The gift of God is eternal life...

"The gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23

   If you have ever memorized a verse of Scripture, most likely it is John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." It is the verse most often heard in the simplicity and beauty of a little child's voice proudly reciting it from memory. And it is the verse most often whispered by aged saints as they breathe their last breaths. It is the entire gospel in a nutshell.

   John 3:16 speaks of the cause of this great salvation. "For God so loved..." The single motivating factor behind God's redemptive plan is His love for you and me. This beloved verse also speaks of the cost of this salvation: "He gave His only Son." Jesus paid a high price to redeem us to Himself-death on a Roman cross outside the city gates of Jerusalem. And salvation's condition? "Whosoever believes in Him..." That speaks of me. It speaks of you. And any and all may come, placing their faith in Him alone. Finally,, this verse speaks of salvation's consequence: we "should not perish but have everlasting life." Those without Christ are perishing...a little more each day.

   Let God love you today as you meditate on this old and oft-repeated promise.

CODE WORD: GIFT

What do you do to get a gift: You don't earn it or deserve it. Someone who loves you very much gives it freely to you, and all you have to do is receive it. God's gift of eternal life, although purchased at great expense, is a free gift. Your part? Receive it by faith.

Lord, thank You for loving me even when I am so unloving. Your love has no boundaries. I receive Your unconditional love right now by faith. In Jesus' name, amen.

Hawkins, O.S. The Passion Code: 100 Days with Jesus. Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 2019. pgs 104-105.

The Narrow Way

 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to." Luke 13:24 NIV, BibleGateway.com suggestion, read rest of chapter

   Martial artist Morihei Ueshiba once philosophized., "There are many paths leading to the top of Mount Fuji." His statement reflected the idea that many people believe, which is that there are many ways to find God. Life is a journey, and people are free to choose their own path to the deity of their choice.

   However, Jesus completely refuted that idea. In Luke 13:24, He said, "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able." In other words, there are people who will spend their entire lives pursuing a deity that cannot save them, and they will not realize it until it's too late. It's a horrifying thought.

   So why do so many people think there is more than one way to find God?

   Generally, the belief that there is more than one path to God stems from the fact that in every society in the world (it doesn't make any difference how civilized or uncivilized), there are always people who believe in some kind of deity. Therefore, many anthropologists and sociologists reason there is no one true religion-everyone simply worships the deity which best reflects their environmental influences.

   Such scientists conclude everyone is entitled to his or her own idea of God-including believing there is no such thing as a supreme being. Unfortunately, that's human reasoning. It sounds logical, but the problem is it's a complete contradiction to the way the one true God has provided for us to know Him (John 3:16-18).

   Why are there so many cultures with so many deities? Romans 1:20 explains, "Since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse." People are without excuse in knowing God exists. Every culture has a concept of God-He's clearly seen throughout nature. However, it's not up to us to imagine who He is or to create Him out of our own reasoning or culture. Rather, we must look to the way He's revealing Himself to us, which is through the person of Jesus Christ (Matt. 11:27; John 14:7).

   Unfortunately, people are sometimes offended when Christians say Jesus Christ is the only way to God because they say God wouldn't exclude from heaven all the people who don't believe in Christ. However, their reasoning is completely wrong. It's not that the one true God is exclusive. In face, He is completely inclusive, Jesus said in John 12:32, "I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." Jesus offers salvation to everyone. Jesus would never turn away someone who put his or her faith in Him (Rom. 10:9-13).

   Though life may be a journey, and though there may be a multitude of roads to the earthly Mount Fuji, there's only one way to God-by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). Christ offers the only road that leads to salvation. Though the world may offer an abundance of choices, they'll never lead to what you're really looking for (Prov. 14:12). The only right choice is the road God offers through Jesus Christ. Though that path is the narrow one, it's always wide open to you. Trust Him.

Stanley, Charles F. Life Principles Daily Bible, Biblical Principles for Each Day of the Year. Nashville. Thomas Nelson Publishing, page 485.

