“Should I have despaired, sunk into depression, or become hysterical over our plight?  That would have made matters worse.  People need hope to survive.”

– a passage from Left to Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza

Ms Ilibagiza is a survivor of the war and genocide in Rwanda.  She is the author of  Left to Tell : discovering God amidst the Rwandan holocaust, which she wrote with the help of Steve Erwin and was published in 2006.

The book chronicles her astonishing life story. A story of survival during the civil unrest in Rwanda during the late 1990′s.

Immaculee Ilibagiza grew up in a country she loved, surrounded by a family she cherished. In 1994, she was a student at the National University of Rwanda, visiting her Tutsi family, when the slaughter began. . But in 1994 her idyllic world was ripped apart as Rwanda descended into a bloody genocide. Immaculee’s family was brutally murdered during a killing spree that lasted three months and claimed the lives of nearly a million Rwandans. Incredibly, Immaculee survived the slaughter. For 91 days, she and seven other women huddled silently together in the cramped bathroom of a local pastor while hundreds of machete-wielding killers hunted for them. It was during those endless hours of unspeakable terror that Immaculee discovered the power of prayer, eventually shedding her fear of death and forging a profound and lasting relationship with God. She emerged from her bathroom hideout having discovered the meaning of truly unconditional love–a love so strong she was able seek out and forgive her family’s killers.

The triumphant story of this remarkable young woman’s journey through the darkness of genocide will inspire anyone whose life has been touched by fear, suffering, and loss. This is Immaculee’s first book. Her second book, Led by faith : rising from the ashes of the Rwandan genocide, also written with the help of Steve Erwin, was published in 2008. In Led By Faith, Immaculee takes us with her as her remarkable journey continues. Through her simple and eloquent voice, we experience her hardships and heartache as she struggles to survive and to find meaning and purpose in the aftermath of the holocaust.  It is the story of a naive and vulnerable young woman, orphaned and alone, navigating through a bleak and dangerously hostile world with only an abiding faith in God to guide and protect her.  Immaculee fends off sinister new predators, seeks out and comforts scores of children orphaned by the genocide, and searches for love and companionship in a land where hatred still flourishes. Then, fearing again for her safety as Rwanda’s war-crime trials begin, Immaculee flees to America to begin a new chapter of her life as a refugee and immigrant-a stranger in a strange land.  With the same courage and faith in God that led her through the darkness of genocide, Immaculeacutee discovers a new life that was beyond her wildest dreams as a small girl in a tiny village in one of Africa’s poorest countries. It is in the United States, her adopted country, where Immaculeacutee can finally look back at all that has happened to her and truly understand why God spared her life . . . so that she would be left to tell her story to the world.

Ms. Ilibagiza writes personally and vividly about how her deep religious faith sustained her in the years following the massacre. Although most of her family were murdered, and threats to her life would eventually force her to flee for the U.S. (with husband and while pregnant),  Ilibagiza’s belief in reconciliation never falters: “we will never heal as individuals, or as a nation, until we can forgive each other and start forgiving ourselves.”  Whether or not readers share her faith, this hard-to-put-down memoir is an inspiring tale of courage and humanity under the most calamitous of circumstances.

Immaculee immigrated to the United States in 1998. She secured a position and began working at the United Nations in New York City.  She is currently a full-time public speaker and writer. In 2007 she was awarded The Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Reconciliation and Peace.  Also in that same year,  she established the Left to Tell Charitable Fund to help support Rwandan orphans and others who suffered from the long-term effects of genocide and war.   She has received numerous humanitarian awards including the Christopher Award, for “affirming the highest values of human spirit.”

Reach out to God…

Acts 17:26-27 … From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 

John 14:23 … Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

Matthew 11:29-30 … Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Thank God!!!

www.nuggetsofwisdom.us   … spread the Word

Get Nuggets of Wisdom – The Book - Pick up your copy today! 

The Bible makes it abundantly clear that there are believers and unbelievers, but apparently people are unable to make a clear distinction between the two, because there is little or no difference between the life style of the believer and that of the unbeliever.

The bible for example gives a clear command for believers who are married to another believer, and another charge to a believer who is married to an unbeliever.  To the married believers the bible states categorically, “To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife” (1Corinthians 7:10-11).

To a believer who is married to an unbeliever the bible gives a totally different charge which is, “To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord):  If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him, for the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.’

