Psalm 139 is a wonderful song of praise to God. Verse 14 says, “I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” The Psalmist notes that he is imperfect, but that God’s thoughts toward him are wonderful (v. 17), because he will guide anyone through anything, from the usual difficulties – such as when Paul learned God’s strength was made perfect in His weakness – to those not so usual.

Each of us is a miracle, created by God for a specific purpose. He doesn’t want there to be imperfections; He created this world perfect, but then sin entered intot he world through mankind’s free will. So, now, there are people who experience all sorts of difficulties in their lives because of the curse of sin which caused this world to become broken down. It’s not any one person’s sin that causes it – it’s the imperfection which came when this perfect world had imperfection brought into it.

So, because of that imperfection, there are people like me born with low vision (in my case, from Dandy-Walker Syndrome) or hearing (in my case, bad enough to need a hearing aid.) There are those with other things physical or mental. And, there are even those whose creation is really unique – those born with a mix of anatomical traits considered both male and female, or which are atypical for each. Such people are known as intersex.

Intersex has nothing to do with sexual orientation, by the way; that has no relevance to this. In fact, it has nothing to do with homosexuality or the transgender movement. These are among numerous major fallacies. about it. The Bible says nothing specific about the issue, except that obvioulsy we must show the same love Jesus showed everyone. Numerous websites devoted to the issue merely seek to raise awareness of the issue and of difficulties encountered in society which are related to it.

We can’t always figure out why God chose what He did for us. I have a few ideas, based on what I’ve accomplished, of why He gave me low vision, low hearing, a bit of cerebral palsy (enough my feet point out a touch & I couldn’t do little things like open cans or jars as early as some kids), and possible even a touch of mild Asperger’s Syndrome. But the important thing is that He is the God of all comfort who provides a peace which passes understanding when we trust Him to. I’ve been able to do things I never would have, and help people I wouldn’t have, without these – some of which nobody else would have. Even though my body isn’t perfect, like anyone else, I’m a miracle.

God’s most amazing miracles surely include those connected with His birth, death, and resurrection. He came to die for each of us, to take the punishment for our sins, mine as well as others. Then, He rose from the dead, having the victory over everything.

For Him to do this, of course, He had to do as John 1:14 says He did – He “became flesh and dwelt among us.” He was fully God and fully man. While here, He showed great care for the hurting people of this world. While the Pharisees, the religious crowd, cared only for the usual and tried to impress others, Jesus cared for those who were unusual in some way. He performed many healings, not only of physical things but also of broken hearts.

Some of those hearts were broken by the treatment which the Pharisees gave, I’m sure. But, these people recognized that Jesus was special. He was different. He and god the Father are one. (John 10:30) God had ordained the Law in the commandments to teach the people that they couldn’t follow even those laws all the time, because of the nature of their hearts. So, they had to trust Him by faith in order to be saved. Salvation has always had a faith component. However, the Pharisees, as people often do, turned it into a totally works-based system and condemned those who went against it.

They even thought they had answers for why God created people such as the blind man in John chapter 9. They asked a strange question of Jesus – whether the man or his parents had sinned that he was born blind. Jesus told them that neither one had; the man was born blind that the works of God might be made manifest in him. Then, Jesus healed the blind man. The Pharisees were so upset that they threw him out of the synagogue; this man then wound up becoming a follower of Jesus.

We don’t know much about this man as a follower, but his testimony must have been amazing. He had the same testimony as anyone can who has experienced something other than the usual from their physical body. That testimony is that Jesus can and will overcome anything if they trust Him, and help them through anything.

This doesn’t mean that Jesus will heal everyone of physical problems while living. For some, healing won’t come until He calls them home to His perfect Heaven, at which time I will have perfect sight and hearing, those confined to whellchairs will be able to run, and so on. I know of one young man, in fact, who must wear braves on his legs. When he reaches Heaven, the first thing he plans to do is leap 100 feet in the air.

It does, however, mean that Jesus will give anyone the ability to get through anything with His help. It also means that – while not everything is good in this world – all those things we face will work together for good to them that love God. (Romans 8:28) God has a way of taking anything and using it for good. Even the bad things which people do because they have not learned of His love. God lives in each believer through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 113-14, 4;30; John 14-16, etc.) So, it is up to each believer to let Him guide them in the truth, being control by His Spirit. Thankfully, He will always love and cleanse us from sin when we turn to Him by faith. (1 John 1:9-2:1)

What He can’t take are peoples’ sins. No sin can enter Heaven. Heaven is a perfect place which God established so there would be no suffering, no tears, no pain, no parting, no sorrow. No bad stuff can enter there. So, He had to find a way for people like me and you and everyone to get there. Because, while our imperfections aren’t because of our own sin, we do all sin and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) that means each of us comes short of God’s perfect Heaven.

God gave us each a wonderful gift, though. The wages of sin – what we earn because of our sin – is death, separation from God forever in a place called Hell. But, the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

That is the awesome gift which we must remember to celebrate, whether or not we celebrate Jesus’ birthday on December 25 or not. That gift of life forever in that perfect Heaven is free; all a person has to do is to receive it.

People have been mistreated throughout history because of differences. That mistreatment comes through actions of various sorts; words play a part, too, but focusing only on surface things like names can make one as bad as the Pharisees, who refused to do as God commands and look at the heart. The important thing is that God loves each of us because of who we are on the inside, not because of what name we go by.

The way to have that personal relationship with God – so you can get His help here and also go to His perfect Heaven someday – is to simply “believe on the Lord Jesus Christm, and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:31) Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13) That whosoever means anyone – any person can put their name in there because God is talking about them.

We may each have different physical characteristics. But, we each have one thing in common – a need for God’s love and forgiveness. Our differences are not because of sin – they are because God created each of us in a unique way so that we can glorify Him in who we are and what we do. However, we all do hve sin – myself included. We fall short of God’s perfect glory.

God doesn’t demand works like the Pharisees, though. That would be unfair anyway because some people could work more than others; some can’t do any. God made sure it was all by grace through faith in Him. It is not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians. 2:8-9)

Because it is by faith alone in Christ alone, each of us is only a single, sincere prayer of repentence to Jesus away from eternal life. The words don’t matter – but it can go something like this. “Dear Lord Jesus, I know I’m a sinner. I can’t reach your perfect Heaven myself. But, I know you died for my sins and rose from the dead. You took my punishment so I could get to heaven and also have life with you now, so you can guide me and help me on earth. Lrod Jesus, today I choose to turn from my sins and trust you to save me. I call on your name, asking you to save me from my sins and come into my heart to live. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

That’s all there is to it. We don’t know what God has planned – I heard about a condition from an online friend and I considered a number of ways to do it. Suddenly, this blog came out of my thoughts and prayers. I know that whatever happens, though, the Christian life is a great adventure in trusting the Lord to see you through everything. He has always been faithful to me, and He wants everyone to not only call on Him but also to let Him guide them in showing His love to others and telling of His great gift to them.

