tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340750512024-03-07T11:47:12.068-07:00Ralph HarrisMy desire is to grapple together here over how well off we are with God through Christ,
and to live from His opinion of us.Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191358912351995744noreply@blogger.comBlogger2068125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34075051.post-57509547618315858562019-02-13T06:30:00.000-07:002019-02-13T06:30:16.233-07:00How We Run Well Together<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Do you ever feel like a slave to people’s opinion or to the things of this world? Freedom from captivity to the people and things of this world is found not in shunning them—“I won’t care what people think!” “I won’t have any nice stuff!”—but in discovering God as captivatingly treasurable. He makes satisfying us the way of our freedom—sometimes over and over again. We go into slavery, but we’re led out captivated and satisfied by God, in bondage no more. What fun it is to help each other to find God as the treasure He is—sometimes over and over again. That’s how we run well together, and that’s our starting point. (See Romans 6 for more.)<br />
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(For more like this, go to <a href="http://ralphharris.org/">ralphharris.org</a> and click the Encourage Me button.)<br />
<br />Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191358912351995744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34075051.post-25832037579930515562019-02-12T10:21:00.002-07:002019-02-12T10:21:48.981-07:00The Inside Champion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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God’s care for me doesn’t come only when I’m doing well and loving life, but when I’m doing poorly and full of garbage. Sin, failures and fears often whisper to me that I’ve got to stop them—Stop them right now!—but they never suggest I immediately offer myself to God who can do something about them. And sin, failures and fears never bring up Jesus’ ability concerning struggles and temptations, either. He faced every struggle and temptation I’ve ever had or will ever face, and conquered and disposed of them. All of them. And where is this Jesus today? In me. In you. He is Perfect from there, and that was His plan all along. That’s our starting point. (For a great adventure about how Jesus is Perfect with you, get my new book at: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/y6ssnpwj">https://tinyurl.com/y6ssnpwj</a>.)<br />
<br />Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191358912351995744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34075051.post-43316024232692954502019-02-10T09:14:00.001-07:002019-02-10T09:14:38.311-07:00Remember Where You Are<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If the Holy Spirit were to take you on a tour this morning, I think He would reacquaint you with where you are—in Christ, a true son of the Kingdom of God. He might say, “See where you are? See how well you fit in here?” I think you’d be impressed, don’t you? And then perhaps He’d say, “Now that you see where you are and who you are here—heaven-born royalty—put on the armor in keeping with your nobility, and walk confidently in the earthly day ahead. The enemy may assault you in that arena, whether subtly or evidently, but you do not fight on his terms; you fight from where you are and who you are. You’re in Christ, the Victor, so you win.”<br />
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That’s your starting point. (See the book of Ephesians.)Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191358912351995744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34075051.post-55902977853731494122019-02-07T08:25:00.000-07:002019-02-07T08:25:09.771-07:00How to See Without Burning People<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">It's only when you look at an ant on a sunny day through a magnifying glass that you realize how often and easily they burst into flames. So it is when we stare at people through a computer monitor or television screen, analyzing and pretending we’re actually seeing them in the bright light of truth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">(To watch the video at ralphharris.org, click <a href="http://ralphharris.org/how-to-see-without-burning-people/.)">http://ralphharris.org/how-to-see-without-burning-people/.)</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">No one can withstand that angle of scrutiny, mostly because it’s not accurate. It’s not true! Only those who see from enlightened hearts—and insist upon that view—can walk with the ants and not make them afraid of the heat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">My prayer—maybe it’s your prayer, too—is that Christ in me (basic Christianity—Colossians 1:27–He is my hope inside me) will become more and more evident to me, to you and to those around me. His affection for people gives my heart a knowledge and an insight—a true way to know and an accurate way to see people that doesn’t burn them—which enables love for them to abound. AND! I will know from there what’s best. That’s my starting point. Maybe it’s yours, too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Philippians 1:8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Amen?