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“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” – John 3:16

Our Father created the world in which we live.  His Power is without question.  It always will be, even if there are many who seek to forget it (What a surprise they are in for!).  And whether it is the Old Testament or the New Testament, the Creation of the World or the Ending of it, the events of Moses’ life or the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the existence of God’s Power is clear.

But perhaps one of the most Powerful Gifts that God uses is the Sword of Truth.  For it is the Truth of Jesus Christ that creates an eternal future for us in Heaven and creates a Bridge to our Father today.  It is the Truth of God’s Mercy and Judgement that decides our forever future.  It is God’s Truth, written in the Holy Bible, that is our Roadmap for our life.  It tells us how to live and who to love.  It tells us what God considers to be sin.  And it tells us how to be forgiven ?

It shares with us that we can, with God’s Help, lead a righteous life or a sinful one.  It’s our choice, given to us by God Himself, but we also need to remember that choices have consequences.

It’s important to note that there is not a person alive that can lead 100% of their life without ever falling committing a  sin at some point.  We all sin and we all need forgiven.  And we are forgiven-through accepting the Gift of Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

God would not have allowed Jesus to suffer so if there was another way, because God so loved His Son.  It’s hard to even imagine how much our Father must have suffered watching His Son suffer so!

But that is also how much He loved us!  And Jesus loved us too, so much.  And our Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit love us that much now! ?

“On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”- Mark 2:17

Often, we struggle with our own guilty feelings; we let them separate us from our Father. And we let our sin, which so offends God, create a distance between us and God. Jesus is the bridge!

He came to heal us, and to bring us home. He created a way for us to reach our Father again and ensured that the Holy Spirit would Help and Comfort us while we live here on earth!

Thanks to Jesus, no matter how difficult the present is-the future is bright!

Sometimes we struggle with thinking God is unfair. It seems, especially right now, as if the “bad” guys are winning! But God is always Fair. We see only this moment, but God sees all the moments-the past, the present and the future. And He judges accordingly.

“Yet your people say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ But it is their way that is not just. If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and does evil, they will die for it. And if a wicked person turns away from their wickedness and does what is just and right, they will live by doing so.”-Ezekiel 17-19

God is always Fair!

The road ahead will be filled with difficult times. We will look back and say these were the easier days. Thought the coming days will be difficult for believers and non-believers alike, but God will answer prayers. And in the end-those who Follow Jesus will be Saved 🙂

Because God is always Fair 🙂

“Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save,  nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.”-Isaiah 59:1

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” – Romans 4:7-8

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” – Ephesians 1:7

“Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 2:38

Above are some Bible verses about God’s forgiveness.  There is also much written in the Bible about our need to forgive others if we want God to forgive us.  But some still ask, how do I seek God’s Forgiveness ?.  We ask (pray) in Jesus’ Name.  It really is that easy and that simple!

Father, Please forgive me my sins.  (it’s helpful for us to list them out).  Please forgive me for the sins I have committed, as well as any sins of omission (like when we fail to help someone).  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.  Thank You.

Why list our sins when God already surely knows them?  Because it helps us!  One of the reasons we often feel far from God is our own feelings of guilt over our sins.  Listing them simply reminds are that we are indeed forgiven ?

Why ask God to forgive us both for our sins of commission and omission? Because sometimes our sins of “omission” are even graver than our sins of “commission”. Why? Sometimes, despite our best efforts we fall to temptation and “commit” a sin. But sometimes the actions we “omit”, like failing to help someone or reach out to someone, are graver!

We are not here on this earth to please ourselves, but to love God and love each other. Helping others and reaching out to those who need us, needs to be second nature to us 🙂

Why say “Thank You”. Because God’s Forgiveness is the Greatest Gift we will ever receive.

Jesus suffered greatly, gave His life and rose so that we could be forgiven.  He created the bridge between us and God. 

Jesus created a way for us to be forgiven; He was God’s Greatest Gift ?

“But that you may know that the Son of Man (Jesus) has the power on earth to forgive sins”-Mark 2: 10

Sin is so harmful for two reasons: First, it offends God! Second, it can make us feel so guilty that we draw away from God. Fortunately for us, Jesus has the power to forgive sins! But we want to avoid them as much as possible 🙂

The Bible defines and lists sins. So if we need more knowledge as to what constitutes sin-we can simply read it and ask the Holy Spirit to help us, for self control is one of the Holy Spirit’s Gifts 🙂

The Holy Spirit was sent by God to help us: “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.”– John 16:7

So when we feel overwhelmed, we simply need to ask the Holy Spirit for help. And He will be happy to give it :).

On a drive from Tennessee to North Carolina, I saw 12 Crosses, each reminding me to pray and that Jesus was with me :). Some were trees that were fallen. Some marked a place where someone died. Some had clearly been built by someone who loved Jesus and one was a utility poll, lol.

The above picture is simply God’s light coming through a window.

But they all were reminders that Jesus was with me. Calling me to Follow Him Home. He is calling you too 🙂

But we do have to choose to see Him 🙂

This photo is just a simple floor rug. We probably see it every day. But there is a Cross on it. The question is do we notice it? Are we reminded to pray by it?

Jesus is here, but where is our focus:)

Jesus has all the answers and He is the only way to Heaven:)

How often do we see a Rainbow or a Cross in sunlight. Or perhaps it is something extraordinarily beautiful in nature. Or perhaps Sun dancing on the water in an amazing way 🙂

God is always with us, comforting us, holding our hand…But we do have to choose to see Him :). Whether it is our Father, Jesus or the Holy Spirit, God is always with us 🙂

And He gives us such good gifts! Sometimes it’ a hug from someone we haven’t seen for a while. Sometimes it’s family and sometimes it’s friends. Sometimes it’s our puppy nudging us. And sometimes it’s a beautiful nature scene.

But no matter how difficult our lives may become, God is always there, giving us hope and strength, courage and comfort…

We just have to see it and realize God is with us 🙂

Thank you God 🙂

Our Father knows how to give good gifts!

Follow Jesus 🙂