For the last two weeks I’ve seen the word ‘providence’ everywhere. I noticed God’s providence in my bible study. I noticed God’s providence in the sermon at church on Sunday. And I’ve noticed God’s providence in my own life a lot recently. I suppose it’s providential that I keep seeing God’s providence everywhere, because God’s providence, or His divine direction, is everywhere.
God is involved in your life whether you realize it or not. The question is, are your eyes open enough to see it? Or do you prefer to see the things that happen in your life as ‘good luck’ or ‘coincidence’? Is there really such a thing as good luck and coincidence when it comes to God’s hand upon your life? We know that God is good, and everything good comes from Him. (Ps. 107:1 “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” And also from Ps 119:68 – “You are good, and what You do is good…” ) We also know that God’s timing is perfect. He’s never early and He’s never late. God even uses our chance decisions to make decisions for us. Prov. 16:33 – “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” My friend, Cindy who also writes blogs for “A Cord of Three”, and I were put together through the Mentor & Mentee (M&M) program at our church through casting lots. They drew names for the partners of all of the ladies in the program. Now we’re looking at incorporating “A Cord of Three” into “A Cord of Three Ministries”. Do you think it was just chance that we were matched together as mentee and mentor? I don’t think so. I see God’s fingerprints all over this friendship (and partnership). But when I think about it, in the natural I might have never really gotten to know Cindy because we were involved in different things at church. It took a divine connection from God to put us together. And I know that God has something special in mind for us and “A Cord of Three Ministries”. And God’s hand is not on my life just because I feel I’m called into ministry. I believe His hand is on every person. If He knows the number of hairs on your head, surely He is involved in other personal details of your life.
You know, it was God’s providence, or divine direction, that Jesus came to earth to die on the cross for our sins. It was God’s providence that Jesus fulfilled all of the Messianic prophecies of Scripture. It was God’s providence that Jesus would be buried and raised again to eternal life. All of that was God’s plan. And God has a plan for you. His plan for you is a good plan. God tells us in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” God puts you in the places that He needs you to be in to do the most good for Him. You have a sphere of influence in your home, at your work and with your friends. God will make those divine appointments for you in your life. We all have a purpose, and God will order your steps to guide you there. Proverbs 16:9 says, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” Keep a watchful eye out for ways that God is showing Himself in your life. His fingerprints are there in the tapestry of your life. Start seeing God’s providence, His divine direction, and know that He has a good plan for your life!
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that each person reading this blog would see your hand upon their life in a special way this week. And I ask that you would show them how your hand has already been upon their life. Help them to understand the plan that you have for their life. Show them how they are making a difference in the lives of the people they come into contact with every day. And we thank You that You are good, and that you know us personally. Please speak to us in a special way today. In Jesus name. Amen.
* All bible references are from the NIV unless noted.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
I WILL RISE!
When He calls my name, I will rise on eagles’ wings, before my God, fall on my knees. I will rise! These are the words to Chris Tomlin’s song, I will rise! Have you ever thought about that? When He calls your name?
When I was growing up, all of us kids sat in church service (no children’s church for us) and we would have to sit with our parents and listen to the preacher. I remember hearing several sermons about what would happen to us when we died and Jesus called our name. Our pastor said that because Satan is the prince of the air “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: “ Eph 2:2 (KJV)., that angels would be sent by God to escort our souls into heaven, because the demons would try to keep us from going there (just like they kept the angel from answering Daniel’s prayer). In my mind, I always envisioned a beautiful band of angels escorting me into heaven and these hideous demons fleeing from us.
Then there is the rapture when we will fly through the air to be with our Lord. “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” 1 Thess 4:16-17 (NIV). My personal opinion is that we won’t have to be escorted when we are raptured, because all of the demons will be running for their lives to get away from Jesus’ presence.
I’m looking forward to either one of those days.....how about you? Either way we will see our Savior face to face. Come to think of it, everyone saved or lost will see Jesus face to face eventually. We will all see Jesus in His entire splendor and glory, we will all see Jesus sitting on his throne, and we will all bow our knees and confess Him Lord of Lord and King of Kings. “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Phil 2:10-11 (NIV).
If you are saved you will fly straight into the arms of your savior, if you haven’t repented of your sins and accepted Jesus as your savior, you will see Him on judgment day when He tells you to depart from me, I never knew you. "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” Matt 25:41 (NIV). Which way would you rather meet the creator of the universe?
