FollowingJesusUS.com

Following Jesus to Heaven

To All My Friends

The way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ. We tend to think that the only way to Heaven is through following the behavior that is in the Bible. But Jesus came for those who are sinners most of all. He loves us. It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try. Of course we should. But we should also accept that we may fail, and God Still Loves Us.

Going to Heaven is not about how good we are, but about how good Jesus is! So please, don’t give up. Jesus loves you. There is nothing you, or the world, can do to change that. No matter what we each have done, Jesus’ door is always open; for He will never stop loving us. He will never stop being there for us. Because He loves us. He was crucified for us. And He rose again for us. And He loves us-always. Don’t ever give us-because Jesus won’t…

Prayer

How does one pray? With your whole soul and heart. Prayer is simply a conversation with God. After all to be friends with God, one must spend time with Him :). Just like you do with your friends here on earth. It can be about your good days or your bad. It can be a Thank You or about your own concerns and worries. God loves you. When in doubt, simply ask Him to send the Holy Spirit to pray with you, or for you 🙂

And God will, because He loves you.

And always pray in Jesus’ name. It truly makes a very real difference 🙂

Church

I read a great quote, “the Crucifiction is of God, churches are made by men”. Now I truly love attending Church; it is very uplifting for me. But it is not for everyone. What’s important to know is that Salvation (going to Heaven), is not about Church, it’s about our relationship with Jesus Christ. Is it easier if you go to Church? If you live by the right one, absolutely, but if you don’t, read the Bible yourself, gather with some of your friends, pray. Because it is a relationship 🙂

Don’t Give Up!

A friend sent me this, it is so true. Don’t ever give up 🙂

“Once upon a time, a five-year-old boy decided one Saturday morning to fix his parents pancakes. He found a big bowl and spoon, pulled a chair to the counter, opened the cupboard and pulled out the heavy flour canister, spilling it on the floor! He scooped some of the flour into the bowl with his hands, mixed in most of cup of milk and added some sugar, leaving a floury trail on the floor – which by now had a few tracks left by his kitten. The young boy was covered with flour and getting frustrated. He wanted this to be something very good for Mom and Dad, but it was getting very bad. He didn’t know what to do next, whether to put it all into the oven or on the stove, and he didn’t know how the stove worked! Suddenly he saw his kitten licking from the bowl of mix and reached to push her away, knocking the egg carton to the floor. Frantically, he tried to clean up this monumental mess but slipped on the eggs, getting his pajamas white and sticky. Just then he saw Dad standing at the door. Big crocodile tears welled up in the boy’s eyes. All he’d wanted to do was something good, but he’d made a terrible mess. he was sure a scolding was coming, maybe even a spanking or time-out. But his father just watched him. Then, walking through the mess, he picked up his crying son, hugged him and loved him, getting his own pajamas white and sticky in the process.

That’s how your Heavenly Father deals with you. You try to do something good in life, but it turns into a mess. Your relationship with someone gets sticky, you insult a friend, you can’t stand your job or need one, or your health goes sour. Sometimes, you just stand there in tears because you can’t think of anything else to do. That’s when God picks you up and loves and forgives you, even though some of your mess gets all over Him. But just because you might mess up, you can’t stop trying for God or for others. Sooner or later, you’ll get it right, and then you’ll be glad you tried.

My thoughts and prayers that you NEVER give up on yourself or God! That you Truly Trust in Him for ALL you are, do and need – that His Infinite Mercy and Grace IS Present in you and you in Him. That you accept His Love and Peace, that only He can give! In Jesus’ Name. Thy Will be done. Amen”

How Jesus Loves Us :)

From The Time Of Noah

Found this picture on Facebook 🙂

In Times Such As These :)