Here is the collection of verses to make you believe that Jesus Christ died on cross and it was prophesized in the scriptures.

Matthew 28:5-7 :And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

Acts 4:10-11: Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

Matthew 27:32-40: Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross. And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull, they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would not drink. Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which were spoken by the prophet: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.” Sitting down, they kept watch over Him there. And they put up over His head the accusation written against Him: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left. And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”

Matthew 27:41-44: Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.

Luke 23:33: “When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals — one on his right, the other on his left.”

John 19:23-24: “When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. ‘Let’s not tear it,’ they said to one another. ‘Let’s decide by lot who will get it.’ This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, ‘They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.’ So this is what the soldiers did.”

Psalms 41:9 : Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

Acts 1:16:Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.”

Zechariah 11:12-13:Then I said to them, “If it is agreeable to you, give me my wages; and if not, refrain.” So they weighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—that princely price they set on me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD for the potter.

Isaiah 50:6:I gave My back to those who struck Me, And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.

Psalm 22:7-8:All those who see Me ridicule Me;They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,“He trusted in the LORD, let Him rescue Him;Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!”

Isaiah 50:6-8: I gave My back to those who struck Me, And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.

Zechariah 12:10:And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.

Psalm 22:16:For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced[a] My hands and My feet;

Luke 24:39:Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”

Psalms 22:15 :My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.

John 19:28: Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”

Psalms 69:21: They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.

Matthew 27:34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it.

John 19:29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.

Psalms 34:20 he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.

Isaiah 53:9-12:His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth. But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, [a]putting Him to grief; If [b]He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His [c]offspring, He will prolong His days, And the [d]good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand. As a result of the [e]anguish of His soul, He will see [f]it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities. Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out [g]Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many,And interceded for the transgressors.

Psalms 22:1 :For the director of music. To the tune of “The Doe of the Morning.” A psalm of David. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?

Psalms 31:5 : Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth.

Matthew 27:46 :About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”–which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Isaiah 53:5-7 :But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

Isaiah 53:12 :Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Mark 10:45 :For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Isaiah 53:9:He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

Matthew 27:57-60 :As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.

Galatians 6:12:As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

Galatians 6:14:But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Philippians 3:18:For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

Matthew 20:19: and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.”

Matthew 23:34: Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city,

Mark 15:20:And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.

John 19:6: Therefore, when the chief priests and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him.”

Hebrews 6:6: if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

1 Corinthians 1:18:For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Does My “Ex” Want Me Back?

I had one of those “my ex-wants me back dreams” the other night. If you have not experienced one of these, I liken it to the dreams where I make a regrettable choice. I have one such dream where, being an ex smoker, I casually light up a cigarette. I feel at first, caught by the surprise of the feeling of satisfaction as I draw in a breath. But this is quickly disrupted by a sense of foreboding and instant remorse. All of the “ex wants me back dreams” are the same. Things seem casual and light, then my dream mind starts reeling knowing I am about to make bad choice.

That all said, this “ex-wants me back” dream was not like that at all. This dream was different. I did not have the predictable emotions: like the satisfaction “winning” my ex back or the confusion of making choices I was not given in real life. So, I woke up puzzled. I found that in the dream, I was just simply feeling kind. I had this genuine forgiving heart. Unlike the previous “ex” dreams my dream mind did not jump ahead to what my actions all might mean. My dream mind didn’t retreat into digging up the past to find ammunition, or fuel to fend off making a regrettable decision. My dream mind just observed what was happening, and I just was kind. In the dream my “ex” even questioned the change in me. My dream self told my dream “ex” that it was all because I (more…)

Discovering Your Purpose 

I can’t help but notice how many people have expressed the overwhelming excitement that God is doing something “big” in their lives. That  something is often vague and unclear, but when they talk about it they light up with anticipation.    Yet because of the enormity of that  “something” there is an underlying sense of fear.

Interestingly, when I was in Indonesia, our outreach team was asked to teach a group of young people  on the wide open topic of “Maximum Satisfaction”.  It seemed to fit right in with  discovering  that big “something”.   The Bible says:

   Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR they shall Be satisfied. –Matthew5:6  

     It seemed that the key to satisfaction was having a thirst and a hunger. Satisfaction doesn’t seem to be a stagnant thing.  ( Knowing that things are not right, knowing that God has something bigger for us…) that “knowing there is more”  is what ironically brings satisfaction.   There is satisfaction in wanting more?  Why not, considering the  dissatisfaction in what the world offers.  That “more” is about meaning, or purpose beyond the obvious.

Hungry and Thirsty for Purpose

 Jesus uses the term life or “Zoe” (purpose) when he said  that   I have come  to give life, and to give it abundantly”.    John 6:63 says that the Holy Spirit gives life.      It is the anticipation of discovering God’s plan for our lives that makes us  this hungry.  Hungry in a way that  satisfies.  As we begin to taste of the enormity of God’s plans, we begin to understand being satisfied we are naturally drawn to what God has for us. 

Recognizing Your Purpose 

So what is this hunger that God has planted within me, what is his purpose for me? How do I recognize it?

1.  It feels natural and supernatural. I enjoy what I am doing, and am surprised as it goes beyond what are my natural abilities or (or maybe considered undesirable to most people). I notice that it fits as if it had been there all along.  I find it to be one of my spiritual gifting.   I run up against doubt, but as scripture, council and prayer affirm my direction, I continue to move forward.
2.  I rely on God to fill my tank.It is the excitement of, “ok God what’s next!” (In a good way) that propels me. I may have to battle against pride and seeking affirmation from people, but as long as I continue to remember that it is God who is my source, I continue to move forward in my purpose.
3.  I am free to hunger and thirst for more.  I feel God saying, “This is what I want for you”. Dreams and aspirations that had been forgotten, resurface. God reminds me who I am. But like the disciples, I may have not realized that Jesus was alive.  (“I am the door if anyone enters me he will be satisfied”. –John 10:9)Jesus who calls himself the door;  came THROUGH the locked door. I may find myself struggling with a similar door that keeps me from stepping out in faith. But if I remember that Jesus has given my His peace, and the Holy Spirit, and that when I fall short I am forgiven, I can continue to do the work God has purposed me for. (Just as Jesus came through the door to empower His disciples*).
4. I feel God’s WINK:   Best off all, when I am living in God’s purpose for my life,  I feel “God’s wink”. That is, like the woman at the well. I may battle against hiding (feelings of emptiness, loneliness, doubt, fear, shame)  Still,  Jesus saw her, He knew that what it was she was thirsty for, He knew all her secrets, and He knew exactly who she was. But still Jesus, the Messiah, lovingly said, what sounded like

… I know exactly what you have been up to, I know what it is you really want, but better yet I know who you are! …

That is what I mean when I say God winks. That wink lovingly says, “I see YOU”

… And instantly, she had to run off and tell everyone! It seems she was a natural evangelist

Other Bible references

…”anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again but those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:13

… It is the spirit who gives life; flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. –John 6:63

On the last day, the climax of holidays, Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If anyone is THIRSTY; let him come to me and drink. For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water shall flow from the inmost being of anyone who believes in me. John 7:37..

