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NEWNESS OF LIFE

12/30/2024

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December 30, 2025                NEWNESS OF LIFE


Romans 6:4-7 “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is free from sin.”


I dare say that many of us believers have not yet come to fully understand and experience what is said in these few verses. In the natural, it is a stretch to believe with all of our being the awesome and life-changing truths found in this passage. I say ‘with all of our being’ because it is possible to have mental agreement-to believe in our minds with what a scripture says-but it is all-together different to receive in our spirit, the deepest part of our being, that what is said is indeed true. We stand in need of the Holy Spirit to reveal to us truth of the scriptures. Certainly we need engage our minds as read and study the word, but then we need the Spirit to give us revelation in our spirit.  Back to this passage. Can we comprehend or believe that we have been buried with Him through baptism-that our old self is dead? And can we believe that we can now walk in newness of life? Just as Jesus died, so we too have died if we have been born again and united with Him. It is crucial for us to know that our old self was crucified in order that ‘our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.’ And, ‘for he who has died is free from sin.’ Wow. It is true that our old self has not been annihilated and we can yield to our old nature, the flesh, but we do not have to yield to it. Instead, we can walk by the Spirit and not walk according to the flesh. It is good news indeed that we are no longer slaves to sin. There is a point in time when we die to ourselves, but it is also a continual dying to ourselves. The point is that we have died and have been raised up in Christ whereby we walk in newness of life. Newness of life is a wonderful thing to experience. We are now NEW creations, freed from the power of sin. We have been given a new nature and new minds. It may be a stretch to believe, but we are now in the likeness of Christ. Think on that. 
Romans 6:11-13 “For even so consider yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.”
Blessings, Buddy 
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WORK THE WORKS

12/28/2024

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December 28, 2024              WORK THE WORKS


John 9:4 “We must work the works of Him who sent Me, as long as it is day; night is coming, when no man can work.”
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”


There is a sense of urgency in these verses. Here is a undeniable fact; our days on earth are limited. Another fact is that we were ‘created in Christ Jesus for good works.’ When Jesus spoke these words, there were no electric lights; if you had work to do, you had to do it in the light of day. Obviously, the point is much broader than doing physical work during daylight; there is a greater work that believers are to be about doing. Jesus came bearing light; He is the light of the world. We have been made one with Christ; and we are now His representatives in the world. Just as Jesus came to do the works of the Father, we also are called to be about the works that God has ‘prepared beforehand’ for us. We have a God given mission in life. The mindset of the culture in which we live is that of pleasing ourselves. Obviously, this mindset is in opposition to ways of God and to His kingdom-of which we are a part. The urgent message for us is that we must not be passive as believers, but be actively doing what God has called us to do. You or I may not be called to a foreign mission field or called to serve full time on a church staff; but we are called to do what God has for us to do. We learn form God’s word what works we are to be about. The works of God would include such things as being light, serving one another, blessing one another, prayer, worship, sharing our testimony, helping someone with a need we can meet, showing kindness and compassion, speaking the truth in love, and encouraging others. It also involves us exercising our spiritual gifting and building up the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit will direct us in specific ways of how we can be expressions of the love and grace of God. Until the day when Christ returns, we have opportunity to be about His works; once He returns, our works here on earth come to an end. Also, our days or numbered; we do not know how much longer we, or the others in our life, will be here-so let us use the time we have today to be about the work He has for us. 
Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”


Blessings, Buddy
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FOR UNTO US

12/25/2024

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​December 25, 2024                     FOR UNTO US


Luke 2:11 “For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” 


This announcement was made to the shepherds by an angle-what an awesome announcement it was! What a blessing that ‘unto us’ was born a Savior. He came to forgive sin and to restore us to the Father. If by chance you have never trusted Christ as your Savior, there is no better time than right now. 
We often say ‘Merry Christmas’ this time of the year. As I think about that, I realize that many are in a bad place today, that many are in difficult situations and many are burdened down with all sorts of sorrows. Is it a good thing to say ‘Merry Christmas’ to them-is it appropriate to tell them to be ‘merry’? I believe it is for this reason: no matter where one is in life and no matter how difficult it may be, it remains a fact that Jesus came as Savior and He came to a world of lost, hurting people. Knowing why Jesus came and gave His life for us makes it a ‘Merry Christmas’ for all. We may not be laughing or shouting, but in the midst of our difficulties we can be thankful that He came even for us-for the ones who do not have it all together. Jesus coming as Savior over-rides everything-that is the ultimate best news of all times. So I say, MERRY CHRISTMAS to you.