In this uncertain world today, it is very hard to make plans and be assured that those plans will happen. But, there is one certain plan that will happen for all of us.....you will meet Jesus one way or the other....your eternity depends on your decision.
If you know that you are lost, then deep down in your soul you also know that you are on the road to eternal separation from God and an eternity in Hell. Will you open your heart and accept the sacrifice that Jesus paid for you on the cross? Will you throw away your pride and accept the fact that you are a sinner in need of the salvation that only Jesus can provide? Jesus has paid the price for you, all you have to do is lay aside your pride and acknowledge that you are a sinner and accept Him as your Savior.
Dear Father in Heaven,
My prayer today is for the people reading this who have not accepted you as their Lord and Savior. Those, who in their hearts, know that in their present lost condition they will be told on judgment day to depart from You because You never knew them. I pray that they will just lay aside their pride, acknowledge their sins and accept the free gift of salvation that You offer. I pray this in Your precious Son Jesus’ name. AMEN
When I was growing up, all of us kids sat in church service (no children’s church for us) and we would have to sit with our parents and listen to the preacher. I remember hearing several sermons about what would happen to us when we died and Jesus called our name. Our pastor said that because Satan is the prince of the air “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: “ Eph 2:2 (KJV)., that angels would be sent by God to escort our souls into heaven, because the demons would try to keep us from going there (just like they kept the angel from answering Daniel’s prayer). In my mind, I always envisioned a beautiful band of angels escorting me into heaven and these hideous demons fleeing from us.
Then there is the rapture when we will fly through the air to be with our Lord. “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” 1 Thess 4:16-17 (NIV). My personal opinion is that we won’t have to be escorted when we are raptured, because all of the demons will be running for their lives to get away from Jesus’ presence.
I’m looking forward to either one of those days.....how about you? Either way we will see our Savior face to face. Come to think of it, everyone saved or lost will see Jesus face to face eventually. We will all see Jesus in His entire splendor and glory, we will all see Jesus sitting on his throne, and we will all bow our knees and confess Him Lord of Lord and King of Kings. “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Phil 2:10-11 (NIV).
If you are saved you will fly straight into the arms of your savior, if you haven’t repented of your sins and accepted Jesus as your savior, you will see Him on judgment day when He tells you to depart from me, I never knew you. "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” Matt 25:41 (NIV). Which way would you rather meet the creator of the universe?
In this uncertain world today, it is very hard to make plans and be assured that those plans will happen. But, there is one certain plan that will happen for all of us.....you will meet Jesus one way or the other....your eternity depends on your decision.
If you know that you are lost, then deep down in your soul you also know that you are on the road to eternal separation from God and an eternity in Hell. Will you open your heart and accept the sacrifice that Jesus paid for you on the cross? Will you throw away your pride and accept the fact that you are a sinner in need of the salvation that only Jesus can provide? Jesus has paid the price for you, all you have to do is lay aside your pride and acknowledge that you are a sinner and accept Him as your Savior.
Dear Father in Heaven,
My prayer today is for the people reading this who have not accepted you as their Lord and Savior. Those, who in their hearts, know that in their present lost condition they will be told on judgment day to depart from You because You never knew them. I pray that they will just lay aside their pride, acknowledge their sins and accept the free gift of salvation that You offer. I pray this in Your precious Son Jesus’ name. AMEN
Monday, April 19, 2010
ON MOVING MOUNTAINS
He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. " Matt 17:20.
I’ve always felt very intimidated by this verse. Since I’ve never moved a mountain, my faith must not be even as large as a mustard seed. Have you ever seen a mustard seed? It’s very tiny. That’s very demoralizing when you think about it. I thought I had faith, but maybe I don’t.
I was thinking about this the other day and it dawned on me.....Satan has no problem using God’s Word to confuse us. During those times that I felt like my faith was not even the size of a mustard seed, I’ve realized that it was Satan saying to me “but, if you had faith, you could move mountains.....so why can’t you? I guess you don’t have any faith because I don’t see any mountains moving!” “Oh ye of little faith, what’s wrong with you? Why can’t you move mountains?”