*That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting BEHIND LOCKED doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you.” he said…”Peace be with you as the Father has sent me, so I am sending you” …   -John 20: 19…

 Original article appeared in Crosstalkers Blog

Some may have heard a famous recording by Red Skelton about the Pledge of Allegiance. It’s very powerful to hear each word or phrase covered. I don’t have quite the skill he did with that, but I wanted to briefly touch on a very important prayer, found in Mathew 6:9-13 and again in Luke 12. There is a subtle difference which is logical when you see the context, because they come at different times. For a full Harmony of the Gospels this is an excellent one.

The Lord’s Prayer - also called the “Our Father” by some – in Matthew 6:9-13 comes very early in His ministry. It is part of the Sermon on the Mount. Right before the Lord’s Prayer, He tells the people never to pray in vain repetitions. Why? Just repeating something over and over has no effect because it it leads to making one thing he or she will be heard “for their much speaking.” Instead, Jesus wants us to pray in the way He does His Word has power to help, heal, comfort, etc.

Later in His ministry, Jesus’ disciples ask Him to teach them to pray. He recites part of it, but leaves out the part of about “Thine is the Kingdom…”. Why? The discples have already heard that part. Jesus is just reminding them, “Remember when I taught you this? It has special meaning.” He reminded them of just enough so they would understand and remember, from His other teaching, what was important. And, what they didn’t understand would be revealed in time, just as with His sacrifice.

What was that deeper meaning which they were to understand when praying? Let’s go through the Lord’s Prayer, also called the “Our Father,” and see.

“Our…” Any of us. He hears the prayers of all who call on Him by faith alone in Christ alone. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ (Romans 10:13)

“Father…” The true mark of a leader. Not the selfishness of sinful man. God is perfect, a Father who will always love, cherish, comfort, and guide His children in His perfect plan. And, He always has the best interests of each of His children at heart. “For all things work together for good to them that love God.” (Romans 8:28)

“Which art…” God is real, and no amount of pain, hatred, or ignoring can make Him go away. He is the great I AM, who always was and always will be.

“In heaven…” That perfect place, where there is no pain, no suffering, and no tears. Where a loving God calls out to sinful man to come to Him and be rescued from a world of sin, and let Him guide them. “To as many as received Him, gave He the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” (John 1:12)

“Hallowed be Thy name.” For His is a name above all names, full of majesty and wonder, inspiring awe for His great power and might. Each of us is as helpless as an ant would be next to the strongest human. And yet, He is so loving that we may “go boldly before the throne of grace for help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

“Thy kingdom come.” Jesus – God the Son – and God the Father are one (John 10:30), and He is the Creator and sustainer of all; for by Him were all things made and by Him all things consist. (John 1:1, 14; Col. 1:16-17; etc.) And He will one day rule the earth, and it will be perfect, just as it was meant to be before sin entered into the world. (Gen. 1-2, Revelation 20-22, etc.) And those who truly believe wait for Him to come make this world new.

“Thy will…” And because God is the creator, He may do as He pleases. His will is perfect, for he knows the past, present, and future.

“Be done…” And we ask that His will be done, no matter what our will might be, because He knows what is best for us. People have become sick and avoided deadly accidents. People have been stuck somewhere and been able to help a stranger because of it. It is up to us seek His will in each situation.

“On earth…” This sin-stained world which hosts so much evil. “For by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, so that death passed unto all men, for that all have sinned.” (Rom. 5:12) Yet God can still work in this world, and will, once we let go of our own desires and seek Him as the writer of that great hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” commands. “Did we in our own strength abide, the battle would be losing. Were not the right man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing. Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He. Lord Sabaoth (Lord of Hosts) His name, from age to age the same!”

“As it is in heaven…” For God rules in Heaven. Yet from that throne of grace, He came down and became flesh (John 1:14, Col. 2:9, etc.), born to die as the Lamb of God, slain from the foundation of the world. He then rose victoriously from the grave, having defeated death, and going to prepare a place for us in Heaven, that where He is, there we who have received Him as Savior might be also.

“Give us” Provide for we who so need You, for You oh Lord know we are but dust…

“this day” For we are not promised tomorrow, but we know that whatever we need You will provide it in Your perfect time, when You know it is best.

“Our daily bread” Anything we need for that day, be it food, money, shelter, or whatever else we are lacking. He promises us wisdom whenever we need, peace that passes understanding, He is the God of all comfort, and so many more good things, as He helps us through the problems of this wicked world. It is not our wants, but that which we must have and which, if we do not receive, we know God has something better ins tore. For Solomon in all His glory was not clothed like one of the fabulous lilies of the field.

“And forgive us our debts” Oh, for we are but sinful people, so filled burdens. For as hard as we try, we cannot do as You command, we cannot be perfect as the Father in Heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:48) So we call on you to rescue us from that debt we cannot pay, washing our sins away with Your perfect blood, which was shed once for all for such a wretch as me.

“Aas we forgive our debtors.” Oh, we have so many who have wronged us, too, but the terrible pain of hell was meant only for the devil and his angels. (Matthew 25:41) So we ask, Lord, that you would soften their hearts, and forgive them, so they may become new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) who can then grow in your love and become more and more like you.

“And lead us not into temptation” Oh, but while we who believe in you want so badly to be freed from the power of sin, we cannot do it on our own. So please, protect us from the terrible temptations of this world, and instead do as you promise in your world and provide a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13) so we can withstand in that evil day. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

“But deliver us from evil:” Not only the evil that we might do through lying, backbiting, bitterness, malice, and so on, but also the evil that might be done to us. Because, Lord, this is a sinful place, filled with those who fall short of your perfect glory like I. And we long for the day when we are not only saved from the penalty of sin – which we were at the cross. Not only saved from the power of sin – which we must seek each day. But when, in Heaven we stand complete in you, and are saved from the very presence of sin!

