The Armor of God

The Armor of God
Ephesians 6:10-20
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
We have a BIG Mighty God!
11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
The protection and weapons God provides, so you can be “More than conquers”
12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
We need every one of the tools God has for us.
14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,
Truth—Knowing the true Gospel of Christ.
with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
Righteousness—That means cleansed from sin.
15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
Peace--At peace with God.
16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,
Faith—Having confidence and ruthless trust in our mighty God
with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17Take the helmet of salvation
Salvation—God’s provision for our forgiveness, restoration, holiness, and heaven.
and the sword of the Spirit,
Spirit—The indwelling Holy Spirit our guide and counselor.
which is the word of God.
Word—The source of wisdom and truth.

Now, with all this preparation what is our duty?
18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Prayer—Our communication with The Almighty.
19Pray also for me,(Interceed) that whenever I open my mouth,
Intercession--For help for The Church and its leaders.
words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains..
Speak—Bold and fearless.

Should we leave all the speaking to the present leaders?
Why can’t we do something for God’s kingdom too? We have the tools!

35 Reasons Not To Sin
by Jim Elliff

1. Because a little sin leads to more sin.
2. Because my sin invites the discipline of God.
3. Because the time spent in sin is forever wasted.
4. Because my sin never pleases but always grieves God who loves me.
5. Because my sin places a greater burden on my spiritual leaders.
6. Because in time my sin always brings heaviness to my heart.
7. Because I am doing what I do not have to do.
8. Because my sin always makes me less than what I could be.
9. Because others, including my family, suffer consequences due to my sin.
10. Because my sin saddens the godly.
11. Because my sin makes the enemies of God rejoice.
12. Because sin deceives me into believing I have gained when in reality I have lost.
13. Because sin may keep me from qualifying for spiritual leadership.
14. Because the supposed benefits of my sin will never outweigh the consequences of disobedience.
15. Because repenting of my sin is such a painful process, yet I must repent.
16. Because sin is a very brief pleasure for an eternal loss.
17. Because my sin may influence others to sin.
18. Because my sin may keep others from knowing Christ.
19. Because sin makes light of the cross, upon which Christ died for the very purpose of taking away my sin.
20. Because it is impossible to sin and follow the Spirit at the same time.
21. Because God chooses not to respect the prayers of those who cherish their sin.
22. Because sin steals my reputation and robs me of my testimony.
23. Because others once more earnest than I have been destroyed by just such sins.
24. Because the inhabitants of heaven and hell would all testify to the foolishness of this sin.
25. Because sin and guilt may harm both mind and body.
26. Because sins mixed with service make the things of God tasteless.
27. Because suffering for sin has no joy or reward, though suffering for righteousness has both.
28. Because my sin is adultery with the world.
29. Because, though forgiven, I will review this very sin at the Judgment Seat where loss and gain of eternal rewards are applied.
30. Because I can never really know ahead of time just how severe the discipline for my sin might be.
31. Because my sin may be an indication of a lost condition.
32. Because to sin is not to love Christ.
33. Because my unwillingness to reject this sin now grants it an authority over me greater than I wish to believe.
34. Because sin glorifies God only in His judgment of it and His turning of it to good use, never because it is worth anything on it's own.
35. Because I promised God he would be Lord of my life.

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 despair 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 tempter got her attention and told her lies she made a terrible mistake and chose to believe Satan rather than God. Adam was just as gullible.They had been clearly told that sin or disobedience 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 physical 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 deceit. 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

IS It A RISK TO HAVE FAITH IN GOD?

How firm a foundation!

On Christ the solid rock I stand!

Either I believe Jesus is the way the truth and the life, or I don’t!

Either I trust (have faith in) Jesus, God’s Son, or I don’t!

Either I choose Him and His way or I don’t!

Either I am on the way to Heaven, or I’m not!

Either I live what I say I believe or, I don’t believe!

Either I walk in the Spirit, or I don’t!

Either He lives in me, or He doesn’t!

How is it with you?

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

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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Living. Christ saved us from death and gave us eternal life to use for his glory.
6. 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!
7. Holy. Who wouldn’t want to be holy if they thought it possible?
8. Acceptable to God. This is something we cannot do without!

It is so reasonable!

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.]

The Message

1 Corinthians 13 (The Message)

The Message (MSG)

Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

1 Corinthians 13

The Way of Love

1 If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. 2If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. 3-7If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

8-10Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.

11When I was an infant at my mother's breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good.

12We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!

13But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.

The EveryDay: Day Two

The EveryDay: Day Two

Bibical Hope

Biblical Hope, Faith, Love, Obedience, Holiness

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1. What is hope?
1. Knowledge of God and His promises?
2. Grasping the evidence that God in Jesus is who He says He is?
3. Knowing He will keep His promises. Then hope becomes FAITH
2. What is faith?
1. Do I have evidence that God is true and faithful?
2. Is there any one else that truly is?

C. Finding that is He true and faithful to me. Then faith becomes LOVE. What is love? God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the Day of Judgment, because in this world we are like him. We love because he first loved us. A genuine unconditional compassion, like Jesus cares. And that I love Him because He first loved me. And I owe my life to Him. Then love becomes OBEDIENCE.

