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My Sunday Sermon

WE. ALL. DON'T. LOVE. JESUS. AS. WE. SHOULD.  

 To put it plainly, I wanted to live under a rock today and be left alone to my devotions, my songs, and my journal.  Perhaps it would be better for me and for God if I was all alone.  It would be "easier" to be alone with Jesus--I've learned that well--than to go to church on a Sunday and get involved with people.  I wouldn't have to face disappointing Christ anymore.  That's what brings the grief.  

 "Papa, I'm tired of disappointing you!"

 The only problem with this fear of disappointing God is the gospel.  And by gospel, I mean, Jesus and everything He came and did.  Just because I don't see my sin displayed, doesn't mean that I still wouldn't be a hater of God.  So, if I only preach one sermon the rest of my life, it may not be to the unbeliever.  It may very well have to be to the sinner-gone-good-girl trying to protect their appearances under the boulder.    

 YOU.
CANNOT.
EARN.
SALVATION.

 YOU.
CANNOT.
EARN.
APPROVAL.
Jesus, in-fact, was given approval before he did any miracles.  The Father saw the Son, and announced  "with him I am well pleased." 

"Alicia, since when did you ever disappoint Me?  Since when did you ever please Me?  With my Son, I am well pleased.  Take heart, He lives in you, and you in Him."

It is not myself that lives, but Christ (Galatians 2:20).  And I do not live here, but I live up there.  I call this my Sunday sermon, though I know I need this Monday through Saturday as well.

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved--and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus"--Ephesians 2:4-6


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