Mindset For Success

God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through the sanctifying work of the Spirit [that sets you apart for God's purpose] and by your faith in the truth [of God's word that leads you to spiritual maturity]. It was to this end that He called you through our gospel [the good news of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection], so that you may obtain and share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. - 2 Thessalonians 2:13b-14 (Amplified Bible) Whereas justification, accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and being declared righteous before God, is instantaneous and complete, the subsequent process of sanctification is an ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. Having been justified, Christ-followers now see sin as that which separates them from Holy God and seek to eliminate sin from their lives. Sanctification is the process of being set apart from sin and pursuing holiness. A person who has been justified will develop a strong desire to eliminate sin from their life...

Even in his own land and among his own people, the Jews, he was not accepted. Only a few would welcome and receive him. But to all who received him, he gave the right to become children of God. All they needed to do was to trust him to save them. All those who believe this are reborn!—not a physical rebirth resulting from human passion or plan—but from the will of God. - John 1:11-13 (Living Bible) Can you point to a specific time in your life where you knelt before the Creator of heaven and earth and... Confessed that you were a sinner, Expressed heartfelt remorse for your sin, Acknowledged Jesus Christ's death on the cross as the only acceptable payment for your sin, Yielded full control of your life to execute His will, Thanked Him for His ultimate sacrifice that provided imputed righteousness to allow you to stand sinless before Holy God, Received the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit into your life to guide you in the execution of His will. Jesus answered them, ...

Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]. - Romans 12:1-2 (Amplified Bible) Repent The act of acknowledging your sin before a righteous and holy God, accepting full responsibility for the sin that has separated you from God and the acceptance of Jesus Christ's death on the cross as the only acceptable sacrifice for your sins. His death becomes payment in full for your sins, past, present, and futur...

I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him, I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. - Galatians 2:20 (Amplified Bible) I have been crucified with Christ... Justification begins with acknowledging that you are a sinner, genuinely repenting of your sin and accepting by faith the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the only perfect, sinless sacrifice, for the payment of your sins, past, present, and future. In that instant, you spiritually participate with Christ in His crucifixion, and the righteousness of Christ is imputed to you so that you can stand before God without sin. But didn't he earn his right to heaven by all the good things he did? No, for being saved is a gift; if a person could earn it by being good, then it wouldn't be free—but it is! It is given to those who d...

 Am I justified before God? Heaven can be entered only through the narrow gate! The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide enough for all the multitudes who choose its easy way. But the Gateway to Life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it. - Matthew 7:13-14 (Living Bible) All religions base their belief of how to enter heaven in one of two ways: Human Achievement - a belief that humans can do enough good deeds, follow enough rules, give enough money, meditate on God enough, be a good enough person, go to church enough, etc. to enter heaven. This is the broad way that leads to hell. Devine Accomplishment - a belief that only through our faith in the work of Jesus Christ's death on the cross as the only perfect sacrifice for sin, the imputed righteousness of Christ (Justification), is a person able to stand justified before a loving and just God who cannot tolerate sin. There is nothing that a human can do to "earn" heaven. Without the payme...

Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances. I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need. I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.] - Philippians 4:11-13 (Amplified Bible) Have you ever had your phone or computer die and not have a charging cable? What a helpless feeling. Everything you need to help you execute life is in your hands, but you have no way to acces...

Love IS... patient kind Love IS NEVER... jealous envious boastful proud haughty selfish rude irritable glad about injustice Love DOES NOT... demand its own way hold grudges Love WILL... be loyal no matter what the cost believe in others expect the best of others defend others All the special gifts and powers from God will someday come to an end, but love goes on forever. - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (Living Bible) Take some time to re-read the list above. Ask God to help you see yourself as He sees you. Seek forgiveness for those areas where you have missed the mark, and ask for a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's leading in obedience to His Word. And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and do...