1. Sin is Bondage
It becomes habitual, and a hard to break habit.
2. It is separation from God
God loves us but sin destroys us.
3. We are spiritually dead if we are in sin.
We must die to sin.
4. The wrath of God is on all sinners.
God hates the sin but loves the sinner.
5. The second death is spiritual death and hell.
It is the final result of sin.
6 God is just.
He must punish all unrepented sin.
You cannot sin and love God.
Truth: God gave His Son to redeem us from sin, and to forgive our sin, to save us from the bondage and tragedy of sin. He sent his Holy Spirit to us so that we can live free from sin. He loves us so much that He will not let us get by with sinning.
Our choice is: Jesus or hell.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Sunday, November 04, 2007
In the Begining, God!
In The Beginning, God
An atheist said recently: "All the Bible does is raise unanswerable questions".
Do you suppose he is starting with the wrong first assumption?
All truth flows from our first assumption and postulation, "God is".
The book we have called the Bible or God's Word begins that way.
The first words John wrote in his gospel: "In the beginning was the word and the word was God and the word was with God.", shows that he was in line with Moses whom we suppose wrote the first book. The writer to the Hebrews says in his treatise:
'We must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him'
The Psalmist wrote:" The fool has said in his heart there is no God".
We know that our finite minds cannot possibly answer all the questions life throws at us. But when the basis of our quest is belief and trust in an infinite, almighty and all knowing God, there are no unanswerable questions. We do not know all the answers, but God does, and because He is also a loving and caring God He gives us all the answers we need to know in his Word. John 14:6
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
2 Peter 1:3
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.
An atheist said recently: "All the Bible does is raise unanswerable questions".
Do you suppose he is starting with the wrong first assumption?
All truth flows from our first assumption and postulation, "God is".
The book we have called the Bible or God's Word begins that way.
The first words John wrote in his gospel: "In the beginning was the word and the word was God and the word was with God.", shows that he was in line with Moses whom we suppose wrote the first book. The writer to the Hebrews says in his treatise:
'We must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him'
The Psalmist wrote:" The fool has said in his heart there is no God".
We know that our finite minds cannot possibly answer all the questions life throws at us. But when the basis of our quest is belief and trust in an infinite, almighty and all knowing God, there are no unanswerable questions. We do not know all the answers, but God does, and because He is also a loving and caring God He gives us all the answers we need to know in his Word. John 14:6
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
2 Peter 1:3
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Reasonable!
Reasonable
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Rom 12:1
- Beseech. This is the strongest plea Paul could make. He used this word in matters of life and death. Obviously he feels that this is one of the most important things anyone could do. It is the only thing that will make him the servant Jesus wants him to be.
- Therefore. This word refers to what was said before Look at Chap.11 Verse 18 Speaking of the Jews who did not believe in Christ: 18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” 20 Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. 22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.
- Mercies. Consider that God provided for our salvation even though we were unworthy sinners, and that it was the free gift of His Son on the cross that won our hearts.
- Bodies. 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 1Pet. 1. We are not our own but are bought with a price.
- Living. Christ saved us from death and gave us eternal life to use for his glory.
- Sacrifice? Can we really call it a sacrifice when it puts us in line for such favor from God, all the riches and resources of heaven are ours!
- Holy. Who wouldn’t want to be holy if they thought it possible?
- Acceptable to God. This is something we cannot do without!
It is so reasonable!
Monday, July 23, 2007
The Path to Holiness "The most Excellent Way
Holiness or, the life of love, is for the redeemed. If we know we have been saved, converted, forgiven, and "transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of His dear Son" , then we are ready to enter into the experience of "The most excellent way" . Col. 1: 13 He,[God] has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
We must acknowledge that our continuous struggle against temptation, bad attitudes, carnal anger, unforgiving spirit, envy, and pride, is not the way of a Christ honoring life Rom 5: 6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
We must realize that through Jesus' death on the cross and His miraculous resurrection, that we are dead to sin and alive to God! Rom6:1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
And it is because of His grace we are empowered to change our ways and become fully obedient to Him.
If we know that we have become "Children of God" and are His dearly beloved ones, we know we have been granted power over sin, flesh and the devil. We have been washed by His blood and made holy and blameless, given His Holy Spirit who "pours out God's love into our hearts." If we sin now it is because it is our choice for we are no longer slaves of sin, but servants of righteousness! Rom 6: 15What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey-whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. 18You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
It is our part of the process to "put off" the old man and its ways and put on the new life of righteousness, holiness and love. Eph 4:22 KJV That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.
We, since we have been given the Holy Spirit to dwell within us, must walk in the Spirit of love and not in the selfishness of the flesh. John14: 15"If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever- 17the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." This means listening constantly to the Spirits still small voice for wisdom and direction. He, the Holy Spirit, is the Spirit of Christ. This is what Jesus told us: John 15:4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
"Remain in me, that is, be constantly connected to the source, and I will remain in you". That is, you can feel my ever-present power. Jesus said if we love Him we will keep his commandments. You see, one of the tasks of the Holy Spirit is to fill our hearts with God's love. Rom 5:5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. It is that love for Christ that powers our incentive to obey Him. We know that He loves us. Can we not trust Him for strength, protection, and grace for every trial and trouble that comes our way? Do we not know that his wisdom is infallible and does not that insure that the outcome of our obedience will be amazingly rewarding?
