Today is September 29, 2011
Today I feel like a failure
Today I feel like I say too much
Today I feel tired.
Today I feel like a contradiction.
What I mean is I feel all the above
But on the other hand
I know I am very loved by Jesus Christ
I know that I am forgiven
I know that I am set free, a new creature, because Jesus is in my heart
I know that I have love, peace, joy, and everything that I need because Jesus is in my heart
I know all this because my relationship with God is by faith and not by feeling, I just have to trust what His Word says.
And so just because I feel like a failure, I know I am not!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Monday, May 17, 2010
What in the World????
I have been thinking about the way things are. It started with seeing the movie "Letters to Julia". Not that this blurb is about the movie. It is more about the way we are and live today. We move fast, make stupid decisions, hurt others, don't own up to our mistakes, have no manners, break our word, step on anyone in our way, and sleep with anyone who happens to come along. Today love is just a "quickie", meet one day and in bed the next, and if it does not work out, well... on to the next one! There is no staying power, working on problems, growing together, loving each other in spite of ourselves.
It is sad, that we have become so hardened in our hearts. There is so much sexual stuff, depression, anger, pain, an unnecessary death going around. Not just in the secular world but also in the Christian world.
I am a Christian, and it pains me to see people who claim to know the God of the Universe, the Creator, the Savior of the world, the one who brings true peace and healing into our hearts, the one who forgives and brings our mind, body and souls rest, still being tortured by their own ignorance, and lack of the knowledge of who God is and what God is really all about.
Who are you serving? What are you doing? Did you know that you don't have to be depressed or angry or hurt or sick??? Do you know God at all? And if you do, what is killing, destroying you, and stealing from you? IT IS NOT GOD!!!! Stop blaming Him for your troubles, He wants to help you more than you want help.
"The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose (Jesus) is to give them a rich and satisfying life" John 10:10
I want so bad to see you have what God has intended you to have in this world. Jesus came to bring us life. He, Jesus, is the creator and He can re-create your heart, from the inside out. He can take your depression, pain, hurt, anger, sickness, or whatever it is that traps you and He, Jesus can help you today. I know. He has helped me. And He continues to help me. It took time. It took reading about Him in His Word. It took faith on my part. It still does. But He has changed my life. I am living proof that He is alive. And I want to share Him with everyone. I want you to have the peace that passes all understanding that Jesus has given me.
But..... not all will see it or have it. Not all will choose it. For various reasons, one of which is that
"Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God." 2 Corinthians 4:4
Many don't even realize that their eyes are blinded but it is true. It is also true that God loves you!! He knows everything you have done or thought, and He loves you anyway. He wants you to choose Him. And if you do choose Him, He will remove the veil that Satan has blinded you with. And He will open up your spiritual eyes and you will see His love and truth, and you will have rest.
There will always be strife in the world and sadly, in the Christian church, because not all of us walk by faith and trust God and know Him and His ways.
I pray that each one of you, will choose life. A life of forgiveness and rest. A Life that starts here today and a life for eternity. Why keep all the hurt, anger, strife, sickness, pain, in your heart. God is more than willing to re-create you from the inside. It truly is a miracle... what God can do.
Blessings to you!!
It is sad, that we have become so hardened in our hearts. There is so much sexual stuff, depression, anger, pain, an unnecessary death going around. Not just in the secular world but also in the Christian world.
I am a Christian, and it pains me to see people who claim to know the God of the Universe, the Creator, the Savior of the world, the one who brings true peace and healing into our hearts, the one who forgives and brings our mind, body and souls rest, still being tortured by their own ignorance, and lack of the knowledge of who God is and what God is really all about.
Who are you serving? What are you doing? Did you know that you don't have to be depressed or angry or hurt or sick??? Do you know God at all? And if you do, what is killing, destroying you, and stealing from you? IT IS NOT GOD!!!! Stop blaming Him for your troubles, He wants to help you more than you want help.
"The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose (Jesus) is to give them a rich and satisfying life" John 10:10
I want so bad to see you have what God has intended you to have in this world. Jesus came to bring us life. He, Jesus, is the creator and He can re-create your heart, from the inside out. He can take your depression, pain, hurt, anger, sickness, or whatever it is that traps you and He, Jesus can help you today. I know. He has helped me. And He continues to help me. It took time. It took reading about Him in His Word. It took faith on my part. It still does. But He has changed my life. I am living proof that He is alive. And I want to share Him with everyone. I want you to have the peace that passes all understanding that Jesus has given me.
But..... not all will see it or have it. Not all will choose it. For various reasons, one of which is that
"Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God." 2 Corinthians 4:4
Many don't even realize that their eyes are blinded but it is true. It is also true that God loves you!! He knows everything you have done or thought, and He loves you anyway. He wants you to choose Him. And if you do choose Him, He will remove the veil that Satan has blinded you with. And He will open up your spiritual eyes and you will see His love and truth, and you will have rest.
There will always be strife in the world and sadly, in the Christian church, because not all of us walk by faith and trust God and know Him and His ways.
I pray that each one of you, will choose life. A life of forgiveness and rest. A Life that starts here today and a life for eternity. Why keep all the hurt, anger, strife, sickness, pain, in your heart. God is more than willing to re-create you from the inside. It truly is a miracle... what God can do.
Blessings to you!!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Saved by Grace 2
1 Corinthinas 1:4-8 says;
"I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in Him in all speech and all knowledge - even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you - so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."
Paul was speaking to a church who had many problems. The book of Corinthians addresses these problems. But notice that God gave them Grace, in Christ Jesus, and they were enriched in Him, in spite of the problems. It showed in their spiritual gifts! (which by the way each one of God's children who are filled with His Holy Spirit, has one or more spiritual gifts.)
Notice also that these Corinthians will be sustained to the end. This is not a new thought in the Bible. It is rampant throughout the Word of God how much He loves us, and will keep us.
Once we become born in the spiritual sense, He is with us always. He will not leave us or forsake us. It is true that we may leave Him, but as one man I know says, "God is not in the business of letting you go and will do everything to keep you" But you must know that God does not force Himself on anyone. He sent Jesus to die for our sins around 2000 years ago. Jesus said it is finished! He died for the whole world. His offer stands today and now each person has to believe in Jesus and His finished work by accepting it for himself. Each person has to choose to accept God's grace salvation. He will not force anyone.
When we do choose salvation, through Jesus Christ, God takes hold of us and totally changes us. We are no longer under condmenation, we are born again, we are a new creation, we are given His Spirit to live in our bodies, we are forgiven for past, present, and future sins. There is so much to this mystery!! Every time I read my Bible I am amazed at how much God loves and uses His children.
My prayer is that you will be filled with the Holy Spirit and let Jesus be the Lord of your life. Let Him do His work in you. It is an amazing adventure. I pray that you will know Him, know in the experiential way. Not just know about Him, not know what He has done for someone else. I had a friend who once said; "I don't want to know Joni's God or Mary's God, I want to know my God." God wants a relationship with you. Enter into His rest of salvation. Let me know what He has done for you
"I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in Him in all speech and all knowledge - even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you - so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."
Paul was speaking to a church who had many problems. The book of Corinthians addresses these problems. But notice that God gave them Grace, in Christ Jesus, and they were enriched in Him, in spite of the problems. It showed in their spiritual gifts! (which by the way each one of God's children who are filled with His Holy Spirit, has one or more spiritual gifts.)
Notice also that these Corinthians will be sustained to the end. This is not a new thought in the Bible. It is rampant throughout the Word of God how much He loves us, and will keep us.
Once we become born in the spiritual sense, He is with us always. He will not leave us or forsake us. It is true that we may leave Him, but as one man I know says, "God is not in the business of letting you go and will do everything to keep you" But you must know that God does not force Himself on anyone. He sent Jesus to die for our sins around 2000 years ago. Jesus said it is finished! He died for the whole world. His offer stands today and now each person has to believe in Jesus and His finished work by accepting it for himself. Each person has to choose to accept God's grace salvation. He will not force anyone.
When we do choose salvation, through Jesus Christ, God takes hold of us and totally changes us. We are no longer under condmenation, we are born again, we are a new creation, we are given His Spirit to live in our bodies, we are forgiven for past, present, and future sins. There is so much to this mystery!! Every time I read my Bible I am amazed at how much God loves and uses His children.
My prayer is that you will be filled with the Holy Spirit and let Jesus be the Lord of your life. Let Him do His work in you. It is an amazing adventure. I pray that you will know Him, know in the experiential way. Not just know about Him, not know what He has done for someone else. I had a friend who once said; "I don't want to know Joni's God or Mary's God, I want to know my God." God wants a relationship with you. Enter into His rest of salvation. Let me know what He has done for you
Monday, February 15, 2010
I am saved by Grace through Faith
Ephesians 2:8-9:
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works so that no one may boast."