A friend sent me this one 🙂

“Where Good seemed to be overshadowed by evil, there now appears to be God’s Light Shining through. What a difference He can make!! Of course, evil does NOT do well in His Light – exposed of corruption, disruption, and just plain old hate. The evil one has to do a LOT of kicking and screaming to get those, whom do not fear the Lord, to think that his side is the best to be on. The evil one’s concept is simple – the louder and more destructive towards others, must mean that you are winning. That you have a right to receive something for nothing. That just because you do not agree with someone – gives you permission to do anything that you feel is appropriate to achieve your agenda. That you have NO limit on how extreme the cause and effect of the results of your actions are. That you have NO restriction of world law’s or even God’s Laws for that matter. Know that your Heavenly Father only puts up with so much! He IS aware that the evil one attempts to gather up as many as he possibly can – to turn God’s Children away from their Maker. God IS also a Compassionate Parent, that creates roadblocks to turn those away from a path of eternal destruction. Sometimes He lets His Children experience the bad, to awaken them – for them to see that what they are doing IS wrong and NOT being obedient to Him. He NEVER gives up on His – even though they may constantly be making bad decisions. He really Loves ALL His Creation! He WILL receive them back with them repenting, being sorry for their sins and accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior – receiving His Holy Spirit to change them, to surrender to Him ALL that they are and will be! What He WILL NOT tolerate IS the rejection of His Holy Spirit!!

Truly, there IS NO “middle of the fence” when it comes to this spiritual battle here on earth. You may think that you are capable to be able to exist in a “gray” area – that you can be on both sides of good and evil and survive (i.e. maybe back and forth when you see fit). It simply IS NOT SO! Our Lord, Jesus Christ did not say, “If there are enough righteous souls – then I will suffer and die on the cross for them.” NO – His Sacrifice was for ALL the world – even those that spit on him, struck Him, tortured Him, nailed Him to His Cross – His Love IS Undeniable, Unlimited, AMAZING!! His Father knew He would do this – but THANK GOD – He IS RISEN and well and represents ALL whom come through Him to His Father. He Intercedes and Represents those whom have NO Hope on their own! IS that not worth EVERYTHING to you – do you not burn in your heart – to serve Him, to be His Example, to grow in Him and He in you, to share Him with others – UNASHAMED and without HESITATION!

My thoughts and prayers are, in times such as these, that you make a choice to represent our Lord well. Do NOT make a mistake – the evil one will come after you with everything he’s got (i.e. after the weakest parts of you). The Good News? He CAN NOT win over the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!! You have available the INCREDIBLE, ALL-MIGHTY, ALL-KNOWING God – by just asking for Him! It IS Time to stand up for Him and NOT fear the adversary. In Jesus’ Name. Thy Will be done. Amen. Peace.”

Just Breathe :)

A friend sent me this one 🙂

“Although your to-do lists and schedules bombard your attention, you do NOT have to allow anything to take priority over God. That IS your choice! Your Father really wants and needs an intimate relationship with you – growing in Him and He in you. He wants to reveal Himself to you, through His Holy Spirit, to show you a glimpse of His Awesome Power – His Change Stirring in you! When His Holy Spirit IS Stirring in you, your steps seem light and burden less – that IS His Promise to you! Does this mean you will have no more trials and tribulations? NO! But it DOES mean that you have Someone to give your burdens to, to receive His Light in the world’s darkness. God’s Word shares with you, “Then Jesus spoke to them again: “I AM the Light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the Light of life.” It DOES mean that God will never leave or forsake you in ALL your struggles! He IS also there in ALL your Joy and Peace! He wants you to Truly Trust Him in ALL things – to surrender your life to Him – to release His Blessings Full to cover you! It IS SO easy to attempt to retain control over portions of your life, that you think you are better qualified to handle! Does that sound familiar? It IS your human nature battling in this spiritual warfare, while on earth. The Truth IS, there IS no One better qualified to help you than Your Creator, the One whom made you in His Image! The One who knows exactly the path that will lead you to Him Eternally – know it IS worth listening to His Voice – and much less grief for sure!

