The ancient Greek word translated "honest" is "Kalos," meaning honest, admirable, fair, honorably. It has to do with conduct. As Christians we need beautiful conduct to "make our truth attractive." We have a new, born-again nature. Our old lying nature has been done away with; and a now the Spirit of Truth lives inside of us and needs to come out, "‭. . . providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men" (2 Corinthians 8:21, KJV). Christians must be honest, but even more than just truth telling; our truth needs to be attractive to God and to others. We must get deception out of all areas of our lives. The apostle Paul wrote: "Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates [rejected]. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth" (2 Corinthians 13:7, 8, KJV). We must continue to do what is right, even though we appear as those who do wrong. Since honesty comes from God; where does lying come from?  Jesus told the Pharisees, "‭You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it" (John 8:44, NKJV‬).  Satan, the devil, is the father of lies. He continues to try to deceive us. Paul exhorted to  "‭. . .be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, putting away lying, 'Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,' for we are members of one another" (Ephesians 4:23-25, NKJV‬). We must understand the obligation we have to God and to each other, to speak truthfully; to have a reputation that is pleasant, honorable and attractive. Do you want this? This message could help. Selah! Let me hear from you - Charles www.aboundinglove.org Subscribe and share with someone you love.

In recent episodes, I've taught things on Christian character and this one is on hospitality. In the Old Testament, there is no word translated "hospitality", but it is found in stories which illustrate the concept as a duty one is required to perform. In Genesis 18:1-8, we see Abraham being hospitable to the three angels. Again, in Genesis 19:1-11, we find Lot doing the same, plus there's numerous other such stories. In the New Testament, the Greek word "philoxenia" is found 4x for "hospitality." It's a composite of two words: "Philo" meaning "love" and "Xenia" meaning "a stranger." It literally means "to show love for a stranger." Therefore, in the New Testament hospitality is given, not due to social duty, but out of Christian love. And we find many examples in the Gospels: in Mark chapters 6 and 8, Jesus feeds large groups of people. He is showing hospitality to them. In Luke, Jesus taught to "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (6:38, NKJV). We also see an example in the story of the good Samaritan in Luke, chapter 10. And again in Luke 19:1-11, we find the story of Zacchaeus where he shows hospitality to Jesus. Can we show hospitality to Jesus today? Coming on judgment day, Jesus taught, "And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did  to one of the least of these My brethren, you did  to Me'" (Matthew 25:40, NKJV). When we show hospitality, we will be blessed and often not in ways we'd expect: "Therefore, 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:20-21, NKJV). I encourage you to listen to this podcast on hospitality, a subject which is often ignored in church teachings. Let me hear from you - Charles www.aboundinglove.org Subscribe and share with someone you love.

This message is based on one particular verse, Ephesians 4:32, "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you" (NKJV). We are to be kind, act tenderly towards others, and be forgiving [See episode 352 - How To Forgive]. We are to be this way because God is this way. We have been given a new nature - a divine nature (2 Peter 1:4); born again of incorruptible seed, through the word of God (1 Peter 1:23). We are to renew our mind with God's Word (Ephesians 4:23, 24), which empowers us to be kind. Simply, we show kindness because God's loving-kindness is within us. The Israelites cried out with a loud voice to the LORD their God, ". . . But You are God, ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abundant in kindness, and did not forsake them" (Nehemiah 9:17c, NKJV). They stated emphatically the nature of God in these verses, and we are to manifest His nature. In 2 Corinthians 6, verses 4 through 10, we are told, how as ministers of God, we are to overcome the difficulties we face ". . . by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report, as deceivers, and yet true . . ." (vv. 6-8). Kindness is one of the ways we prevail. It's an attribute of love, and as Christians, we are to be known by our love. I encourage you to listen to this message and see how important this understanding is to your walk as a Christian. May it help you to look for opportunities to be kind when the world is being harsh and unforgiving. Let me hear from you - Charles www.aboundinglove.org Subscribe and share with someone you love.