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. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, Heb. 12:1-2
[Quotations from NIV version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.]
We must acknowledge that our continuous struggle against temptation, bad attitudes, carnal anger, unforgiving spirit, envy, and pride, is not the way of a Christ honoring life Rom 5: 6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
We must realize that through Jesus' death on the cross and His miraculous resurrection, that we are dead to sin and alive to God! Rom6:1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
And it is because of His grace we are empowered to change our ways and become fully obedient to Him.
If we know that we have become "Children of God" and are His dearly beloved ones, we know we have been granted power over sin, flesh and the devil. We have been washed by His blood and made holy and blameless, given His Holy Spirit who "pours out God's love into our hearts." If we sin now it is because it is our choice for we are no longer slaves of sin, but servants of righteousness! Rom 6: 15What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey-whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. 18You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
It is our part of the process to "put off" the old man and its ways and put on the new life of righteousness, holiness and love. Eph 4:22 KJV That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.
We, since we have been given the Holy Spirit to dwell within us, must walk in the Spirit of love and not in the selfishness of the flesh. John14: 15"If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever- 17the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." This means listening constantly to the Spirits still small voice for wisdom and direction. He, the Holy Spirit, is the Spirit of Christ. This is what Jesus told us: John 15:4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
"Remain in me, that is, be constantly connected to the source, and I will remain in you". That is, you can feel my ever-present power. Jesus said if we love Him we will keep his commandments. You see, one of the tasks of the Holy Spirit is to fill our hearts with God's love. Rom 5:5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. It is that love for Christ that powers our incentive to obey Him. We know that He loves us. Can we not trust Him for strength, protection, and grace for every trial and trouble that comes our way? Do we not know that his wisdom is infallible and does not that insure that the outcome of our obedience will be amazingly rewarding?
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. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, Heb. 12:1-2
[Quotations from NIV version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.]
Friday, March 09, 2007
Have You Made The Right Choice?
Have you made the right choice?
We make many choices, some trivial, some important, and a few with eternal consequences. Some choices are influenced by trivial things, others by people in our lives, some by government or circumstances. Some we are pleased with some we regret. Some lead to happiness or gain others to dispair.or loss.
We generally enjoy the freedom we have to choose for ourselves our path of life.
God gave us that freedom and because we are his creation he loves us, all of us. And will never deny us the prevelage to make our own choices.
However, because He is the master and creator of all things he knows what is best for us. He told Adam and Eve exactly the truth and consequences of what could happen in the Garden of Eden. It was their choice to disregard His advice. They had known the presence and fellowship of their creator but because the temptor got her attention and told her lies she made a terrible mistake and chose to believe Satan rather than God. Adam was just as gulible.They had been clearly told that sin or disobidience produces death. When we read “death” we might nor know exactly what is meant. I am sure that Gods communication with Adam and Eve left no doubt in their mind about what was meant. It wasn’t instant phyisical death, it was something far more hideous than that. They were God’s creation, created in His image. That means eternal as he is eternal. This death is a change in character, With the rebellion against the creator comes the loss of His character in them. God is love. Now they have selfishness. God is truth. Now they have deciet. God is faithful. Now they have faithlessness. God is holy. Now they have sin. They have taken on the character of Satan himself. And at that time they could not reverse the choice. And because we are all of Adams family, we inherit the curse of his spiritual death and physical death as well. God later told Eve that someday that Satan would bruise her offspring’s heel and that He; Christ would bruise Satan’s head, so that the curse could be reversed.
God’s new offspring through Eve came as a baby named Jesus, born to a virgin, born in a manger. He came to save His people from their sin. It was His choice to atone for our wrong choices through His sacrifice on the cross of Calvary. He came as our savior to “reverse the curse” and to restore us the spiritual life of our creator with the love, truth, faithfulness, and holiness that he created us for.
The best choice you could make is to make Jesus Christ, the way the truth and the life, your Savior. He loves you. That is why He gave His life for you. You can become a new person. Old things will be gone and all your thoughts, deeds, and attitudes will be transformed by the love of Christ. Will you ask Him to forgive your sins and come into your life today? He longs for you to choose Him, he will hear you, forgive you, and change your life. Now it’s not His choice. It’s your choice!
Love, Howard
Friday, April 21, 2006
Being A Disciple
Being A Disciple
For a very long time I have not understood what faith really is. Faith is believing that God is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (See Hebrews 11:16)
God made a promise to Abraham Genesis 26:3-5 (New King James Version)3 Dwell in this land, and I will be with you and bless you; for to you and your descendants I give all these lands, and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father. 4 And I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; 5 because Abraham obeys My voice and keeps My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”
Abraham didn’t understand how it could happen for he was a hundred years old and his wife was far beyond childbearing age. Yet Abraham obeyed, even to offering Isaac, his son as a sacrifice, for he believed that God could raise him from the dead if need be. Abraham’s faith passes the test!
