Descending Dove Christian Fellowship

But that's not all - Religion like the law can't save you, ONLY a relationship with Jesus Christ can save you!
Jesus says, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and
he with Me." That's His invitation to all who would listen, but did you get it - it's an invitation! I remember when I first received Jesus
into my heart, it was at the invite of the camp Pastor/counselor at the conclusion of a very compelling witness. That's right, it's UP TO
US, not just to believe in Him, but to RECEIVE Him also ("Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the
right to become children of God--"John 1:12). How do you receive an invitation? Generally, you accept the proposal - it is NOT negotiable
or subject to any other conditions. When you come into contact with the benevolent loving Jesus Christ, and really understand ALL He
has done for you ("Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold
firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who
has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin." Heb 4:14-15), including dying for us ("And he is the propitiation for
our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." 1 John 2:2), you take the first step at denying yourself, and being
re-created in God's eyes.
Ok, we've received Jesus into our hearts - I don't mean just believe in Him cause even the demons believe in Him, I mean RECEIVED
Him, invited Him in, CHECK THIS OUT! Right after Jesus' invitation in Revelation 3:20 - the next verse - 3:21, "to him who overcomes, I
will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on His throne." COOL! Who are the
overcomers that get to sit with Jesus? In Romans, Paul writes, "To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and
immortality, he will give eternal life.", and again, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he
will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12. The world and its desires pass away, but the man
who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:17. (By being doers of the word, and not hearers only)
What all this persistence and persevering is, is your continual act of surrendering and allowing His Spirit to work in you ("Do not
conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2), changing your worldly
self with your worldly outlook, into your new spiritual self with your new spiritual eyes to see Jesus Christ and His dominion all around
you ("Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is
admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." Philippians 4:8). Now as we study GOD's Word, with His
spiritual eyes, we begin to see things so differently, as goes the teaching. Perseverance, persistence, and trials - GOD's tools of refinement
and developement. These tools are used to help discipline us ("Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God
disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness." Hebrews 12:10), and mold and shape us into GOD's ideal plan for us, being
- "Joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12, which also produces "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our
sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not
disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:3-5. He will bring
us into many situations and circumstances to hone us, shape us, and mold us, more and more into His image.
Like I said earlier, we begin to see things differently, and now we begin to teach things differently also. Now even more so, the Word
becomes real, it is what GOD said. Do you believe in "Divine Health" or even blood bought ransom? "But he was pierced for our
transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are
healed." Isaiah 53:5. Do you believe He loves you and desires to have a relationship with you? "Yet to all who received him, to those who
believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--"John 1:12, being a child is everything to do about relationship, giving
you the right to become one of His is still yet another thing. "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us
alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--" Ephesians 2:4-5. Focusing on the Word, speaking it (the Word) over
situations and circumstances that encroach on us in our daily lives, places GOD in the center of it - making the situation or circumstance
subject to what He spoke of such things, and making us to rely on His written/spoken Word ("Because God wanted to make the
unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two
unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly
encouraged." Hebrews 6:17-18), for His sustenance, support, and peace in the midst of the storms. "Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me." Psalms 138:7. For if we, in
the midst of a storm or trial, can remember our relationship with Him, remember that our Master 'spoke' to the 'winds and the waves' of
the storm and trial, and they were calmed, we can believe 'He is our peace.' Eph 2:14, our strong tower and refuge in time of need, we will
enjoy His peace and assurance, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus." Phil 4:7.