“For thine is the kingdom” For there, in Your perfect Kingdom, the redeemed will stand in You complete, as the hymnist writes, and truly “Jesus died, my soul to save, my lips shall still repeat.”

“And the power” For You, oh, Lord, have the power to save, to guide, to protect, to heal, to work modern day miracles if it be your will. Your power is limitless, your works wondrous, your ways perfectly righteous, your death all sufficient, and your resurrection power enough to defeat sin and death and the grave! Halleluah!”

“And the glory.’ Because God is perfect glory. He is the one who created the light, and who then was the Light which came into this dark world. He came to save sinners from this lost and dying world, so we who fell so short of His perfection could rule and reign with Him, but nobody can share His perfect, matchless glory. And here, it’s best just to include this awesome video of message by S.M. Lockridge, “That’s My King!”

“For ever” And He will be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords forever, in a perfect place where we will have no more sin, no more pain, no more bad stuff. Where we can celebrate and where nobody has seen, heard, or even imagined how awesome it will be. Because we as people can’t even imagine a heaven where there is is so much beauty, goodness, and diversity, with so many different personalities all with the testimony that they were saved by the grace of God. “For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9)

“Amen.” So be it. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus, and work the work you want in my life, so you may be glorified.

When I see S.M. Lockridge’s powerful message, I know neither I, nor some of the commentaries at www.blueletterbible.org (where I found the Harmony), can do justice to God’s amazing love. However, that is, in essence, what the Lord’s Prayer really is saying.

It closes with a reminder from Jesus. His Word is powerful – and praying it like you believe it can help bring peace because it is the Word of God. And, His Word will never return voice. (Isaiah 55:11) But, His Kingdom will endure forever. And, He wants us to know one thing above all other. Yes, the Lord’s prayer is very good – it is the model that Jesus tells us to pray. However, those verses mentioned above, and many others in Scripture, point to one fact. Jesus came into this world to seek and to save that which was lost. He calls all to repentance.

All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) Not only I, but every person alive, have sinned. The waves of sin is death – that’s what we e4arn for our sin. But, the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

As you can see, part of that Lord prayer is asking for forgiveness. It involves accepting that we have a debt – a debt we cannot pay. So we are asking God to forgive it. It is the heavy, infinite debt of sin, which causes us to miss the mark of perfection which Jesus notes just before this part of the Sermon on the Mount.

Thankfully, we know that Jesus Christ can and will forgive us of our sins when we call on Him. But we can’t just pray a single prayer over and over. Remember, it is not by vain repetitions. It must come from the heart, as the Lord’s prayer must, which we saw above. It is a call fromt eh heart that is as simple as ABC. Admit you’re a sinner. Believe Jesus Christ, God in flesh, died for your sins and rose from the dead, and Choose to call on Jesus to forgive you and to come into your heart and make you new on the inside. It is a turning from your sin by faith, and letting Jesus work in your heart to make you new.

Then, you will have received the judgment as a sinner. You will have accepted what Jesus did for you on the cross was the only thing need – that He took your punishment.

Then, once you have received Him by faith, God will work with you as a Son. He is Father to the fatherless, and will guide you through everything.

Then, in Heaven, He will judge you as a servant. You will have that place in heaven secured through what Christ did for you on the cross; but the blessings and rewards will be through what you did for Him.

So, I hope now you have more appreciation for the Lord’s Prayer, that it is not just repeating something. But, most importantly, I pray you have Him s your Savior. Because you don’t have to be in a church; you can call on Him anytime. We are not promised tomorrow, though – He says in His Word Today is the day of salvation. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring. But, He will provide for you your “daily bread” that which you need most. And, what we all need most is His salvation.

Be careful what you pray for!  If we pray for patience, God may grant us challenges so we can learn patience.

 It’s funny how we forget that we asked God for something after we get it.  If it isn’t given in the form we expected, we will often ask God why.  Yet He specifically states in the Bible to ask and ye shall receive.

God listens to us.  He often will give us exactly what we want, so if we don’t examine our prayers carefully, we may get “exactly” what we prayed for.  Is it right to pray for rain, then gripe because of the storm?  Is it right to pray for healing when it isn’t God’s will for healing?  God doesn’t grant us a perfect life because He granted us Free Will.  He allows us to go through trials and valleys because it is where we learn.

A few months ago, my mother passed away after battling cancer.  I knew she would eventually die.  It is not God’s will for our physical bodies to live forever.  These bodies are only vessels that carry us through this life on earth.  They are not meant to last forever.  I didn’t ask God to heal my mother from her cancer.  I only asked that His will be done.  I didn’t ask that He take her pain away.  The body is going to experience pain.  I asked Him to help her through her pain.  I didn’t ask that He remove my pain of going through the cancer with her.  It would have made me an unfeeling, cold wall.  If she had to suffer, was it right for her to have to do it alone?  After all, she had been through pain and suffering with me when I had trials in my life.

What is the pain on this earth anyway?  We are selfish to ask God to remove our pain.  What pain did our Jesus suffer when He gave Himself for our sins?  We cry out to our Lord for much simpler things than any Jesus suffered for us.  To honor the Lord is to bear our pain with grace.  God deserves better from us than to hear us whine about something so fleeting as the pain we suffer on this earth.  These bodies and our suffering here are nothing compared to the joys we shall have in eternity.

Our prayers should honor our Lord.  He expects us to be honest with Him, and that honesty extends to our emotions and our needs and desires.  He is more receiving of our prayers when we are honest with ourselves and respectful that He is the one in control and knows much more about our situations than we ever can.

Finding the Right Solution

When life is not turning out the way you planned, where do you turn? Whom do you seek for answers? Unfortunately, many of us turn to all the wrong things, only to be disappointed when our plight grows worse instead of better.

The Bible tells us story after story of people who tried different avenues of “working things out” in their lives. The results were disastrous at best. I believe my favorite tale is that of Jairus and his sick daughter. I’m sure you know the story, but if not, here’s a refresher:

And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him . . . While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. – Mark 5:22-24;35-42

Jairus was an important and influential man, but during this time of trial, he learned a great lesson that all of us would do well to learn and heed.

1.) Riches can’t help – We can glean from the story that Jairus is fairly wealthy. He is a ruler of the synogogue. He has servants. I imagine him running down the road, his finely woven robe flapping in the breeze, his crafted sandals beating against the dirt. Yes, I imagine Jairus was quite wealthy. Wealthy enough to buy the finest medicine. Wealthy enough to hire the most competent doctors. But Jairus discovered that his wealth wasn’t enough. The medicine didn’t work, and the doctor’s were baffled. Money couldn’t buy the healing Jairus desired.