Free gift-------eternal life in Jesus Christ our LORD!!!

 

   If you have ever memorized a verse of Scripture, most likely it is John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." It is the verse most often heard in the simplicity and beauty of a little child's voice proudly reciting it from memory. And it is the verse most often whispered by aged saints as they breath their last breaths. It is the entire gospel in a nutshell.

   John 3:16 speaks of the cause of this great salvation: "For God so loved. . ." The single motivating factor behind God's entire redemptive plan is His love for you and me. This beloved verse also speaks of the cost of this salvation: "He gave His only Son." Jesus paid a high price to redeem us to Himself-death on a Roman cross outside the city gates of Jerusalem. And salvation's condition? "Whosoever believes in Him. . ." That speaks of me. It speaks of you. And any and all may come, placing their faith in Him alone. Finally, this verse speaks of salvation's consequence: We "shall not perish but have everlasting life." Those without Christ are perishing. . . a little more each day.

  Let God love you today as you meditate on this old and oft-repeated promise.

The gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23

Hawkins, O.S. THE Easter CODE, A 40-DAY JOURNEY TO THE CROSS, Nelson Publishing, 2019, page 60.

Psalm 23 A psalm of David.

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.

He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams.

He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name.

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.

Surely goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 23 NLT - Psalm 23 - A psalm of David. The LORD - Bible Gateway

OUR INTIMACY WITH GOD

 

"Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;...'" Genesis 1:26 NASB

LIFE PRINCIPLE 1

OUR INTIMACY WITH GOD - HIS HIGHEST PRIORITY FOR OUR LIVES - DETERMINES THE IMPACT OF OUR LIVES.

   One of our greatest needs is to know we are loved. Each of us has to feel certain, deep down in our hearts, that someone loves us, cares for us, and has our best interests at heart.

   That is how God designed us. He wants us to know He loves us with a passionate intensity too deep for words.

   God created human beings with fellowship in mind - first with Himself, then with others. But we cannot fully love one another until we have ourselves experienced the love of God. We experience His love when we willingly surrender to His call to be our Savior, Lord, and Friend.

   There are at least three reasons God seeks our surrender:

He loves us and desires our fellowship and worship.

   As long as we hold something back from God, we cannot know Him completely or fully experience His love. When we surrender to Him, we get all of Him. 

He wants our service for Him to be effective and fruitful.

   The more we know and love Jesus, the more effective our service will be. The closer we draw to God, the more impact our lives will have. The more energetically we nurture our relationship with the Lord, the greater the positive mark we will leave behind.

He waits for the freedom to bless us.

   God is omnipotent, but He will not violate His own principles. He draws us to Himself so we can experience His love and forgiveness. He asks for our willing surrender so He can give us the best blessings He has to offer.

So why do we resist? With all this in mind, why does anyone resist surrendering to God?

   Pride is the key reason most people resist surrender. They think they know better than God and that they can handle their lives better than He can, so they keep Him at a distance.

   Others do not surrender because they fear what God will do (or not do) for them, They think that if they give Him control, He'll make them do exactly what will make them most miserable.

   Still others refuse to surrender to Christ because they believe Satan's lie, which tells them God is judgmental and will punish them for their mistakes.

   All of this is completely false! God always has our best in mind. He will refuse us no good thing when we gladly submit to His will (Romans 8:32). He tells us, "'I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope'" (Jerimiah 29:11).

   It only makes sense to surrender to God, because when we do, we grow close to Him - His highest priority for us - and we begin to have an impact on our world.

Dr. Charles F. Stanley continues with a personal example from the life of Anne Graham Lotz. . .  

Do you want to know the Savior and live in the fulness of His blessing each day? You can. David wrote, "They who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing" (Psalm 34:10).

When you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, He not only forgave you but also made you into a new creature. You were no longer standing at a distance from God but then were able to draw near to Him. . 

