Ephesians 1:11 says, “In Him we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.” John 1:13 says of those who receive Jesus as their Savior, “Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Ephesians 1:7. We are redeemed by Jesus’ shed blood. Forgiven according to the riches of His grace. Verse 9 says, “Having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself.”

Speaking of Assyria, Isaiah 14:27 records a principle we can stand on. It says, “For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?” Titus 1:2 says, “In hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.” Salvation is eternal.

James 4:17 says, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” When we are grounded in God’s word through hearing it, memorizing, and meditating on it, we have the knowledge of truth. It is there, ready to apply as we face each temptation.

The Holy Spirit’s marvelous role in our lives will convict us of sin’s trap before we step into it. It is when we continually ignore His check in our spirit that we fall prey to the enemy’s trap.

In 2 Timothy 1:4 Paul warned Timothy, and then in verse 5 he explained the why. It says, “Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith.”

When we disobey God’s word, our faith is compromised in that moment. Continually ignoring the promptings of the Holy Spirit will sear our conscience. 1 Timothy 4:2.

I am now working on memorizing 2 Timothy 1. This was Paul’s last letter before he was beheaded. Think about what you would write to those you love, as a reminder of what essential truths you wanted to impart.

2 Timothy 1:3 says, “I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience…” I often visit Acts 24:16. Paul’s testimony says, “…I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.”

The Holy Spirit uses our conscience as a tool when we encounter a temptation. If we ignore that check in our spirit, we will entertain thoughts that could lead us into a trap. 

In 1 Timothy 1:4 Paul warned Timothy to not give heed to futile things, “…rather than godly edification which is in faith.” I want to jump to Romans 14:23. It says, “…for whatever is not from faith is sin.”

Colossians 2:11 Amplified explained circumcision without hands this way. “…a (spiritual) circumcision (performed by) Christ by stripping off the body of flesh (the whole corrupt, carnal nature with its passions and lusts).” 

Romans 6:6 Amplified says, “We know that our old (un-renewed) self was nailed to the cross with Him in order that (our) body (which is the instrument) of sin might be made ineffective and inactive for evil, that we might no long be the slaves of sin.”

In Romans 6:1 Paul asked a question. Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Verse 2 says, “Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” Dead things have no ability to respond to any stimuli.

Deuteronomy 10:16 says, “Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart…” We circumcise our heart each time we use the scalpel of His word to defeat the enemy’s temptation to sin.

Psalm 119:73 says, “Your hands have made me and fashioned me…” Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…” 

Raising Jesus from the dead required no hands. Ephesians 1:19-20 says that the same power God used to raise Jesus from the dead is at work in us. Think of Romans 6:4. It says, “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

Let’s review Colossians 2:6 and 1 John 2:6. In order to walk in Him, we have to consider what His death, burial, and resurrection means to us now. Colossians 2:11 was written about the circumcision of our heart ~ putting off the sins of the flesh.

Romans 6:11 says, “Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Colossians 2:8 says, “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.”

What is the basic principle for all believers? Verse 6 says, “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” 1 John 2:6 says, “He who abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”

I’m always amazed each time I read through the gospels. As Jesus selected each of His 12 disciples, He used two words ~ Follow Me. They each left what they were doing and followed Him.

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” Paul’s epistles are very instructive in how we are to walk in Him. Galatians 5:16 says, “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”

Paul’s life is such an example for me. I’ve been memorizing chapters in his books. They challenge me. I was working on Colossians 1:28. It says, “Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”

From the time my dad started to drive, he had a Scripture car. Before he had his own, he used his dads. His motto was “As you go, preach.” Our behavior is a visual example to others.

In 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul wrote, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:15 says, “For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” 

Outside and inside our homes is our mission field. Franklin said of his dad, “He is the same in the pulpit as he is at home.” Billy Graham was a man of heart integrity.