NextGenKent

What would you say is one thing you wish was better about your life?   Things on the other side of the fence hold an attraction to us--are temptations for us. It is part of our human nature.  Some of that nature helps us to search for God.  Most of it betrays us. The temptation is for us to become covetous, greedy, self-absorbed, selfishly ambitious, and hold on to the belief that the good we have is the best--for anyone and everyone.  One way we respond when we think something good we have is losing its street cred is by pretending that it is better than it really is. Mark records the prophet Isaiah's description of hypocrites in his gospel as: (1) honoring God with their lips while their heart is far from Him = How does this happen? (2) worshipping God in vain = What does this mean? (3) teaching doctrines that really are just commandments of men. ( Mark 7:6-7) Have you ever been surrounded by hypocrites? Ever been found among them? There is...

Romans 8:1-17 starts with the words, "there is now no condemnation." That sounds like good news. This passage tells me that it is not God's plan to condemn me. If I feel condemned, it is not because of God. Instead, God made a way for me to be out from under the law of sin and death that brings fear (of the unknown).  It is God's plan for me to know He does not condemn me, and that He has set me free from sin/death/fear/the unknown. How? He has a plan. God's plan is to help me to fulfill another law He has in mind: the law of righteousness. God will enable me (through the Spirit) to walk in this new way--a way by the Spirit--a way of life and peace, the way of righteousness. It is the only way to please Him and He actively guides me on this way to do so. God's plan is that He wants: -me to know that the Spirit of God dwells in me and I belong to Him! -to reanimate my body by the Holy Spirit to live before others to show them what living...