This morning my phone rang early with heart-wrenching news that a beloved husband and father in our local fellowship had passed away in the night. He was two years younger than me. As I made my way to the home to cry with his family, I needed God's Word to cling to. This passage continues to give me some measure of perspective and peace in the midst of the pain:
(8) He will swallow up death forever;
and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces,
and the reproach of His people He will take away from all the earth,
for the LORD has spoken.
(9) It will be said on that day,
"Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him,
that He might save us.
This is the LORD; we have waited for Him;
let us be glad and rejoice in His salvation."
-- Isaiah 25:8-9 (ESV)
Click here: Matt Maher - Hold Us Together - YouTube
Please pray for the precious wife and the dear sons that this beloved husband and father left behind. Pray that they will sense that God is holding them together with His Love and that the Hope of a Glad Reunion Day will begin to appear clearly before them.
Your Love Will Hold Us Together, Lord Jesus!
Grateful
Showing posts with label salvation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label salvation. Show all posts
Friday, November 11, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
Were It Not For Grace!
I know I have posted these lyrics before, however, this song of gratitude sung by Larnelle Harris is on my mind often and especially now. I love repeating the good stuff.
"Were it Not for Grace"
Time measured out my days
Life carried me along
In my soul I yearned to follow God
But knew I’d never be so strong
I looked hard at this world
To learn how Heaven could be gained
Just to end where I began
Where human effort is all in vain
Chorus
Were it not for grace
I can tell you where I’d be
Wandering down some pointless road to nowhere
With my salvation up to me
I know how that would go
The battles I would face
Forever running but losing this race
Were it not for grace
So here is all my praise
Expressed with all my heart
Offered to the Friend who took my place
And ran a course I could not start
And when He saw in full
Just how much His would cost
He still went the final mile between me and Heaven
So I would not be lost
Repeat Chorus
Forever running but losing this race
Were it not for grace
Lord, remind us that while Your grace is indeed covering for sins, Your grace is also power over sinning. Cure? For sure! But also prevention! Amazing grace, indeed! In Jesus' name. Amen.
There but for the grace of God, go I... -- (Author Uncertain)
Grateful
"Were it Not for Grace"
Time measured out my days
Life carried me along
In my soul I yearned to follow God
But knew I’d never be so strong
I looked hard at this world
To learn how Heaven could be gained
Just to end where I began
Where human effort is all in vain
Chorus
Were it not for grace
I can tell you where I’d be
Wandering down some pointless road to nowhere
With my salvation up to me
I know how that would go
The battles I would face
Forever running but losing this race
Were it not for grace
So here is all my praise
Expressed with all my heart
Offered to the Friend who took my place
And ran a course I could not start
And when He saw in full
Just how much His would cost
He still went the final mile between me and Heaven
So I would not be lost
Repeat Chorus
Forever running but losing this race
Were it not for grace
Lord, remind us that while Your grace is indeed covering for sins, Your grace is also power over sinning. Cure? For sure! But also prevention! Amazing grace, indeed! In Jesus' name. Amen.
There but for the grace of God, go I... -- (Author Uncertain)
Grateful
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Jesus Saves & Delivers From All Sin
John Wesley once said: I see the necessity of preaching a full and present salvation from all sin.
But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin. -- 1 John 1:7 (NIV)
Dearest my Lord Jesus: Thank You for dying not only to forgive my sins -- the actions, yes, the deeds of sinning, but to also deliver me from my Sin -- especially the attitude, the disposition of my self-centered ego. It is true to say of You -- JESUS SAVES FROM THE GUTTER MOST, TO THE UTTERMOST! Your Name is Great and Greatly to be praised. Amen.
By Faith. In Faith. (Hebrews 11)
Grateful
But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin. -- 1 John 1:7 (NIV)
Dearest my Lord Jesus: Thank You for dying not only to forgive my sins -- the actions, yes, the deeds of sinning, but to also deliver me from my Sin -- especially the attitude, the disposition of my self-centered ego. It is true to say of You -- JESUS SAVES FROM THE GUTTER MOST, TO THE UTTERMOST! Your Name is Great and Greatly to be praised. Amen.
