing of the Lord in response to their grace-filled counsel and prayers. {James 5:16} Experiencing richer levels of Christ’s love in companionship with such saints, {Ephesians 3:14-19} I give thanks for the gospel’s role in forcing my hand towards self-disclosure and the freedom that follows.” {Ecclesiastes 4:9-12}


Once exposed, always exposed. Our sin condition, the separation is causes, and our need for a Savior can never be concealed, and once it has been revealed personally to us, the only right response is surrender to the Cross of Christ to make it right. His righteousness for our filthy rags.


The cross exposes us. Jesus’ blood covers us. The exposure does not leave me shameful, but rather grateful for the covering in Christ we receive when we believe.

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 18: Exposed by the Cross (Part 1)

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 18: Exposed by the Cross (Part 1)

June 18th. Day 18 of walking through “Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily” — Part 1 of “A Gospel Primer for Christians” by Milton Vincent.


Today’s reason — Exposed by the Cross, Part 1.


About this first part of this reason to rehearse the gospel daily Vincent says this...


“It was while rehearsing gospel truths in Romans 5-8 that the Apostle Paul was moved to speak of his struggle with sin and exclaim, ‘O wretched man that I am!’ {Romans 7:19-24} While reviewing God’s abundant saving grace on another occasion, Paul was prompted to confessed that he was ‘the foremost’ sinner of all.” {1 Timothy 1:15}


Vincent goes on to say...


“Likewise, the deeper I go into the gospel, the more I comprehend and confess aloud the depth of my sinfulness. A gruesome death like the one that Christ endured for me would only be required for one who is exceedingly sinful and unable to appease a holy God. Consequently, whenever I consider the necessity and manner of His death, along with the love and selflessness behind it, I am laid bare and utterly exposed {Hebrews 4:13} for the sinner I am.”


Vincent concludes with this...


“Such an awareness of my sinfulness does not drag me down, but actually serves to lift me up by magnifying my appreciation of God’s forgiving grace in my life. And the more I appreciate the magnitude of God’s forgiveness of my sins, the more I love Him and delight to show Him love through heartfelt expressions of worship.” {Luke 7:37-47}


For a true believer, there is no way around the work of the cross to expose my sin. If I am to accept the result of that work (my salvation) I must also reject that any other work (of my own or some other “way” or religion) is capable of exposing my sin. I must also believe and receive the work of the cross as the only way worthy enough and powerful enough to save me from my sin, cleanse me from within, and reconcile me back to Him.


The cross exposes me. Jesus’ blood covers me. It is the only way to truly be set free.

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 17: Perspective in Trials

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 17: Perspective in Trials

June 17th. Day 17 of walking through “Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily” — Part 1 of “A Gospel Primer for Christians” by Milton Vincent.


Today’s reason — Perspective in Trials.


This is definitely a reason I have grown to understand more the longer I walk with God. As a new believer, I can remember being rather impatient and wanting to move as quickly as possible through trials. Don’t get me wrong, I still struggle with being patient, but I am realizing more with each thing I endure I’m not struggling FOR victory in a trial but FROM my position of victory in Christ. Now that doesn’t mean the victory will look like my humanness wants it to look, but it does mean I am a victor over, not a victim of, my trial when I am seated with Christ.


This reason also reminds me of a post I wrote a few years ago: “From SCARED to SACRED by way of the Cross.” Basically, shifting our perspective ever so slightly through the lens of the gospel can make a scary place an extremely sacred space.


Vincent has this to say about this reason to rehearse the gospel daily...


“More than anything else I could ever do, the gospel enables me to embrace my tribulations and thereby position myself to gain full benefit from them. For the gospel is the one great permanent circumstance in which I live and move; and every hardship in my life is allowed by God only because it serves His gospel purposes in me. When I view my circumstances in this light, I realize the gospel is not just one piece of good news that fits into my life somewhere among all the bad. I realize instead that the gospel makes genuinely good news out of every other aspect of my life including my severest trials. {Romans 5:1-5} The good news about my trials is that God is forcing them to bow to his gospel purposes and do good on to me by improving my character and making me more conformed to the image of Christ.” {Romans 8:28-29, James 1:2-4, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10}


Vincent finishes by saying this...