“But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. Wife, how do you know whether you will save your husband? Husband, how do you know whether you will save your wife” (1Corinthians 7:12-16)?

With the majority of people violating with impunity the command given to believers, and adopting the principle granted to unbelievers, it leaves one to wonder whether there is such a distinction between believers and unbelievers, or whether there is a false concept of what it is to believe.

The distinction between the believer and the unbeliever is so relevant and realistic that believers have been admonished saying; “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers…For what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?  What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we (the believer) are the temple of the living God, as God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you, I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” (2Corinthians 6:14-18).

The reality is most people who called themselves believers, are living more like unbelievers than they do as believers. Believe in Jesus Christ to most people is simply an ideology that has been professed and embraced by all in the Christian community, but what exactly it is to believe in Jesus Christ, what does it entails? How can the believer be differentiated from the unbeliever?

To believe in Jesus Christ is to believe that he is the way, the truth and the life, and that no one comes unto the Father except through him. Believing this is the most important criterion of our salvation as alluded to by the apostle Paul who wrote; “We ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.” Those who are perishing, perish because they refused to love the truth and be saved. (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14, 10).

But what is the truth about Jesus that we should believe? In praying to the Father on behalf of his disciples Jesus said; “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” The truth therefore is Jesus Christ the word of God, who became flesh and made his dwelling among men, and we beheld his glory, the glory as the only begotten Son of the Father, full of grace and truth (John.17:17; Jn. 14: 6; John.1:14).

Believing Jesus Christ who is the word of God that was made flesh and dwelt among men is to believe everything the scriptures say about him, and this is the way one can differentiate a believer from an unbeliever, and the details about Jesus can be subdivided into eight (8) intrinsic parts which are:-

1.       Believe that Jesus Christ is the Beloved Son of God

A believer is one who believes that Jesus Christ is the Beloved Son of God, who proceeded and came forth from the Father, and that the Father himself loves him/her because he/she has loved Jesus Christ and has believed that Jesus Christ came from God.

The believer believes that Jesus is the Beloved Son of God, the Word of God, who was in the beginning with God, and that all things were created by him and without him was not anything made that was made, and that Jesus Christ is the express image of the invisible God, and in him all things in heaven and earth were created, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominion or principalities or authorities; all things were created through him and for him, and that He is before all things and in him all things exists.

The believer believes that since Jesus Christ is the word of God, and no one has heard the voice of God nor seen his form, it is Jesus Christ the Beloved Son of God who gave Moses the Everlasting Covenant, the Ten Commandments, and it is he who said to Moses’ “These are my appointed feasts, the appointed feasts of the Lord, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies” (Leviticus 23:2)

He believes also that it is he who gave instructions to Aaron the High priest saying; “This is what you are to offer on the altar regularly each day: two lambs a year old. Offer one in the morning and the other at twilight. With the first lamb offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a quarter of a hin of oil from pressed olives, and a quarter of a hin of wine as a drink offering. Sacrifice the other lamb at twilight with the same grain offering and its drink offering as in the morning – a pleasing aroma, an offering to the Lord by fire.’

“For the generations to come this burnt offering is to be made regularly at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting before the Lord. There I will meet you and speak to you; there also I will meet with the Israelites, and the place will be consecrated by my glory. So I will consecrate the Tent of Meeting and the altar and will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests. Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. They will know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God” (Exodus 29:38-46).

The believer believes that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever, and since when he came into the world he said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” And since he fulfilled them by replacing the shadow and copy with the reality which is, replacing the earthly tabernacle with the true tabernacle in heaven, replacing the lamb by the sacrifice of himself, and leaving the bread and the wine to represent his flesh and blood, and replacing the temporary high priest, by himself the everlasting High priest, the offering of God’s food for his offering… the Lord’s supper is relevant to day as it was when the Lord instituted it.

A believer believes that it is Jesus Christ who asked Moses to say to the children of Israel, “You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so that you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy, observe the Sabbath because it is holy to you”  (Exodus 31:13-14).

He also believes that it is Jesus Christ who said to the prophet Ezekiel; “…I gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between us, so they would know that I the Lord made them holy.” And, “Keep my Sabbaths holy, that they may be a sign between us. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God” (Ezekiel 20:12, 20).

These Sabbaths are the Lord’s appointed feasts, which the believer is to proclaim as sacred assemblies for bringing offerings made to the Lord by fire” (Leviticus 23:37).

