Daily Morning Message 2/27/2021

MORNING MESSAGE
February 27, 2021
by Gayle Gordon

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Matthew 5:43-45

Jesus turns lives around. He causes the unsaved to do a complete about-face and become a person of the total opposite nature than he was before. I love the 'insteads' of God.

"If you are a thief, quit stealing.
Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need."
Ephesians 4:28 NLT

"...throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.
Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes."
Ephesians 4:22-23 NLT

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.
Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you."
Ephesians 4:31-32

"Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life.
Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,"
Ephesians 5:18 NLT

"Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you.
Instead, let there be thankfulness to God."
Ephesians 5:3-4 NLT

"Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin.
Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God."
Romans 6:13 NLT

"Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law.
Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace."
Romans 6:14 NLT

I am struck by the transformative powers of the Holy Spirit. Only God could take a sinner and transform that person into His own child.
Instead...rather than...in place of.
Instead replaces one thing for another.

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life."
John 5:24
"...I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
John 10:10

What does God have planned for the one who receives His Son? Jesus speaks to us personally:

"Because you have set your love upon Me, therefore I will deliver you;
I will set you on high, because you have known My name.
You shall call upon Me, and I will answer you;
I will be with you in trouble;
I will deliver you and honor you.
With long life I will satisfy you,
And show you My salvation.”
Psalm 91:14-16

"For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth;
...That in my flesh I shall see God,
Whom I shall see for myself,
And my eyes shall behold, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!"
Job 19:25-27