Christian Victory!

By Jim Hinck - © 2005

Many people try to be good, honest people who do what is right. But Jesus says that the only way to live a truly good life is to stay close to him, like a branch attached to a vine. Apart from Christ our efforts are unfruitful. Are you receiving the nourishment and life offered by Christ, the vine? If not, you are missing a special gift he has for you.

Becoming a Christian means beginning a whole new relationship with God, not just turning over a new leaf or determining to do right. New believers have a changed purpose, direction, attitude,
and behavior. They are no longer seeking to serve themselves, but they are bearing fruit for God. Bearing fruit for God is not limited to soulwinning. Answered prayer, joy, and love are also fruit (John 15:7, 11-12).

As Christians, our remaining in Christ means (1) believing he is God's Son (1 John 4:15); (2)
receiving him as Lord and Savior (John 1:12); (3) doing what God says (1 John 3:24); (4)
continuing to believe the gospel (1 John 2:24); (5) relating in love to the community of believers,
Christ's body (John 15:12).

The love that caused Christ to die is the same love that sends the Holy Spirit to live in us and
guide us every day. The powers that raised Christ from the dead is the same power that saved
you and is available to you in your daily life. Be assured that, having begun a life with Christ you
have a reserve of power and love to call on each day, for help to meet every challenge or trial.
You can pray for God's power and love as you need it.

Rationally, we have become one with Christ, and his experiences are ours. Our Christian life begun when, in unity with him, we died to our old life (see Romans 6:5-11). In our daily life, we must regularly crucify sinful desires that keep us from following Christ. This too is a kind of dying with him (Luke 9:23-25).

We as Christians are no longer alone, for Christ lives in us-he is our power for living and our hope for the future (Colossians 1:27). The security of the believer is stored up in heaven. Because we know that our future destination and salvation are sure, we are free to live for Christ and loving others (1 Peter 1:3-4). When you find yourself doubting or wavering in your faith or love, remember your destination - heaven.

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Jim Hinck is writer, editor, and publisher of the Christian Basics Blog. The purpose of the Christian Basics Blog is to bring new people to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and for a closer and stronger walk with God for those that are already Christians.
======================================================== The Disciples Cross is an awesome piece of jewelry andreceives tons of compliments. What a powerful witnessing tool! As you wear your Disciples Cross Necklace, consider the sacrifice that Jesus made for you and take up your cross and follow Him (Luke 9:23). Grab your Disciples Cross right now at: http://tinyurl.com/637kr
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Becoming A Champion Disciple!

By Jim Hinck © 2005 All Rights Reserved.

The Christian life takes hard work, self-denial, and grueling preparation. As Christians, we are running toward our heavenly reward. The essential disciplines of prayer, Bible study, and worship equip us to run with vigor andstamina. Don't merely observe from a grandstand; don't just turn out to jog acouple of laps each morning. Train diligently - your spiritual progress depends on it.

God works in "all things" - not just isolated incidents - for our good. This does not mean that all that happens to us is good. Evil is prevalent in our fallen world, but God is able to turn every circumstance around for our long-range good.

Note that God is not working to make us happy, but to fulfill his purpose. Note also that this promise is not for everybody. It can only be claimed by those who love God and are called according to his purpose. Those who are "called"are those who the Holy Spirit convinces and enables to receive Christ. Such people have a new perspective, a new mind-set on life. They trust in God, not life's treasures; they look for their security in heaven, not on earth; they learn to accept, not resent, pain and persecution, because God is with them.

God's ultimate goal for us is to make us like Christ (1 John 3:2). As we become more and more like Christ, we discover our true selves, the persons we were created to be. How can we be conformed to Christ likeness? By reading and heeding the Word, by studying his life on earth through the Gospels, by being filled with his Spirit, and by doing his work in the world.

Christians know that there is life beyond the grave and that our life on earth is only a preparation for our life that will never end.

What you do today matters for eternity. Keeping company with those who deny the resurrection could corrupt good Christian character. Don't let your relationships with unbelievers lead you away from Christ or cause your faith to waver.
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=========================================================== Jim Hinck is writer, editor, and publisher of the Christian Basics Blog. The purpose of the Christian Basics Blog is to bring new people to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and for a closer and stronger walk with God for those that are already Christians.
======================================================== The Disciples Cross is an awesome piece of jewelry andreceives tons of compliments. What a powerful witnessing tool! As you wear your Disciples Cross Necklace, consider the sacrifice that Jesus made for you and take up your cross and follow Him (Luke 9:23). Grab your Disciples Cross right now at: http://tinyurl.com/637kr
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This article may be used anywhere you would like. Just don't leave anything out or add anything to it. And make sure the resource box stays intact.

Is The Bible Real?

By Jim Hinck © 2005

The Bible is not a collection of stories, fables, myths, or merely human ideas about God. It is not a human book. Through the Holy Spirit, God revealed his person and plan to certain believers, who wrote down his message for the people (2 Peter 1:20-21). God inspired the writers, so their message is authentic and reliable. God used the talents, education, and cultural backgrounds for each writer, and God cooperated with the writers in such a way to ensure that the message he intended was faithfully communicated in the very words they wrote. The Bible's words are entirely authoritative for our faith and lives. The Bible is "God-breathed." Read it, and use its teachings to guide your conduct.

The Word of God is not simply a collection of words from God, a vehicle for communicating ideas; it is living, life changing, and dynamic as it works in us. With the incisiveness of a surgeon's knife. God's Word reveals who we are and what we are not. It penetrates the core of our moral and spiritual life. It discerns what is within us, both good and evil. The demands of God's Wordrequire decisions. We must not only listen to the Word; we must also let it shape our lives.

To walk safely in the woods at night we need a light so we don't trip over tree roots or fall into holes. In this life, we walk through a dark forest of evil. But the Bible can be our light to show us the way ahead so we won't stumble as we walk. It reveals the entangling roots of false values and philosophies. Study the Bible so you will be able to see your way clear enough to stay on the right path.

Only God's will, word, and work are permanent. We must stop grasping the temporary, and begin focusing our time, money, and energy on the permanent-the Word of God and our eternal life in Christ.

So now, do you believe that the Bible is real? I most certainly do!

=========================================================== Jim Hinck is writer, editor, and publisher of the Christian Basics Blog. The purpose of the Christian Basics Blog is to bring new people to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and for a closer and stronger walk with God for those that are already Christians.
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This article may be used anywhere you like as long as nothing is changed and the resource box is left in tact.