The instructions given to the believer is “See that you present to me at the appointed time the food for my offerings made by fire, as an aroma pleasing to me” (Numbers 28:2).

This fragrant offering in our dispensation, is the offering of the sacrificial body of the Son of God in the form of the bread and wine. “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2).

Hence when he came into the world he said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath day” (Mark 2:27-28).

Fix Your Eyes on Jesus …

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and
he will make your paths straight.  Proverbs 3:5-6

(Paul writes) But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal
to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a
view of things.  Philippians 3:13b-15a

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:2

Thank you God!!!

Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

“Nuggets of Wisdom” is available. Pick up a copy today!

www.nuggetsofwisdom.us

… spread the Word

Holy Light of the World …

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  John 8:12

But whoever lives by the truth (of God’s “Word”) comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”  John 3:21

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.  Ephesians 5:8-10

(Paul writes) I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.  1 Timothy 2:1-4

AMEN!!!

“Nuggets of Wisdom” will promote spiritual growth. Pick up a copy today!

www.nuggetsofwisdom.us

… spread the Word

We live in the Green era. Everything around us is about conserving the environment; from planting trees to manufacturing hybrid cars, the dream of a ‘Toyota Herbal with a jojoba  windscreen and camomile tyres’ has actually been realized. Well, technically at least. Scientists have succeeded in drawing our attention to the natural gifts mother earth has to offer, like rain and nutritious food substances. We have herbal shampoos, herbal toothpaste, herbal cooking ingredients to add to herbal food, herbal medicine, you name it! If it exists, it can be colored green!

The underlying principle to this green obsession is nature, the more natural it is the better it is, not just for mankind, but for the environment as well (which eventually translates to ‘good for mankind’). While natural food substances like fresh vegetables and fruits are good for the body, hybrid cars have less toxic emissions and are good for the environment. Nature preserves itself. You would think the creator of the universe (nature therein encompassed) would know this, wouldn’t you? Well, he does!

During his ministry on earth, Jesus Christ, the Son of the Most High God, used parables to teach his disciples. Many a time, his parables were not understood. He gave simple illustrations about everyday life; a king and his servants, a seed and a sower, a father and his son. Jesus compared the Kingdom of God to the most natural things in an effort to teach his disciples about a concept that was so foreign to them that they couldn’t fully fathom and grasp the essence of its fullness. He gave them the gospel, in its most natural form. Its greenest form.

You see, since the beginning, God fashioned the earth after the spiritual realm. He created the light and separated it from the darkness, he created the plants and animals then fashioned man after his own image and gave him dominion over all the creatures of the earth, he created a companion for the man and gave them the instruction to multiply, he created family. God gave man these physical events, so that when later on he needed to teach man about the spiritual things, man had a reference, an illustration, an example of what God was talking about.

Years later, when God calls Moses and tells him that he has been chosen to “deliver my people,” Moses understands how dear these people are to God because he considers them his relatives, his people, his family. Jesus says to his disciples, “I no longer call you servants, but I have called you friends” indicating that God desires not an official or business relationship with man but an intimate one. One based on love, loyalty, faithfulness and trust. The bible speaks of the church as the bride of Christ, depicting an unbreakable union between man and God. Did he not say to Adam and Eve that a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife and the two shall become one flesh? God desires to be so permanently ingrained in our being that there is no separating God from Levine, God from Peter, God from John, God from Mary.

Therefore, the question is not why use parables, types, and symbols, rather, how can we understand his imagery? The answer is this: through the instruction of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said of the Holy Ghost, “The helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26) The disciples needed Jesus to explain his parables to them because they were not yet filled with the Holy Ghost. The role of the Holy Spirit is to simplify the teachings of Christ and explain the mysteries of God to us in a language we can understand. I Corinthians 2:6-16 tells us that, just as only the spirit of a man can know what he thinks about, the Holy Spirit alone <who is the Spirit of God> knows what God is thinking.

So God speaks to us daily through the natural things we do. He preaches his gospel to us mothers when we offer our unconditional love to our babies, he preaches to the fathers when they pride in the beauty, innocence and tiniest achievements of their sons, he preaches to the kings in their dealings with and expectations of their servants, he preaches to friends when they hold one another at funerals and toast to each other at weddings, and he preaches to lovers, when in the privacy and sanctity of the matrimonial bed, they consummate their marriage.