Then I realized something.....maybe, I’m not in the mountain moving business! That’s not what God has asked me to do, He has a specific plan for me, I know it’s not to move mountains, but.....if His plan was for me to move mountains, then I could and I would! When you are in God’s will, you want to do His will. When you pray that His will be done, not yours, then what you pray for will already be given to you....because it is His will! Then He will equip you to do His plan and for you, it may be to move mountains!
What we must remember is that “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Eph 6:12. Satan and his hordes will confuse you, manipulate you and make your life miserable. But what you must do is keep your eyes on Jesus. Stay focused! Be conscious of what your mind dwells on. Remember what Paul wrote to the church at Philipi “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.” Phil 4:8.
When you were saved, why didn’t God take you straight to heaven? Why? Because He has something for you to do! He’s not finished with you yet. He has a plan for you! God has a master plan and that plan is simple, that once we are saved, it becomes our job to tell the lost about the good news of Jesus Christ! “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you....” Matt 28:19-20a. That command was not just given to the disciples, but to each of us.
Now, how he equips us to do our particular job in His master plan is different with each person. “It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” Eph 4:11-12. You have been set apart and called to a specific purpose. Are you ready to move mountains?
ALL VERSES FROM THE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION
I’ve always felt very intimidated by this verse. Since I’ve never moved a mountain, my faith must not be even as large as a mustard seed. Have you ever seen a mustard seed? It’s very tiny. That’s very demoralizing when you think about it. I thought I had faith, but maybe I don’t.
I was thinking about this the other day and it dawned on me.....Satan has no problem using God’s Word to confuse us. During those times that I felt like my faith was not even the size of a mustard seed, I’ve realized that it was Satan saying to me “but, if you had faith, you could move mountains.....so why can’t you? I guess you don’t have any faith because I don’t see any mountains moving!” “Oh ye of little faith, what’s wrong with you? Why can’t you move mountains?”
Then I realized something.....maybe, I’m not in the mountain moving business! That’s not what God has asked me to do, He has a specific plan for me, I know it’s not to move mountains, but.....if His plan was for me to move mountains, then I could and I would! When you are in God’s will, you want to do His will. When you pray that His will be done, not yours, then what you pray for will already be given to you....because it is His will! Then He will equip you to do His plan and for you, it may be to move mountains!
What we must remember is that “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Eph 6:12. Satan and his hordes will confuse you, manipulate you and make your life miserable. But what you must do is keep your eyes on Jesus. Stay focused! Be conscious of what your mind dwells on. Remember what Paul wrote to the church at Philipi “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.” Phil 4:8.
When you were saved, why didn’t God take you straight to heaven? Why? Because He has something for you to do! He’s not finished with you yet. He has a plan for you! God has a master plan and that plan is simple, that once we are saved, it becomes our job to tell the lost about the good news of Jesus Christ! “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you....” Matt 28:19-20a. That command was not just given to the disciples, but to each of us.
Now, how he equips us to do our particular job in His master plan is different with each person. “It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” Eph 4:11-12. You have been set apart and called to a specific purpose. Are you ready to move mountains?
ALL VERSES FROM THE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION
Monday, April 12, 2010
YOU WILL FIND REST!
I’ve been listening to Jeremy Camp’s song Let It Fade. Actually, I’ve been listening to it a lot lately. If it’s possible to wear a hole in a CD....I think that’s what is going to happen soon (or at least until I get this written)! For some reason, I started listening to this song and I thought to myself “there is a message here” but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. I thought that he was singing to lost people, then it dawned on me, this song has a great message for Christians also.
When you go to church on Sunday, are you truly excited to be there? Are you “fired up”? Do you have a song in your heart? Are you excited to see your church family? Jeremy’s song begins with the words “have you been walking on a surface that’s uncertain?” Do you feel like your footing is sure? Do you feel strong? The song continues “Have you helped yourself to everything that’s empty?” I know what that’s like. Even though we are Christ followers, it is so easy to get tangled up in the snares that Satan throws our way. “Have you been standing own your feet too long? Have you been looking for a place to belong?”
If you want to find perfect rest, the way to do this is to be obedient! I know you’re saying “but, Cindy, I do go to church, I pay my tithes, I’m doing what I’m supposed to do.” My answer is yes, you are doing what we’ve been taught to do since we were children.....but are you doing what God wants you to do? Don’t get me wrong, I’m saying continue to do what you are doing.....but is God calling you to do more? To step out in faith and do more, to say here I am Lord, use me!