</span></div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191358912351995744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34075051.post-92231388384231435762019-01-23T08:41:00.003-07:002019-01-23T08:41:37.199-07:00It Won't Long be the Weeds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Although we are royalty born from above, many of us will prove that true nobility is best seen and most evident not in the castle but in the weeds. It is also most tested—and most proved. Hang in there, sons and daughters of God.<br />
The work of your days exceeds your knowledge, but the One who works in you knows your glory and is showing you off. He knows all about the castle, and that it won’t long be the weeds.<br />
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Romans 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.<br />
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You’re the best this world has.<br />
<a href="http://ralphharris.org/">http://ralphharris.org</a>Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191358912351995744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34075051.post-81369853019866017002019-01-01T18:16:00.000-07:002019-01-01T18:16:42.844-07:00Starting Point<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My New Year’s resolution for 2019 is to remember and to remind you of the meaning behind two little words: Starting Point. If you’ll join me, I’m going to remind you on most days about how you begin and where you begin before you move a muscle.<br />
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You’ve been made to live by faith; faith that Jesus *was* successful with you, that He *is* successful with you, and that He *will be* successful with you. You live from His success. In every day and in every thing, He is Perfect with you and Perfect for you. That’s your starting point.<br />
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With Jesus, we don’t start incomplete; we start complete. We don’t start empty; we start full. We don’t start wounded; we start well. We don’t start broken; we start whole. From our new birth in Christ, our mind is catching up to the truth of who we are as a new creation—perfect sons, perfect daughters of God already (See Hebrews 10:10,14). That’s our starting point! If you’ve been thinking or speaking differently, consider the truth, especially when confronted by your feelings. They’re not always your friend—they can lie—and the Holy Spirit will strengthen and help you with the truth. That’s what He does. <br />
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Colossians 2:9-10a “For in Him all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been brought to fullness.” <br />
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“Fullness.” What’s missing from fullness? Nothing! Not a thing. That happened at the start He made for you. He was successful, which means you’ve got no room for more because you have everything already. You’re starting full up! He did it. He’s done.<br />
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I’m going to remind you of that, because that is your starting point. To join me, look for the Encourage Me button at <a href="http://ralphharris.org/">ralphharris.org</a><br />
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I’ll be seeing you.<br />
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RalphRalphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191358912351995744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34075051.post-75113573394959100582018-12-22T13:22:00.003-07:002018-12-22T13:22:44.176-07:00We're Outta This World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For real?<br />
<br />"...our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body" (Philippians 3:20).<br /><br />
If we're not from around here—we’re truly citizens of heaven—then might that explain some of the odd things you experience, think and feel? Might that also clarify how you approach your days? You don’t need anyone to tell you to feel like you don’t fit in or belong to this world—“Pretend you’re from heaven, Harris!”—your new birth in Christ is simply being revealed day by day, if even to you. You might as well pay attention to what’s been done concerning your citizenship (it’s outta this world), and walk with the One who is also from heaven, yet lived fully human during His time amongst us. In other words, He knows all about life on planet earth.<br /><br />
You’ll be living by faith in Jesus, and that’s now the most normal way to live outta this world.<br />
<a href="http://ralphharris.org/" target="_blank"> http://ralphharris.org</a><br /><br />
#amazinggrace #outtathisworld #newcreation #gospel #eternallife<br />