   He knows your weaknesses, and if you will tell Him you want Him to take control of your life, He will come to you in a mighty way and bring hope and light to your situation, no matter how dark and hopeless it may feel (Isaiah 55:6.7).

Stanley, Charles F. Life Principles Daily Bible: Biblical Principles for Each Day of the Year. Nashville, Thomas Nelson. 2011. page 2.

We don’t know when; are YOU ready?

 

Matthew 24:36
36 But of that day and hour, knoweth no man, no not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. KJV BibleGateway

Matthew 25:1, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. KJV BibleGateway

How do we prepare for something that we know WILL happen, yet do not know when?  Always be alert, focus, focus, focus! Just as in the time of Noah, God gave Noah specific instructions. Noah had never seen rain nor floods, so how could he prepare without God’s leading? Moses led the people of Israel from Egypt to the Promised Land. How could he? How could Moses accomplish this overwhelming task without the guidance of God? Both of these great leaders talked with God. Today, we talk with God by prayer, meditation and obedience. 

As I read the LifePrinciples Daily Bible reading for February 7 pages 164-169, my God demonstrate how much He wants to be involved in my life. In Exodus 25:1-26:37, God specifically calls and equips us for His service.  In Exodus God provided plans to build a physical tabernacle for Him to dwell amount His people. Now, this tabernacle is our body. God in the form of the Holy Spirit dwells within every believer in Jesus Christ. Am I following His plan for His tabernacle? Psalm 19:7-14 starts with “The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul…” and ends with “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.”  In Proverbs 6:32-35, I read about lacking sense, Jealousy enrages, and destroying self.  Matthew 24:1-28 compares the temple buildings with the kingdom of Christ. Read 24:12-13 “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.” Again in Matthew 25:13, we read “Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour."

God wants an intimate relationship with YOU and ME! We were created for this purpose. Is your or my rebellion halting this intimacy? God wants to be intimate and LORD, involved in every aspect of your and my life. The world system is attempting to direct us to think globally; God directs us think individually. Is this my goal? EVERY person is important! EVERY person was created in the image of God to fulfill His individual purpose. What is this individual purpose? First accept Jesus Christ as personal LORD and SAVIOR. Allow Him to guide and direct your life moment by moment.
Are YOU ready, prepare now, read John 3:16. Read, study, meditate, and focus on Jesus Christ as YOUR personal LORD and Savior.

God’s Pattern for Success

 

Have you ever read through the Bible in a year? Would you like to read through the Bible in a year? Many options are available to read through the Bible in a year such as front to back, some chapters from the Old Testament and some chapters from the New Testament, read some in the morning and some in the evening or check out Life Principles Daily Bible:Biblical Principles For Each Day of the Year.

Each day includes readings from the Old Testament, Psalms, Proverbs and the New Testament. This process starts from the beginning of each area and does not skip around. The amount of reading in each area will vary; the length of time to cover the reading stays about the same. After talking with several people who read this daily for study or devotion, we came to the same conclusion; all of the readings are coordinated.

 In order to explain this, I will use January 26 as an example. The Old Testament scripture is Exodus 1:1- 2:25 Pharaoh’s attempt to eliminate the Hebrew baby boys, God’s plan to save the Hebrews through Moses. Moses went through difficult times; many of us go through difficult and devastating experiences. Read 2:23 “…and they cried out; and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God.”

 The Psalms scripture is 15:1-5, A Psalm of David asking who may abide in God’s tent, or may dwell on God’s holy hill. David contrasts walking with integrity, doing works of righteousness and speaking the truth in his heart with evil that speaks slander, does evil to neighbors, and is a reprobate.

 The Proverbs scripture is 4:25-27

²⁵Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. ²⁶Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. ²⁷Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. New International Version, Copyright 2011-2019 Biblica

The New Testament scripture is Matthew 17:1-27, God speaks to Peter, James and John in :5 …a voice out of a cloud said “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.” In this same section of reading after a failure we read :20, “Because of the littleness of your faith….”

 Life Example, page 112, “MOSES: God’s Pattern for Success” Exodus 1:22-2:25 “One of the greatest differences between the world’s message about success and God’s message is this: The world seeks a single formula to produce one set of results for all people, while God’s plan is far more creative, far more individualized, and far more personal….”

 God has an individual plan for each one of his creations. The first part of the plan for humans is to acknowledge that He is God! Acknowledge that He is creator and controller of the universe. Acknowledge the depravity of humans, this includes me and you! God offers me and you the free gift of redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ. Just as God’s plan for success is individual, I must, as an individual, accept this free gift of spiritual life, not spiritual death. After accepting spiritual life, I can call God, “Abba” father.

Now on to the rest of the plan for success as explained in the example above:

Examples of attempting to make life work my way

God’s mercy and grace of repeating the same message again and again

Focus, focus, focus on Jesus Christ

When I feel like I have failed, it is because of my lack of or littleness of faith. Am I wanting God’s will “Thy will be done” or my will? Am I willing to wait for God’s time? Where is my focus? Am I looking straight ahead? God has an individual plan for my success, your success!!!

Blessings for the New Year 2021

 

“…Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Return to Me,’ declares the LORD of hosts, ‘That I may return to you,’ says the LORD of hosts.”  Zechariah 1:3 NASB

 If we want peace with God, we must draw near to God, be obedient to His Word, and repent of our sin. The New Testament agrees: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). God judged Israel, not to vent His anger, but to bring the hearts of His people back to Him. Brokenness is God’s requirement for maximum usefulness.     Stanley, Charles F. Life Principles Daily Bible. page 1611.

    6Continue the daily reading on page 1614, Never Give Up, Psalm 147:12-18. Winston Churchill, the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister during World War II, included a now-famous quote in a speech to students of his former school. ‘Never give in ̶ never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty… Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.’

   As Christians, we are called to wait on God until He acts on our behalf. In order to resist the urge to give up, we must no focus on our circumstances; rather we must focus on the power of the very One who protects us.

   Speaking about Moses, Hebrews 11:27 says, ‘He endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.’ Moses consistently looked for God and His will. Standing on the shore of the Red Sea while the Egyptians prepared to attack, Moses clung to God’s promise of protection and called out, ‘Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord’ Ex. 14:13). God parted the sea and the Israelites escaped what seemed to be an impossible situation. Moses triumphed over many dangerous and difficult situations because he was committed to doing God’s work and was focused on the Lord.

   Psalm 147:12-15 tells us, ‘Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem. . . He has strengthened the bars of your gates: He has blessed your sons within you. He makes peace in your borders; He satisfies you with the best of the wheat. His sends forth His command to the earth; His word runs very swiftly,..’ God strengthens us, protects us, and provides whatever we need to serve Him ̶ no matter how dire the situation may appear or how vulnerable we feel.

   Too often, believers are distracted by their circumstances. When the Lord’s will calls us to step out in faith, we sometimes falter. But a genuine commitment to God with no exceptions means nothing can induce us to give up.

   Our unchanging Lord never deserts His children; He encourages us to cast our cares on Him (Heb. 13:5, 8; 1 Pet. 5:7) and to remember that although we may not see Him, He is continually working out His will (2 Cor. 4:16-18)

   Even now He is answering you, Even now He is sending out His command, and His word is running very swiftly on your behalf. Therefore, remember His power and faithfulness whenever you are tempted to quit. Put your faith in Him, cling to His promises, and commit to Hs way. Never give up! 

    Zachariah 13:1, Life Lesson (page 1629), God often uses a fountain to picture Himself as our source of salvation. As a fountain, He overflows with mercy and grace. As a fountain, He refreshes. And as a fountain, His love must be individually taken in. Water brings life, and living water brings eternal life. God calls Himself our spring of living water (Jer. 2:13); the Spirit is a stream of living water in us (John 7:38, 39), and His living water is ours forever (Rev. 7:17)