The Rest of the Gospel: Revelation -- God's Way of Knowing (chapter 11)

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The Rest of the Gospel: Revelation -- God's Way of Knowing (chapter 11)

...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe... Ephesians 1:17-19a ESV

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My Burning Bush

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My Burning Bush

…Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.” …God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” “Here I am!” Moses replied. … the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. Exodus 3:2-5 NLT

There is a “burning bush” in my daughter’s yard in Illinois. And it is ablaze with glory right now! So when three year old William and I came outside yesterday morning, we couldn’t help but notice the changes that seemed to happen overnight.

“It’s RED!”

“Yes, William, and it’s called a Burning Bush. You know what? God spoke to a man named Moses from a Burning Bush. It’s in the Bible.”

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Song of the Week: I Have a Father

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Song of the Week: I Have a Father

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. …As we come up to Fathers’ Day, I’m remembering this song. Its a heart-warming reminder of my True Father, and it grabs my grieving soul with its moving music and lyric.

I can’t get this song out of my mind. It’s a heart-warming reminder of my True Father, and it grabs my grieving soul with its moving music and lyric.

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The Rest of the Gospel: One Nature (chapter 8)

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The Rest of the Gospel: One Nature (chapter 8)

Key Verse

 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly. Galatians 2:20-21  NASB

Key Question

Am I one person or two?  Have I one nature or two?

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Song & Meditation for the Week: Christ in Me

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Song & Meditation for the Week: Christ in Me

Christianity is a PERSON, not a procedure; the LORD, not a list! Not church attendance, not Christ-like qualities, not good works, not the Christian "to-do list" (which may vary depending on the group and "camp" you are in)...

Not evangelism, not mission trips, not a quality "quiet time," not Scripture memorization or Bible study...

Not spiritual disciplines, not prayer, not fasting, not obedience, not miracle-working faith...

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The Rest of the Gospel: Union with Christ {a summary}

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The Rest of the Gospel: Union with Christ {a summary}

When I walk through the “gate” of salvation, I am thrilled with the revelation that my sins are forgiven through the death of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  I am now reconciled to (at peace with) God my Creator. Not only that, I am His child, born into His family (John 1:12).

But it doesn’t take long before an important question/problem comes up:  how do I live the Christian life? 

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The Rest of the Gospel: the Swing (chapter 7)

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The Rest of the Gospel: the Swing (chapter 7)

Dear Book Club friends, This week we will be reading and studying chapter 7 (The Swing). Toward the end of the week, I will post a summary of section 1: Union with Christ. What a glorious mystery is this mystical union of Christ with us His loved ones!  Thank you for following along in amazement with us!

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Song of the Week: Found

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Song of the Week: Found

The first time I heard this song, I began to sob.  It took me back to the darkest point in my performance-addicted, self-effort driven Christian life. When I finally had realized Christ in me, the hope of the glory of God being manifest in my human life...it was light into darkness...like being born again, again!  I can't go back.

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Revelation Song -- a Hymn for This Week

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Revelation Song -- a Hymn for This Week

...the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 
Revelation 13:8 NKJV

How could we have died in Christ 2000+ years ago?  Because that death happened in the eternal realm...before time began.

Does that blow your mind?  It does mine.  Aren't we glad that we have a God bigger than our finite minds can grasp?

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The Rest of the Gospel: Doublecross {what you died to}, chapter 4

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The Rest of the Gospel: Doublecross {what you died to}, chapter 4

Chapter 4  Doublecross {what you died to}
Key verse: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.  Now all things are of God... 2Cor 5:17-18a NKJV

Key question: What did I die to?

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Hymn of the Week: Be Thou My Vision

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Hymn of the Week: Be Thou My Vision

For years this hymn has been my go to song…from the time I was “in the convent” back in the late 1960’s to this very day no matter my Christian context. And recently it has been my morning song as I awaken the dawn walking in my area — even as the darkness is departing and my neighborhood owl is singing out the final hoo-hoo of his “day.”

And so I sing…even aloud…despite the high school young people passing me by on their way to the bus stop, wondering about this weird, white haired woman softly singing. I love the focus. I love the plaintive melody. I love my indwelling God who draws me toward thoughts of HIM Alone. And I love the story behind the song…

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The Rest of the Gospel: The Line (chapter 2)

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The Rest of the Gospel: The Line (chapter 2)

Brothers and sisters, do you realize that we live in two realms simultaneously? Right now?
We live in both the temporal realm, and also in the eternal realm right here, right now.

And what is true about you in the fixed eternal realm affects you right now in the fluctuating temporal realm. How? Read along with us… 

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The Rest of the Gospel: Welcome to the Fall Book Club & the Gates (chapter 1)

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The Rest of the Gospel: Welcome to the Fall Book Club & the Gates (chapter 1)

Welcome to our Fall book club here at A Branch in the Vine! Thank you for joining us in the study of The Rest of the Gospel: When the Partial Gospel has Worn You Out, by Dan Stone and David Gregory.

My prayer is that we will all come to experience to a greater depth the truth of the key verse of our study: Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27)...that is, our only hope that the glory of God will be manifest in our lives right now on this earth...not just when we get to heaven!

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