BASICS:_salvation (pt. 2)

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

Colossians 2. 6-8

Since Salvation is a starting point, we shouldn't remain there. We gotta move forward! Colossaians says "continue" in Him, "rooted and built up" in Him.

1. A seed has potential. So does a runner at the starting block. The only way to release that potenial in a seed is to plant it in good fertile soil-- the source. God is our source and we are a seed. We need to plant ourselves in good fertile soil. In HIM! In our church!

2. Then the seed pushes the tap root down into the soil. It anchors itse;f. We need to anchor ourselves in GOD.

3. Then that tap root starts sprouting secondary roots. These secondary roots help in finding nutrients and in stability. When we anchor ourselve sin GOD through prayer and Bible reading and participating with other believers, we are stabilizing ourselves.

4. Then that seed pushes upward and we see growth. But up until this point, all that was happening could not be seen. And many times, when we are mobing forward, it is a personal time with GOD. Then others begin to see the growth.

5. Maturity and growth continue until ther eis a strong, vibrant tree. And when hardhsips come, strong winds draought... because the tree (and hopefully you) have planted ourselves with a strong anchor that gets it's source from deep within the ground (GOD), the tree nor you will be shaken or wither.

:[winterfest 2006]:

It's been decided... We are going to Smoky Mountain Winterfest! Start the money saving now.
Check out last year's evening services here.

Israel Houghton leading praise and worhsip, Karen Wheaton ministering, Reggie Dabbs speaking, the Katinas in concert and much more.

BASICS:_salvation

But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,"[a] that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."[b]

Romans 10.8-11

Salvation has been made into this complex, hard to attain, even harder to hold onto notion... but it isn't even a notion. It is a thing. A very possessable, accessible thing. This "thing" is acceptance and forgiveness from GOD and entrance into enternal life with Him.

How easy is it?

Numero Uno: Confess with your mouth that "Jesus is Lord." This takes control of the body and all it's desires that aren't in line with the Word.

Numero Dos: Believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead. This takes control of your emotions/ feelings. It also aligns your faith in the true God.

Anyone who deos these two things, according to Romans 10.8-11, is saved!