<br />Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191358912351995744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34075051.post-39527367645452696972018-12-21T06:00:00.000-07:002018-12-21T06:00:05.832-07:00Your Best Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Life in the heart is what Jesus is all about, and I want to encourage you to find, experience and enjoy His life. What comes from there is the evidence of God, and that’s a big deal. There are none bigger. In that display of God’s grace or evidence in a person—you—laws and decrees are not needed, but are contradictory. God’s life is not created by law, neither should law come from God’s life. They don’t go together.<br />Romans 6:14 “For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” What grace? The grace of life—the life of Christ in you. He does not come by law or decree, neither does He make them when He lives in you. He, Himself, supersedes law. He is the way, the truth and the life for you on the inside. That’s His plan—to be Himself in you. And that’s the best life.<br />
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Have you read my new book, Life According to Perfect? It illustrates this point, and many are deeply enjoying it. Get it at <a href="https://tinyurl.com/y9x2o7zv">https://tinyurl.com/y9x2o7zv</a>.<br />
<br />Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191358912351995744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34075051.post-78758772502239910212018-12-19T06:00:00.000-07:002018-12-19T06:00:01.201-07:00Grace Reigns<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today’s Good News Sermon: “Grace Reigns”<br />
<br />If Christian speakers actually believe that those who have received Christ have been made new creations with new hearts and with Christ resident in them, they will not be inclined to teach Old Covenant-based methods of living by the attempt to avoid sin in order to please God and earn his blessing, but will instead speak about the wonder of New Covenant life in Christ and by the Spirit, where God is not counting men’s sins against them, where righteousness and grace reigns, and we have all things. (2 Corinthians 5:17-19; Romans 5:20-21; Titus 2:11-14)<br /><a href="http://ralphharris.org/">ralphharris.org</a><br />
<br />Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191358912351995744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34075051.post-297199397217045732018-12-17T06:00:00.000-07:002018-12-17T06:00:06.568-07:00Look Up, Son<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If God thinks you’re a true son of His, holy and righteous, clean and pure, just as He intended, but you think you’re something else, something less, might that cause stress in your relationship(s) and how you interact in your day to day? Imagine having an argument with God, and you’re trying to lower His estimate of yourself, while He’s trying to raise your estimate of yourself. Who wins that argument? How long before you relent and accept His view of you? You’ll be glad when you do, because living by faith is not only normal, it’s powerful. You’re going to feel it. It’s how that whole “Take-my-yoke-upon-you-and-learn-from-me, for-I-am-gentle-and-humble-in-heart, and-you-will-find-rest-for-your-souls” promise happens in us. That’s a good one. Remember?<br />
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<a href="http://ralphharris.org/">ralphharris.org</a>Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191358912351995744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34075051.post-89840364864515047742018-12-16T07:00:00.001-07:002018-12-16T07:00:07.499-07:00What If You're Good?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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God has made you thoroughly good on purpose and with purpose, but Satan is skilled in suggesting an alternate reality—a false you to distract you and diminish who you really are. Here’s how to know and grow in who you truly are by seeing the lie of who you are not.<br />
<br />To watch the video, click <a href="http://ralphharris.org/what-if-youre-good/">http://ralphharris.org/what-if-youre-good/</a><br /><br />
I gave this message at Church Without Religion (<a href="http://churchwithoutreligion.com/">http://churchwithoutreligion.com</a>), pastored by my friend, Andrew Farley, on Sunday, December 2, 2018.<br />