Do you want to find rest? The only way that you will find perfect rest, deep down in your soul is to be obedient to what God has planned for you! God has a perfect plan for you and if you are obedient, you will be awestruck with the blessings that you receive! Don’t use excuses such as “education” or “I’m not smart enough” or “I’m not worthy enough” and to that last excuse I say “join the club....none of us are worthy!” God has a customized, individualized plan just for you and He has been preparing you for this all of your life!
“Are you carrying the weight to much, are you running from the call?” As Lisa wrote last Thursday....catch the vision.....catch the vision that God has planned for you! You are strong! Turn your back on empty worldly things that so easily clutters up your mind and keeps you busy doing things that are not really necessary, tell Satan to leave you alone! Look toward God and tell Him that you are ready to follow Him wherever He leads you. That is scary you say! Trust me, I know it is, but I guarantee you that if you take the first step toward the vision that God has given you, He will continually lead you.....all you have to do is step in His footprints. If you are obedient to God and follow His plan for you, you will be amazed at what you can do AND you will be amazed at how often God will reveal Himself to you!
When you speak your vision, you are telling the world, God and Satan that you are committed to your Lord’s perfect plan for you. When you are committed to the plan, you begin to want to follow the plan. When you show your willingness to follow the plan set out for you, God will begin to reveal Himself more and more to you. This is confirmation that you are not alone and that God is with you every step of the way. You begin to want to read His word and talk to Him, more and more. When I say “talk to Him”, I mean just that, a conversation is a two-way street; you must listen to what God has to say to you.
Then before you know it, you will be doing your vision and it won’t be as difficult as you are thinking it will be. God will order your schedule and help you to fulfill His plans for you!
When you go to church on Sunday, are you truly excited to be there? Are you “fired up”? Do you have a song in your heart? Are you excited to see your church family? Jeremy’s song begins with the words “have you been walking on a surface that’s uncertain?” Do you feel like your footing is sure? Do you feel strong? The song continues “Have you helped yourself to everything that’s empty?” I know what that’s like. Even though we are Christ followers, it is so easy to get tangled up in the snares that Satan throws our way. “Have you been standing own your feet too long? Have you been looking for a place to belong?”
If you want to find perfect rest, the way to do this is to be obedient! I know you’re saying “but, Cindy, I do go to church, I pay my tithes, I’m doing what I’m supposed to do.” My answer is yes, you are doing what we’ve been taught to do since we were children.....but are you doing what God wants you to do? Don’t get me wrong, I’m saying continue to do what you are doing.....but is God calling you to do more? To step out in faith and do more, to say here I am Lord, use me!
Do you want to find rest? The only way that you will find perfect rest, deep down in your soul is to be obedient to what God has planned for you! God has a perfect plan for you and if you are obedient, you will be awestruck with the blessings that you receive! Don’t use excuses such as “education” or “I’m not smart enough” or “I’m not worthy enough” and to that last excuse I say “join the club....none of us are worthy!” God has a customized, individualized plan just for you and He has been preparing you for this all of your life!
“Are you carrying the weight to much, are you running from the call?” As Lisa wrote last Thursday....catch the vision.....catch the vision that God has planned for you! You are strong! Turn your back on empty worldly things that so easily clutters up your mind and keeps you busy doing things that are not really necessary, tell Satan to leave you alone! Look toward God and tell Him that you are ready to follow Him wherever He leads you. That is scary you say! Trust me, I know it is, but I guarantee you that if you take the first step toward the vision that God has given you, He will continually lead you.....all you have to do is step in His footprints. If you are obedient to God and follow His plan for you, you will be amazed at what you can do AND you will be amazed at how often God will reveal Himself to you!
When you speak your vision, you are telling the world, God and Satan that you are committed to your Lord’s perfect plan for you. When you are committed to the plan, you begin to want to follow the plan. When you show your willingness to follow the plan set out for you, God will begin to reveal Himself more and more to you. This is confirmation that you are not alone and that God is with you every step of the way. You begin to want to read His word and talk to Him, more and more. When I say “talk to Him”, I mean just that, a conversation is a two-way street; you must listen to what God has to say to you.
Then before you know it, you will be doing your vision and it won’t be as difficult as you are thinking it will be. God will order your schedule and help you to fulfill His plans for you!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
See It, Speak It, Do It!