As you go through your day today, and every day for that matter, listen to the Gospel Herbal that God is preaching to you through his precious Holy Spirit. As you take a bath in the morning, say a prayer of repentance and give your spirit a bath as well. When you stop to kiss your wife goodbye and tell her that you love her before leaving for the office, stop and tell God that you love him too. When you board the bus and pay your fare, ask yourself whether you have given anything to God. If your boss reprimands you for not meeting a deadline at work, remind yourself that God chastises those he loves. When you thank the waiter who serves you lunch, thank God for his provision over your life, when you get home cold and tired in the evening and your blanket warmly welcomes you into its folds, know that God is holding you in a warm and tight embrace, watching over you as you sleep.

By so doing, you cultivate an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit and get to be served greater chunks of the Gospel Herbal!

Key #10 to Happiness – Setting Goals

There are many reasons to set goals.  People who set clear goals not only experience more success in their lives, but they are usually also happier and less stressed.

We can all look at our past and analyze different stages of our lives and see that we’ve been happier when we have had something to look forward to…and that is what having dreams, setting goals and visualizing them is all about.  Goals are nothing more than dreams with a deadline.

But what about people who don’t have a clear passion or direction for their lives – no goals?  Should they just pick something arbitrarily?  If this describe you, don’t worry.  Keep reading!  There is a special section for you half way through this lesson.

Here are some of my favorite quotes on goal setting and success:

“The person who makes a success of living is the one who sees his goal steadily and aims for it unswervingly.” -  Cecil B. De Mille

“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.” – Oscar Wilde

“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.”  – Henry Ford

“Aim at heaven and you get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.” - C. S. Lewis

“Give yourself the freedom to explore the possibility of life without limits. Goals are dreams with deadlines, a means to an end but not the ultimate purpose of life.” – Glynis Nunn

Here is what the Bible says about fulfilling your purpose in life, goal setting and success:

“Where there is no vision, the people perish”.  Proverbs 29:18

“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”.  Phil 3:14

“A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.”  Proverbs 16:9

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”   Josh 1:8

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”  Matt 7:7-8

“But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.”  Psalms 1:2-3

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”  Proverbs 3:5-6

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills–From whence comes my help?  My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth”.  Psalms 121:1-2

Goals give us focus.  This is especially important when we’re depressed or down on ourselves.  At those times, we need to take our focus off the current situation and focus or re-focus on the overall goals and dreams… or maybe set some new goals.  Setting goals is a lifelong process that needs to be renewed and reviewed all the time…at least once every few months.

But what about people who don’t think they have any goals?

Rest assured, God has put purpose and goals in every one of His masterpieces (humans that is, and that means you too).  If you don’t think you have any goals, ask God to let the ones He’s put in your heart and spirit to bubble up to the forefront of your mind.  Some people have never allowed themselves to know what they want.  If this is you, just ask God to help you in this area.  It’s His greatest joy to watch you become everything He planned for you!

People who think they have no goals are usually comparing themselves to others who are exceptionally ambitious and verbal about strong personal achievement goals.  You know who I’m talking about – they are the ones who talk about being the president of a Fortune 500 company by the time they’re 40, a huge music or movie star, or the biggest contractor in the city by age 35!  Of course some of these people will achieve these goals, and that’s great.  Don’t forget however, the most important goal of all should be to hear those cherished words, “Well done good and faithful servant, you were faithful over a few things, now I will make you ruler over many” by Jesus Himself when He welcomes you into the Kingdom for all eternity!  So, let the driven people be who they were meant to be – you get to be the person God made you to be!  He has more good thoughts about you than there are grains of sand on all the seas of the world – and all these thoughts include great plans (and goals) for you. (Psalms 139:17 & Jer 29:11)

Goal setting is important for all areas of our lives.

• • Spiritual Goals (like being more like Jesus)
  • Family Goals (like being a better spouse or a better father)
  • Health Goals (like losing 20 lbs.)
  • Business Goals (like increase sales)
  • Financial Goals (like becoming debt free)
  • Social Goals (like making some new friends)
  • Charity Goals (like giving more)
  • Other Important Goals (like having more balance)

Correct Goal Setting Process:

Identify an overall goal or dream (let’s say that you would like to be healthier)

• • Break the goal down into specific goals (like losing 24 lbs.)
  • Set a deadline (like…lose 24 lbs. in 6 months)
  • Break it down into monthly and weekly goals (4 lbs. per month or 1 lb. per week)
  • Determine daily tasks (not eating desert or minimizing your calorie intake or running 3 times per week for 1 mile to achieve your goals).