2.) Relatives can’t help – It’s nice to have a loving and supportive family, but there are times when even their steadfastness is not enough to get us through. Jairus had a wife, not to mention an entire group of people waiting as his home. I have no doubt many of these people were relatives coming to offer hope, help and encouragement. But in the face of the death, there was really nothing they could do but mourn.

3.) Religion can’t help – Jairus was a ruler of the synogogue. That means he was well-educated in the Scriptures. He was a religious man. He knew the right people and had all the right connections. If anything could help Jairus, it was his religion. Yet, no matter what he did or who he talked to, his daughter’s condition grew worse. His high standing was not enough to protect his family from heartache.

4.) Only the Redeemer can help – When Jairus arrived at the end of his options, he grabbed hold of the one shred of hope he had left. Maybe Jesus can help. In his haste, he left behind the medicines, the doctors, the relatives and his religious traditions. He focused on one thing and one thing only–Jesus. Jairus was not ready to throw in the towel. He was not ready to give up. He was determined to do everything in his power to save his daughter, even if that meant admitting that it was not within his power to accomplish that task. He needed a strength beyond his own. He needed something that neither riches nor relatives nor religion could provide. He needed the Redeemer.

Through Jairus’ story, we are reminded of the remedy for our own situations. Whatever we may face in life, there is only one answer. There is only one solution. There is only one means by which our problem can be fixed. It’s not through riches, relatives or religion. It’s only through the Redeemer. If we can ever get that through our heads, maybe we’ll start bringing our problems to Him in the first place instead of waiting until we’ve exhausted every other option. It will certainly save us a lot of time and heartache, and I’m sure it will thrill the Father that we turn to Him first as He has asked us to do time and time again.

Mary was the Mother of Jesus. She was a virgin and conceived Him miraculously by way of the Holy Spirit of God. She carried Him inside of her. She felt Him Move and kick as He grew and formed within her womb. She labored and went through the pain of child birth. She brought forth Jesus, her LORD and Savior. Jesus is the Messiah and the LORD and Savior of all mankind. She raised Him in the ways of God and taught Him according to the great wisdom of God. She changed His soiled clothes; she bathed Him, nurtured Him, and loved Him with all her heart.
I know that our Heavenly Father prepared Mary to be the Mother Jesus needed. God chose her from all women to be the Mother of God. Yet, I am certain Mary wondered if she would truly be a good enough Mother for Jesus. After all, she might have said to herself, “how could an earthly woman ever be good enough to raise the Son of God?” What thoughts went through her mind? What feelings did she have about this most amazing parenthood? Did she fully understand what would come of her son, the Son of God?
She sang to Him, played games with Him Kissed all His boo-boos, helped Him to study and learn, celebrated all His birthdays, and wanted the very best for Him. This is not at all unlike all loving Mothers. She knew His purpose was from our Heavenly Father. She knew Jesus did not belong to just her. He was the Father’s Son and He was to be the Savior of her people and all the people of the world, from the beginning and for all time. How must that have felt? How did Mary cope with all the knowledge she had and all the knowledge that she did not have?
Did the Father in heaven prepare her for what Jesus would do and accomplish in life? What went through her mind as her son performed great miracles and grew up to be free of sin and full of love? How wonderful it must have been to see her son Jesus mature into a wonderful and loving Man. I am sure she didn’t want Jesus to ever grow up; just like most Moms’ wish their precious babies could stay that precious forever. Yet I also think she dreamed of Him living a long and full life and she believed in Him to do great things and change the world! Just as all loving Mothers believe their children are truly gifted and special.
She was the Mother of Jesus! She was with Him when He was born and she was there for Him throughout His whole childhood. She had to let Him go when He reached the age to fulfill His destiny, and all the prophecies that had been foretold. Yet she was His Mother through it all. She was there with Him as He died upon the cross. She witnessed His love for her, and for all of us in everything Jesus ever did or said throughout His life. She then witnessed her dear Son’s death. How horrible it must have been for Mary to watch her son die on that cross for her sins and for all the sins of every person in this world. I don’t know if anything can prepare a Mother for such loss. As a Mother I know I am prepared to go before my children. I cannot even imagine how awful it would be to lose one of my children that way.
She was a great Mother and a great example for all women. It is my prayer that all Mothers will learn by Mary’s exceptional example and raise their children to love and be reverent of God. Remember they are not just your children. All children belong to God. We are all God’s Children. Know that God chose you from all women to be a Mother to your children and will prepare you to be the best Mother you can be.
As a Mother, you will have to let go of your children and allow them to become the great men and women of God they were born to be. You may even have to face tragedy along the way. Know that as a child of God, He will help you to endure all that comes your way. The love and Strength of God is what makes us strong, compassionate and loving Mothers.
It is also my prayer that all of our children come to believe in Jesus and accept them as their personal Savior. I pray our children will be saved.
I also say a special prayer to all the Mothers that have lost a child or had miscarriages. I pray that God will comfort you and fill you with all the joy and hope that Jesus’ life and death brought for all of us.
You see Jesus died but that is not where His story ended. Jesus was buried in the tomb, but His body did not remain there. Jesus was resurrected and now lives in heaven with our Heavenly Father.
If you have sorrows for the loss of a child allow God to comfort you. Know that the story of your child did not end there either. Your child is now in heaven with God and one day you can be reunited with them.
Everyone, please honor your Mothers and show them how much you love them.
Happy Mother’s Day Mary! Happy Mother’s Day to you all!

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him (the Word) all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  John 1:1-3

Genesis 1:1-3 … 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 was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. (God said, and the Word created the light)  

 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 Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.  John 1:14

Jesus said … No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; (The Word) only he has seen the Father. Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.  John 6:46-47  

Jesus, the Word created everything!!!

AMEN!!!

God’s truth is revealed to us through his Word. Get a better understanding of the Scriptures.

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1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 (New International Version, ©2011)

¹⁵ According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

 I have a favorite expression. Every time I am preparing to leave from work or when ever I am about to go anywhere, as I am saying my goodbyes, I like to say,”See you tomorrow (or next time), unless the LORD comes before then!” You see, for me this is extremely exciting! However, I have learned that not everyone gets excited about the thought of Jesus coming. I also mention Jesus coming often because it is a great source of hope for me and to all of us that wait for Him to return. I can always tell when someone is not ready to meet Jesus, should He come. When I say, “Jesus could come any second now” the people that are not ready will usually let me know right away. They usually reply,”Oh, I hope not because I’ve got to do x and o”, or “I don’t really want to go anywhere yet”,or “I have too much life left to live!” This concerns me and I pray for them.