By Faith. In Faith. (Hebrews 11)
Grateful
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
We Were Restored to Friendship With God By the Death of His Son!
My friend, Brian, leads our Mens' 20/20 Dawn Patrol Bible Saturation every second and fourth Tuesday morning of the week. Presently, we are saturating in the New Testament Book of Romans. This morning our concentration was on Romans 5. The opening paragraphs are so inspiring that I sensed I should share them with all the world, especially with you :-).
(I invite you to read these wonderful words aloud and to discover how long it takes for your own soul to be moved):
(1) Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. (2) Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. (3) We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to endure. (4) And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. (5) And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love. (6) When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. (7) Now, no one is likely to die for a good person, though someone might be willing to die for a person who is especially good. (8) But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. (9) And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, He will certainly save us from God’s judgment. (10) For since we were restored to friendship with God by the death of His Son while we were still His enemies, we will certainly be delivered from eternal punishment by His life. (11) So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God—all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us friends of God. -- Romans 5:1-11 (NLT)
IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful
(I invite you to read these wonderful words aloud and to discover how long it takes for your own soul to be moved):
(1) Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. (2) Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. (3) We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to endure. (4) And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. (5) And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love. (6) When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. (7) Now, no one is likely to die for a good person, though someone might be willing to die for a person who is especially good. (8) But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. (9) And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, He will certainly save us from God’s judgment. (10) For since we were restored to friendship with God by the death of His Son while we were still His enemies, we will certainly be delivered from eternal punishment by His life. (11) So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God—all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us friends of God. -- Romans 5:1-11 (NLT)
IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Birth Comes Before Growth
A Basic Christian Commentary
A while back, I was talking on the phone with a dear friend of mine. The most basic idea of Christianity was the topic – being born again. So many people sadly seem to have the cart before the horse and the tail wagging the puppy when it comes to being a Christian. In other words there must be a spiritual birth before there can be spiritual growth. It seems that some people are trying to become fully devoted followers of Jesus without first coming to Jesus to be born again. In other words, we should never expect to grow in Christ until we first know Him as Christ! Unless we have been forgiven of our sins and are willing to forsake our lives of sin, trying to grow spiritually will only be an exercise in futility. If we have not yet been born again and are still dead in our sins, trying to grow in Christianity may only lead us to insanity.
In the New Testament Gospel account of Jesus Christ according to John the Beloved we find the most memorized verse in the Bible – John 3:16. But did you know that John 3:16 was first spoken by Jesus to a seeker who was trying to grow in godliness without first being born of God? It’s true. The seeker’s name? Nicodemus. Old not-so-saintly-Nick, was at the top of the religious ladder. He was indeed considered to be among the most intellectual guardians of Jewish law. His opinions could sway votes on the ruling council of Israel and his words were among the most quoted after each board meeting. Yet, Nick was not growing in godliness and he knew it. So in an attempt to get some answers and to avoid being noticed, Nicodemus set out in the deep shadows of his own shallow spirituality to find the Savior, Jesus Christ. Yes, he met with Jesus at night.
In reply to Nick’s question, Jesus told him the most basic idea of Christianity: I tell you the truth, Jesus said, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. The highly educated Nicodemus was confused to say the least. I must be born again? How can this happen? Jesus went on to explain that in order to grow in true godliness, one must first be born again, not born physically again, but born again spiritually by believing and by embracing these words: For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. It’s simple, but profound, my friends, unless we have been born twice – once physically and once spiritually – growing in God’s salvation will only lead to our frustration. Christ came so we could experience conversion from dying as sinners to living as saints. A sinner is one who belongs exclusively to sin. Death awaits. A saint is someone who exclusively belongs to God. Life arises.