<br />Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191358912351995744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34075051.post-78856297266877355082018-12-15T12:53:00.000-07:002018-12-15T12:53:28.239-07:00Gravity Lessons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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“What is it that makes me fail and fall?” she asked. <br /><br />In response, here is Today’s Mini Message: “Gravity Lessons” – The purposeful plummet everyone experiences when making the attempt to live by the Ten Commandments or by any laws or rules, rather than by faith in the Spirit of life. He alone gives and produces righteousness and right-doing as a gift from Jesus—from start to finish. He is the way, and there is no other. If you’re experiencing a lot of “falling” lately, quit the lesson and accept the gift . . . again.<br /><br />Romans 7:8,13 But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead. 13 Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! But in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.<br /><br />Romans 8:2 …through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.<br /><br />1 Corinthians 15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.<br /><br />2 Corinthians 3:6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.<br /><br />For much more about this, see these chapters in my book, God’s Astounding Opinion of You: Ch. 4, “Who Is I?” Are You a Modification or a New Creation? Ch. 6, “He Ain’t Heavy” Holy Spirit—Life of the Party; Ch. 8, “Doin’ the Monster Mash” Slaying the Sin-loving Beast in You. <br />Book link: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/y9k9y86c">https://tinyurl.com/y9k9y86c</a><br />
<br />Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191358912351995744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34075051.post-30590327097161382732018-11-21T13:54:00.000-07:002018-11-21T13:54:30.836-07:00Life Happens on the Playground<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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While telling each other that we must get along, we’re failing badly. Here’s what I think, and here’s what I’m doing. It’s easy, and it means a lot more fun—particularly during the holidays.<br /><br />To watch the video, click here. <a href="http://ralphharris.org/life-happens-on-the-playground/">http://ralphharris.org/life-happens-on-the-playground/</a><br /><br />To read the post, click <a href="http://ralphharris.org/life-happens-on-the-playground-4/">http://ralphharris.org/life-happens-on-the-playground-4/</a><br /><br />I am very grateful for all of you, particularly for your friendship in Christ and in His gospel. Thank you to my friends in Canada, Australia, Sweden, Singapore, Switzerland, Ireland, England, Germany, Mexico, New Zealand, and more. And to my American friends, have a great day celebrating Thanksgiving on Thursday!<br /><br />RalphRalphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191358912351995744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34075051.post-4776417843168297852018-10-25T14:03:00.002-06:002018-10-25T14:03:46.842-06:00No More Control Freaks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Do you know any control freaks? Are you one? Is it true that you must give up control so that God can be in control? I don’t think so. Here’s the good news that makes you free—and happy! (New!)<br /><br />To watch the 6.5-minute video, click <a href="http://ralphharris.org/no-more-control-freaks/">http://ralphharris.org/no-more-control-freaks/</a>. <br /><br /> To read the post, click <a href="http://ralphharris.org/no-more-control-freaks-4/">http://ralphharris.org/no-more-control-freaks-4/</a>. <br /><br />I hope this encourages you today!<br />
<br />Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191358912351995744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34075051.post-50121307868379920002018-10-20T07:00:00.000-06:002018-10-20T07:00:08.109-06:00You Look, He WorksIf you're God's workmanship (and indeed, you are - Ephesians 2:10), then your primary part isn't to work but to relax and know Him and how He is with you. Jesus is your focus because you’re His focus. He'll take care of the building and the result, because He knows what He's doing. You don't have to. He’s the Expert. That’s why you feel better after looking at Him or talking with Him—or after reading this. You look, He works.<br />
<br />Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191358912351995744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34075051.post-91914609038366591042018-10-19T13:13:00.002-06:002018-10-19T13:13:42.931-06:00Life & The Struggle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today I am identifying where the inside struggle comes from, just as the apostle Paul did. Without Paul’s perspective that commandments empower sin (Romans 7:7-13; 1 Corinthians 15:56 “. . . the power of sin is the law.”), and that it is no longer he, himself, that is the sinner (Romans 7:17-18) because he is a new creation (“the old HAS gone, the new HAS come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17), we will lead terribly confused and powerless lives and, thinking we are still evil and unchanged, attempt life by commandments—the very thing finished by Christ.<br />
<br />Life for new creation sons and daughters, who still know the struggle of the flesh, is by grace and the Spirit because we are now in the Spirit—in union with God—and not in the flesh (Romans 8:9). The good news is that good, and it’s vital we have it.<br />