4. What is Obedience?
1. Doing the best I can in my own way? Or allowing Him to continually work all his will through me, by the indwelling Holy Spirit, and doing my part in humility and love. Then obedience becomes HOLINESS. Jesus said:” As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Remain 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.
2. Paul said: I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. The Spirit, however, controls you, not by the sinful nature but, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if the Spirit leads you, you are not under law. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. That is Holiness

By Howdim

Alone With Jesus

Time with Him

I come to my prayer time alone.
Hallelujah!
Your Presence is here,
As you speak so clear.
Your love is so tender,
Please linger near.
I confess my sin,
And He enters in.
My heart's aflame,
And I call your name.
"Use me", Lord, I cry.
"Don't pass me by!"
"I am yours both now and forever."
Hallelujah! You are with me.
Hallelujah! I'm with You.
Hallelujah! What a blessing!
Hallelujah! I am Yours.

The Greatest Job In The World

The Greatest job in the world is to be GOD'S man!

God's men have been Prophets, Disciples,Missionaries, Apostles and just ordinary men like you!

To Be God's man all you need to do is: Have Faith.

If you believe, God says: Be still and KNOW that I am God! My grace is sufficient, My power is almighty, My will is that all men be saved. The sacrifice has been made, The price has been paid. I share all my nature with you. I sent My Son, Jesus and My Holy Spirit. You are born again. You are cleansed. You are empowered. You are compassionate. You have eternal life. You are immortal!. And most of all I love you.
You are God's man.

To do God's work:

Give Him your body, mind, heart, love, and obedience. Just do what he says in His word, and tells you by his Spirit!
It is His work, not yours!

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 despair.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 privilege 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 tempter got her attention and told her lies she made a terrible mistake and chose to believe Satan rather than God. Adam was just as gullible.They had been clearly told that sin or disobedience 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 physical 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 deceit. 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

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 despair 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 tempter got her attention and told her lies she made a terrible mistake and chose to believe Satan rather than God. Adam was just as gullible.They had been clearly told that sin or disobedience 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 physical 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 deceit. 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

He was There

Where was Christ? He Was There!

He was there when I was conceived in my mother’s womb, just as surely as my earthly father was there at the act of intimacy that resulted in my conception. He gave the gift of life to grow the fetus and a child was born. It was I.

He was there when I believed and I was born again. His Spirit witnessed with my spirit that He loved me and that I was His child. By His grace my sins were forgiven. By His sacrifice I was redeemed and set free from the power and slavery of sin. By His love I became a citizen of heaven.

He was there when I surrendered all to Him and was filled with His Spirit. He poured His love into my heart. My sinful nature was subdued. Christ became my abiding place. He came to abide in me. I began to decrease. He began to increase.

He was there when I exchanged my life for His Life to strive to know Him, to serve Him, to be like Him until that day when I will forever view His face in glory!

He will always be there!

This is a prayer request for

a man in need of prayer.

Please, take a moment and pray for this man. He is in a situation that few people find themselves. He is criticized at every turn, and few people have thanked him for the good things he has done.

Few people know the extent of his situation. We need to pray that God gives him the guidance he needs to do his job effectively. I have attached a photo of this man. Look at it. Most of you will recognize him. Please pray for him.

Feel free to pass this on to anyone else who will pray for this man. He hasn't asked me to send this request, but I am sure that he will appreciate all your prayers. If you were facing what he is facing, you'd want people praying for you!

Thanks!

No matter what party you support, this man is our President right now and needs our help in prayers.

This country belongs to all of us.

IN GOD WE TRUST

My Testimony

My Testimony

I was bought with a price,
The precious blood of Jesus.
Therefore I must praise God in my body,
And my spirit which are His.
I do not claim any part of me to do my own will,
But allow God to have his will,
In all of my life!
I will not let Satan or sin posess,
Barrow, or pollute my body, mind or heart.
For I am God's.
Jesus is mine.
His Holy Spirit must be in control
Of every thought, act and relationship.
God is love.
I know God; I know He loves me.
Therefore, agape love must be my character.
Christ accepted me; I accepted Him.
There must be no division or separation.
This is a Covenant with Him,
For He gave his life and his Spirit to me.
And I give my life to Him
Amen.

Howdim

I Love You

I really Love You

I used to say to people,” Jesus loves you and so do I”, I have changed that to, “I really love you but not nearly as much as Jesus does”. He knows how to love far better than I. He is never less loving because he is tired or is upset or is selfish; or because you are not perfect, beautiful or friendly. He knows all about you, and loves you unconditionally anyway.

I am sure He is disappointed when you reject his love by not putting him at the very top of your priorities, but his offer of love never changes. Everything that he has ever allowed, or ever will allow, to come into your life is designed to bring you into a personal relationship with him. I know that is true, for who else would go to the cross and sacrifice their life so that our sins could be forgiven?

I also want you to know that there is nothing more satisfying uplifting and joyful than knowing deeply that you belong to Jesus; That you are His own; That your service to him is the best that you can give and that He is your own special friend and master.

Could I express my love for you any better than to ask you to make Jesus your best friend? He is longing to hear from you.

Love, Howard

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”.

The Concert

The Concert When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit.""Keep playing." Then, leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn't recall what else the great master played. Only the classic, " Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." Perhaps that's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music. However, with the hand of the Master, our life's work can truly be beautiful. The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You may hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, "Don't quit." "Keep playing." May you feel His arms around you and know that His hands are there, helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces. Remember, God doesn't seem to call the equipped, rather, He equips the 'called.' Life is more accurately measured by the lives you touch than by the things you acquire. So touch someone by passing this little message along. May God bless you and be with you always! and remember , "Don't quit." "Keep playing."

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