Month: June 2020

There is nothing that God can not, and will not forgive, with the exception of blaspheming the Holy Spirit, which we can not have done yet  (more on that later).

Think about just how awesome that is!  There is nothing we have done that God can not and will not forgive.  We can start our life over today.  We can start our life over every day!

If we want to read about God’s Willingness to forgive, read Hosea 1-2 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hosea+1-2&version=ESV

If you read it literally or figuratively, it matters not.  What is clear is that God forgives because He loves us 🙂

Charles Spurgeon once said, “The holier a man becomes, the more he mourns his unholiness”.  I think that means that when we first become Christians, we mourn and change the “large” sins in our life.  But as we walk though our journey with Christ, even the smallest of sins trouble us greatly. 

However, we need not fear!  Our Father in Heaven is infinitely merciful to all those who fear Him.  And I must admit that I am always surprised by just how our Father knows exactly where I am-and meets me there.

He’s not just infinitely forgiving, He is also so very loving ?

 See Psalm 103: 11-17 (ESV):

Psalm 103:11-17 English Standard Version (ESV)

¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
¹² as far as the east is from the west,
    so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
¹³ As a father shows compassion to his children,
    so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
¹⁴ For he knows our frame;^[a]
    he remembers that we are dust.

¹⁵ As for man, his days are like grass;
    he flourishes like a flower of the field;
¹⁶ for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
    and its place knows it no more.
¹⁷ But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
    and his righteousness to children’s children”

One has only to turn on the news to see the devastation and destruction occuring in our country because of the recent protests. Seeing it all, regardless as to which side one is on, it’s hard not to become angry.

But as much as some in the media may attempt to divide us, there is only ONE Bible. There is only ONE Word of God for us to follow. And Christ gave us a command, Love God with our whole heart and soul, and love each other.

Notice, our Lord did not say love those with whom you agree, lol. He said love everyone!

As Christians, it’s important that we remember that God made all of us. Each of us. The color of our skin may be white, may be black, may be yellow…But it doesn’t matter.

What matters is that God loves us all and we need to let that love unite us!

Many cities and states accross the country are removing statues because they offend many Americans. One of the problems with that is that in some states, it’s against the law. Citing safety issues, elected officials are removing them anyway.

But the problem is that if the law is selectively enforced, why should any one comply with it? Selective enforcement of the law leads more people to break the law. If there are Americans who do not like the current laws, then they need to change them-not break them!

Unfortunately, a similar type of issue is facing many Christians today. Do we give in to the peer and media pressure surrounding us and turn our backs on our faith in Jesus Christ and all that it calls us to do, or do we stand firm?

Peace at any price is not peace. And our “Help comes from the Lord”, not our politicians. So we need to hold on to our faith and stand firm. Do not let the state of the world scare you!

This world is NOT our home, Heaven IS.

“God’s people will have the Light of the Lord Jesus shining upon them in the midst of great darkness.  Sometimes the only light there is, is the Light of Jesus that the Christian shines forth”

In Isaiah 60, it speaks of a time when “darkness shall cover the earth”.  And it goes on to say that Jesus will “come and shine a great light”.  There will be times in the coming days, where Christians feel under attack.  Indeed this has already happened for many.  But we need not fear.

If “war is at the door, Jesus won”.

But in Isaiah, we also learn that the light of Jesus is IN us, and we need to share that light with others.  So in a time where many will not even listen to the Word of God, how can we reach out to them?  With acts of kindness.  Smile at someone, give someone who needs it a mask or cleaning supplies, say a few words of encouragement to others, brings groceries to someone in need…

Because our acts of kindness may be all they ever see of our Lord Jesus Christ.  ?

You can read more of the Bible Study on Isaiah 60 here: “God’s people will have the Light of the Lord Jesus shining upon them in the midst of the great darkness. Sometimes the only light there is, is the Light of Jesus that the Christian shines forth”

“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”-Matthew 3:11 NIV version

How do human beings go to Heaven?  They go through the forgiveness of God through His Son Jesus Christ.  In other words, they go to Heaven if they accept Jesus’ great gift of Salvation before they die.  For like any gift, to enjoy all of its benefits, we have to accept it ?

Often, I hear people wondering if they have to be baptized in water in order to go to Heaven, but the truth is the minute we accept Jesus as our Savior, we are born again in the Holy Spirit.  It is that which saves us and brings us to Heaven.

So how important is it to be publicly baptized with water?  It’s really important, but not necessary for Salvation. So if you know someone who is sick, or someone who can not get to a church, do not fear.Each person is saved the moment they accept Jesus as their Savior. 

For those who wonder, being baptized publicly in water is important too.  In the tradition of John the Baptist, It’s one way of letting others know that we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and that we have been born again in the Holy Spirit.  And whether one is immersed in water or sprinkled with water does not matter.  It is the dying to ourselves and being born again in the Holy Spirit that counts.

What does matter is our commitment to actively follow Jesus for the rest of our lives.  That matters-a lot. 🙂

In the Old Testament, we see time and again that God sometimes allowed nations that behaved badly to suffer.  Immoral behavior, sexual misconduct, and crimes against the innocent were just a few of the sins God judged these nations guilty of.  And some nations not only accepted these behaviors, they promoted them. And sometimes these nations were punished for their misdeeds.

Should we not be asking, where is American in all of this? 

Happy Father’s Day God!

So often we think of our own fathers or our husbands.  They work so hard and give so much!  And they love us so much! Without them, our lives would not be the same and we are all really grateful that they love us so!  It is good that there is a day set aside to honor them all and it gives us all the opportunity to show our appreciation for all that they do!

But there’s another Father that we also think of on this special day.  God.  We think of how much He loves us.   How much He has done for us.  And how much He has sacrificed.  When Jesus died on the Cross for us, He suffered too – so that we might go to Heaven and be a part of His Family Forever.

I can’t even imagine watching my son or daughter suffer as Jesus did.  I don’t think I could.  And as much as I love them, God loves them even more.  Can you imagine how much He must have loved His perfect, wonderful, amazing Son Jesus Christ?  And yet He watched Him suffer horrifically because He loved us, His children, too.  How Blessed we truly are and what an awesome Father we have in our Lord!

So Happy Father’s Day God, and thank you.  Truly, there is not a day that does by that we are not grateful for your Grace, Goodness and Love!  ?

I saw this at Wrightsville Beach shortly before the Pandemic started. And as if that was not enough, the riots soon followed… And although it’s not been reported nearly as much, China has been busy taking advantage of it all. Whether they intended harm, or whether they are just taking advantage of our country’s distraction, only God knows.

But that’s kind of the point :). Jesus knows all that has happened and all that will happen. And He knows something that we need to hold onto during these difficult days-

Jesus already won. Which means we did too 🙂