“Preaching the gospel to myself each day provides a lens through which I can view my trials in this way and see the true cause for rejoicing that exists in them. I can then embrace trials as friends and allow them to do God’s good work in me.”


I know this is a rather cliché thing to say, but when pondering today’s reading, it’s what comes to mind. When we are able to view our trials through the lens of Christ’s triumph, we see that they are for our good and for His glory.


Reminds me of an Aaron Keyes song, “Sovereign Over Us.”


There is strength within the sorrow

There is beauty in our tears

And you meet us in our mourning

With a love that cast out fear

You are working in our waiting

You're sanctifying us

When beyond our understanding

You're teaching us to trust


Your plans are still to prosper

You have not forgotten us

You're with us in the fire and the flood

You're faithful forever

Perfect in love

You are sovereign over us


You are wisdom unimagined

Who could understand your ways

Reigning high above the heavens

Reaching down in endless grace

You're the lifter of the lowly

Compassionate and kind

You surround and you uphold me

And your promises are my delight


Even what the enemy means for evil

You turn it for our good

You turn it for our good and for your glory

Even in the valley, you are faithful

You're working for our good

You're working for our good and for your glory


So, what are your thoughts, how have you gained perspective in trials through the lens of the gospel?

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 16: Liberation from Self-Love

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 16: Liberation from Self-Love

June 16th. Day 16 of walking through “Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily” — Part 1 of “A Gospel Primer for Christians” by Milton Vincent.


Today’s reason — Liberation from Self-Love.


Vincent has quite a bit to say about this reason, likely because self-love is one of the biggest struggles in our world today. Honestly, mini “Christian authors“ celebrate a rather narcissistic, anti-gospel approach to loving ourselves. There is such a difference in believing we are “enough“ by puffing ourselves up with self-love and knowing we are not enough and humbling ourselves to be lifted up by God’s great love for us — one elevates self while diminishing Christ’s work on the cross and the other lifts Christ up knowing we must die to self in order to be lifted up in Christ.


But enough of my thoughts, here’s what the author says...


“Compared to greater endeavors, self-love is mundane and tiresome. Consequently, the more thoroughly I can be done with such tedium, the freer my soul will be to soar at its God-intended heights.”


Honestly, I feel like we could end there, but Vincent goes on and more powerfully explains this reason to rehearse the gospel daily with these words wrapped tightly in the supporting evidence of God’s Word:


“One of the leading causes of my natural tendency to self-love is fear. I fear that if I do not love myself there would be no one left to love me quite so well as I do. An even more significant cause of self-love is a lack of persuasion that there is someone out there who is worthy to be loved more than I. Arrogance lies underneath both of these causes: I love myself supremely because I am the most worthy person I know to be loved and also because I think I can do a better job at it than anyone else. Such arrogance makes me dangerous, {2 Timothy 3:1-2} yet it is deeply ingrained in my sinful flesh.”


He goes on to say...


“Thankfully, the gospel frees me from the shackles of self-love by addressing both of these causes. First, the gospel assures me that the love of God is infinitely superior to any love that I could ever gift to myself. ‘greater love has no one than this,’ says Jesus while speaking of His love. {John 15:13} And the deeper I go into the gospel, the more I experience the truth of His claim and thereby know how far His love for me surpasses even my own. {Romans 8:32} His astonishing love for me renders self-absorption moot and frees me up to move on to causes and interests far greater than myself.“ {2 Corinthians 5:14-15}


Vincent further explains today’s reason this way...


“Second, the gospel reveals to me the breathtaking glory and loveliness of God, {2 Corinthians 4:4, 1 Timothy 1:11} and in so doing, it lures my heart away from love of self and leaves me enthralled by Him instead. The more I behold God’s glory in the gospel, the more lovely He appears to me. And the more lovely He appears, the more self fades into the background like a former love interest who can no longer compete for my affections.”


The author concludes with this...