<br />Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191358912351995744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34075051.post-52037981502542121632018-10-10T10:47:00.001-06:002018-10-10T10:47:51.426-06:00YOU<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Why is thinking about and accepting the “new creation you” that God made so vital? Because only the real you is not subject to judgement (John 3:18). You’ve already gone through it in Christ at the cross and resurrection (see Romans 6:1-7). If you accept any kind of false YOU—you’re stupid, you’re fat, you’re bad, etc.—you will fall under judgement that requires penalty and penance. If you believe in any YOU other than the one made through Christ, you’ll have to navigate your days with lots of signposts of failure and condemnation. That’s Satan’s work. You won’t be happy. You won’t be satisfied. You’ll be differing shades of miserable, because you weren’t made for judgment (John 3:17). (See <a href="http://ralphharris.org/how-you-is-taken-captive/">http://ralphharris.org/how-you-is-taken-captive/</a>.)<br /><br />This is why I work so consistently to remind you about YOU. The YOU that you are brings glory to God, and when you’re convinced (maybe again and again) about that YOU, brings revival to you. Getting acquainted with the real you is a joy! Everybody likes a good revival, right?<br /><br />To get more doses of revival for yourself or for a friend, 1) subscribe to my new web site—<a href="http://ralphharris.org/">ralphharris.org</a>. It’s easy, free, regularly updated, and there are already more than 160 categorized videos and posts; 2) get or give either or both of my books—God’s Astounding Opinion of You, or my new one, Life According to Perfect (<a href="http://ralphharris.org/books/">http://ralphharris.org/books/</a>); 3) share the simple truth of the gospel you know with someone else—you’ll feel much better as you do. After writing a brief summary of the gospel he knew and believed, John wrote that, “We write this to make our joy complete” (1 John 1:4). How cool is that?<br /><br />So hang in there, YOU. Remember and remind others about the success of Christ’s cross and resurrection. You’re a whole new YOU.<br />
<br />Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191358912351995744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34075051.post-11960480125388373412018-10-05T10:17:00.000-06:002018-10-05T10:17:14.251-06:00If Jesus Loves Me,...?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here’s a brand new, terrific book! Have you ever read any of David Gregory’s best-selling books? The Rest of the Gospel. The Last Christian. Dinner with a Perfect Stranger. And more. He’s a tremendous writer! He was a huge help in the writing of my new book, as well. Here’s what I wrote after reading the manuscript: <br /><br />"I have never read anything like “If Jesus Loves Me Why Isn't This Working?” and I was fascinated by it. David Gregory has written an incredibly powerful yet easy way to know God's voice and His Word. This is a terrific and encouraging read for individuals and groups alike." <br /><br />It has just become available, so here’s the link on Amazon to go get it: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/y7b7s94p">https://tinyurl.com/y7b7s94p</a>.<br />
<br />Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191358912351995744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34075051.post-44739935765932192142018-10-04T07:00:00.000-06:002018-10-04T07:00:06.038-06:00Your Life As A Light<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />(To watch the 3.5-minute video, click: <a href="http://ralphharris.org/your-life-as-a-light/">http://ralphharris.org/your-life-as-a-light/)</a><br /><br />If, as Jesus said in Matthew 5:14, “you are the light of the world”, then it seems obvious that Satan’s work is to craft a sort of covering for you, an acceptable covering, and then to induce you to pull it over yourself. To hide. It’s terribly devious. <br /><br />Jesus has made you salt and light, and that will never be altered. You don’t have to become salty, you don’t have to become “lighty”—He did that to you already. Satan’s game is to point out your failures and weaknesses, as though they could ever change the change Jesus made for you, and then, if you’ll accept them as identifying who you are, to induce you to hide yourself.<br /><br />But still. You are a light.<br /><br />The good news is that Jesus didn’t make you the light of the world “IF”. There is no “if”. The light that you have emanates from you but does not originate with you. You’re a lamp—a very nice lamp, the lamp He intended—but a lamp! And you will always be plugged in. You will always be on. Anything and everything that might imply you’re not a very good lamp does not change your <i>lampness</i>. It’s who you are.<br /><br />So throw off the devil’s offered covering. It doesn’t fit you. It doesn’t belong. It doesn’t help. Weaknesses and failures simply make it evident that the light you have is the Son of God, who lives in you and provides the light. You are the vessel, He is the content. Sometimes that’s going to be obvious. “I might have a sloppy lamp structure, but I’m a lamp! A lamp is what I am.” And then I am revived because I am believing that Jesus’ work through the cross and resurrection worked. <br /><br />So shine on, my lamp friends. It’s who you are, so it’s what you do.<br /><br />Matthew 5:14-15 You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.<br />
