Thursday, January 31, 2013

One Step Back

O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. 
~Psalm 86:5


Our God is a very loving and patient God.  If you need reassuring of this fact, you just need to look at most of the Old Testament.  God put up with a lot from the Jewish people, but in the end he remembered his covenant with Moses and delivered them into their own land.

Just a few weeks ago, our Pastor gave an INCREDIBLE message about the 12 Steps of a Christian Backslider.  I  am not too excited to tell you that I have had been through every step!  But, there was a way to deal with that.  And, it only required ONE step!!!  We must realize what we have done and ask the Lord to forgive us.  Seriously, just one step!!!  That's how much God loves us all and wants to have a strong relationship with us.

Father, it is amazing to me how much You love us and long to show us that love.  I have taken that one step back and rely on You and Your word to continually show me how to live. Father, I love you and the things you have done for me and will do for me.  Amen

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

The Great Commission

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!  His faithful love endures forever.  Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out!  Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies. 
~Psalm 107:1-2

The Great Commission!  All of us who have believed in Christ are asked by Jesus Christ to go and share The News (as opposed to Huey Lewis' News and the NY Times) with everyone.  Grace is such a small word but it means a ton.  Jesus Christ died for your sins and even mine.  We could never do enough good things in our lives to earn this type of kindness from God.  It is solely by Grace that we receive eternal life. 

And who would I not want to tell about this great gift from God!!  I used to call my best friend when I was younger on Christmas to share with him all the things I had received as presents and that he received.  I should definitely hope that I would do the same thing about a gift that was given by God!!!   

But, I do not.  As I grow in my faith, that is one thing I do not do.  I am hoping that will change.  It would be so great to lead people, even just one, to a path where they would follow Jesus Christ!!

Father, I thank you for your Grace.  I could never deserve to meet you in heaven, but your endless love as provide me a way to come home.  Please let me go out and talk about how good you are, the wondrous things you have done and wait awaits your followers.  God, I love you and ask this in Jesus' name, Amen!!!!

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

What is He Saying to me??

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
~Romans 12:1-2

As I begin to get VERY serious about God, I naturally wonder what He is saying to me with each verse.  I hope that God sees my body as a living sacrifice to Him.  He created me and I long to be pleasing to him.  Just as you would not hope to disappoint your parents with what you do, I would not wish to disappoint my Heavenly father.  


I can hope to please Him by telling everybody about him, his grace and how awesome God is.  I can hope to please him by living the way He wants me to.  Showing love to the people I meet and living the way that His word says I should live.  And, I can hope to please Him by thanking him daily for what He has done for me.


I am looking forward to my mind being transformed for Him!!!


Father, thank you for this time to study Your Word and what it means.  Please continue to transform me into someone that you would be happy to call your son.  I love you and I ask this is Jesus' name, Amen.