Love everyone enough to share the Gospel with them

 

Because God loves you, YOU MATTER

Because you matter to God, YOU matter to me

Thank you God for your grace & mercy!

Jesus didn't just take our place on the cross -

He gave us a new life of VICTORY.

He died in your place and He rose and lives forever for you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't forget to thank Him!!

 

 

 

 

Sin or Righteousness?

How do you feel about sin?

Psalm 97:10 says, “Hate evil, you who love the LORD” and Paul says in Romans 12:9, “Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good”.
Disciples of Jesus should detest sin and do our best to keep away from sin by staying close to God who is good. Paul wrote to Timothy, “Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” Since Jesus has paid the penalty for sin, we don’t have to fear eternal punishment, but we do know that sin ruins our fellowship with God and others and that it keeps us from being an effective disciple. Sin requires payment and Jesus paid the price. Believe in Him if you haven’t before and appreciate that price He paid for you. If you don’t place your faith in Jesus there will come a time you will receive the wages you earned of eternal separation from God (Romans 6:23). If you are a Christ follower, keep yourself close to Him and away from sin and evil.

How can we come to hate sin?
There is not a “how to” formula, but the closer we grow to God and the more we love Him and the more we understand and see what sin does to people’s lives, the more we will hate it. I would like to hate it enough that there was never any attraction, but sin is fun. Much of it very pleasurable, it is natural to the old flesh and it is easy. If it wasn’t, we would not be so easily drawn to sin against God.

One thing we can’t do with sin is to be neutral.
J.B. Phillips said, “The refusal to be committed and the attitude of indifference can in fact never be neutral.” Either we trust God and are obeying Him or we are sinning because “whatever is not from faith is sin”. (Romans 14:23)

Look at what it took to pay for sin; it took the death of Jesus on the cross and Him becoming sin and giving us who believe His righteousness. Perhaps if we remind ourselves daily of the Gospel and the mercy and grace of God that allows us to fellowship with Him as His children we can have a heart that is grateful and in love with God. Then we can come to love what God loves and love Him enough to keep away from sin and close to Him.

"There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death."
Proverbs 14:12 (NASB)
"Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death.
But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the  outcome, eternal life.
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
 Romans 6:21-23 (NASB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Putting feet to your love...

What have you been up to? - FB ask this question wanting you to post something on your page & it is a good one...

What have and are you up to as far as "making disciples and teaching them
to observe all that I (Jesus) commanded you;"
(Matthew 28:20)

You know a true story - tell it!

Do you enjoy a true story?
Here is a true story about a Jewish man who God used to help change the world and to reach out to the non-Jews like most of us. We best know him as Paul.

Here is part of Paul’s story in his own words:
“I used to live as a Jew. I was cruel to God's church and even tried to destroy it. But even before I was born, God had chosen me. He was kind and had decided to show me His Son, so that I would announce His message to the Gentiles. I used to say terrible and insulting things about Him, and I was cruel. But He had mercy on me because I didn't know what I was doing, and I had not yet put my faith in Him. (After I met His Son) I went at once to Arabia, (& there spent time alone with God having Him reveal to me the message He had for me to share) and afterwards I returned to Damascus. Three years later I went to visit Peter in Jerusalem and stayed with him for fifteen days. They had only heard that the one who had been cruel to them was now preaching the message that he had once tried to destroy. And because of me, they praised God.
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord. He has given me the strength for my work because He knew that He could trust me. Christ Jesus our Lord was very kind to me. He has greatly blessed my life with faith and love just like His own. This saying is true, and it can be trusted. "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." I was the worst sinner of all! But since I was worse than anyone else, God had mercy on me and let me be an example of the endless patience of Christ Jesus. He did this so that others would put their faith in Christ and have eternal life. I pray that honor and glory will always be given to the only God, who lives forever and is the invisible and eternal King! Amen.” Galatians 1:13-24 & 1Timothy 1:12-17 (CEV)

Each of us that have met Jesus has a story about that meeting and the change that has happened and is happening in our life. And, like Paul we are called to preach or tell that story in our world where we are.

It may be hard for you to admit that you are worst sinner you know, but when you look honestly at your heart compared to the perfect righteousness of God you can see how evil your thoughts and actions can be. Your only goodness is from God. In Christ we are NEW and the same God that saved Paul saves us and the same Holy Spirit that empowered him for his mission in life empowers us to share our story where we are. You might be called to Pastor, but more than likely your sharing will be as a mother, a father, a student or whatever you are in life.

Each of us God chose and called and like Paul, He has a purpose for you and for me. Your place to share may be on Facebook, behind the chutes, working as a welder, at school, from home or wherever you find yourself when God opens the door for you to say, “let me tell you a story that happened to me”. “I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see”.

People enjoy true stories and there is no way to argue with you sharing what happened to YOU! Love people enough to share the story of Jesus in you and what He did in saving you and what He is doing now in your life. Make a connection with people, show them God loving them through you and if they come to faith let God use you to disciple them/ to mentor them in the Faith.

Ever been asked what your 'sign' is?

