Have the Same Mindset as Christ

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! — Philippians 3:5-8 

Jesus Christ, being in the very nature God.

Even so, He did not consider equality with God something to use to His own advantage.

Instead, He made himself nothing.

He took o the very nature of a servant.

Christ was made in human likeness.

He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death.

Even death on a cross.

Taking on the ultimate sacrifice for me personally.

God's Eternal Power and Divine Nature Have Been Clearly Seen

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. — Romans 1:20

Since God created the world, His invisible qualities have been clearly seen.

And we understand His eternal power and divine nature.

We witness it in His creation, that His hands have made.

People are without excuse.

God has made Himself known to us throughout history.

His story - the story of His creation and His Son, Jesus Christ.

The Hope of Glory

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. — Colossians 1:27-28 

Christ is in me, the hope of glory.

He is the one we proclaim.

God has chosen. us to tell about the glorious riches of the mytery of Christ in us.

He calls us to teach everyone with His wisdom.

So we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.

Growing in the knowledge of Him.

Every Knee Will Bow

It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’” — Romans 4:11

God is great.

We worship Him reverently.

The Lord tells us that every knee will bow before Him.

Every tongue will acknowledge that He is God.

One day we will bow before the Lord.

And praise His name.

The Precious Blood of Christ

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. — 1 Peter 1:18-19 

We were redeemed from the empty way of life.

From the life handed down to us from our ancestors.

We were not purchased with silver or gold.

We were saved by the precious blood of Christ.

He gave himself just like a lamb without blemish or defect.

Led to the altar as our sacrificial lamb.

They Shall Never Perish

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” — John 10:28-30

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Jesus gives us eternal life.

Just as Christ died and came alive again, we will never perish.

No one will snatch us out of His hand.

God is greater than all.

No one can snatch us our of the Father's hand.

Jesus and the Father are one.

What a blessed assurance.

These pressed flowers remind us that God is our Creator.

No one can snatch us out of His hand.

Christ Has Been Raised From the Dead

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. — 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 

Jesus has been raised from the dead.

Raising those who have fallen asleep.

Since death came through Adam, the resurrection of the dead also came through one man, Jesus.

As in Adam we die, so in Christ we will be made alive.

And we will live with Him in heaven.

Praise the Lord!

Where, O Death, Is Your Victory?

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. — 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 

Before Jesus, the sting of death is sin.

And the power of sin is the law.

But we are thankful that God gives us the victory.

And that though the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Death no longer holds the victory.

And no longer has the ability to sting.

Let No Debt Remain

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. — Romans 13:8 

Having finished teaching Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace class, we try to pay off all our debts each month.

We have one car payment we're making, just because the interest rate was so low.

Other than that, we don't have debt.

We try to save up for large expenses coming our way.

But we do try to maintain the continuing debt of loving each other.

And loving our awesome God.

In this way, God helps us fulfill His law.

And He has blessed us overabundantly.

A Light Has Dawned

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. — Isaiah 9:2 

Today's Miki's birthday!

We are blessed to have her in our family.

And also to be called children of God.

Even while we were walking in darkness, God reached down in love to us.

We have seen a great light.

On those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned.

We can clearly see the light of God's glory.

I Want to Remind You of the Gospel

Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. —1 Corinthians 15:1, 3-4 

Paul wanted to remind the Corinthians and us of the gospel of Jesus.

He preached it all over, to Jews and Gentiles.

We received it just as they did.

And we take our stand for Jesus.

Asking Him to guide us over the threshold.

All Are Justified Freely by His Grace

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. — Romans 3:23-24 

We have all sinned.

And everyone falls short of God's glory.

Redemption came to us by the death of Christ Jesus.

And we are justified freely.

By the grace of our Lord Jesus.

The Son is the Radiance of God's Glory

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. — Hebrews 1:3 

Jerusalem

Jesus is the radiance of God's glory.

Christ is the exact representation of his being.

He sustains all things by His powerful Word.

After Chrsit had provided purification for sins.

Jesus sat down att the right hand of the Majesty.

He now lives with God in heaven.

Christ Died for the Ungodly

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. — Romans 5:1-2 

We have been justified through faith in Christ.

And we have peace with God through Jesus.

We have gained access by faith into grace.

And we stand in God's grace.

We boast in the hope of the glory of God.

Crucified With Christ

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. — Galantians 2:20

Our sermon series this month is reading through Galatians.

During this Eastertide, we are reminded that we have been crucified with Christ.

I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.

The life I live is by faith in Jesus, the Son of God.

I now live in the body of Christ.

He loved me before I even knew Him.

And He gave himself for me.

There Is No One Who Does Good

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. — Psalm 14:1 

Only the fool says "There is no God."

Even the most simple among us can see God in His creation.

But the fool ignores his own eyes.

He is corrupt.

His works are vile.

There is no on who does good.

Only God's Son, jesus.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. — 1 John 3:16 

This week we took a trip to Disneyland and had a wonderful time.

We ate way too much food.

And we walked all over the place, moving quickly from ride to ride.

Abby planned out a busy schedule so we kept going from sun up to sunset.

The fireworks show was amazing.

And the weather was beautiful.

We came home exhausted but happy.

Reminded of God's love for us.

Christ's Love Compels Us

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. — 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

This Easter week we are reminded of Christ's love for us.

Compelling us because we are convinced that He paid the price for all.

Jesus died for everyone.

So those of us who live no longer live for ourselves.

We now live for Jesus, who died for us and came alive again.

And now reigns in heaven, sitting at the right hand of God.

In Him We Have Redemption

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. — Ephesians 1:7 

In Jesus we have redemption.

He bought us back with a hefty price.

Through His blood we are redeemed.

And He forgives my my sins - the wrong things I say and do.

Every time I miss the mark, He brings me back.

He redirects me and sends me on His way.

All because of His marvelous grace.