Keys to happiness exercise:

• • Ask God for help (ask Jesus into your life if you have not done so already) Email me if you’d like more direction. info@successandfailure.net
  • Take some time on finding a meaningful why and set long term goals – They can’t be someone else’s goals…they have to be your own.
  • Set realistic goals – It’s the difference between successfully reaching your goals and setting yourself up for failure.  Let’s say that you wanted to lose 24 lbs.  If you have not run for 20 years, it would be foolish to set an action plan to run 10 miles per day.  It’s better to be more conservative and increase your activity as you get a feel what you can realistically do.
  • Be consistent with your activity – 90% of success is just showing up. Don’t underestimate this part.  Better to commit to less and be consistent than to commit to too much and then quit soon after you start.
  • Visualize your why and goals at least once each week
  • Look at your goals and action plan several times per week and adjust it if necessary
  • Hint – if you’re unable to perform your daily and weekly tasks or start making excuses – spend more time on your why (you’re probably having trouble because it’s not real to you – most likely from someone else such as an overbearing parent, teacher or other influential person in your life – ask God to help you hear Him alone)

For additional info on goal setting see our Goal Setting Webinar.

Previous Happiness Lessons:

How to find Happiness – 15 Lesson Series – Overview

How to find Happiness – Introduction

How to find Happiness – Key #1 – A relationship with God

How to find Happiness – Key #2 – Being thankful

How to find Happiness - Key #3 – Forgive yourself

How to find Happiness - Key #4 – Learning How to forgive others

How to find Happiness - Key #5 – Living in the present

How to find Happiness - Key #6 – Overcoming fear

How to find Happiness - Key #7 – Giving of your money

How to find Happiness - Key #8 – Giving of your time

How to find Happiness - Key #9 – Putting God first

Check in next week for another key to happiness.  Get notified via e-mail

The “Word” is God …

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.  John 1:1-2

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit) was hovering over the waters. And God (the Father) said, “Let there be light,” (the Word) and there was light.  Genesis 1:1-3

The Word became flesh (a human being – Jesus) and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.  John 1:14

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days (now) he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  Hebrews 1:1-2

The “Word” is Jesus!

AMEN!!!

Grow in wisdom and understanding with “Nuggets of Wisdom”. Pick up a copy today!

http://www.nuggetsofwisdom.us/

… spread the Word

I would like to share some notes with you on a few days devotions pertaining to witness.

The Motive  Why should I bother to witness?
There are so many who are lost spiritually – separated from God by choice and in danger of ruin or destruction. Or like the lost coin in Luke 15:8-10 do not even realize they are lost and like the lost sheep God seeks out those who may wander off and find themselves lost.  They are lost to themselves and their true home in God’s family and to the joy of His loving care.

That in and of itself should be enough motive to want to go out and share God’s Word. For those of who know who His loving grace and comfort in our lives, we should desire for all to come to Him and feel His grace poured upon them and for them to receive His gift of salvation which leads to everlasting life with Him.

Jesus isn’t merely looking for a large following, He wants committed followers. The one’s heeding Jesus’ message are exactly the ones who need it. Jesus treated the sinner with tenderness. God saves the lost – no matter how “lost” we perceive them to be.

Lost people are not attracted to religion, but they are attracted to the life, words, and example of Jesus.  We are to avoid legalism that distorts or misinterprets the principles of Scripture:  Instead, we are to ground everything we do in the same love that Jesus expressed.  Showing love and mercy is greater than showing judgment.

Like the parable of the lost son who turned his back on his loving father, sometimes we need to hit rock bottom before we will look up and see the need for our Father.  God the Father is watching and willing to restore and welcome those who come to Him.  God goes far beyond what we might expect or certainly deserve in restoring us to Himself.  Regardless of a person’s past, we should celebrate when he or she comes to Christ.

The Message What can I say to a lost person?

There is only one Gospel-the good news of salvation by grace through faith in Christ.  We should not add or take away from this.  Galatia was being presented with a false or another gospel from the Judaizers indicating that although they had been saved by God’s grace through the truth and in spirit they still needed to heed to old Jewish laws in order to stay in God’s will. This is just not true.  Our salvation is grounded, from start to finish, in God’s grace.  Any teaching that adds something to the gospel message of what Christ alone has accomplished for our salvation is a false teaching to be avoided.  The greatest danger Christians often face is not from outside the church, but from inside by those who sound biblical but are, in fact, twisting the truth of the gospel.

The gospel is not a human point of view.  It comes from a revelation (an unveiling, the removal from something which conceals or obscures) from Jesus Christ.  We cannot be taught or receive it from a human source.  We may learn the gospel from others, but the ultimate source of the gospel goes back to God Himself, who revealed it to us.  The gospel is from start to finish the work of God.  He carried it out, and He revealed it to us.

We may not have a testimony such as Paul’s on the road to Damascus, but we do have a testimony.  Anyone who has received Jesus Christ in truth and spirit is a new person in Christ.  Look back, meditate on it, search out who you were before Christ came into your life, and who are you now.  Right down these differences this is your testimony.

• Is my testimony centered in Christ or myself?
• Does my testimony highlight the work of God?
• Does my testimony emphasize the need for faith and nothing else?

Just as we cannot save ourselves, we cannot live the Christian life ourselves.  We need the work of the Holy Spirit both in regeneration (salvation) and sanctification (daily living.)  Faith in Christ is all we need to become children of God.

The Messenger What is required of a witness?

Because of the need, Jesus expects His followers to witness for Him.  Following Christ is not like some late night infomercial, promising you wealth and only seeking your money.  Jesus told us to count the cost of following Him.  Part of the “cost” is the investment of time and work in the lives of others.

In 1806, Samuel Mills, a student at Williams College, habitually met for prayer with four other students in a maple grove.  One rainy day the gathered on the lee side of a giant haystack.  On that wet day, their prayers turned toward the need for the message of Christ to be shared abroad.  From that moment on, their prayers and passion for sharing Christ did not wane.  As a result sending agencies arose, sending men like Adoniram Judson, and Luther Rice to witness abroad.  Our modern mission movement grew out of an urgency to prayer.

We are called to witness to those around us but to also pray for the harvest to be abundant.  Pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.  When we are faithful in witnessing of Christ’s work, we will find those who are receptive to the message.  Any ministry or witnessing endeavor we undertake should include prayer, especially prayer for others to join in the work of evangelism.  God is the One who shows us the needs around us, initiates the call to evangelism, and sends out the workers, but it is our responsibility to “step up to the plate” and join Him in His work.

Who around you needs Jesus?  God makes you aware of the needs of people so that He can use you to meet those needs.  People are individually responsible for what they do with the message of Christ.  When we go in Jesus’ name, people should see Jesus and not us.  As God’s Children, we are so united with Him that any rejection we experience is really a rejection of Christ.  Do not let rejection hinder you from sharing the gospel!

The Model What actions can I take to witness effectively?

I want to do it and I know the message to share, but how do I get the presentation started?  Jesus is our model for witnessing effectively.  Let’s look to the story of the Samaritan woman by the well with Jesus to see how he swayed the conversation to witness for His Father.

Jesus is weary from a long journey.  He does the unthinkable as a Jew, he sits by the well to which a Samaritan woman was coming.  Now Jesus could have avoided this location by walking around Samaria as Jews did in that day, but Jesus had a purpose to spread God’s Word even to the most conflicted.  It is not our choice who is saved but by the grace of God.

He starts the conversation out with something common to both of them.  Water – she is coming to get some from the well, He could use a drink after his long journey, and He can provide the living water with which we all need.

Instead of going out of our way to avoid contact with people who make us uncomfortable, we should welcome that contact as a way to introduce them to Jesus.  We should not wait for others to ask about Jesus, but we should initiate the conversation that ultimately leads to spiritual matters.

So Jesus arouses the Samaritan woman by offering her the gift of living water so that she would never go thirsty again.  She was still confused about it but Jesus had gotten her attention.

We may feel we have much to offer God, but He offers us far more than we could ask or imagine.  God is the only one that can give us this living water – the sustaining grace.  Only Jesus can satisfy the things for which we ultimately thirst.  The Holy Spirit is the living water indwelling us, refreshing us, and sustaining us.

Jesus proclaimed that we can come to Him, we will never need to go anywhere else.  Period.

Help them see their need.  We may not have the power to do what Jesus did in revealing the Samaritan’s woman sinful nature but we do understand sinful nature as sinners ourselves.  Don’t try to fool others about sin, God knows even the secret things of our heart and in the hearts of others.  Use your sin(s) to reach out to others.  It is part of your testimony.  How has God helped you see it for sin and help you to turn away from it?  Christ convicts us of our sin for the purpose of leading us to accept His forgiveness.  Share your sins with others so that God may be glorified in your weaknesses.