Luke 2:10 “And the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people;”


Blessings, Buddy
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December 23rd, 2024

12/23/2024

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December 23, 2024              HE MIGHT TASTE DEATH


Hebrews 2:9-11 “But we do see Him who has been made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,”


This passage has an amazing, life-changing truth in it-we will get to that in a moment. Because we are so familiar and so use to hearing that Jesus tasted death for us, we may lose to some degree the impact of that reality. It’s a fact; Jesus left heaven, was made for a little while lower than the angles, came to be born as a man in a lowly stable, to suffer and be rejected by many, and to be crucified on a cruel cross-ALL FOR YOU AND ME. He WAS the sacrifice for our sins; He tasted death on our behalf. The desire that moved Jesus to give His life for us was that He might bring ‘many sons to glory.’ He endured suffering and death in order that we might be joined to Him-made a part of His family. Here is the amazing truth: Jesus and ourselves (the ones sanctified) ARE ALL FROM ONE FAHTER! Think about that. Our earthly father and mother just got us here physically; but God is our real Father; He knew us long before our physical birth. In fact, He created us-we are each unique. This truth, when believed and embraced does away with a poor self-image; we were created in the image of God. We have been transformed and we continued to be transformed into His image. Wow! 
Romans 5:10 “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life.”


Blessings, Buddy 
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HE WHO HATES HIS LIFE

12/20/2024

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December 20, 2024            HE WHO HATES HIS LIFE


John 12:25-26,46 “He who loves his life loses it; and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall My servant also be; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor Him.”   “I have come as a light into the world, that everyone who believes in Me may not remain in darkness.”


I am hesitant to use this passage of scripture because some may feel condemned and some may think it has negative overtones. Our respond to these verses is telling; they have a way of revealing our deepest beliefs about God. I pray that you will find encouragement as we spend a few minutes looking at what Jesus is saying. There are parts of these verses that may cause some to fear, but in reality, there are great promises in this passage. You may be asking if you love your life; or if you hate your life. Big question that we must answer. Let me say up front that Jesus came to give us abundant life and He gives us all things to enjoy. The issue is whether or not we have died to ourselves; or are we living according to the ways of God or according to our own dictates. Jesus is telling us that if we reject ‘our’ life and live His life in us, we will find life. That is a paradox; if we lose our life, we find life. When we experience life in Christ, we will hate the life we lived apart from Christ. So, it is a blessing for us to lose our life-even to hate life in the flesh. This issue of us losing and hating our life is a crucial issue. As believers, we can live according to the flesh or according to the Spirit. I know that when I live according to the flesh, whether for a few moments or for a longer period of time, I ‘hate’ that life; that is the life we must hate. If I am rude to someone or if I in someway express ungodliness, I regret that-that’s not the life I want. There is one truth, that if we miss it, we will not experience the life God has for us. That central truth is that we must die to ourselves and let the life of Christ in us be our life. He is our life; He desires to live through us. Any life other than the life of Christ in us, is a life that misses the mark by a mile. If misunderstood, dying to self may be a fearful thought. However, only as we die to ourselves and receive the life of Christ, can we find the life that fulfills every longing. 
Galatians 2:20 “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.”


Blessings, Buddy
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December 18th, 2024

12/18/2024

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December 18, 2024            BUT TO SAVE


John 12:47 “I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.”
Matthew 7:1 “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you.”