What is my sign?
I’m glad you asked!

My sign is a crossV
where my perfect Savior, Jesus, paid for all my sin so I could have a perfect eternal life with Him the moment I believed or put my faith, faith that He gave me by His grace, in Him alone.

Also, I have a second sign. A large round stone
˜
that was rolled away from the empty tomb so all could see that Jesus had risen from the dead and is alive; that proves in Jesus I have victory over sin in my life and that one day I will be given a new resurrected body and be with Jesus forever.
So, what is your sign?
Many today look to signs forbidden in the Bible, signs from our fallen creation or that they themselves have made; following planets or some statue or other image of their god. All these and all leaders of religions (mans attempts to reach God) are DEAD and have no power to save you or forgive your sin. If God is drawing you to Himself, tugging at your gut, the give your life to God now and let Him give you a new life in Christ! Jesus paid the penalty owed for your sin and is live right now and is able and willing to forgive you and give you a new eternal life. (John 3:16-18, Ephesians 2:8-10)
If you need to know more or need help as you begin this journey of the life of a Christ follower please message me.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:16-18 (NASB)

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10 (NASB)
“And they answered, Believe in [that is give yourself up to Him, trust Him to save you and rely on Him for life day by day and for eternity] the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved,” Acts 16:31

Show your faith by your love, discipleship & your deeds ...

Salvation is by GRACE through FAITH alone, but it leads to love of God which leads to obedience from a loving grateful heart!
Put feet to your faith and show your faith by your love, your discipleship of them and your deeds ...

By grace alone, through faith alone

Once you add anything to faith, it becomes 'works' and the works of the law cannot save you. Only believing in Jesus can do that. Jesus took care of sin once and for all on the cross.
Believe and then you can obey by the power of the Holy Spirit that lives in you.

(Sunday we will look at what saving faith produces)

Be known as one who TRUST GOD!

What character traits do people think of when they hear your name?
Do you recognize these names?
Shammua, Shaphat, Igal, Palti, Gaddiel, Gaddi, Ammiel, Sethur, Nahbi, Geuel are names most will not recognize and when I remind you who they are your thoughts will most likely be negative.

These 10 men looked at obstacles and giants as problems and sources of fear, but two other men were with them and they saw the same things, but through eyes and with a heart that trusted in God. Caleb and Joshua and those above were the 12 spies sent out into Canaan to see what this land looked like, how fertile it was, what the strengths of their enemies were and to bring back a sample of the fruit.

All 12 of these men were leaders in their tribe and all saw the same thing. They brought back a cluster of grapes so big it had to be carried on a pole between two men (Numbers 13), and all were impressed with the land.

Ten whose names we don’t remember saw it and said that “We went in to the land where you sent us; and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit; Nevertheless, the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; and moreover, we saw the descendants of Anak (giants) there.” Numbers 13:27-28

Joshua and Caleb saw the giants, the fortified cities and the numbers of the enemy, but they kept their focus on God and they trusted Him. Have this same character that loves and trust God. If your eyes become fixed on your problems then you will be defeated or not even get into the battle. If you believe the promise you can see victory. Caleb said, “We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it.” Numbers 13:30

God had PROMISED this land to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel) and their descendants with an unconditional promise over and over and Joshua and Caleb believed the promise. They believed God is able and that He would provide the victory.
Jesus, by the cross and resurrection, brought us victory and freedom. Freedom to love and obey Him and to go in and possess the blessings He says we have.

“…His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” 2 Peter 1:3

In Christ there is victory with obedience just as once Joshua took the people into the land of Cana. There are battles and it wasn’t easy and there were failures when they sinned, but there was the possession of the promise when they listened to God and obeyed Him. You can have a life of freedom and victory if you will love, trust, listen and obey God now. Jesus said that if we love Him we WILL obey Him (John 14:15), so if you have a problem with your problems, find out where you are not loving and trusting and obeying God. Get to know and love Him and watch what He does in and through you as you walk in what He has for you (Eph. 2:10).

Let your name be known as a man or woman of God who knows Him and whose character reflects the God that lives in you!

Improve communication with God & spouse

Want to improve your communication with your wife or husband?

Be sure your communication with God is not being disrupted.

 “You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.” 1 Peter 3:7

The message here is not that men are stronger than women, but that husbands are to treat their wives with understanding, with respect and be thoughtful; treat your wife with honor as your equal partner in God’s gift of your new life in Christ. If you don’t, it will stand in the way of your prayers. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,” (Ephesians 5:25).

Men, next to the gift of Jesus, God’s gift to you of a wife is the most wonderful gift there is; she is one with you! “He who finds a wife finds a good thing And obtains favor from the LORD.” (Proverbs 18:22)

“For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24
Jesus & Paul both quote this in Matthew 19:5, Mark 10:8 and Ephesians 5:31

Want to have a good prayer life?
Want to have a good marriage?

Want to obey God?
Then love and honor your wife and treat her with respect, protection and as more important than yourself.

Women, want that type of husband, then learn to respect your husband.

“Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.” (Ephesians 5:33)