Grace is the work of God and only He gives it. God loves me and gives me grace. He sent Jesus to this earth to live and to die, taking all my yuk upon Himself. He exchanged His life for mine. I deserved to die, if you knew some of the things I have done and said. If you knew some of the choices I have made, you would agree with me. I do not deserve His love and grace. But He offered it to me and gave me a clean heart and a new life. And by faith I accept it and He has changed my life and continues to change me as I grow more and more in my relationship with God.
Faith is my part. Faith is what I add to the Grace that God has given me. I believe what God has done and accept His grace. I believe what He says in His Word. God loves me and has given me His Holy Spirit to guide me, to lead me into all truth, and to help me to have a relationship with God and to grow in it.
The Holy Spirit is the seal of God, a guarantee of my inheritance according to (Ephesians 1:13-14). I accept Him, the Holy Spirit, by faith, I believe what God's word says. I appropriate His Word in my life, and I am amazed at all God has done for me. God has saved me, cleansed me, recreated me, healed me, forgiven me for past, present and future sins, and He continues to live in me through His spirit.
Ephesians 1:13-14: "In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory"
I have assurance today that I have eternal life. I trust God, by faith, for my physical life here on this earth and the one to come. I am safe in His arms and I know He loves me. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). So if you want to have faith, hear the Word of God. His Word will teach you many things, especially how much He loves you and forgives you and wants to give you His free gift of Grace and eternal life. It will show you the changes you need to make in your life. It will comfort you and become a healing balm for you.
God sent His Son to die for the sins of the whole world. He is not willing that any should perish. (2 Peter 3:9). Anyone who believes in Jesus can become a child of God. But... not all will be saved because there are many who do not believe in Jesus. This is where faith comes in. You must accept what God has done for you. By Faith. And then through His Grace and your Faith you may walk in a victorious relationship with the Almighty Creator of the World.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works so that no one may boast."
Grace is the work of God and only He gives it. God loves me and gives me grace. He sent Jesus to this earth to live and to die, taking all my yuk upon Himself. He exchanged His life for mine. I deserved to die, if you knew some of the things I have done and said. If you knew some of the choices I have made, you would agree with me. I do not deserve His love and grace. But He offered it to me and gave me a clean heart and a new life. And by faith I accept it and He has changed my life and continues to change me as I grow more and more in my relationship with God.
Faith is my part. Faith is what I add to the Grace that God has given me. I believe what God has done and accept His grace. I believe what He says in His Word. God loves me and has given me His Holy Spirit to guide me, to lead me into all truth, and to help me to have a relationship with God and to grow in it.
The Holy Spirit is the seal of God, a guarantee of my inheritance according to (Ephesians 1:13-14). I accept Him, the Holy Spirit, by faith, I believe what God's word says. I appropriate His Word in my life, and I am amazed at all God has done for me. God has saved me, cleansed me, recreated me, healed me, forgiven me for past, present and future sins, and He continues to live in me through His spirit.
Ephesians 1:13-14: "In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory"
I have assurance today that I have eternal life. I trust God, by faith, for my physical life here on this earth and the one to come. I am safe in His arms and I know He loves me. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). So if you want to have faith, hear the Word of God. His Word will teach you many things, especially how much He loves you and forgives you and wants to give you His free gift of Grace and eternal life. It will show you the changes you need to make in your life. It will comfort you and become a healing balm for you.
God sent His Son to die for the sins of the whole world. He is not willing that any should perish. (2 Peter 3:9). Anyone who believes in Jesus can become a child of God. But... not all will be saved because there are many who do not believe in Jesus. This is where faith comes in. You must accept what God has done for you. By Faith. And then through His Grace and your Faith you may walk in a victorious relationship with the Almighty Creator of the World.
It takes both, His Grace and your faith.
I have heard people say that you can't be sure that you will "make it to heaven until the time comes" That you have to just wait and see. That is totally against what the Bible says!!!!! If you think that, you need to start reading the New Testament. It is filled with God's love for you and your victory in Christ. Once you have read it a few times, go on to the Old Testament. In the New Covenent, (we are in the new covenant today) we interpret the Old Testament by the New Testament. In other words, if I have a question or get confused, while reading the OT, I go to the NT and let Jesus show me the answer. He was the fulfillment of all the OT. If you have doubts read the book of Galations every day for a month. Pray that God's Spirit opens your eyes. You will be amazed at what God will reveal to you.
I desire to grow in my relationship with God. I trust Him to keep me safe. I have memorized Psalm 91, it is an awesome Psalm. Read it. Ephesians is so full of food, read it.
I pray that you will thirst after Him, He will fill you if you ask Him. He is full of Grace for you. I know for a fact because of what He did for me
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Called to be Holy
1 Corinthians 1:2 says:
"I am writing to God's church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be His own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as He did for all people everywhere who call on the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours." NLT
Living a holy life is a recurrent theme in the New Testament. We are God's own holy people. The word holy means: "set apart, sanctified, consecrated. Chaste, pure. Its fundamental ideas are separation, consecration, devotion to God,, and sharing in God's purity and abstaining from earths defilement." (1)
Other verses in the NT such as Romans 15:16 "I am a special messenger from Christ Jesus to you Gentiles. I bring you the Good News so that I might present you as an acceptable offering to God, made holy by the Holy Spirit." These are just 2 verses, there are many more. You can find them in the Bible by looking up the word holy.
The way God made us holy is by means of Christ Jesus, our Savior. And Him alone.
In the Old Testament, the way to be holy was by keeping the whole law and all it entailed. (Although still by faith, as Abraham's life testified of)
Today we are made holy by believing in Jesus Christ, becoming new creatures, (born again) and then walking in the Spirit by faith. (God graciously pours out His Spirit in each of our hearts).
Since Jesus kept the whole law perfectly, when He died for us, He took the punishment that we deserved. We deserve to die for our sins, but He died instead. God accepted His offering for our sins. By God accepting Jesus as the perfect Lamb who was sinless, when we believe in Him, God accepts us because we are in Christ. So, because of Jesus, we are dead to sin and alive to walk in a holy manner. Its like when the Isralites had to put the blood of the perfect lamb on the door post of their homes, so they would be saved. I like to think of it as believing in Jesus puts His blood in my heart. God sees Him, not me. God sees the blood, the perfect sacrifice.
We, as Christians, need to look at ourselves as who the Bible says we are. It says "He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as He did for all people everywhere who call on the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours."
If you believe in and called upon Jesus Christ as your Savior, if you have confessed your sins, if Christ Jesus has purified you and made you dead to sin, if you rose to a new life with Christ, then you are a holy child of Gods. You are a born again, spirit filled person. You are one of God's holy children.
This is such a freeing message. When I started thinking of myself this way, I was totally set free.
This doesn't mean that I have not "sinned" and fallen at times. Being born again and made holy by Jesus Christ is only the beginning. The start of a new life. A life of, as Ephesians calls it, "putting off the old and putting on the new". It is a process, I am always putting off Joni and her worldy ways, and putting on Jesus Christ and His holiness by His power that is at work in me. This takes a life time for sure. But I am no longer under condemnation.
Romans 8:1 says "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death"
To some of you this may be old news, but there are many "Christians" who are always beating themselves up and falling into the sin of unbelif in God's Word. They are stuck thinking that they are never going to measure up. We do not need to measure up. We need to grow in our relationship with God and Jesus Christ. John 17:3 says that this is eternal life.
Knowing that you have been made holy, and that the power of sin that leads to death no longer has a hold on you, is amazing! Because of this sin is a choice now. You are no longer under the "pull" of the devil. This is something all of us need to remember on a daily basis.
(1) Zodhiates
More later.
"I am writing to God's church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be His own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as He did for all people everywhere who call on the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours." NLT
Living a holy life is a recurrent theme in the New Testament. We are God's own holy people. The word holy means: "set apart, sanctified, consecrated. Chaste, pure. Its fundamental ideas are separation, consecration, devotion to God,, and sharing in God's purity and abstaining from earths defilement." (1)
Other verses in the NT such as Romans 15:16 "I am a special messenger from Christ Jesus to you Gentiles. I bring you the Good News so that I might present you as an acceptable offering to God, made holy by the Holy Spirit." These are just 2 verses, there are many more. You can find them in the Bible by looking up the word holy.
The way God made us holy is by means of Christ Jesus, our Savior. And Him alone.
In the Old Testament, the way to be holy was by keeping the whole law and all it entailed. (Although still by faith, as Abraham's life testified of)
Today we are made holy by believing in Jesus Christ, becoming new creatures, (born again) and then walking in the Spirit by faith. (God graciously pours out His Spirit in each of our hearts).
Since Jesus kept the whole law perfectly, when He died for us, He took the punishment that we deserved. We deserve to die for our sins, but He died instead. God accepted His offering for our sins. By God accepting Jesus as the perfect Lamb who was sinless, when we believe in Him, God accepts us because we are in Christ. So, because of Jesus, we are dead to sin and alive to walk in a holy manner. Its like when the Isralites had to put the blood of the perfect lamb on the door post of their homes, so they would be saved. I like to think of it as believing in Jesus puts His blood in my heart. God sees Him, not me. God sees the blood, the perfect sacrifice.
We, as Christians, need to look at ourselves as who the Bible says we are. It says "He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as He did for all people everywhere who call on the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours."
If you believe in and called upon Jesus Christ as your Savior, if you have confessed your sins, if Christ Jesus has purified you and made you dead to sin, if you rose to a new life with Christ, then you are a holy child of Gods. You are a born again, spirit filled person. You are one of God's holy children.
This is such a freeing message. When I started thinking of myself this way, I was totally set free.
This doesn't mean that I have not "sinned" and fallen at times. Being born again and made holy by Jesus Christ is only the beginning. The start of a new life. A life of, as Ephesians calls it, "putting off the old and putting on the new". It is a process, I am always putting off Joni and her worldy ways, and putting on Jesus Christ and His holiness by His power that is at work in me. This takes a life time for sure. But I am no longer under condemnation.
Romans 8:1 says "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death"
To some of you this may be old news, but there are many "Christians" who are always beating themselves up and falling into the sin of unbelif in God's Word. They are stuck thinking that they are never going to measure up. We do not need to measure up. We need to grow in our relationship with God and Jesus Christ. John 17:3 says that this is eternal life.
Knowing that you have been made holy, and that the power of sin that leads to death no longer has a hold on you, is amazing! Because of this sin is a choice now. You are no longer under the "pull" of the devil. This is something all of us need to remember on a daily basis.
(1) Zodhiates
More later.
Monday, August 17, 2009
How is Your Relationship with God?
Romans 5:10-11 says :
"For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of His Son, while we were still His enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of His Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God."
My question to you is how is your relationship with God? Are you His friend or foe?? It amazes me, and probably will amaze me the rest of my life, that while I was a sinner Jesus Christ died for me and He took my punishment. I deserved to die for all my sins. I was not raised in a Christian home and I have a background that isn't so great. But Jesus loves me!!! Jesus cleansed me!!! ... and then He gave me a new life in Him. I truly stand amazed!
Who would do such a thing? If I constantly spit in your face, would you die for me?
Now because He lives, the above verse says, I am saved and restored to a relationship with God the Father. Now I can rejoice in this. I am in a growing relationship with God and His Son Jesus. Being born again is just the first step and I fear that many people do not understand that the relationship between us and God needs to grow and grow and grow. I really think that many are suffering (still caught in sin and sickness etc.) needlessly because they stopped at being born again stage.
The way to have a relationship with someone is to spend time with them. This way you get to know what they are like. You begin to trust them and have faith that they will be your freind and they will be there for you. You go out to eat together, and continue to develop the relationship. You do things for each other. A relationship cannot be one sided.
The same is true for God. Because He gave us His Word, the Bible, we can get to know Him.
Because He left us with the Holy Spirit in our hearts so that we can live a life that pleases Him and glorifies Him. we have no excuse not to grow in a relationship with Him.
I know, because His Word says it, that God will never leave me or forsake me. (Hebrews 13:5)
I know that God has a great love for me, by sending Jesus Christ to die for me while I was still a sinner. (Romans 5:8)
I know that God has given me everything I need for living a godly life. (2 Peter 1:3)
I know that if I sin Jesus is my advocat and forgives me, when I come to Him in sorrow and repent (1 John 2:1)
Knowing all the above builds my confidence in my relationship with God and Jesus. This is eternal life, it is haveing a relationship with God and His Son Jesus. (John 17:3)
So today I am rejoicing in God!!!!!!. Rejoicing in my wonderful new and growing relationship with Him!!!! And I say this in a very humble tone.
The more I get to know who God is and His many traits, the more confidence it builds in my heart and I know that I boldly and confidently go to God in any and all circumstances that life brings. (Hebrews 4:16, 10:19)
My friends, I encourage you to go beyond just being "born again". Be Spirit filled!!
"For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of His Son, while we were still His enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of His Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God."
My question to you is how is your relationship with God? Are you His friend or foe?? It amazes me, and probably will amaze me the rest of my life, that while I was a sinner Jesus Christ died for me and He took my punishment. I deserved to die for all my sins. I was not raised in a Christian home and I have a background that isn't so great. But Jesus loves me!!! Jesus cleansed me!!! ... and then He gave me a new life in Him. I truly stand amazed!
Who would do such a thing? If I constantly spit in your face, would you die for me?
Now because He lives, the above verse says, I am saved and restored to a relationship with God the Father. Now I can rejoice in this. I am in a growing relationship with God and His Son Jesus. Being born again is just the first step and I fear that many people do not understand that the relationship between us and God needs to grow and grow and grow. I really think that many are suffering (still caught in sin and sickness etc.) needlessly because they stopped at being born again stage.
The way to have a relationship with someone is to spend time with them. This way you get to know what they are like. You begin to trust them and have faith that they will be your freind and they will be there for you. You go out to eat together, and continue to develop the relationship. You do things for each other. A relationship cannot be one sided.
The same is true for God. Because He gave us His Word, the Bible, we can get to know Him.
Because He left us with the Holy Spirit in our hearts so that we can live a life that pleases Him and glorifies Him. we have no excuse not to grow in a relationship with Him.
I know, because His Word says it, that God will never leave me or forsake me. (Hebrews 13:5)
I know that God has a great love for me, by sending Jesus Christ to die for me while I was still a sinner. (Romans 5:8)
I know that God has given me everything I need for living a godly life. (2 Peter 1:3)
I know that if I sin Jesus is my advocat and forgives me, when I come to Him in sorrow and repent (1 John 2:1)
Knowing all the above builds my confidence in my relationship with God and Jesus. This is eternal life, it is haveing a relationship with God and His Son Jesus. (John 17:3)
So today I am rejoicing in God!!!!!!. Rejoicing in my wonderful new and growing relationship with Him!!!! And I say this in a very humble tone.
The more I get to know who God is and His many traits, the more confidence it builds in my heart and I know that I boldly and confidently go to God in any and all circumstances that life brings. (Hebrews 4:16, 10:19)
My friends, I encourage you to go beyond just being "born again". Be Spirit filled!!
Friday, August 14, 2009
I have everything needed!!
A verse in 2 Peter 1:3-4 has captured me! I say captured because the other day as I was listening to a friend of mine talk about a new mattress she had just bought, she said that this mattress has captured her! She is so cozy in her bed now that she just wants to stay there in the morning and not get up. She wants to linger in the moment, and stay in bed in the comfort of her new mattress. While she was telling me this, I was thinking about God's Word and How it has captured me. I too, just want to linger and stay in it, drinking in the comfort and peace of it. Of late it has been this particular verse in 2 Peter:
"By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the one who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence. And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires."
Just think, I have everything I need for living a godly life. By coming to know God and Jesus. He has called me to Him, by means of His marvelous glory and excellence. He has given me great and precious promises that enable me to share in His divine nature and escape the world's corruption.
This verse is a great and precious promise to my heart. It has changed my prayer life. I no longer pray, prayers that ask God for more love, or joy, or peace, or etc. I now thank God that He has everything I need to live a life that is godly, pleasing and glorifying to Him.
Thank you Lord, that you have given me love, joy, peace, courage, forgiveness, gentleness, and a whole new life. Thank you that you have given me the ability to walk by your Spirit. Now I ask that I would, according to your power, in me, incorporate love, joy, etc. into my world, into this physical realm. I do it by your power that enables me. All for your glory!
As I come to know Him, through His Word, God wants me to grow more and more in grace and peace. What a great and precious promise. (2 Peter 1:2)
The more I get to know God, the more confidence I have in Him, and His great and precious promises. He loves me so much. And the less confidence I have in myself. I need God and His Word.
"By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the one who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence. And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires."
Just think, I have everything I need for living a godly life. By coming to know God and Jesus. He has called me to Him, by means of His marvelous glory and excellence. He has given me great and precious promises that enable me to share in His divine nature and escape the world's corruption.
This verse is a great and precious promise to my heart. It has changed my prayer life. I no longer pray, prayers that ask God for more love, or joy, or peace, or etc. I now thank God that He has everything I need to live a life that is godly, pleasing and glorifying to Him.
Thank you Lord, that you have given me love, joy, peace, courage, forgiveness, gentleness, and a whole new life. Thank you that you have given me the ability to walk by your Spirit. Now I ask that I would, according to your power, in me, incorporate love, joy, etc. into my world, into this physical realm. I do it by your power that enables me. All for your glory!
As I come to know Him, through His Word, God wants me to grow more and more in grace and peace. What a great and precious promise. (2 Peter 1:2)
The more I get to know God, the more confidence I have in Him, and His great and precious promises. He loves me so much. And the less confidence I have in myself. I need God and His Word.
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