So, do you belong exclusively to God? Has there been a conversion from spiritual death to spiritual life in your eternal soul? Have you been born again? If not, if you’re sincere, it’s as simple as praying a prayer like this: Father God, I admit that I’ve been wrong. You’ve been right. I accept Your Son, as my Savior. I do not want an intellectual religion. I want an intimate relationship with You. Help me to turn from sinning and to turn to shining. I believe that You gave Jesus so that I might know You, escape eternal death and have eternal life. I confess: Jesus is the only Way to Heaven. Thank you, for loving me too much! I want to know You and grow in You and in that order. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Perhaps you would choose to print this post and sign your name:
Signed: _________________________________________________.
And, I think Nicodemus finally did become an Old Saint Nick. Read John 19:38-42 and decide for yourself. After Jesus’ death, Nick came with Joey to get the body for burial. Seems he came out of his big hiding place to be born again as a little baby in Christ! :-)
A while back, I was talking on the phone with a dear friend of mine. The most basic idea of Christianity was the topic – being born again. So many people sadly seem to have the cart before the horse and the tail wagging the puppy when it comes to being a Christian. In other words there must be a spiritual birth before there can be spiritual growth. It seems that some people are trying to become fully devoted followers of Jesus without first coming to Jesus to be born again. In other words, we should never expect to grow in Christ until we first know Him as Christ! Unless we have been forgiven of our sins and are willing to forsake our lives of sin, trying to grow spiritually will only be an exercise in futility. If we have not yet been born again and are still dead in our sins, trying to grow in Christianity may only lead us to insanity.
In the New Testament Gospel account of Jesus Christ according to John the Beloved we find the most memorized verse in the Bible – John 3:16. But did you know that John 3:16 was first spoken by Jesus to a seeker who was trying to grow in godliness without first being born of God? It’s true. The seeker’s name? Nicodemus. Old not-so-saintly-Nick, was at the top of the religious ladder. He was indeed considered to be among the most intellectual guardians of Jewish law. His opinions could sway votes on the ruling council of Israel and his words were among the most quoted after each board meeting. Yet, Nick was not growing in godliness and he knew it. So in an attempt to get some answers and to avoid being noticed, Nicodemus set out in the deep shadows of his own shallow spirituality to find the Savior, Jesus Christ. Yes, he met with Jesus at night.
In reply to Nick’s question, Jesus told him the most basic idea of Christianity: I tell you the truth, Jesus said, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. The highly educated Nicodemus was confused to say the least. I must be born again? How can this happen? Jesus went on to explain that in order to grow in true godliness, one must first be born again, not born physically again, but born again spiritually by believing and by embracing these words: For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. It’s simple, but profound, my friends, unless we have been born twice – once physically and once spiritually – growing in God’s salvation will only lead to our frustration. Christ came so we could experience conversion from dying as sinners to living as saints. A sinner is one who belongs exclusively to sin. Death awaits. A saint is someone who exclusively belongs to God. Life arises.
So, do you belong exclusively to God? Has there been a conversion from spiritual death to spiritual life in your eternal soul? Have you been born again? If not, if you’re sincere, it’s as simple as praying a prayer like this: Father God, I admit that I’ve been wrong. You’ve been right. I accept Your Son, as my Savior. I do not want an intellectual religion. I want an intimate relationship with You. Help me to turn from sinning and to turn to shining. I believe that You gave Jesus so that I might know You, escape eternal death and have eternal life. I confess: Jesus is the only Way to Heaven. Thank you, for loving me too much! I want to know You and grow in You and in that order. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Perhaps you would choose to print this post and sign your name:
Signed: _________________________________________________.
And, I think Nicodemus finally did become an Old Saint Nick. Read John 19:38-42 and decide for yourself. After Jesus’ death, Nick came with Joey to get the body for burial. Seems he came out of his big hiding place to be born again as a little baby in Christ! :-)
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