Scripture and thoughts from the Advance

I wanted to share some scripture which I found moving during the advance.  Some of the statements below are from our guest lecturer, Martha Lawley.

- The deception: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." James 1:22
- Our outward behavior stems from our hearts.
- "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove you from your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." Ezekiel 36:26
- God is calling us to know Him, not just know about Him. (Isaiah 43:10)
- "But whatever was to my profit, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ." Philippians 3:7
- Our responsibility is to live in the grace we have been given through Christ and to allow God to work in our lives to accomplish His purposes.
- "My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Colossians 2:2-3
- See things from God's perspective.
- Sin hinders prayer.
- Allow Him in so that He can reorder your life for what He wants.
- Knowing Him and loving Him are intricately connected
- John 3:16
- God is not like us in that we can't attribute human characteristics to Him. (Numbers 23:19)
- "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
- Even if I were the only person on earth, the only sinner, Jesus STILL would have gone to the cross for me.
- Paul said "The love of Christ compels me"
- "Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." 1 John 4:11
- "And He has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother." 1 John 4:21
- The greater love of LESSER things gets in the way of loving God with all our hearts!
- One of the clearest measures of our love for God is shown in our relationships with other people.
- "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8
- Transformation is messy but don't hide the mess!  Be transparent.
- God has no need for undercover Christians.
- "Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress." 1 Timothy 4:15
- God transforms us in plain view of those around us so that we can reveal His grace and His glory!
- "Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:16
- "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14
- God doesn't just desire the absence of sin; His ultimate goal is the presence of a joy filled relationships.