These are likely familiar passages. Even many non-believers are familiar with these verses. We are quick to agree that we are not to judge another. But I suspect that many of us are not totally innocent when it comes to judging others; we may not call it ‘judging,’ but judging is judging no matter what we call it. The message we must get is that Jesus, the perfect one who never sinned, did not come to judge the world even though He saw the sinfulness of man on every hand. Here is the question for us-the take home point: if Jesus did not come to judge the world, why in the world would we ever judge? Jesus did not overlook sin, but He was out to redeem and to save sinners. Our posture should be the same. We are heirs of salvation; we are the saved ones; we are the ones through whom the gospel should shine forth, pointing to Jesus, the Savior of those who are lost. Judging others is a big deal. It’s not our calling to go about pointing out the sins of others and condemning others. For one thing, we really do not know what is in the heart of another and we do not know the motives of others. It just makes all the sense in the world from a biblical view, not to judge-it’s just that simple. Again, our calling is not to be judges, but to be ambassadors of the kingdom of God; to be light bearers; and to demonstrate the love of God. Just as Jesus saw the sinfulness of man, so can we see sin in all of it’s ugliness. Judging happens easily; it can be subtle; we can find other names for it; and it can make us feel better about our own sins and shortcomings. So, let us understand that sinners sin; but also let us understand it’s not our place to judge, but to be those who represent the love and compassion of Jesus to those who need a Savior.   
Luke 6:37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”


Blessings, Buddy
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FOR HIM AND THROGH HIM

12/15/2024

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December 15, 2024           FOR HIM AND THROUGH HIM


1 Corinthians 8:2,6 “but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.”  “yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we exist for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.”


In chapter eight of 1 Corinthians, the subject is false gods and false idols. In the midst of this teaching, we discover some truths that we must not overlook. What is said in the verses above run contrary to our culture in a big way. What Paul says brings us back to reality and to truth and it puts is proper perspective who we are and why we exist. We tend to think we are born to pursue our dreams, to achieve success, to do the things that fulfill us, and to be the captain of our lives. As a starter, let us be reminded that we are here only because He created us; and we continue to exist only because He sustains us. Second, and this is really big, let us remember that we exist for Him! We do not exist for ourselves-and that may a sobering truth to grasp. We may agree that we exist for Him theoretically, but yet not live daily with the acknowledgment and awareness that we exist solely for Him. Now this does not mean that we are robotic like or that we do not responsibilities and the power to make choices. The really good news is that knowing that we exist through Him and for Him, brings purpose to our lives and it brings a deep sense of fulfillment. It is a frightening thought to think that we have to figure life out on our own, and that all we have is us, without God equipping us and leading us. Existing for Him means that our life is about Him; about doing the things that honor him please Him. We can experience life as it was designed to be only by knowing that we exist by Him and for Him. Finally, not only do we exist by Him and through Him, we are known by Him if we love Him. So, let us live being fully aware of the fact that we exist for Him and through Him. 


Romans 14:8 “If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”


Blessings, Buddy
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Ministering to the Lord.

12/13/2024

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December 13, 2024             MINISTERING TO THE LORD


Acts 13:2 “And while they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” 


Reading this verse is like looking through a key hole, getting a glimpse of early church life. We see the dynamic working of the church; the believers ministering to the Lord and fasting, and the Spirit speaking to them. The part that catches my attention is that they were ‘ministering to the Lord.’ We normally think of ministry as being ministry to other people. Evidently, there is also a way for us to minister to the Lord and obviously it’s important to do so. As I understand it, we minister to the Lord by worshiping Him, praising Him, praying to Him, giving Him honor, and doing things that please Him. To minister to the Lord means we acknowledge Him for who He is; He is Lord and He rules over all. Ministering to the Lord includes specific times when we praise Him and worship Him, BUT is also to be a way of life for us. Even as we work and go about our daily task and routines, we can do those things in a way that is pleasing to Him-doing all we do as unto Him. I have a strong suspicion that by ministering to the Lord and fasting, we will hear Him speaking to us. This passage is refreshingly simple, and to the point; there are no ‘deep truths’ we must uncover to get the message. We cannot minister to the Lord by just going through the motions; it’s a matter of our heart. God looks at our hearts. We can minister to the Lord only when our hearts are fully turned to Him and when He is our greatest desire. Finally, our worship must be based on truth; and truth is found in God’s word; our worship must be based on who God says He is, and not on who we say He is. 
John 4:24 “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Psalm 95:6 “Come, let us bow down in worship, let is kneel before the Lord our Maker.”