Are you ready? If Jesus came right now, even before you had a chance to think about it, would you be going with Him or would you be staying behind? Are you too bogged down with work and your earthly goals, dreams and ambitions?  Are there things that you have become attached to?  You see there will be no time to look back, and we will not have time to load up a moving truck with our big screen TVs, or material things. We won’t have time to stop and get a cup of coffee, or grab that last bite or say those last words. We have to be ready then and there. We will not even be taking the clothes on our backs. Jesus will come and when that trumpet call of God sounds, it will be too late to even change your mind. Ready or not Jesus is coming soon. 

We will be blessed with wonderful and unimaginable, new gifts from God. We will have a glorious new home in heaven with God and all of our loved ones, friends and Christian family. We will be given new adornments and a new white robes. Everything we could possibly want or need is all ready provided for us in advance. Isn’t that Super?

If you do not have a relationship with Jesus and have not yet accepted Him as your Savior, please do so right away. Pray from your heart of hearts and ask Him to forgive you of all your sins and come into your heart. Ask Jesus to wipe your slate clean and give you a whole new life. He will, because He has been waiting patiently for you. He loves you and wants to give you eternal life and all the wonderful blessings that come as priceless gifts upon believing in Jesus and calling upon His matchless name.

So please don’t allow anything to keep you from being ready should the LORD JESUS come today. Jesus is coming soon! Be looking for His return and waiting for this wonderful day. Be excited in the promise that He will return for us and we will be with Him forever.

John 14:2 (New International Version, ©2011)

2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?

John 14:3 (New International Version, ©2011)

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Praise God! Jesus went to prepare a place for you and me. He will come back and take us with Him so we can be with Him and remain with Him forever. What an exhilarating promise. I can hardly wait! Hope to see you in that meeting in the air!

Yours In Christ Jesus,

Pam Shekailo

“ Well, I don’t drink like that guy!”

“ I would never treat my wife that bad!”

“ I’m an angel compared to her!”

“ Why can’t they get their life together, you know; like mine?”

“ Why can’t people see what a mess they are?”

Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else.

 “ Two went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer:

 ‘ I thank you, GOD, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’

 “ But, the tax collector stood at a distance and dared even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead he beat his chest in sorrow, saying,

 ‘O GOD, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’

 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before GOD. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Luke 18:9-14 NLT

I remember being afraid of water. It has been over 30 years ago, but I still remember that fear. My parents put me in swim lessons, but it wasn’t enough for me to overcome it. Until one day, it changed.

 I used this thought process: Everyday I come to this pool, and everyday I play in this shallow end of the pool. And everyday, I am asked; “ How was the pool today?” And everyday, I gave the same uninspired and dejected answer. But one day I thought…

I remember being afraid of water. It has been over 30 years ago, but I still remember that fear. My parents put me in swim lessons, but it wasn’t enough for me to overcome it. Until one day, it changed.

I used this thought process: Everyday I come to this pool, and everyday I play in this shallow end of the pool. And everyday, I am asked; “ How was the pool today?” And everyday, I gave the same uninspired and dejected answer. But one day I thought…

So, what if today the answer would be different. What if I could say;“I jumped into the deep end and everything is different now!”

I remember going to church, some on and mostly off, for the last thirty years. And I still remember how I attempted to use it as a social platform. A way for people to see what a good person I was. A way to mask the guilt for the way I lived my life.

I was always playing in the shallow end! Until one day it changed and He lead me to this:

~ But Jesus spoke to them at once. “ Don’t be afraid,” he said. “ Take courage, I am here!”

Then Peter called to Him, “ Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”

“Yes, come.” Jesus said.

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But, when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “ Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “ You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “ Why did you doubt me?” ~ Matthew 14:27:31 NLT

“Swimming in the deep end,

and everything is different now!”

People who want to live in sinful ungodly life will have lots of excuses, some even may claim as their personality , and some may say God made me that way, some may even say split personality, or bipolar etc , some even may use the Bible to justify their unholy lifestyles.

Men throughout the Bible were commanded to be morally perfect (Genesis 17:1-2; Deuteronomy 7:6; 18:13; I Chronicles 28:9; I Kings 8:61; Matthew 5:48; Exodus 22:31; 14:2,21; 26:19; 28:9; II Corinthians 13:9-11; I Peter 1:15-16); and many men such as Job, Noah, David, Asa, the parents of John the Baptist, and many others were mentioned to be morally perfect (Job 1; Genesis 6:9; Psalms 18:30-36; 101:2-3: I Kings 15:14; 20:3; Luke 1:6). That is not to say that they never sinned, but that they repented and became sinless.


1. If the Apostle Paul wasn’t perfect in this life, then how can we expect to be perfect?”

Colossians 1:10-13, I Peter 2:24, I John 5:17, Romans 8:3-4

2.I am not righteous because of anything I have done. Jesus’ righteousness has been imputed unto me. The Father sees me as righteous, although I sin every day!

Deuteronomy 25:16, I Corinthians 6:9-11, I John 3:10, I John 3:6, Acts 10:34-35, Romans 2:18, Romans 2:6-11, Romans 6:16, Matthew 13:41-42,

3. We will never be perfect until we get to heaven.”

II Timothy 4:6-8, Philippians 3:16, James 2:10, I Corinthians 4:16; 11:1, I Thessalonians 1:5-6, I Thessalonians 2:10-12 , I Corinthians 9:27, Acts 24:16, Colossians 1:28 and II Corinthians 13:9-11, Philippians 1:9-11; 2:14-16; I Corinthians 1:8; II Corinthians 6:18-7:1; II Timothy 3:16-17; I Peter 5:10; James 1:2-4; Jude 24-25, Philippians 3:20-21, I John 3:2-3

4.If the Apostle Paul was the ‘chief of sinners’ at the same time he was an Apostle of Christ, then how can any of us ever expect to live sinless in this life?”

Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42, James 2:10-16; Romans 3:31; 8:3-4, Matthew 22:34-40; Galatians 5:14, Luke 10:25-28; John 14:15,21-24; 15:9-12; Romans 13:8-10; I John 2:3-5,10,15-17; 3:4-17,23-24; 4:7-17,20-21; 5:2-4,18; II John 5-9; Revelation 12:17; 14:12; and 22:14,I John 1:8, Galatians 3:24, Proverbs 1:7; Isaiah 66:1-2

5.”I am not under the law, I am under grace. The law condemns me for my sinful habits, but grace forgives.”