Have you caught the vision yet? Do you have eyes to see what God is calling you to? God will show you His vision for your life if you ask because He tells us in Pr. 29:18 KJV that “Where there is no vision, the people perish”.
Having vision from God is like being pregnant. When God gives you the vision and you know it’s for you and you believe it to be true, it’s been conceived. After Gabriel told Mary that she would bear a son she spoke out loud, “May it be to me as you have said.” (Luke 1:38) Mary was in agreement with God just like you need to be in agreement with God. Say to Him, “May it be to me as you have said!” During this time of conception and growth you’ll be thinking about this vision over and over in your mind. It starts to become a part of you. You wonder when it’s going to happen and what it’s going to look like when it’s born. It’s a very special time as you ponder God's vision in your heart.
Then a time will come to speak out God’s vision to those around you. As your vision continually grows bigger within you, God will have you start to speak your vision, even before it has happened. This shows you have faith in what God has shown you. This can be a scary time because some people may think you’re crazy, depending on the vision God has given to you. They may tell you, “You can’t do that! That’s not your personality!” Whatever their reasoning, it doesn’t matter. This is a time of testing for you. Will you continue to believe what God has spoken to you, or will you give up the vision? Keep believing! God is big and He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us. (Eph 3:20) So think BIG! Don’t limit yourself or God by putting Him in a box. How often do we limit God because of our small beliefs and low expectations? Expect God to do something BIG!
As you see God’s vision for your life and speak your vision to others, you will begin to take steps toward your vision. God will give you opportunities to be trained for the vision He has for you. And He will equip you for everything He has called you to do. Do anything you can that keeps you headed toward your vision. Be obedient to God as you walk in His word toward your vision. And don’t be dismayed if you’ve been in training for longer than you would like. More responsibility requires more training.
As you see your vision, speak your vision, and walk toward your vision, one day you’ll find you’re giving birth to your vision. And your proud Father God will be there with you when your vision is born, just like he was when you conceived the vision, and just like He’ll be with you as you walk in the fullness of the vision He has given to you for your life. “For nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)
All Scripture is from the New International Version, except where noted.
Having vision from God is like being pregnant. When God gives you the vision and you know it’s for you and you believe it to be true, it’s been conceived. After Gabriel told Mary that she would bear a son she spoke out loud, “May it be to me as you have said.” (Luke 1:38) Mary was in agreement with God just like you need to be in agreement with God. Say to Him, “May it be to me as you have said!” During this time of conception and growth you’ll be thinking about this vision over and over in your mind. It starts to become a part of you. You wonder when it’s going to happen and what it’s going to look like when it’s born. It’s a very special time as you ponder God's vision in your heart.
Then a time will come to speak out God’s vision to those around you. As your vision continually grows bigger within you, God will have you start to speak your vision, even before it has happened. This shows you have faith in what God has shown you. This can be a scary time because some people may think you’re crazy, depending on the vision God has given to you. They may tell you, “You can’t do that! That’s not your personality!” Whatever their reasoning, it doesn’t matter. This is a time of testing for you. Will you continue to believe what God has spoken to you, or will you give up the vision? Keep believing! God is big and He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us. (Eph 3:20) So think BIG! Don’t limit yourself or God by putting Him in a box. How often do we limit God because of our small beliefs and low expectations? Expect God to do something BIG!
As you see God’s vision for your life and speak your vision to others, you will begin to take steps toward your vision. God will give you opportunities to be trained for the vision He has for you. And He will equip you for everything He has called you to do. Do anything you can that keeps you headed toward your vision. Be obedient to God as you walk in His word toward your vision. And don’t be dismayed if you’ve been in training for longer than you would like. More responsibility requires more training.
As you see your vision, speak your vision, and walk toward your vision, one day you’ll find you’re giving birth to your vision. And your proud Father God will be there with you when your vision is born, just like he was when you conceived the vision, and just like He’ll be with you as you walk in the fullness of the vision He has given to you for your life. “For nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)
All Scripture is from the New International Version, except where noted.
Monday, April 5, 2010
IT'S IN THE AIR!