Blessings, Buddy
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IT’S A REAL DEAL

12/10/2024

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December 11, 2024               IT’S A REAL DEAL


2 Corinthians 13:4-5, 11 “For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we shall live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you. Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you-unless indeed you fail the test?”


There is a lot to glean from this passage to say the least. As I read this passage and as I meditate on it, I come to one major conclusion. There is obviously more to this passage than the one conclusion I come up with. If I had the gift of teaching, or if I was a preacher, I am sure I could spend weeks expounding the truths found in this passage. But, here is the overriding message I get from this. As believers, we have been given the gospel, or you can call it ‘the faith.’ “The faith” is referring to the body of truth that God has given. There is no other truth outside this body of truth that God has given. The gospel is peculiar from the world’s perspective, it’s specific, and it did not originate with man; it came from God. The gospel is not a book of good suggestions and it’s not just a book of information. The reason for being given the gospel was not that we might gain more knowledge, but that we would be transformed by the power of the gospel. The amazing thing is how this gospel came to us. In the plan of God, it took the death of His Son to redeem us, to take us out of this world of darkness and to place us in His family and His kingdom. Just as Jesus had to die, we to are called to die to ourselves in order that He might live in us. When we are weak, when we die to ourselves, the power of God is ‘directed toward’ us-His Son comes to live in us. So it is through weakness that we live. I say all that to say that this faith, this gospel, this Jesus living in us, is a huge deal and it demands our all. God forbid that we ever take this gospel lightly or fail to recognize the fact that Jesus lives in us! We are instructed to test ourselves and to examine ourselves-to see if we are in the faith. Personal examination is needed to see if our beliefs are in line with God’s word and to see if our actions, our words, our attitudes and our desires are in agreement with the ways of God. This self-examination is not fear based, but is for our own good. So, to claim to be followers of Jesus and to say we believe the gospel, is a big big deal. We are blessed to have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness and transferred to the kingdom of God. Let us live in the light.
Hebrews 2:3a “how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation.”
Jude 3b “I was constrained to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints.”


Blessings, Buddy
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December 08th, 2024

12/8/2024

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December 8, 2024                                WASH DAY 


Revelations 22;12-14: “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. I am the Alfa and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Blessed are those who wash their clothes, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by gates into then city.”                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                 Growing up in the country in a day when we had clothes lines for drying our clothes, my Mom had a ‘wash-day’ on which she would wash and hang out the clothes-of course it had be on a sunny day for drying. The passage of scripture above talks about washing ‘our robes.’ It is a good analogy; obviously its not referring to the clothes we wear but to our person-who we are-our life. It’s interesting that this passage is in the last chapter of the bible; I take it as a final admonition or a final word that must be heard; you could see it as a warning, or you can see it as a promise. However we see it, the message is clear. Whether we believe it or not, a day is coming when earth will be no more and all believers will be living in heaven in the presence of God; all who rejected Christ will not be there-they will spend eternity separated from God. What an awful thought. The message we must take from this passage is that this awesome day is coming and we need to be about making ourselves ready for that day. The message of this verse is not ‘high and lofty’ and is not ‘super spiritual’ and is not reserved just for a few; it has practical ramifications. Certainly our relationship with God and our being saved is a spiritual issue-it is by faith that we come to know God because of His grace-that is the beginning point. We are saved, but we are also being saved-we are to walk out our salvation. Even though we are saved by grace and because we are now a part of God’s family, we are to be about doing the good deeds that He has ordained for us and living out this life as He has called us too. Because God has made us righteous and His Spirit lives in us, we are to be expressing the righteousness of God in what we do. “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17. So, let us be good stewards of God while on this earth, representing Him in all we do; by doing this, we will be preparing for and making ourselves ready for that day when we take up residency in heaven and we will hear the Father say to us “Well done good and faithful servant!” And let us not overlook the fact that He is coming quickly and His reward is with Him!  


John 14:2-3 “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
        
1 Corinthians 2:9 “But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him-‘“


Blessings, Buddy


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    Buddy Fitzgerald

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