“Preaching the gospel to myself every day reminds me of God’s astounding love for me and also of His infinite worthiness to be loved by me above all else. These reminders deliver a one-two punch to my innate self-absorption and leave me increasingly absorbed with Christ {Philippians 3:7-8} and with God’s ultimate plan to gather together all heavenly and earthly things in Him.” {Ephesians 1:9-10, 1 Corinthians 5:28}


I couldn’t agree more with this reason to rehearse the gospel daily. Not that I have “arrived,” but I have watched my self-absorption fade as I become more and more absorbed by the life changing truths of His Word — truths that woo my heart and win my affection as I daily spend time with Him by spending time in His Word daily.

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 15: Obedience Borne of Love

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 15: Obedience Borne of Love

June 15th. Day 15 of walking through “Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily” — Part 1 of “A Gospel Primer for Christians” by Milton Vincent.


Today’s reason — Obedience Borne of Love.


About this reason, Vincent says this...


“To love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength is the greatest commandment in the Law. {Mark 12:28-30} If I could simply fulfill this one commitment, I would gladly fulfill all others as a natural matter of course.”


He goes on to say...


“So how can I come to love God with all of my being? {1 John 5:3} The Bible teaches that genuine love in my heart for God is generated by an awareness of His love for me, {1 John 4:19} and nowhere is the love of God more clearly revealed than in the gospel.” {Romans 5:7-8, John 15:13, Ephesians 2:4-5}


And Vincent concludes with these thoughts...


“Therefore, preaching the gospel to myself as a great way to keep God’s amazing love before my eyes, so that I might experience its power to produce in me a passionate love for Him in return. Captured by His love in this way, my smitten heart increasingly burns to do His will and feasts itself on doing so.” {John 14:31, John 4:34, Psalm 40:8}


I couldn’t agree more with this reason to rehearse the gospel daily. If God is Love (which, He is {1 John 4:16}), our belief in Him and trust in His sin, Jesus, as our Savior (the way He made for us through the gospel because of His great live for us), then that great love MUST compel us to obedience borne out of a desire to reciprocate that love.


Changed lives change lives. Once God’s Love changes a life by the transformational truth of His Word, that life is spurred on to share that transformational truth with others through love for God and obedience to His Word.


There’s a little three letter word smack dab in the middle of the word “obedience” – DIE. We must die to ourselves daily as Christ died for us — every genuine act of obedience is borne of love.


The greatest of these is love. {1 Corinthians 13:13}


The greatest love is God’s. {1 John 4:16, Romans 5:8}

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Day 14: Cultivating Humility

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Day 14: Cultivating Humility

June 14th. Day 14 of walking through “Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily” — Part 1 of “A Gospel Primer for Christians” by Milton Vincent.


Today’s reason — Cultivating Humility.


About this reason, Vincent says this...


“According to Scripture, God deliberately designed the gospel in such away so as to strip me of pride and leave me without any grounds for boasting in myself whatsoever. {Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 Corinthians 1:27-29} This is actually a wonderful mercy from God, for pride is at the root of all my sin. Pride produced the first sin in the garden {Genesis 3:4-6}, and pride always precedes every sinful stumbling in my life. {Proverbs 16:18} Therefore, if I am to experience deliverance from my sin, I must be delivered from the pride that produces it. Thankfully, the gospel is engineered to accomplish this deliverance.”


He goes on to say...


“Preaching the gospel to myself each day mounts a powerful assault against my pride and serves to establish humility in its place. Nothing suffocates my pride more than daily reminders regarding the glory of my God, the gravity of my sins, and the crucifixion of God’s own son in my place. Also, the gracious love of God, lavished on me because of Christ’s death, is always humbling to remember, especially when viewed against the backdrop of the Hell I deserve.”


In conclusion, Vincent says...


“Pride wilts in the atmosphere of the gospel; and the more pride is mortified within me, the less frequent are my moments of sinful contention with God and with others. {Proverbs 13:10} Conversely, humility grows lushly in the atmosphere of the gospel, and the more humility flourishes within me, the more I experience God‘s grace {James 4:6} along with the strengthening His grace provides. {Hebrews 13:9} Additionally, such humility intensifies my passion for God and causes my heart increasingly to thrill whenever He is praised. {Psalm 34:2}”


This reason alone is such a humbling reminder of my NEED for Jesus Christ and the power over pride the gospel gives me access to. Pride must be put to death in order that humility would have its place in my heart.

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