Amen!  All glory and honor be yours Almighty Father!

Saved by the WORD

Saved by the “Word” …

No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death (eternal Hell)  Psalm 33:16-19a

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile (everyone else)—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  Romans 10:12-13

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (the name is Jesus – the Word)  Acts 4:12

AMEN!!!

Grow in wisdom and understanding with “Nuggets of Wisdom”. Pick up a copy today!

http://www.nuggetsofwisdom.us/

… spread the Word

So the story is you meet this awesome guy a man’s man yet somehow, a caring, loving, supportive, and fun guy.  The kind of guy you want to be around with A LOT…dare I say man crush.. Then you meet his wife, He tells you how great she is but the more you look the more she disturbs you, she seems bi-polar, and controlling. Basically you can’t stand her, but you know if you reject her you jeopardize your relationship with your new best friend.  Welcome to church.

Flyleaf has a song “Beautiful Bride”

Unified diversity
Functioning as one body
Every part encouraged by the other
No one independent of another
You’re irreplaceable, indispensable
You’re incredible
Incredible

Beautiful bride
Body of Christ
One flesh abiding
Strong and unifying
Fighting ends in forgiveness
Unite and fight all division
Beautiful bride

And this is beautiful.  But sometimes I don’t see it. We are to be one body, but what body doesn’t realize when part of it is hurt and doesn’t nurture that spot. (stub your toe even and see what your body’s reaction is).  I see us celebrate baptism and when people join the body, but today I heard ANOTHER story of someone walking away from the church, our church, and nobody noticed.  How does a body not notice when part of it falls away?  I had even a toe nail fall off once and I freaked out.

Then today at the same time, I saw 4 men drop what hey were doing, take time from their jobs and help a brother in need, at the mere mention of a need. & this weekend hopefully dozens or hundreds will go out into the community to help flood victims.

Then, then I see the beauty He talks about.

We were dancing

When the music stopped

I wondered where it had gone

I tried

to listen

to discern

What had happened to the beautiful music that had once played

The music that had

kept me

held me

Embraced me with so much love

I did not know where to turn

What would happen next

Would all the life be gone

Would I wake up and see that I was just another

Virgin without a lamp

Would I find out that I had

Chosen the wrong way

Taken a wrong turn

Taken my eyes off the One I love

Will I be the one

Who’s left

Never seeing

Never perceiving

Never knowing

Never Trusting

No I will NOT

Let this be said of me

I will be the one who

listens

hears

knows

I will be the one

giving

dancing

To the beautiful music

I will be the one embracing the One I love so…

Allow me this once more

To hear the music

Give me the freedom in You once more

To feel the rythm

To know the beat

To hear what others don’t

To walk that walk

Dance that dance

Love that love that I have known

~Bambi
March 30, 2010

All men are guilty before God. Ever since Adam sinned, humanity has had one consistent problem: sin. It is universal. No human society has ever escaped its grasp. No government, Christian or secular, has ever brought their society into a state of perfection. Not even the most moral civilizations in history have ever produced a single man deserving of God’s love.

Even a quick examination of Scripture will plainly reveal that men are constant offenders of the Most High God. All men have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Solomon examines in Ecclesiastes 7:20 that there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and never sins.

The evidence that these statements are are true can be found on every page of human history.

It also must be noted that God’s standard is perfection. From the book of James it is clear that whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law (James 2:10-11). In the same way, if you do not commit theft, but you fail to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, you have become a transgressor of the law. And so it is evident that by the works of the law no person will be declared right before God (Romans 3:20).

Related Posts:
How Bad Is Sin? (Part 1) – The Christian Worldview
The Fall: No Repentance – The Christian Worldview
Why Is Sin Unavoidable? (Part 1) – The Christian Worldview
The Fall: Humanity Cursed – The Christian Worldview
Psalm 1:4 – The Blowing Chaff

Lean on Me …

I will proclaim the name of the LORD.  Oh, praise the greatness of our God!  He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just.  A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.  Deuteronomy 32:3-4

(Jesus said) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-31

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  1 Peter 5:7

“Nuggets of Wisdom” is a great Bible study resource.  Pick up a copy today!

www.nuggetsofwisdom.us