It’s in the air! Something is happening, can you feel it? It’s Monday, the day after a miracle happened, Jesus Christ came back from the dead.....He arose from His grave! I can imagine His disciples, they were ecstatic! Crying, shouting and praising God.....The Master is ALIVE! The Master has CONQUERED the grave! The Master has OVERCOME death! A new day has dawned, the old law has passed away.....a new covenant has arrived, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2) LIVES!
With that first light of a new day, it dawned on Satan that Jesus had trumped him! What? But.....but.......I thought......well, Satan, you thought wrong! Our God IS alive! Our God took something that you thought would break His back and turned it to the good for all people. His death and resurrection gave us a way out from your nasty little clutches....it’s in the air.......can you feel it? Something GREAT is coming.....can you feel it? Satan can, that’s why he’s running scared, that’s why he’s nipping at your heels like a little Chihuahua puppy....it’s in the air......
That Monday morning, the day dawned bright and clear, the birds were singing and the disciples were praising God for their new life in Christ Jesus! If you are saved, you also have new life.......so, let’s show the world that we are alive.......let’s shout at the top of our lungs.....let’s praise our Almighty Living God! When you were saved, you were given new life through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Realize that Satan no longer pulls your strings like a puppet master, you are a child of God, you have God the Holy Spirit living inside you....you have the power to say to Satan “the Lord rebuke you!” (Jude 1:9). If you let God use you for His glory and honor He will....you have an eternal home in heaven.....God has great plans for you!
It’s in the air! Can you feel it? God is moving! Something great is coming.....choose now to be part of something so big, that it will fail unless God is in it......if God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31).
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1.
Dear Father,
My prayer to you today is on behalf of my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus who know that you are leading them to great things and they want more than anything to be obedient to you and follow unquestioningly where you are leading them. But, because of the little hindrances that Satan is throwing up in their way, they haven’t been able to untangle themselves completely. Father, my prayer is that You give them the knowledge that they have the power to overcome and the strength necessary to follow wherever You lead them. Amen
All verses from the New International Version.
With that first light of a new day, it dawned on Satan that Jesus had trumped him! What? But.....but.......I thought......well, Satan, you thought wrong! Our God IS alive! Our God took something that you thought would break His back and turned it to the good for all people. His death and resurrection gave us a way out from your nasty little clutches....it’s in the air.......can you feel it? Something GREAT is coming.....can you feel it? Satan can, that’s why he’s running scared, that’s why he’s nipping at your heels like a little Chihuahua puppy....it’s in the air......
That Monday morning, the day dawned bright and clear, the birds were singing and the disciples were praising God for their new life in Christ Jesus! If you are saved, you also have new life.......so, let’s show the world that we are alive.......let’s shout at the top of our lungs.....let’s praise our Almighty Living God! When you were saved, you were given new life through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Realize that Satan no longer pulls your strings like a puppet master, you are a child of God, you have God the Holy Spirit living inside you....you have the power to say to Satan “the Lord rebuke you!” (Jude 1:9). If you let God use you for His glory and honor He will....you have an eternal home in heaven.....God has great plans for you!
It’s in the air! Can you feel it? God is moving! Something great is coming.....choose now to be part of something so big, that it will fail unless God is in it......if God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31).
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1.
Dear Father,
My prayer to you today is on behalf of my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus who know that you are leading them to great things and they want more than anything to be obedient to you and follow unquestioningly where you are leading them. But, because of the little hindrances that Satan is throwing up in their way, they haven’t been able to untangle themselves completely. Father, my prayer is that You give them the knowledge that they have the power to overcome and the strength necessary to follow wherever You lead them. Amen
All verses from the New International Version.
Friday, April 2, 2010
New Life In Christ
With all of the trees blooming and flowers budding, spring is a beautiful display of new life. Just like a flower goes through a process from a dead seed that’s growing into a flower with full blooms, receiving the new life of Christ is also a process.
First, admit to yourself and to God that you have sinned. Rom 3:23 tells us “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. Sin is what separates you from God, who is holy. Truly understanding this separation from God brings about a godly sorrow that leads you to repent from your sins, or to turn away from your sin and turn to God. Confess your sins to God and receive His forgiveness. 2 Cor 7:10 “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” Acts 3:19 “Repent then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord”.
Believe in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection. Did you know that Jesus, who was the only perfect man, took the sins of the world and our punishment for those sins so that you could be right with God? He also rose from the dead and is seated at the right hand of God in heaven. In John 5:24, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”
Confess your belief in Jesus. Romans 10:9 tells us “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.”