In this episode, we're going to be talking about how to be set free. Isaiah prophesied, “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?" (58:6, NKJV). The bonds have been loosed, the burdens removed. "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8, NKJV). Once we allowed the Lord to rule our life, we defeated the works of the devil and were set free from every yolk of bondage by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Demons used to keep us involved with the wrong people, hanging out at the wrong places and doing the wrong things but, when we put our faith in Christ, we were released from the bondage of sin. You can also be in bondage to the traditions of men, ". . . making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do” (Mark 7:13, NKJV). We become tied up in religious traditions which often change with time, but God's Word [Truth] never changes. Many are caught up in doctrines which don't line up with the Word of God. John wrote that ". . . Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, 'If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free'" (John 8:31-32, NKJV). Free from the bondage of religious traditions, plus the current beliefs of society which seek to do away with sin, saying what is wrong is okay and what is right is to be dismissed. "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ" (Colossians 2:8, NKJV). Also in Christ, we are set free even from death, ". . . that through death, He [Jesus] might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil" (Hebrews 2:14, NKJV). Seek to be set free as the Lord intended! Let me hear from you - Charles www.aboundinglove.org Subscribe and share with someone you love.

As we live our lives in Christ, the Holy Spirit compels us to please God, our Heavenly Father. We want to please Him more and more. The one person Who pleased the Father more than any other is Jesus. "Then Jesus said to them, 'When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am and I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him'" (John 8:28, 29, NKJV). Jesus relied on pleasing the Father as a direction for His actions. He speaks those things that the Father taught Him. That's how we can please the Father, by sharing the Gospel, speaking those things the Father has taught us. When we become born again, the Comforter [Holy Spirit] lives inside us and through Him we come into agreement with God's Word and our actions follow. Our actions become pleasing to God. And, "When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him" (Proverbs 16:7, NKJV). When we please God the Father, others are pleased by us as well. "And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight" (1 John 3:22, NKJV). When we obey God's Word, this pleases the Father and our prayers are more effective as well. Finally, there is this: "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, 'and was not found, because God had taken him'; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God" (Hebrews 11:5, 6, NKJV). Like Enoch, it should be our desire to please God the Father in every area of our life. Are you living a life pleasing to God? Would you like to? This message could help! Let me hear from you - Charles www.aboundinglove.org Subscribe and share with someone you love.

The first half of this message was episode #239A - "The Call of God." I now continue by presenting eight  things we are to practice in order to be used by God. They are summarized as follows. 1. We must be willing to be used by God. "Then He [Jesus] said to His disciples, 'The harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest'" (Matthew 9:37,38, NKJV). In other words, we must be willing to let God work through us as He wills in order to bring in the harvest. 2. We must have a working knowledge of the Bible. The apostle Peter wrote: ". . .  as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2,3; 2 Peter 3:18, NKJV). We are to renew our minds through God's Word (Romans 12:2). 3. We must be filled with and walk in the Holy Spirit. "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:25, NKJV). The Spirit empowers us to be effective ministers of the Gospel of Christ. 4. We must have a heart of genuine love for others. "For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again" (2 Corinthians 5:14,15, NKJV). Love is an action apparent in all who are used by God. 5. We must practice the power of prayer; praying without ceasing (2 Thessalonians 5:16-18). 6. We must invest our money in the Lord's work. Not grudgingly, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). 7. We must be bold as lions in our righteousness. Don't let fear control you (Proverbs 28:1; Acts 4:29,30). 8. We must be obedient in all things. Total obedience to God and His Word must be seen in all our actions (Acts 5:29-32). It is my prayer this message will bring you to an understanding of what the Lord requires of His servants, so you can be effective in all you do. Selah! Let me hear from you - Charles www.aboundinglove.org Subscribe and share with someone you love.

In Isaiah 6:8, we read: "Also I heard the voice of the LORD, saying: 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?' Then I said, 'Here am I! Send me'" (NKJV).  Isaiah was called to give the people a choice: to hear the Word of God and live; or reject the Word of God and face His wrath. We are called to deliver a similar message: Receive God's Word [Jesus] and accept His salvation; or reject it and be left to God's wrath. God gave His Word to Prophets, to Kings and leaders, and now He has given it to us, through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. We become equipped to share it with others. Matthew wrote: "But when He [Jesus] saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest is truly  plentiful, but the laborers  few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest'" (Matthew 9:36-38, NKJV). Are you willing to answer the call of Jesus? The apostle Paul wrote: "For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again" (2 Corinthians 5:14, 15 NKJV).  Because of Christ's love, we are "compelled" to live for Him, sharing His grace with others. The number one commission for us as believers is to win souls. We are joined in union with Jesus Christ in this mission. We no longer live for ourselves, which brings us to the main point: To answer the call of God, we must be willing. Are you willing? Let me hear from you - Charles   www.aboundinglove.org Subscribe and share with someone you love.