God’s desire and will is that Christians should be a holy people. Holy people do believe. But how do I believe in someone and trust someone I don’t know? I have to see the evidence. God gave us that evidence through His Son, Jesus. God loved us enough to unselfishly send His only Son to die to free us from our sins and from he fear of death. Jesus loved us enough to unselfishly go to the cross for us, give his blood to atone for our sin, and redeem us from death. Then He arose from the dead.
That proves that we can trust God. Trusting and believing is an act of our will. Because we trust we can obey, that is keep his commandments and serve him with all our heart. We can be sure to reap the results of his love and keep all his promises. Obedience may not come easy because it means that we must abandon our selfish ways, motives and habits and make His will the law of our life. Jesus says “Take up your cross and follow me.” I say, ”I will”.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Only One God!
Our God is the one true God, yet He is the Heavenly Father, The only Son of God, The Blessed Holy Spirit. He is also Jehovah, Jesus Christ and the The Comforter. But yet One God Almighty!
He is the prodigal's loving father,the older son's generous parent, the tax collector's friend, the harlot's savior, and the pharisee's salvation.
He is the one who stands at the door and knocks, offering fellowship for the empty and lonely with, gold tried in the fire, clean white garments, and ointment for our eyes.
He is the Light Of The World, and The King of Kings but also The Suffering Servant, the only atonement for our sin!
He is the one Closer Than A Brother, yet He is The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince Of Peace. He is ever patient, ever kind, ever merciful, ever forgiving, ever just.
He urges us to pray, then answers our prayers.
He seeks us when we are lost. Heaven rejoices when he finds us.
He bids us mourn and repent, then comforts us as his own children!
He tells us to rejoice and fills our hearts with songs of praise.
Yet leaves us in this dark world so we can shine as the stars!
Can we be his servants? Can we seek the lost? Can we show His grace and compassion?
The world is in darkness. Will you begin to let your light shine!
Love,
Howard
He is the prodigal's loving father,the older son's generous parent, the tax collector's friend, the harlot's savior, and the pharisee's salvation.
He is the one who stands at the door and knocks, offering fellowship for the empty and lonely with, gold tried in the fire, clean white garments, and ointment for our eyes.
He is the Light Of The World, and The King of Kings but also The Suffering Servant, the only atonement for our sin!
He is the one Closer Than A Brother, yet He is The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince Of Peace. He is ever patient, ever kind, ever merciful, ever forgiving, ever just.
He urges us to pray, then answers our prayers.
He seeks us when we are lost. Heaven rejoices when he finds us.
He bids us mourn and repent, then comforts us as his own children!
He tells us to rejoice and fills our hearts with songs of praise.
Yet leaves us in this dark world so we can shine as the stars!
Can we be his servants? Can we seek the lost? Can we show His grace and compassion?
The world is in darkness. Will you begin to let your light shine!
Love,
Howard
Sunday, January 01, 2006
The Right Choice?
Have you made the right choice ?
We make many choices,some trivial, some important, and a few with eternal consequences.Some choices are influenced by trivial things, others by people in our lives, some by government or circumstances. Some we are pleased with some we regret. Some lead to happiness or gain others to dispair.or loss.
We generally enjoy the freedom we have to choose for ourselves our path of life.
God gave us that freedom and because we are his creation he loves us, all of us. And will never deny us the prevelage to make our own choices.
However, because He is the master and creator of all things he knows what is best for us. He told Adam and Eve exactly the truth and consequences of what could happen in the Garden of Eden. They chose to disregard His advice. They had known the presence and fellowship of their creator but because the temptor got her attention and told her lies she made a terrible mistake and chose to believe Satan rather than God. Adam was just as gulible.They had been clearly told that sin or disobidience produces death. When we read "death" we might nor know exactly what is meant. I am sure that Gods communication with Adam and Eve left no doubt in their mind about what was meant. It wasn't instant phyisical death, it was something far more hideous than that. They were God's creation, created in His image. That means eternal as he is eternal. This death is a change in character, With the rebellion against the creator comes the loss of His character in them. God is love. Now they had selfishness. God is truth. Now they have deciet. God is faithful. Now they have faithlessness. God is holy, Now they have sin. They have taken on the character of Satan himself. This leads in time to physical death as well. God later told Eve that someday that Satan would bruse her offspring's heel But that He, Christ would bruise Satans head.
Eve's offsping came as a baby born to a virgin, born in a manger. He came to save His people from their sin. He came to atone for our wrong choices on the cross of Calvary. He came to reverse the curse and show us how we can be restored to the likeness of our creator with the love, truth, faithfulness, holiness that he created us with. The choice we need to make is to make Jesus Christ our Savior. This choice is supported and applauded by all of heaven.
Love, Howard
We generally enjoy the freedom we have to choose for ourselves our path of life.
God gave us that freedom and because we are his creation he loves us, all of us. And will never deny us the prevelage to make our own choices.