So often, you may think about what God’s Will and Purpose IS for you. With SO many demands to manage, you desire HUGE signs from your Heavenly Father to give you direction. When all along, God would like you to Truly Watch what He places right in front of you. Sharing with His Children IS one of His Gifts – there are many ways, perhaps even breaking bread together in a personal meal. You do NOT have to have candles, or tablecloths, or even a properly set table. In this sharing, God provides His Comfort to hearts that are reaching out. His Compassion for His Children IS like no other! He crosses paths, weaving His Threads of Healing, Mercy and Grace, Strength and Courage, Love, Joy and Peace! Just a simple heart-felt smile, when passing by someone, creates a stirring in their hearts! God grants you SO many opportunities to make a GREAT positive difference in someone else’s life! It IS SO easy to become bogged down with your own life’s troubles that you forget that everyone else IS experiencing the same – even though they may appear calm on the outside. Do NOT miss out on these! Do NOT rush through life. Make time to stop and Just Breathe it ALL in. Share your breath with others!

My thoughts and prayers are with you that you Just Breathe your Father, Son and Holy Spirit ALL in! That you make time to share His Presence with others! That you experience His Joy and Peace, that Truly, IS like no other. In Jesus’ Name. Thy Will be done. Amen:

My Friends, hold the fort, Jesus is coming!

From Worthy Devotionals:

“Luke 19:12-13 Therefore He said, “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. So he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

During the American Civil War in the 1860’s, a fierce battle took place at Altoona Pass. It was a key supply point for the Union Army, so the Confederate Army led by General Hood sought to take Altoona Pass which held over a million and a half rations. When Union General Sherman realized Hood’s plans, he dispatched General Corse along with 1,500 men to hold the city.

As the battle ensued, General Corse and his forces were forced into a small fort on a crest of a hill. The Northern army was being overwhelmed, with nearly half the men either killed or wounded in the battle. Things were looking extremely bleak, when in the distance from a mountain top twenty miles away a while flag was being waved, and those in the fort knew the message being sent, “Hold the fort; I am coming. W.T. Sherman.”

This sign gave the beleaguered army renewed strength to continue fighting the battle for another three hours until reinforcements finally arrived.

From this battle, a famous Christian song was written and its chorus is so eloquent for us today, “Hold the fort, for I am coming, Jesus signals still; Wave the answer back to heaven, By thy grace we will!”

My Friends, in the midst of spiritual battles we can often feel besieged on every side — but HOLD THE FORT! Get some rest this weekend and renew your strength in the Lord for the victory is already won — we just need to continue fighting because He is coming!”

Your family in the Lord with much agape love,

George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Negev Desert, Israel

My Friends, Disarm Discouragement!”

“Proverbs 15:23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!

A modern parable has been written about the tools of the enemy that I believe we can really learn from.

“Some time ago, an advertisement appeared in which the devil was putting all his tools up for sale. On the day of public inspection, each one of his tools was marked with its selling price: Hatred, Envy, Jealousy, Doubt, Lying, Pride, and so on, were each on the block. Set apart, however, from all the rest of the pile, was a harmless-looking tool, well-worn, but priced very high — it was discouragement!”

Someone asked the devil, ‘why is that one priced so high?’ He replied, ‘Ah, that one is more useful to me than all the rest. With it I can pry open a man’s heart and enter, when I cannot get near him with any other tools. Once inside, I can lead him any way I choose. The tool is very worn because I use it on almost everyone, since few people know it belongs to me.'”

The enemy loves to sow discouragement — but believers have a tool much more powerful — encouragement! We can speak a word into the lives of those who desperately need to hear it: to the college student adjusting to his new environment; to the missionary who may feel alone in the harvest field; to the disillusioned newlywed young couple; to the forgotten servants of God who labor in an obscure and difficult ministry; to the orphans and the widows; to all those who need to hear a word in due season!

My Friends, we have the power in our lips to rekindle a discouraged soul. Let’s inspire one another with words of encouragement! It costs nothing, and reaps an eternal reward…encourage one another daily, as you see the Day draw near. [Hebrews 10:25]”

Your family in the Lord with much agape love,

George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah