"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." Romans 10:9 (NIV).
When we ask Jesus to forgive our sins and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are considered saved. Sometimes saved is referred to by other names such as: Born Again, New Believer, and baby Christians. While each of these phrases have a similar meanings, one really stood out to me. I am currently reading "Free Book" by Brian Tome and on page 37 he calls this "A Fresh New Start".
What is "A Fresh New Start"? How does this relate to "Being Saved"? Well, when we accept Jesus to live in our heart, He takes all the sin away from our past. This is shedding away the old sinful you and beginning a fresh new start. This is our clean slate in life and we should not continue to make the same mistakes or sins from the past.
"Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." John 3:3 (NIV).
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV).
"No man is ever the same after God has laid His hand upon him." A. W. Tozer
Reference: "Free Book" by Brian Tome, page 37, paragraph 3: Thomas Nelson publishing, 2010.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
"God's Approval"
I know this sounds crazy but, I have often struggled with trying to earn God's approval for things that I do. I was always looking for new ways to gain God's approval. Some of these ways I tried were: attending church every Sunday and Wednesday (when I wasn't working), supporting all church functions and helping in anyway possible. I was doing this for all the wrong reasons and didn't realize at the time that I couldn't earn God's approval through my works. I know that I'm not the only person that has struggled with this, but I've made it past this foolish behavior and so can you.
"But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Romans 3:21-24 (NIV).
"And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace." Romans 11:6 (NIV).
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV).
"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." Romans 10:9 (NIV).
The only way that God can give us His approval is for us to ask Jesus to forgive us for our sins, and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. The minute that we accept Jesus to live in our heart, we then gain God's approval. See, God cannot approve of anything that is unclean or has sin. The second that Jesus enters our life, our slate or sin is wiped clean with the blood of Christ and we become clean. Then we are worthy of God's approval!
"But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Romans 3:21-24 (NIV).
"And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace." Romans 11:6 (NIV).
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV).
"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." Romans 10:9 (NIV).
The only way that God can give us His approval is for us to ask Jesus to forgive us for our sins, and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. The minute that we accept Jesus to live in our heart, we then gain God's approval. See, God cannot approve of anything that is unclean or has sin. The second that Jesus enters our life, our slate or sin is wiped clean with the blood of Christ and we become clean. Then we are worthy of God's approval!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
"The Lord Will Provide"
Throughout the Bible, God is given many names. One of the names is "The Lord Will Provide" (Yahweh - Yireh). "The Lord Will Provide" is a name that many find difficult to relate to because of the hardships in their life. I was one of those persons that felt that I could control and provide for myself. Some people may be out of work, homeless, have no food, and no clothes. It is important for everyone, even those down and out, to relate to God as "The Lord Will Provide". How is this done? First we need to start with by providing background for our story and end by showing the relationship between the sacrifice of Abraham and the sacrifice from God.
"But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided," Genesis 22:11-14 (NIV). I find it extremely amazing that Abraham was so obedient to the Lord, that he was willing to sacrifice his only son. In verse 14, Abraham called this particular place on the mountain Yireh. We also see the relationship between Abraham sacrificing his only son to God sacrificing His only Son. The one difference is that God provided Abraham with a ram or lamb to sacrifice when He saw how obedient Abraham was. God knew that sacrificing Jesus was the only way to provide a Savior to the world.
Yahweh - Yireh ~ "The Lord Will Provide"
Thank you God for sacrificing your one and only Son, in order to save me, a sinner, and give me everlasting life. Amen!
"But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided," Genesis 22:11-14 (NIV). I find it extremely amazing that Abraham was so obedient to the Lord, that he was willing to sacrifice his only son. In verse 14, Abraham called this particular place on the mountain Yireh. We also see the relationship between Abraham sacrificing his only son to God sacrificing His only Son. The one difference is that God provided Abraham with a ram or lamb to sacrifice when He saw how obedient Abraham was. God knew that sacrificing Jesus was the only way to provide a Savior to the world.
Yahweh - Yireh ~ "The Lord Will Provide"
Thank you God for sacrificing your one and only Son, in order to save me, a sinner, and give me everlasting life. Amen!
"Role Models"
Who should we be a role model for? Many of us have people looking up to us and watching our every move. Some of the people watching us are our children, co-workers, family, friends, and others that are looking for the way to live their life. Are we being a role model that is worthy of others following our lead? September 26, 2011 I went to a local coffee house to watch a live simulcast of Louie Giglio Passion 2012 Live Link. I really felt that what Louie was talking directly to me; telling me that I need to be a better role model for my kids, my co-workers, and the friends that I am around. I want people to see the way I live and know that I live for Jesus. I want people to see Jesus in everything I do. I want my kids to know that I will seek the guidance from Jesus for all decisions that I make and hopefully I can teach them to seek the same guidance.
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV). Let your light shine so others can see Christ in your life.
"A man ought to live so that everybody knows he is a Christian, and most of all, his family ought to know." D. L. Moody
"As a child of God, rest in the knowledge that your Savior precedes you, and He will walk with you through each experience of your life." Henry Blackaby
I find this very reassuring that Jesus has already walked ahead of us to make sure we are able to make it through any situation as long as we have Jesus walking with us. This should give us confidence that we express through the shinning of our light to guide others.
So, if we have so many looking to us for the right way to live, shouldn't we begin to live a life that is worthy of letting our light shine to show the way for others? We shouldn't do anything in private that we couldn't do in public. Let your light shine! Let your light guide others! Be the role model for others!
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV). Let your light shine so others can see Christ in your life.
"A man ought to live so that everybody knows he is a Christian, and most of all, his family ought to know." D. L. Moody
"As a child of God, rest in the knowledge that your Savior precedes you, and He will walk with you through each experience of your life." Henry Blackaby
I find this very reassuring that Jesus has already walked ahead of us to make sure we are able to make it through any situation as long as we have Jesus walking with us. This should give us confidence that we express through the shinning of our light to guide others.
So, if we have so many looking to us for the right way to live, shouldn't we begin to live a life that is worthy of letting our light shine to show the way for others? We shouldn't do anything in private that we couldn't do in public. Let your light shine! Let your light guide others! Be the role model for others!
Monday, October 3, 2011
"The Battle"
Each one of us have daily battles we fight. These battles can be at home, work, school, or in our everyday life. Satan exist and his quest is to destroy the and devour as many souls as he can. We need to realize that we are in a definite spiritual warfare. Satan knows what our weaknesses are and will continue to attack these weaknesses. This is Satan's battle that he aims toward believers and non-believers alike. Both believers and non-believers will fall to some of the temptations but the difference is the believers will repent for what they have done and try to turn from their sins.
Pride = Selfishness
Humility = Selflessness
"The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." Matthew 23:11-12 (NIV).
"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1 John 4:4 (NIV).
John is telling us that the battle has already been won for us. Jesus will conquer all evil in our lives.
"That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day." 2 Timothy 1:12 (NIV).
We need to remember that the battles that we face daily, Jesus has already faced these temptations or battles, and won.
"Two works of mercy set a man free: forgive and you will be forgiven, and give and you will receive." St. Augustine.
Pride = Selfishness
Humility = Selflessness
"The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." Matthew 23:11-12 (NIV).
"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1 John 4:4 (NIV).
John is telling us that the battle has already been won for us. Jesus will conquer all evil in our lives.
"That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day." 2 Timothy 1:12 (NIV).
We need to remember that the battles that we face daily, Jesus has already faced these temptations or battles, and won.
"Two works of mercy set a man free: forgive and you will be forgiven, and give and you will receive." St. Augustine.
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