However, because He is the master and creator of all things he knows what is best for us. He told Adam and Eve exactly the truth and consequences of what could happen in the Garden of Eden. They chose to disregard His advice. They had known the presence and fellowship of their creator but because the temptor got her attention and told her lies she made a terrible mistake and chose to believe Satan rather than God. Adam was just as gulible.They had been clearly told that sin or disobidience produces death. When we read "death" we might nor know exactly what is meant. I am sure that Gods communication with Adam and Eve left no doubt in their mind about what was meant. It wasn't instant phyisical death, it was something far more hideous than that. They were God's creation, created in His image. That means eternal as he is eternal. This death is a change in character, With the rebellion against the creator comes the loss of His character in them. God is love. Now they had selfishness. God is truth. Now they have deciet. God is faithful. Now they have faithlessness. God is holy, Now they have sin. They have taken on the character of Satan himself. This leads in time to physical death as well. God later told Eve that someday that Satan would bruse her offspring's heel But that He, Christ would bruise Satans head.
Eve's offsping came as a baby born to a virgin, born in a manger. He came to save His people from their sin. He came to atone for our wrong choices on the cross of Calvary. He came to reverse the curse and show us how we can be restored to the likeness of our creator with the love, truth, faithfulness, holiness that he created us with. The choice we need to make is to make Jesus Christ our Savior. This choice is supported and applauded by all of heaven.
Love, Howard
Saturday, April 23, 2005
More Than These?
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" John 21:15
I wonder if Peter could talk to us today he would say something like this:
"Jesus loved me. His focus was upon me when he went to the cross. He knew then that unless He died for me and atoned for my sin I would never understand how much He loved me. He knew if I understood that, and was willing to trust Him, and accept His love totally, He could accomplish His purpose in me. He knew all about my denials. Why wouldn't he have doubts about my total loyalty? I guess I didn't know just what he was getting at when he started this conversation. What did he mean "these"? I could see His earnestness but I felt a little hurt at his questions. But then I understood! I am now sure he meant do you love me more than "anything" Do I love him more than any persons, any ambitions, any possessions, any talents, any accomplishments, or my occupation as a fisherman, anything! I knew that Jesus, who was the Son of The Living God was saying to me:" Is there any thing or any combination of these things that keep you from giving all your love to Me? I found out on the day of Pentecost that His love in my heart is the Holy fire that cleanses my heart and when it is working through me will build the church and will bring His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven."
Love,
Howard
I wonder if Peter could talk to us today he would say something like this:
"Jesus loved me. His focus was upon me when he went to the cross. He knew then that unless He died for me and atoned for my sin I would never understand how much He loved me. He knew if I understood that, and was willing to trust Him, and accept His love totally, He could accomplish His purpose in me. He knew all about my denials. Why wouldn't he have doubts about my total loyalty? I guess I didn't know just what he was getting at when he started this conversation. What did he mean "these"? I could see His earnestness but I felt a little hurt at his questions. But then I understood! I am now sure he meant do you love me more than "anything" Do I love him more than any persons, any ambitions, any possessions, any talents, any accomplishments, or my occupation as a fisherman, anything! I knew that Jesus, who was the Son of The Living God was saying to me:" Is there any thing or any combination of these things that keep you from giving all your love to Me? I found out on the day of Pentecost that His love in my heart is the Holy fire that cleanses my heart and when it is working through me will build the church and will bring His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven."
Love,
Howard
Monday, February 14, 2005
I Know Who You Are!
I know who you are !
I may not know your name but, I know !I may not know your name but whatever your name is, I know that you are the one God has chosen to receive the fabulous life that everyone is looking for. He knows who you are and all about you and he is says in His word that he loves you. He loves you in spite of your sin and failure to love and honor Him. He said so in the most quoted verse in the Bible, "God so loved you that he gave his only begotton Son that whosoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life"
A new life for you !
That is why he chose you to receive this NEW LIFE. When he said "whosoever believes", he meant you because he bought your eligibility for a NEW LIFE with a price so huge we will never understand it. It was the precious blood of Jesus Christ, God's only Son.What is this new life?
What is this NEW LIFE ? It is Salvation from sin, which includes forgiveness, freedom from the guilt and shame of sin, freedom from the slavery of sin and it's grip on your life. You can be God's purchased possession, his loved and cherished creation. A child of the King. A ransomed soul. A new creation. A member of the family of God. However it is your CHOICE to accept or reject this identity.Will you accept?
If you will not accept then , I am sorry to say I know who you are. You are a slave to sin, an unforgiven sinner, a lost soul. WHAT will you choose ?
You do have a choice. I know that in many things in your life you have not had a choice but that if you do not make a choice in this matter it Satan will make it for you.Satan has made his claim.
Satan has already claimed your soul. But your CHOICE has awesome power. If you make Jesus your choice all the power of heaven is on your side!Make your claim now!
Pray this prayer: "Dear Jesus I know I am a sinner. I claim your promise to save me. Forgive me and give me this new life. I accept Jesus with all my heart. AmenHe will answer your prayer if you are sincere and if you trust him for your salvation .
I write these words because God has put love in my heart for you who have not understood God's plan of redemption. I , too, am a sinner transformed by the love of God has for me. If in reading this you have found hope and love Or if you would like me to pray for you just
Email me. howard.dimmick4@verizon.net
Love, Howard
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Why I Love Jesus
Why Do I Love Jesus?
I love you Jesus,
For being light in my darkness,
For being a guide in my blindness,
A lighthouse when I was lost in sin,
My loving Savior when I was a sinner,
You are the sacrifice that redeemed my soul.
You are my rock in the quagmire of sin,
My rich resource in my poverty,
My spring of living water for my thirst,
My loving friend when I am In trouble,
A counselor when I am foolish,
A disciplinarian when I am wayward,
A loving friend when I am in trouble,
A great help when I am helpless,
The God who answers my prayers,
You are the example on which to pattern my life.
No wonder they call you:
The pearl of Great price,
The bright and morning star,
The lily of the valley,
The fairest of ten thousand,
The rock of ages,
The light of the world!
You are my Savior and Lord!
How blest I am!
Do you know my Jesus?
He already knows you,
He longs to be your friend.
He wants you to know His mercy, grace and love.
He gave His life so that He could be your Savior too.
Will you accept His offer?
Thursday, January 27, 2005
What Is A Christin Like?
What is a Christian Like?
In the fifth Chapter of Mathew Jesus tells us what it is like to be his follower..
We read, “Blessed are--- “ Only God supplies “blessing” It is His favor, His reward, His approval. Only his own receive all of it.
Now I paraphrase, verse:
3. “Blessed are those who recognize their need of God for spiritual and moral help, wisdom and guidance, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
4. Blessed are those who have a godly sorrow for their sins and are conscious of their helpless condition, for they will be comforted with forgiveness and salvation.
5. Blessed are the teachable, and co-operative, for they will overcome the world with Me.
6. Blessed are those who really want to be Godly and obedient to me, for they will succeed in their quest.
7. Blessed are those who are unselfishly kind and helpful to their fellow man, for they will receive an abundance of kindness.
8. Blessed are those whose lives are free of willful sin and have only worthy motives, for God calls them his own children.
9. Blessed are those, who quell strife, violence, and hatred; for they are called God's children.
10. Blessed are those who receive persecution because of their uprightness and morality, for God will give them a place with Him forever.
11. Blessed are you for I appreciate you when you are unjustly accused, slandered and defamed, because of the stand you take for God.
12 You may rejoice and celebrate for your reward is surely coming, you will have your place of honor with all the worthy ones who have gone before!
Hallelujah!.
It pays to serve Jesus!
Love,
Howard
Monday, January 03, 2005
The New Birth
Jesus and Nicodemus
John 3:1-17
3Jesus replied, "I assure you, unless you are born again, you can never see the Kingdom of God."
4"What do you mean?" exclaimed Nicodemus. "How can an old man go back into his mother's womb and be born again?"
5Jesus replied, "The truth is, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 6Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven. 7So don't be surprised at my statement that you[c] must be born again. 8Just as you can hear the wind but can't tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can't explain how people are born of the Spirit."
9"What do you mean?" Nicodemus asked.
10Jesus replied, "You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don't understand these things? 11I assure you, I am telling you what we know and have seen, and yet you won't believe us. 12But if you don't even believe me when I tell you about things that happen here on earth, how can you possibly believe if I tell you what is going on in heaven? 13For only I, the Son of Man, have come to earth and will return to heaven again. 14And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so I, the Son of Man, must be lifted up on a pole, 5 so that everyone who believes in me will have eternal life.
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.
Thursday, October 28, 2004
Conflict & Resolution
Was ever there a soul so dead,
That to his wife has never said:
"Move over give me half the bed"?
Then she too with heart quite dead
With strident tone would oft reply:
"Please give me space before I die!"
Is there a pair with heart not dead
That to each other would have said:
"I love you dear. Stretch out in comfort in our bed."
And then would find,
With love's embrace,
They only needed half the space.
That to his wife has never said:
"Move over give me half the bed"?
Then she too with heart quite dead
With strident tone would oft reply:
"Please give me space before I die!"
Is there a pair with heart not dead
That to each other would have said:
"I love you dear. Stretch out in comfort in our bed."
And then would find,
With love's embrace,
They only needed half the space.
Sunday, August 29, 2004
What Jeaus Said To Me!
Check out my Site at
http://mysite.verizon.net/res0jkmf/index.html
And click on "Conversations with Jesus"
Love, Howard
http://mysite.verizon.net/res0jkmf/index.html
And click on "Conversations with Jesus"
Love, Howard
Thursday, August 26, 2004
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
How God Loves You !
How Does God Love You?
I pray that you being rooted and established in LOVE may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the LOVE of Christ. And to know this LOVE that surpasses knowledge--That you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
These are the words that Paul the apostle used to try to get us to realize how wonderful the God's love is, and how great it is to have it in our lives. He is saying that we can have the very essence of GOD poured into our lives! In order for us to understand what the apostle is talking about here let us note that the LOVE we are considering is a divine love that is unconditional and undeserved. It originates with God but is imparted to men as they respond to it. His prayer is therefore, that we, each of us, might be completely filled with it and fully understand it. He calls it the fullness of God. Wouldn't you like to understand it and find out how to obtain it?
God's love is the central fact and theme of the Bible, and in all of history. Love is God's unchanging nature or essence. "God is love" John says in his first epistle. In Jer 31:3 God says he loves with an everlasting love. Paul says: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." [Rom 8:38-39]
The nature of God's love is such that He is reaching out to us with an intense longing and a divine purpose to bring us into a friendly relationship with him. He says: "Behold I stand at the door and knock: If any man will hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." [Rev 3:20] Jesus said: "I am the vine and you are the branches. If a man remains in me he will bear much fruit." [John 15:5] "As the father has loved me so have I loved you. Now remain in my love". [John 5:9] "God so loved---that whosoever---should not perish but have everlasting life." [John 3:16] "I go to prepare a place for you--- that where I am you may be also." [John 4:2-3]
God's love is impartial and unconditional. It makes no difference who we are, or what our condition, his love extends to us. God loves men because he has chosen to love them. He loves them in spite of their sin, filthiness, pride, arrogance, and rebellion. No reason for his love can be given. But the love of God is free, spontaneous, unevoked, uncaused. His love for us is such that he cannot be happy, satisfied and fulfilled until we his beloved are out of trouble and danger. His purpose and delight is to comfort, inspire provide for, educate, guide and love us so that we may be fulfilled in doing the same to others. There is joy (God's own joy) in the presence of the angels when a person recieves this Jesus and his love. "For there is no respect of persons with God." [Rom 2:11]; "God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right" [Acts 10:34-35]; "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us." [Rom 5:8]; "But because of his great love for us, God---made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions." [Eph 2:4]
In his crucifixion Jesus willingly suffered intense pain, thirst, mockery, injustice, cruelty, shame, and abandonment. In spite of the fact that he knows the very core of who we are and our rebellion and our selfishness, and our sin. He poured out his lifeblood as an atonement for us. He took the punishment that should have been ours.. He himself said, "Greater love hath no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." [John 15:13] But he did it even for us who were his enemies. "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ lay down his life for us." [1 John 3:16a] "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities." [Isa 53:3-5]
God is motivated by his love to accomplish certain things in his kingdom. By his word we can discern what some of them are. First to establish a human race who would have the ability and choice to love, serve him and glorify him. Be enough like him to be able to be friends with him.
From what I can understand from the scripture, it appears that God has an intense longing and an urgent desire to establish a deep mutual relationship with you and me, his created ones. This can be seen as we read the creation narrative in Genesis. 2:7 (NIV) "The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Then after they had disobeyed God's specific command he still tried to re-establish the relationship. Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?" And he said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?" God knew that it was not their physical nakedness that caused them to hide but that it was their guilt resulting from their disobedience which he could see in spite of their clothes. He loved them and promised that a time would come when the damage inflicted on them by Satan would be reversed.
The friendship that he desires would be restored in those persons who would put their faith in him. You are one of those persons. He created you for that specific purpose. He created you "In the image of God". You are singled out as the one that God is dealing with now. God's purpose is focused on you.
It was for you that the earth was created so that a suitable habitat could be established for you. For the earth to exist, the sun and the solar system was created. The solar system could not exist or be created by itself so our galaxy, the milky way, was created. And that is related to the whole universe which was created to support it. We have not yet discovered the extent or boundaries of the universe in either time or space. God also created with precision and infinitesimal detail the very building blocks of matter, electrons and such.
The details of creation are so complex and intricate that in all the centuries the genius of man has not been able to sort out but few of these mysteries, but God has in control everything from the infinitesimal building blocks of matter to the galaxies hurtling through space, all obeying every law he has laid down by his infinite wisdom.
He made the world of the relationships of life, personalities, mind and spirit, and interrelationships that allow us to be aware of and practice the principles of love or hate. He created the world of the spiritual in which the forces of evil and righteousness exist, the domain of spirits, angels and demons. This realm is beyond human comprehension and understanding. The Bible shows us that this is all but for one purpose: That God could have you personally enjoy his friendship and share his love, being rescued from your evil ways, cleansed from your wickedness, and restored to the likeness of God as you were created so that you could live a life of loving service. Then live with Him forever in a paradise and bliss that is way beyond anything that you can imagine. It is the gift of God's amazing grace!
He allowed man to be deceived by Satan or Luicifer, who invented sin and rebellion against God, and be ruined morally and become evil. And so that if a man chose to he could be restored. This was not an experiment to test his theories. He knew the answers. He wanted to show us the truth: Law is insufficient, we cannot and will not live by a set of rules. Wisdom or ceremony or works cannot reconcile man to God. Man can't redeem himself. A loving saviour is needed.
Adam (and his descendants) were created for one divine and eternal purpose: To love and fellowship with God. Eve was given to Adam as a helper. They had a choice. They blew it. No doubt God knew they would, but he had to give them the choice. Love cannot be coerced it must be freely chosen. By choice then Adam and all who were born after him were born in sin and strayed from God, going their own way and doing their own thing.
We find as we study the bible, God is holy and cannot overlook sin. Sin means breaking God's law, that is, doing what we know is wrong because we don't love God and others as we should. Since God's law was lovingly designed to protect and enhance your life, you are at risk if you ignore, or disobey it. When you disobey it you show contempt for God's love and care, saying, in effect, that you know better than he does what is best for you. It appears, then, that you have no respect for his wisdom or the fact that he created you and the world in which you live. Even though he loves you dearly your attitude is repugnant to him. Fellowship between he and you therefore is broken. He can no longer comfort you with his presence nor protect you by his power
. You are made in the image of God but Satan has deceived you and you have made some bad decisions because your mind and spirit are disoriented because of the conflict within. Your conscience requires truth and justice but you balk at these when your personal gain, comfort or pleasure are at stake. The guilt you carry damages your mind as well as your body. You are unable to love as you ought. You show utter disregard for your neighbors who are influenced by you and have a right to a good example from you. The whole fabric of society is poisoned by your lack of principle and loyalty to God
Because he loves you so much he is deeply hurt because you push him away and then pretend everything is all right and sometimes even claim you love him. The Father has created you in his own image, the very greatest product of his creative genius, and Jesus, in love, has purchased your salvation by death on the cross to provide forgiveness for your sin. How do you think he feels when you reject all this so that you can sin as you please.
God knows that a sinful life will bring you no peace nor joy, only disillusionment and frustration. Satan only adds to your trouble and pain by leading you deeper into sin. Then you resent any effort that is made to help you. He is disappointed that your potential as one of his children is being wasted and your influence is working against him
Sin is a horrible master. It is only by grace and the prayers of the saints that it has not led you farther in to the depths of wickedness than it has. When sin takes hold you cannot escape without God's help. He still loves you, longs for you. It makes no difference how far you have gone or what you have done. He is ready to help you."
I pray that you being rooted and established in LOVE may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the LOVE of Christ. And to know this LOVE that surpasses knowledge--That you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
These are the words that Paul the apostle used to try to get us to realize how wonderful the God's love is, and how great it is to have it in our lives. He is saying that we can have the very essence of GOD poured into our lives! In order for us to understand what the apostle is talking about here let us note that the LOVE we are considering is a divine love that is unconditional and undeserved. It originates with God but is imparted to men as they respond to it. His prayer is therefore, that we, each of us, might be completely filled with it and fully understand it. He calls it the fullness of God. Wouldn't you like to understand it and find out how to obtain it?
God's love is the central fact and theme of the Bible, and in all of history. Love is God's unchanging nature or essence. "God is love" John says in his first epistle. In Jer 31:3 God says he loves with an everlasting love. Paul says: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." [Rom 8:38-39]
The nature of God's love is such that He is reaching out to us with an intense longing and a divine purpose to bring us into a friendly relationship with him. He says: "Behold I stand at the door and knock: If any man will hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." [Rev 3:20] Jesus said: "I am the vine and you are the branches. If a man remains in me he will bear much fruit." [John 15:5] "As the father has loved me so have I loved you. Now remain in my love". [John 5:9] "God so loved---that whosoever---should not perish but have everlasting life." [John 3:16] "I go to prepare a place for you--- that where I am you may be also." [John 4:2-3]
God's love is impartial and unconditional. It makes no difference who we are, or what our condition, his love extends to us. God loves men because he has chosen to love them. He loves them in spite of their sin, filthiness, pride, arrogance, and rebellion. No reason for his love can be given. But the love of God is free, spontaneous, unevoked, uncaused. His love for us is such that he cannot be happy, satisfied and fulfilled until we his beloved are out of trouble and danger. His purpose and delight is to comfort, inspire provide for, educate, guide and love us so that we may be fulfilled in doing the same to others. There is joy (God's own joy) in the presence of the angels when a person recieves this Jesus and his love. "For there is no respect of persons with God." [Rom 2:11]; "God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right" [Acts 10:34-35]; "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us." [Rom 5:8]; "But because of his great love for us, God---made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions." [Eph 2:4]
In his crucifixion Jesus willingly suffered intense pain, thirst, mockery, injustice, cruelty, shame, and abandonment. In spite of the fact that he knows the very core of who we are and our rebellion and our selfishness, and our sin. He poured out his lifeblood as an atonement for us. He took the punishment that should have been ours.. He himself said, "Greater love hath no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." [John 15:13] But he did it even for us who were his enemies. "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ lay down his life for us." [1 John 3:16a] "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities." [Isa 53:3-5]
God is motivated by his love to accomplish certain things in his kingdom. By his word we can discern what some of them are. First to establish a human race who would have the ability and choice to love, serve him and glorify him. Be enough like him to be able to be friends with him.
From what I can understand from the scripture, it appears that God has an intense longing and an urgent desire to establish a deep mutual relationship with you and me, his created ones. This can be seen as we read the creation narrative in Genesis. 2:7 (NIV) "The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Then after they had disobeyed God's specific command he still tried to re-establish the relationship. Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?" And he said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?" God knew that it was not their physical nakedness that caused them to hide but that it was their guilt resulting from their disobedience which he could see in spite of their clothes. He loved them and promised that a time would come when the damage inflicted on them by Satan would be reversed.
The friendship that he desires would be restored in those persons who would put their faith in him. You are one of those persons. He created you for that specific purpose. He created you "In the image of God". You are singled out as the one that God is dealing with now. God's purpose is focused on you.
It was for you that the earth was created so that a suitable habitat could be established for you. For the earth to exist, the sun and the solar system was created. The solar system could not exist or be created by itself so our galaxy, the milky way, was created. And that is related to the whole universe which was created to support it. We have not yet discovered the extent or boundaries of the universe in either time or space. God also created with precision and infinitesimal detail the very building blocks of matter, electrons and such.
The details of creation are so complex and intricate that in all the centuries the genius of man has not been able to sort out but few of these mysteries, but God has in control everything from the infinitesimal building blocks of matter to the galaxies hurtling through space, all obeying every law he has laid down by his infinite wisdom.
He made the world of the relationships of life, personalities, mind and spirit, and interrelationships that allow us to be aware of and practice the principles of love or hate. He created the world of the spiritual in which the forces of evil and righteousness exist, the domain of spirits, angels and demons. This realm is beyond human comprehension and understanding. The Bible shows us that this is all but for one purpose: That God could have you personally enjoy his friendship and share his love, being rescued from your evil ways, cleansed from your wickedness, and restored to the likeness of God as you were created so that you could live a life of loving service. Then live with Him forever in a paradise and bliss that is way beyond anything that you can imagine. It is the gift of God's amazing grace!
He allowed man to be deceived by Satan or Luicifer, who invented sin and rebellion against God, and be ruined morally and become evil. And so that if a man chose to he could be restored. This was not an experiment to test his theories. He knew the answers. He wanted to show us the truth: Law is insufficient, we cannot and will not live by a set of rules. Wisdom or ceremony or works cannot reconcile man to God. Man can't redeem himself. A loving saviour is needed.
Adam (and his descendants) were created for one divine and eternal purpose: To love and fellowship with God. Eve was given to Adam as a helper. They had a choice. They blew it. No doubt God knew they would, but he had to give them the choice. Love cannot be coerced it must be freely chosen. By choice then Adam and all who were born after him were born in sin and strayed from God, going their own way and doing their own thing.
We find as we study the bible, God is holy and cannot overlook sin. Sin means breaking God's law, that is, doing what we know is wrong because we don't love God and others as we should. Since God's law was lovingly designed to protect and enhance your life, you are at risk if you ignore, or disobey it. When you disobey it you show contempt for God's love and care, saying, in effect, that you know better than he does what is best for you. It appears, then, that you have no respect for his wisdom or the fact that he created you and the world in which you live. Even though he loves you dearly your attitude is repugnant to him. Fellowship between he and you therefore is broken. He can no longer comfort you with his presence nor protect you by his power
. You are made in the image of God but Satan has deceived you and you have made some bad decisions because your mind and spirit are disoriented because of the conflict within. Your conscience requires truth and justice but you balk at these when your personal gain, comfort or pleasure are at stake. The guilt you carry damages your mind as well as your body. You are unable to love as you ought. You show utter disregard for your neighbors who are influenced by you and have a right to a good example from you. The whole fabric of society is poisoned by your lack of principle and loyalty to God
Because he loves you so much he is deeply hurt because you push him away and then pretend everything is all right and sometimes even claim you love him. The Father has created you in his own image, the very greatest product of his creative genius, and Jesus, in love, has purchased your salvation by death on the cross to provide forgiveness for your sin. How do you think he feels when you reject all this so that you can sin as you please.
God knows that a sinful life will bring you no peace nor joy, only disillusionment and frustration. Satan only adds to your trouble and pain by leading you deeper into sin. Then you resent any effort that is made to help you. He is disappointed that your potential as one of his children is being wasted and your influence is working against him
Sin is a horrible master. It is only by grace and the prayers of the saints that it has not led you farther in to the depths of wickedness than it has. When sin takes hold you cannot escape without God's help. He still loves you, longs for you. It makes no difference how far you have gone or what you have done. He is ready to help you."
She Went To Be With Her Lord !
That is what was published about a dear lady in our town when she died. I suppose if He really was her Lord,she loved and worshiped Him and served him and obeyed his commandments. What about you and me? Is he OUR Lord? Is our love, worship and obedience to Him a testimony to His glory? Are there any good reasons why our loyalty to Him is sporadic or partial? Why is it so hard to yield our complete allegience to The Lord Jesus Christ? Is not His love for us unconditionial and totally generous and faithful? Do we not gain great reward and benefits by following Him? Our service to Him is not to His advantage but to ours! He is The Way, The Truth, and The Source of Eternal Life. How can we get by without full committment to Him?
Do we deserve His Grace? Were we not sinners and rebels? But he loved us and gave His life for us. We have His promise that he will never leave us or forsake us. His promise is for eternity, our interest seems earthly and temporary. I am going to take the better road. How about you? Love, HowDim
Do we deserve His Grace? Were we not sinners and rebels? But he loved us and gave His life for us. We have His promise that he will never leave us or forsake us. His promise is for eternity, our interest seems earthly and temporary. I am going to take the better road. How about you? Love, HowDim
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