Then realize that the forgiveness and eternal life that God has for you is a free gift that you must receive for yourself. Eph 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”
As you continue with the process and are baptized by immersion, just like Jesus was, you are sharing in Jesus’ death and resurrection by showing that you are dying to your old ways as you go under the water, and you are raised to your new life in Christ as you come up from the watery grave!
Jesus promises eternal life for those who believe in Him. In John 3:16 He said, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Your new life in Christ is all about a personal relationship with Jesus. It’s listening and learning in addition to asking; it’s praising God and giving thanks to Him in all situations; it’s serving Him and obeying Him in whatever way He asks. With new life comes growth. And you do this by finding a bible-based church with other loving Christians who can become your church family and help you to grow in the word of God, in the fruit of the Spirit and in your relationship with Jesus. As you accept Christ, know that you have an enemy, the devil, who will try to keep you separated from God and your church family.
If you find Jesus tugging at your heart, telling you it’s time to know Him personally, pray to God and let Him know that you have sinned and you need a Savior. Let Him know that you want Him to be the Lord of your life as you begin your walk to know Him personally. Pray your own prayer, or pray something like the following:
Dear Heavenly Father,
I know I have sinned and need Jesus as my Savior. I believe Jesus paid for my sins and was raised to life from the dead. I ask Jesus to be the Lord of my life and I receive your free gift of eternal life. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Know that as you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, God has welcomed you into His kingdom for eternity and has sealed you with the Holy Spirit. Be assured that you are a child of God even if you don’t feel any different. And understand that knowing Jesus personally is a walk you’ll continue on for the rest of this life and into eternity. Let us know if you have accepted Christ by sending an email to ContactUs@ACordOfThree.com or by replying on this post. It is such a blessing to us to know that God used this ministry to be a small part of your story. God bless!
First, admit to yourself and to God that you have sinned. Rom 3:23 tells us “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. Sin is what separates you from God, who is holy. Truly understanding this separation from God brings about a godly sorrow that leads you to repent from your sins, or to turn away from your sin and turn to God. Confess your sins to God and receive His forgiveness. 2 Cor 7:10 “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” Acts 3:19 “Repent then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord”.
Believe in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection. Did you know that Jesus, who was the only perfect man, took the sins of the world and our punishment for those sins so that you could be right with God? He also rose from the dead and is seated at the right hand of God in heaven. In John 5:24, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”
Confess your belief in Jesus. Romans 10:9 tells us “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.”
Then realize that the forgiveness and eternal life that God has for you is a free gift that you must receive for yourself. Eph 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”
As you continue with the process and are baptized by immersion, just like Jesus was, you are sharing in Jesus’ death and resurrection by showing that you are dying to your old ways as you go under the water, and you are raised to your new life in Christ as you come up from the watery grave!
Jesus promises eternal life for those who believe in Him. In John 3:16 He said, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Your new life in Christ is all about a personal relationship with Jesus. It’s listening and learning in addition to asking; it’s praising God and giving thanks to Him in all situations; it’s serving Him and obeying Him in whatever way He asks. With new life comes growth. And you do this by finding a bible-based church with other loving Christians who can become your church family and help you to grow in the word of God, in the fruit of the Spirit and in your relationship with Jesus. As you accept Christ, know that you have an enemy, the devil, who will try to keep you separated from God and your church family.
If you find Jesus tugging at your heart, telling you it’s time to know Him personally, pray to God and let Him know that you have sinned and you need a Savior. Let Him know that you want Him to be the Lord of your life as you begin your walk to know Him personally. Pray your own prayer, or pray something like the following:
Dear Heavenly Father,
I know I have sinned and need Jesus as my Savior. I believe Jesus paid for my sins and was raised to life from the dead. I ask Jesus to be the Lord of my life and I receive your free gift of eternal life. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Know that as you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, God has welcomed you into His kingdom for eternity and has sealed you with the Holy Spirit. Be assured that you are a child of God even if you don’t feel any different. And understand that knowing Jesus personally is a walk you’ll continue on for the rest of this life and into eternity. Let us know if you have accepted Christ by sending an email to ContactUs@ACordOfThree.com or by replying on this post. It is such a blessing to us to know that God used this ministry to be a small part of your story. God bless!
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