I Timothy 1:8-10, Timothy 1:12-15, Matthew 1:21, I John 3:4-10; Titus 2:11-14; I Peter 2:24; Hebrews 13:20-21, II Corinthians 5:17, Romans 8:2-4, Romans 6:12-23; Titus 2:11-14, I Corinthians 9:27; I Thessalonians 2:10-12; Philippians 3:15-17; Acts 24:16, I Corinthians 4:16; 11:1; Philippians 4:9, Colossians 1:28 and II Corinthians 13:9-11, Colossians 1:20-22; 4:12; Hebrews 13:20-21, I Thessalonians 3:12-13; 5:23-24, Ephesians 1:4; Romans 12:1; Philippians 1:9-11; 2:14-16; I Corinthians 1:8; II Corinthians 6:18-7:1; II Timothy 3:16-17; I Peter 5:10; James 1:2-4; Jude 24-25

6. No one is perfect but Jesus!”

Genesis 17:1-2; Deuteronomy 7:6; 18:13; I Chronicles 28:9; I Kings 8:61; Matthew 5:48; Exodus 22:31; 14:2,21; 26:19; 28:9; II Corinthians 13:9-11; I Peter 1:15-16, Job 1; Genesis 6:9; Psalms 18:30-36; 101:2-3: I Kings 15:14; 20:3; Luke 1:6, Titus 2:11-14, Matthew 6:24,Ezekiel 18:1-32, Deuteronomy 5:29, Deuteronomy 10:12, John 3:18-21; Romans 1:18-22; Ephesians 4:18-19

7. God did not give the law so that we would keep it, but so that we would break it to exalt His grace!”

Deuteronomy 5:29-33; 6:24; 8:1-3; 10:12-13; 11:26-33; 12:28; 27:14-26; 28:1-68; 29:9-28; 30:15-20; Psalm 119:1,44-45,93,165; Proverbs 7:2; Luke 4:4; II Timothy 3:16-17, Romans 6:1-2; John 8:11, Romans 7: 14 – 23, Romans 6:16-18

8.It is impossible to be free from sin in this life!”

Romans 6:19-23, Romans 8:6, Romans 7:14-23, Romans 7:14-25 and I Timothy 1:15, Galatians 3:24, Romans 6:14, James 2:14-26

9. We do not need to do anything to be saved. Jesus did it all!”

I John 2:17b, I Peter 1:22 ,Hebrews 5:8, Matthew 7:21

10. I want to live right and to please the Lord and this is proof that I am saved.”

Colossians 3:5, Proverbs 20:6, Luke 16:15, Matthew 23:25-28, Matthew 23:25, Matthew 23:30, Luke 18:11, Romans 10:3, Proverbs 21:2, Proverbs 30:12, Romans 10:3

11.”I was born a sinner because of Adam’s sin.”

John 8:34; Romans 6:16-19, James 4:17, II Peter 2:14-15, Isaiah 53:6, II Peter 2:19, Jeremiah 5:5, Romans 3:12, Romans 1:18-21, Ecclesiastes 7:29, Romans 5:12, Ezekiel 18:1-32, Matthew 18:2-4 , Matthew 19:4

12. We need to crucify our flesh every day, not once for all.”

Galatians 5:24, Romans 6:11, 1 Peter 1:23, Galatians 5:16-17, Romans 13:14, Galatians 5:24-25, Isaiah 42:16, Psalm 119:130, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Romans 8:1, Isaiah 55:8-9, John 8:31-32, Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Romans 8:4, James 1:13-15, Romans 8:7-10, Titus 3:5, Romans 8:12-14, John 6:63-64

13. I sin because I have a sinful nature and I will always have it until I die.”

Ezekiel 36:26, John 8:34-36, Romans 7:17-23, James 5:20, Romans 8:13, Galatians 5:16, Romans 8:8-9, Romans 8:5, Galatians 5:24, Romans 8:3, Romans 8:1, 1 John 1:9, Romans 6:12, Galatians 5:16 – 25 ,

14. There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, no matter what they do!”

Galatians 5:25, Galatians 5:16, Romans 8:1, Romans 7:14-25, Romans 8:9, John 10:27-28, 1 John 1:7, Psalm 41:9, Matthew 13:18-23, John 15:6, Romans 2:7-8, Galatians 1:6, Ephesians 5:3-7, 1 Thessalonians 3:5, Hebrews 11:13,2 Peter 1:10-11, Galatians 5:2-4, James 4:4, Matthew 13:41-42, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, Revelation 3:4-5, Romans 8:5-8,

15. But we are by nature children of wrath, not by choice!”
Ephesians 2:2-5, Romans 8:2-4, I Timothy 1:8-11, Romans 5:12, Romans 6:17–18, Romans 6:22–23, Ephesians 2:2, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 2:21, Ezekiel 33:11 , II Peter 3:9, Acts 17:30, II Cor. 5:17, Eph 1:4, I Peter 1:14-16, I John 3:9, Eph 4:24, Colossians 3:6, Titus 2:11-12, Rom 8:5-8, Romans 6:2, Romans 6:6 , John 8:44, II Timothy 3:2-5, Rom 8:29; II Cor 3:17-18, I John 4:7

16. Jesus died for me so that I would not have to keep the law. He kept the law for me, so that I could break it and still be forgiven!”
Romans 7:1-4, Galatians 5:18, Galatians 5:19-24, Deuteronomy 6:17, Joshua 22:5, 1 Kings 2:3, Galatians 3:10, Mark 12:30, Proverbs 7:2

17. But that’s Old Testament! That doesn’t apply to me.”

Deuteronomy 7:9, Jeremiah 31:31-34; 32:27-41; Ezekiel 11:18-21; 36:25-28; Hebrews 8:8-10, I John 4:19; John 14:15, 21-23, 2 Timothy 3:15-17 , Hebrews 10:26-29, Hebrews 12:14

18.”As long as we live in this human flesh, we are bound to sin!”

Galatians 5:7, Galatians 5:16,19-24, John 8:34, 2Cor.5:21, 1 Corinthians 3:1–3, 2 Corinthians 5:17

19.Yes, I still sin but at least I’m sorry for my sins.”

Romans 7:14-25, James 2:14-26; Rom.3:31, I John 2:3-4, I Corinthians 5:1, Proverbs 1:22, 2 Peter 2:17, Heb 11:13-14, Mt 7:21

20. Look at those carnal Corinthian Christians – some of them are fornicators, others are full of envy and strife. This is proof that we can sin and still be Christians.”