In the first part of the message, I taught on two ways to grow Spiritually: READ GOD'S WORD and PRAY. I begin this second part with the third way: FELLOWSHIP. This,  by definition, means we are to share things in common, to have communion with and to be partners with those possessing eternal life -- salvation. The apostle John wrote: " . . .that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:3, NKJV).  Fellowship is not just for Sunday, but for everyday. We declare what we have seen and heard. Fellowship helps us to be an effective witness, which is the fourth way we grow Spiritually through our WITNESS. As Jesus commanded the disciples [and us]: " . . .But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1: 8, NKJV). We receive "power" Spiritually in order to make us effective witnesses for Christ even in the face of persecution. The fourth way we grow Spiritually is through PRAISING GOD. Throughout this second part of the message, I quote numerous Scriptures which need little explanation. That we are to fellowship and witness are repeated themes. But there are so many verses about the need for and the benefits of praising God, I couldn't possibly use them all. For example, the last two verses in Luke: "And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen" (Luke 24:52, 53, NKJV). This was the pattern for the early church, to praise God continually. And Psalm 113:3, "From the rising of the sun to its going down the LORD’s name is to be praised" (NKJV). All these five ways outlined in the messages serve to increase our Spiritual growth and make us able to be used effectively. Let me hear from you - Charles   www.aboundinglove.org Subscribe and share with someone you love.

This episode is the first of two parts in a series on 5 ways we can grow Spiritually: 1) Read God's Word; 2) Pray, talk to God; 3) Fellowship; 4) Witness; and 5) Praise God. Remember, our spirit is born again when we receive Christ. We needed to be born again because our spirit was corrupted by the original sin of Adam and Eve. Although our spirit has been made anew, we need to grow in spiritual understanding in the soul. Man is made up of spirit, soul [mind, will and emotions] and body. A fleshly mindset causes worldly actions, but a Spiritual mindset brings forth Spiritual actions. As believers, we are allowed by the Word and the Spirit to know and understand the thoughts of the Lord (Luke 24:45). As we change through renewing the mind, we take on the actions of Jesus. READ GOD'S WORD: It builds our faith, and then, we begin to act as God wants us to act. When tempted by the devil,  Jesus said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God'" (Matthew 4:4, NKJV). We need a constant relationship with the Word of God; meditating on it, being a ". . .doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves" (James 1:22, NKJV). If you hear the Word of God and don't do it, you are defeating yourself. PRAY: We grow spiritually by praying. We must pray using our knowledge of God's Word. We pray the Word with thanksgiving. We pray by faith in the Word of God and the faith it brings. We pray in confidence because we are children of God who enters the throne room boldly (Hebrews 4:16). In prayer, we acknowledge all we received through Christ. Jesus found the disciples sleeping in the Garden of Gethsemane and said, "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41, NKJV). Jesus is talking about our willing spirit and prayer. We are to pray in the Spirit for each other. This message is about the ways we can do this. Selah! Let me hear from you - Charles   www.aboundinglove.org Subscribe and share with someone you love.

Our flesh opposes our spiritual, born-again nature and vice versa. "The fruit of the Spirit is love." Only as we walk in love can we fulfill the will of God in our lives, and it is manifested in joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. This message is based upon the following verses: "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts [sets its desire] against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:16-25, NKJV). We have power over the flesh, through the Holy Spirit filling our heart with God's love. Verses 19-21 lists 17 evil works of the flesh or temptations we have to deal with, which work against the Spirit. But in verses 22-23, we are given the fruit of the Spirit to overcome the flesh. Not only are we to live in the Spirit, but we must also walk in the Spirit. They are not the same. Walking in the Spirit is a way of life. We are to walk in the attributes described in the fruit of the Spirit (vv. 22, 23). Join me in this message as I teach on what this means for us to walk in the Spirit. Let me hear from you - Charles   www.aboundinglove.org Subscribe and share with someone you love.

"Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word. . ." (Acts 4:29, NKJV). In this verse, the Apostles had been threatened for preaching the gospel [Good News] of Jesus Christ, and they were praying for the boldness needed to preach the Word. Years later, the apostle Paul wrote: "And He Himself [Jesus] gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,  for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying [building up] of the body of Christ. . ." (Ephesians 4:11,12,  NKJV). Realize, ". . .the work of ministry" is not just for "pastors and teachers". They are given to prepare all believers for doing the work. What is this work we are to do? The answer is: witness to others! How do we witness? By speaking boldly the gospel of Jesus Christ. Solomon wrote: "The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion" (Proverbs  28:1, NKJV). We are to be bold in our witness; like a lion -- daring, courageous and fearless. Jesus taught: "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life" (John 6:63, NKJV). The words we speak are Spirit and life, which we want to give to others. In this message I review all we have been given as believers in Jesus Christ -- as saints, [righteous, holy and separated from the world], which enables all of us [not just pastors and teachers] to be bold when witnessing the gospel to others. Selah! Let me hear from you - Charles   www.aboundinglove.org Subscribe and share with someone you love.

I begin this message by looking at Acts 19:13-20, which records what happened when Jewish exorcists wanted to use the power of the Name of Jesus, without having a relationship with Him. They tried to drive out a demon by calling on "the Jesus whom Paul preaches" (v. 13). "And the evil spirit answered and said, 'Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?'" (v. 15, NKJV). The story ends badly for these exorcists. But good comes out of it because the people seeing this realize that the power of the Name of Jesus comes only to those who have a personal relationship with Jesus. The people burn their books, that taught the doctrines of men, and turned their lives over to Jesus. "Prevail" means, "to be strong against; powerful, or to overpower." Throughout the Book of Acts, we find the Word of God growing and multiplying (Acts 12:24). The Word prevailed in the lives of the believers in the early church, because Jesus, the Word of God came and He prevailed.  "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12, NKJV). Those who believe in Jesus receive the power [legal right] to prevail by the authority of Christ. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8, NKJV). Therefore, He continues to prevail today through His anointed ones -- the body of Christ. Is the Word of God prevailing in your life? Does Jesus prevail in your heart through a personal relationship with Him? Are you relying on the Holy Spirit to help you remain steadfast in your faith? In this message, I seek to explore the answers to these questions and how we can answer them positively. I pray you will receive authority to prevail in every area of your life by faith in the Name of Jesus. Let me hear from you - Charles   www.aboundinglove.org Subscribe and share with someone you love.

In this message, I use various Scriptures reminding us to think on the things of God. It's a major part of our transformation. The word "things" is often correctly translated "words." Our thoughts are to become the thoughts of the Word of God. I often use the Spirit, Soul and Body Study Chart on my site to bring out the truths of salvation. During this message, I review that our spirit is born again, but our soul is not. It takes the Word of God to renew it, as taught by the Apostle Paul (Romans 12:2). Also, he exhorts: "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thessalonians 5:23, NKJV). We are to be perserved blameless in our spirit, soul and body in order to produce holy actions acceptable to God. Solomon wrote in Proverbs: "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he" (23:7a, NKJV). Our heart is not only our spirit, but our soul [thoughts, choices and feelings]. Before, when you thought of corruptible things, of the world, the flesh and the devil, you'd become those things. But now, as we think of the things of God; we become like Christ in our actions. "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true. . .noble. . .just. . .pure. . .lovely. . .of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. . .and the God of peace will be with you" (Phillipians 4:8,9, NKJV). These are the things we're to think about, but we are also to be proactive. "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ . . ." (2 Corinthians 10.4, 5, NKJV). This message is designed to encourage you in your walk as we seek to fulfill the goal of our redemption - to become as Christ is. Selah! Let me hear from you - Charles   www.aboundinglove.org Subscribe and share with someone you love.

In this message, I share how there is evidence of our salvation lived out in our lives when we are established in the promises God made to our spiritual fathers [Abraham, David and the prophets] and confirmed in Christ (Romans 15:8). Through the New Covenant, He promised to "remember our sins no more" and to "put a new spirit within you" (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:26a). The apostle Paul simply put it like this: "Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God" (2 Corinthians 1:21, NKJV). And, "As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving" (Colossians 2:6,7, NKJV). If we are established in the faith, we have the ability to bring forth evidence of our salvation, because we are anointed of God. We are warned by the apostle Paul in his letter to the Hebrews, not to "neglect so great of a salvation" (2:3), but rather "that you be established by grace" (13:9, NKJV). Grace is God's ability to work in us to do what we can not do in our flesh. As you listen to this episode, you'll discover a checklist of nine (9) evidences that come forth when your life is established in the faith. You'll be able to "Examine yourself as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourself. Do you not know yourself, that Jesus Christ is in you? --unless indeed you are disqualified. But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified" (2 Corinthians 13:5, NKJV), was the apostle Paul's desire. Selah! Let me hear from you - Charles   www.aboundinglove.org Subscribe and share with someone you love.

In this message, I outline 11 things Scripture says we are as believers in Christ. 1) A believer is FORGIVEN, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Ephesians 1:7, NKJV). 2) The believer is JUSTIFIED, just as if we had never sinned, "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law" (Romans 3:28, NKJV). 3) The believer is A NEW CREATION, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV). 4) The believer is SANCTIFIED; our spirit is set apart unto God and made whole when we are born of the Spirit (1Corinthians 1:30), but the sanctification process continues progressively in our soul [our mind, will and emotions] (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). 5) The believer is SEALED by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). God has sealed us, making us His prized possession. 6) The believer's body is made the TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (1 Corinthians 3:16,17; 6:19,20). 7) The believer is DELIVERED FROM CONDEMNATION, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus . . ." (Romans 8:1-4, NKJV). He can stand in God's presence without a sense of fear, guilt or inferiority. 8) The believer is GIVEN PEACE, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ . . ." (Romans 5:1, NKJV). 9) The believer is made an HEIR OF GOD (Romans 8:16; Galatians 3:26-29). 10) The believer is BLESSED WITH ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3; Galatians 3:13,14). And, 11) The believer is DELIVERED FROM THIS EVIL WORLD in Christ (Galatians 1:4). We are in the world, but not of the world. These eleven attributes we obtain as believers are expounded upon in this message. It's my prayer you will be strengthened in your faith as we investigate these truths. Selah! Let me hear from you - Charles   www.aboundinglove.org Subscribe and share with someone you love.

I begin this message with the concept of man being made up of three parts: spirit, soul and body. [See: About/Charles' Charts/A-2 on my website.] God is Spirit. We are made in His image. Our spirit died when Adam's sin came into the world. Jesus defeated sin and death at the resurrection and gave us new life; that is why He came. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV). The old has passed away and has been made new. Paul was speaking of our spirit. "But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him" (1 Corinthians 6:17, NKJV). First Peter 1:23 says you are ". . . born again not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible seed, through the Word of God, which lives and abides forever." Being born again of a new spirit is where the Spirit-filled life begins. We have a soul [the next circle in the chart], which is made up of the mind, the will and the emotions. The soul is to be renewed. "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2, NKJV). The will of God is that we walk in the Spirit. God wants His Spirit to fill every area of our life. We renew our minds (our thoughts) through the Word of God. The Word is Spirit and life (John 6:63). When we are immersed in the Spirit, the Spirit of God begins to work throughout our spirit, soul and body. It can be found in our speech and in our actions. This is when the fruit of the Spirit really becomes apparent in us. In this message, I use the Book of Philippians to bring out twenty different aspects of our new Spirit-filled life. Join me in discovering what the Apostle Paul has to say about the new life we have received. [See: "Spirit, Soul & Body" chart @ www.aboundinglove.org - Resources - Study Chart Gallery - Gallery A]. Let me hear from you - Charles   www.aboundinglove.org Subscribe and share with someone you love.

How often we forget that love involves sacrifice. God was expressing His love for mankind in creation. We were created in divine love, with the capacity to love. God expects us to love one another with the love He shows towards us. To give up ourselves and let God's love flow forth. To know God is to know His love. We must know God to love others the way He expects. We have to look at the sacrifice of Jesus, Who is the ultimate expression of God's love (John 3:16). In Psalm 107:20, we read "He sent His Word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions." Romans 5:8, "... while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly." The entire ministry of Jesus Christ is founded on the divine love of God. He made us a "new creation" to correct what had been lost. Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient to the Father, even to the point of going to the cross (Philippians 2:6-9). His sacrifice is our example of sacrificial love. But, we all protest that we're not able to do 100% of what Jesus did. Then do what you can do! The Apostle Paul couldn't do 100% either, but he pressed on towards the goal (Philippians 3:12-14). It all still works the same, because God does not change (Hebrews 13:8). Our sacrificial love is possible only because of God's love being in us. Paul wrote: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service" (Romans 12:1 NKJV). But how? In this message, I explore how we can show our sacrificial love to the unlovable - just as Jesus does. Let me hear from you - Charles   www.aboundinglove.org Subscribe and share with someone you love.

In this message, I outlined 15 things or attributes seen in the character of a born-again Christian. I encourage you to listen to the podcast and gain an understanding of what the Word of God says it is to be a Christian. Things all Christians should be doing: 1) We are to be born again. Our character is the result of the New Birth. (The concept of being born again is discussed in Message 222A - Born Again to Conquer.) It's the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which makes it possible for us to be born of the Spirit. 2) We are to grow and be nourished in the Word of God (1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18). 3) We are to put on a new set of clothes (Isaiah 61:10; Colossians 3:12-15). 4) We are to live a radiant life (Matthew 5:16). 5) We are to build our character upon the rock of Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:24-27). 6) We are to have fellowship with God (1 John 1:6,7). 7) We are to realize that we are truly children of God (Romans 8:16,17). 8) We are to be educated; schooled by the Spirit (John 8:31,32; 2 Timothy 2:15). 9) We are at war and fighting the good fight of faith, having put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). 10) We are to be a servant; a witness (I Timothy 6:18; Acts 1:8). 11) We are to walk as a Christian. The entire book of Ephesians talks about walking the walk. 12) We are to run our race (Hebrews 12:1; I Corinthians 9:24). 13) We must realize that being a Christian is a sacrifice (Romans 12:1). 14) We are to walk in victory (I John 5:4). And lastly, 15) We have the assurance of eternal life (1 John 5:13). This message covers the points and scriptures I've outlined in this introduction and many more to illustrate these 15 points. I pray you'll study each point I present as an encouragement in your own Christian walk. Let me hear from you - Charles   www.aboundinglove.org Subscribe and share with someone you love.

The Scriptures are a book of joy to those who walk in obedience to Christ, but to those who walk in rebellion, it's a book of sadness. It's based upon relationships, fellowship with Jesus, and fellowship with other believers. There's nothing new under the sun. This message, given decades ago (during the Carter administration), is as relevant today as when originally given. In Isaiah 9:6, we are promised that "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given." Isaiah goes on to describe the attributes of this Child. During the time of Isaiah, things were terrible, just as they are today. But Isaiah comes with a message of hope, a message of joy. Jesus deals with the hearts of individuals because He wants you to be filled with joy, happiness, and hope. The shepherds in the field at the birth of Jesus are told by the angel, "Behold, I bring you tidings of great joy" (Luke 2:8-20). We then read how the shepherds rejoiced in His presence. David said, "In Your presence is fullness of joy. . ." (Psalm 16:11). Jesus, and only Jesus, can bring that fullness of joy. Do you have that joy? How is your fellowship with Jesus and with His church, where fellowship is found? Are you the light of the world, bringing joy to those in darkness? Let me hear from you - Charles   www.aboundinglove.org Subscribe and share with someone you love.

In the Gospel of John, chapter three, we find the story of Nichodemas and his encounter with Jesus, Who tells him, ". . . Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God" (v. 3). Unless you are born of the Spirit, you will not enter Heaven; being born not of corruptible seed (human flesh), but of incorruptible seed - a born-again Spirit (1 Peter 1:23). Those who are born again are living in God's Kingdom now. But if you're not born again, you reside in Satan's kingdom. The book of 1st John is written so you might know that you are born again and have eternal life (1 John 5:13). It explains things we must do as a born-again believer. To most people being a Christian is just following a bunch of "do's and don't's," but once you're born again, those "do's and don't's" aren't seen as being all that unreasonable. How Jesus took on the temptations of Satan and proved Himself to be victorious is our example as ministers today. James, the half-brother of Jesus, tells us to be a doer of God's Word and not just a hearer of the Word (James 1:22-25). In this message, I use Scripture to present ten things we must do to live effectively as born-again Christians. Let me hear from you - Charles   www.aboundinglove.org Subscribe and share with someone you love.