<br />Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191358912351995744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34075051.post-445297487436806192018-10-03T11:38:00.001-06:002018-10-03T11:38:33.779-06:00Grace & Peace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The lie of religion suggests that while God has already happily given us everything in Christ (Ephesians 1:3-14), we might have lost a little of the all we never earned—here’s how to get it back. Slaves are made in the "here’s how." So evil and destructive is this suggestion that the apostle Paul made a wish for those who spread the lie.<br /><br />"As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!" Galatians 5:12<br /><br />Most of the New Covenant letters begin with the phrase, “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” for a very important reason: it is easy for us to forget how well-off we are with God, so we need to be reminded about it—first thing. If we miss the reminder or don’t know the truth, it is also easy for us to be abused by anti-Christ lies because we’re ignorant of what He accomplished for us. <br /><br />Here’s a New Covenant reminder of God’s gift after the cross and resurrection of Christ: Grace is God giving you everything without obligating you to handle everything well, and peace is God assuring you that you are well, secure, loved and safe with Him at all times. <br /><br />Now you’re not ignorant. Knowing the truth makes and keeps you free.<br />
<br />Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191358912351995744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34075051.post-48459148526615773322018-09-19T12:02:00.000-06:002018-09-19T12:03:55.332-06:00Hooked On TreasureWhen we have treasure no higher than the stuff of this world, we can become nothing better than what has our value. But when we discover that our greatest treasure—God Himself—actually treasures us, our otherwise crazy search for fulfillment comes to a satisfying end.<br />
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To watch the 5 minute video, click <a href="http://ralphharris.org/hooked-on-treasure/">http://ralphharris.org/hooked-on-treasure/</a><br />
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To read the post, click <a href="http://ralphharris.org/hooked-on-treasure-4/">http://ralphharris.org/hooked-on-treasure-4/</a><br />
<br />Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191358912351995744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34075051.post-11146005803823190422018-09-07T10:30:00.000-06:002018-09-07T10:30:10.670-06:00Is Intercession Difficult?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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(There’s a video link at the end if you’d rather watch.)<br />
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Is intercession difficult? Do you have to study it, do you have a lot of knowledge about it in order to do it right?<br />
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A supporter-friend of mine recently asked for my thoughts about the New Testament word “intercession.”<br />
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The word “intercede” has unfortunately come to mean something that we’re supposed to do by ourselves—“Ralph, go intercede for so and so”—rather than something that happens to us and for us.<br />
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On a small scale, perhaps you know what it’s like to be praying along in a sort of “minding-your-own-business” kind of way, when suddenly a care, a concern or a godly desire rises up in you—it happens to you—and “leads you” in feelings and words that you had no prior intention of praying. This is intercession<i> granted </i>or caused by God, who intercedes with you.<br />
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He shares his cares, concerns and desires with you because, 1) you’re a son, and you’re like Him; 2) He wants you to know Him; 3) He wants to get something done through you. Paul wrote about this happening to him in Colossians 1:29 – 2:3. (Please read that.) In that passage, Paul was literally “<i>being labored</i>,” and “<i>being struggled</i>” in those verses by God for a result. In other words, the Holy Spirit was doing something with Paul in order to prove the perfect ability of God for someone else. <br />
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That’s exciting.<br />
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Paul wrote that the same thing happened to his friend, Epaphras, in Colossians 4:12-13, where he was literally “<i>being wrestled</i>” and “<i>being worked hard</i>” by the Spirit in order that the Colossian believers would stand firm in all the will of God. How important is that? This was an amazing evidence of Christ in Epaphras and, as it happens to us, an amazing evidence of Christ in us. Christ in you!<br />
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On a grand scale, Jesus is interceding for us. We are in Him, so everything that “comes at us” or is “done to us” or “by us” affects Him. In that way, He intercedes for us by being our innocence, our righteousness, holiness and redemption, our strength, courage, comfort, love, patience, peace, kindness, self-control, and more. Nothing can separate us from Him because He lives perfectly for us in a way we cannot. As we grow in believing and trusting Him “in whom we live and move and have our being”, so His security, His defense, His ability and grace become more and more evident to us—and to everyone else because of it.<br />
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That’s freedom because He is doing it with us! And that’s powerful.<br />
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This intercession, this miraculous evidence of Christ in us, for us and through us is described in my new book, “Life According to Perfect.” Maybe you’ve been listening to me in this video or reading the text and thinking, “Hey! That sounds like what happens in your new book!” Well, you’re right. It is. This is one of the thrill rides of Christianity that too many of us are missing—we don’t understand it, we don’t recognize what’s happening in us. So because we don’t trust that God is doing it, we take another avenue, another way of praying that all too often is boring and uneventful. We forsake the adventure and mystery of “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27), and choose template prayers. “Just get it done” prayers. For that reason, many of us give up on prayer altogether. But I don’t want anyone to miss “Christ in you, the hope of glory”. <br />
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FEAR is the biggest “ripper-offer” that keeps us from looking to Christ in us because we’re afraid that something out of control, something dangerous might happen. And, actually, that’s the truth! It might. This is when the grace of God in you and the grace of God for you and through you is beautifully evident, most powerful and most beneficial—and you’ll know it! You must know that your enemy, the devil, fights aggressively against this happening in us and through us, because it is dangerous to him.<br />
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This is one of the most fun, most incredible aspects of Christianity. You have it by new birth—He is in you and you are in Him. And He loves for you to know the fullness you have been given. (See Colossians 1:9-10.)<br />
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That is the Plan. It’s not something you have to do, it’s what He is already doing with you and for others. He is busy, so simply pay attention. That brings about Christ’s intercession for you and through you . . . and I hope this helps.<br />
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(To watch the video, click: <a href="http://ralphharris.org/is-intercession-difficult/">http://ralphharris.org/is-intercession-difficult/</a>.)<br />
<br />Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191358912351995744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34075051.post-3143938174305544062018-09-06T10:24:00.001-06:002018-09-06T10:24:30.572-06:00Today's Fake News Sermon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today’s fake news sermon: “Getting Rid of Your Bad Self” — The crazy-good fun of trying to crucify what Jesus already did.<br />(I say it a lot, but I’ll say it again: our problem is not doing, our problem is believing. “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin” Romans 6:6-7. Jesus crucified your bad self and gave you a new you; do you believe? Life works by believing.)<br />
<br />Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191358912351995744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34075051.post-72171220101289196042018-08-31T13:53:00.000-06:002018-08-31T13:53:43.710-06:00Life Together In Christ<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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(Video link at the end.)<br />
<br />Think of Jesus. Imagine Him. Imagine Perfect. Now imagine yourself actually in Him. What’s life like from there?<br />
<br />And think of this: Unless I see myself as God sees me, in Christ, actually in Him (it’s all over the New Testament), then whenever inexplicably difficult and odd things happen to me, I will wonder what has gone wrong and what I have to do to make things right.<br />
<br />For a lot of us, that’s how we think a lot of the time. “Why is this happening to me?” “Why do bad things happen to me?”<br />
<br />That thinking means endless days of pressure—or of trying to avoid it, which is essentially the same thing. Either way, I’ve got to educate myself, strategize and work to orchestrate my days so that weird and wrong stuff doesn’t happen.<br />
<br />And I will have been tricked into seeing myself as separate from God, with assessments and techniques for proper management always in demand. After all, I’ve got a lot to do. No wonder I’m nervous, no wonder I’m prone to anxiety. But I’ll give my self toward that—more than to anything—and I’ll think it’s the right way . . . the responsible way. <i>The separate way.</i><br />
<br />But I am in Him. At all times. At every moment. He put me there (1 Corinthians 1:30). What happens to me or what goes on around me is for the two of us, not for one of us, but for both of us—together—united forever in everything. That’s the plan. Never separate! His life and His ability are always at the ready for me and through me, as the case may be. Obviously, it helps if I will believe we’re together—not just God <i>over there</i> and me doing my best to follow. I am in Him. He is in me. “Following” is not the issue; believing that He made this change happen is the issue.<br />
<br />Believing it’s true and enjoying it is how Christ is formed in me. That’s His agenda and now that’s my agenda. In other words, “Jesus, I am in you and you are in me. Make me aware of what you’d like to do in me and through me, your vessel. Let’s do this together. I would love that. Amen.”<br />
<br />This is the “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” life (Galatians 2:20), and that’s for me. And if you’re a Christian, it’s for you, too. How exciting is that life?<br />
<br />(To see the video, click <a href="http://ralphharris.org/life-together-in-christ/">http://ralphharris.org/life-together-in-christ/</a>.)<br />
<br />Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191358912351995744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34075051.post-50926651961475124122018-08-30T07:45:00.000-06:002018-08-30T07:45:29.278-06:00That's All, Folks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The way we take God’s grace for granted—the way we mistreat it—is to believe and act in a way that says we have to earn something from God, who thinks He has given us all things already for free. (See Ephesians 1:3-10.) In other words, if you want to really bother God, here’s how to do it: try to earn something from Him. (Good luck. <i>Bon voyage</i>.) <br /><br />God’s grace never creates debt; it always pays debt. Otherwise, it would cease to be grace and instead become obligation. Oh, how that word bothers God! He’ll have none of it. Not with Abraham, not with the Galatians, not with you, and not with me. (See Romans 4:4-5.) <br /><br />The apostle Paul got rightfully angry with the Galatian Christians who had fallen away from grace, because they were attempting to earn favor with God by their own behavior. The problem was, they already had perfect favor! They already had every blessing! Jesus had given it to them—in full. To believe otherwise was to believe a lie and to give themselves to that lie through their efforts. That’s how people get twisted and disappointed. Have you noticed?<br /><br />Believing that we have to tithe, pray, worship, sing, witness, fast, or love in order to gain favor with God is anti-Christ. Doing something apart from Jesus in order to get what He presumably failed to secure is not only worthless, it is against the truth. That’s awful. For the Galatian Christians to add Jewish customs or ceremonies or rule-keeping to a supposed required mix was to put themselves under a curse! <br /><br />Galatians 3:10-14 10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.’ 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because ‘the righteous will live by faith.’ 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, ‘The person who does these things will live by them.’ 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’ 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles<i> (That would be me, and most likely you) </i>through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. (Italics mine.)<br /><br />In other words, by faith in Jesus, we get the Holy Spirit and everything that He brings with Him. You would be wise to assume that He doesn’t lack anything.<br /><br />Every other hope with God, any other obligation-based hope with God is shadow living—it’s performing in the dark!—even though the reality has come (Colossians 2:16-17).<br /><br />In Christ—which is where we are now—we have how many things? All things. That’s the incredible gospel we love! That’s the stunning New Covenant. And that’s why we’re crazy in love with Jesus. We’re out in the open about it! No one’s hiding this. We want to tell everyone, and we want to remind those who have forgotten and been lured back into the shadows. <i>Come on out of there!</i> No more performing in the darkness! Lies will have you there, and we won’t be a part of that; neither will God. <br /><br />Because of Jesus, we have it all. And that’s all, folks.<br /><br />To watch the 5 minute video: <a href="http://ralphharris.org/thats-all-folks/">http://ralphharris.org/thats-all-folks/</a><br />
<br />Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191358912351995744noreply@blogger.com0