Hebrews 5:12-14, 2 Cor. 5:17, Galatians 5:17-24

21. I sin daily because I am just a babe in Christ.”

Romans 8:6, John 12:42, 43, Matthew 7:15-20, Galatians 5:29-21, I Corinthians 5:13, Romans 6:18, Romans 6:22, Romans 8:2

22. on Judgment Day, I will only be rewarded for my good works, not judged for my sins. All of my sins will get ‘burned up’ before the Judgment Seat!”

John 5:28- 29, Jeremiah 31:29, Ezekiel 18:24, Ezekiel 18:20

23. People are not cast into hell because of their sins, but only because they rejected Jesus. Unbelief is the only sin that will send someone to hell.”

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Ezekiel 18:20-32; Matthew 25:31-46; Romans 1:18; 2:6-11; and II Corinthians 5:9-11; Revelation 20:11-15, Ezekiel 28:11-15, 1Corinthians 6:1-4, Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 16:18-20; Proverbs 24:25-25

24. Sin will not affect my eternal destiny. All that matters is that I believe in Jesus!”

Acts 15:9; Mark 7:20-23; Matthew 7:16-20; I John 3:4-10, James 2:14-26, Acts 18:18,24-28, Ezekiel 18:5-32; Proverbs 28:13; I John 1:9; Hebrews 9:27, Hebrews 12:1-17; Proverbs 28:13; I John 1:9; 2:1-4, Titus 2:11-14

25. But if we say we are without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us

Luke 14:33; Matthew 16:37-38, I John 3:5; also Titus 2:11-14; Matthew 1:21, 1 John 3:8, Romans 8:8- 9

26. I am still heaven bound when I sin, because I am covered in the blood of Jesus!”

I John 1:9, I John 1:8, 2 Cor. 7:1, Eph. 4:20-24, John 15:2, Philippians 2:12

27.”God doesn’t condemn me for my sins, because I have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ!”

James 4:7, Gal. 5:16, James 1:14-16, Matt. 6:13, Heb. 12:4, Rom. 6:12, 1 Pet. 1:14-15, Psa. 119:11, 1 Tim. 5:22

28. Of course I sin every day, but I still love God!”

Matthew 15:7-9, Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 15:18-19, Matthew 23:1-33. Mark 9:1, John 14:15

29. Jesus spoke to the Jews who were under the law, and so His teachings on God’s commandments and on salvation do not apply to me!”

Luke 20:46-47, 2 Tim. 2:22, Rev. 14:4, Psa. 119:133, 1 John 3:7-8, Luke 8:21, Matt. 7:21,

30. Once saved, always saved.”

1 Cor. 5:13, Gal. 5:19-21, 1 Tim 5:22, Rom 8:13, James 1:14-16, 2 Pet 1:9, Heb 12:15, Mat 5:28-29, 2 Pet 3:14, Matthew 7:21, John 8:30-32; I Corinthians 15:1-2; Colossians 1:21-23; Hebrews 3:6-17; 6:7-15; 10:26-29; I John 2:24-25; Revelation 2:10,25-26

31.Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven.”

Luke 13:24, John 8:44, Matthew 7:15-20, 1 John 5:18; 3:9, 1 Thes. 5:23, Hebrews 10:14, Matt 5:48, 1 Cor 2:6, Col 1:28, Jude 24, 25, Rom 6:18, 22

32. Christians do not sin habitually, they do not practice sin, but they still sin regularly.”
2 Corinthians 13:11, Rom 6:18, 22, Hebrews 10:14, Jude 1:4, 2 Timothy 3:5, Rom 3:8, Rom 6:1-15, Php 2:12-13, Eph 5:5-7, 1 , James 1:21-22, Eph 2:10, 1Pet 1:17, Eccl 9:1, Rom 2:6, 2Cor 11:15, Eccl 12:14, Rom 2:9-10, 1Jn 3:11-12, 1Cor 3:13-15, John 3:21, 1Thes 5:13

33. If you could live sinless, then you wouldn’t need Jesus!”

Romans 8:37, II Corinthians 2:14, I Corinthians 15:57, I Peter 2:24, James 2:10-26, II John 9, III John 11, Revelation 14:12, Revelation 22:14-15, 2 Pet 3:14

34. I have tried to be a Christian., I am waiting for God to save me.

John 5:29, Gal. 6:7-9, Titus 2:11-12,

35. I have done all that is possible for me to do. I go to church every week.

2 Timothy 3:5, Matthew 7:15, 1 Timothy 4:7, Jer. 23:16, I Peter 5:8, James 2:19, II Cor. 11:13-15

36. I have given my heart to Christ, but I am still the same.

Mat 7:20, Mat 7:22, Galatians 5:29-21, Acts 3:19, Titus 1:16, Hebrews 10:38, Matthew 10:22

37. I do not have enough time for God.

Luke 14:18-20, Matthew 6:24, 33, Col. 3:2, James 4:8, 2 Timothy 3:4-5, Mark 1:35-37, Luke 5:16, Matthew 4:4

38. My temperament is bad. I need more conviction.

Pro 15:14, Psalm 37:8, James 1:20, 1Corinthians 2:14-15, Eze 3:18-19, Eze 3:20-21, Phil 4:8, Jer 6:15, I Timothy 6:6-10, Romans 2:4

39. My circumstances are horrible.

Romans 12:1-2, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, John 8:34, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, 2 Peter 2:4, Deuteronomy 28:47-48, Deuteronomy 28:1-68, John 14:26, James 1:2-4

40. I am too weak to overcome sin.

2 Corinthians 12:9, 2 Cor. 12:9-10, Galatians 5:17, Romans 8:5-6

41. No one is perfect.

Matt. 5:48, I Peter 1:16, Romans 2:6-8

42. Jesus hanging out  with the sinners

Mark 2:17, Mark 6:11, Matthew 18:15, Luke 9:41, Mark 8:31-33, 1 Timothy 5:20, Titus 1:9, 13, Matthew 7:23, Matt. 12:49-50

43. I don’t need to confess my sins to anyone, I can do directly with God.

James 5:16, John 9:31, Luke 17:3-4, Matthew 5:24

Shining Perspective

I opened the door and my son yells from upstairs, “Hi Momma! Come up here!” Intrigued by the excitement, I drop my bags and head up the stairs. He continues, “I got on BLUE today! And look, I got this!” (Let me take a moment to explain that since school resumed from the winter break, his kindergarten teacher has implemented a color behavior chart system. On this chart blue means: he had a great day!) “Wow! You made it to the treasure box?” I ask.  “Yeah, I got this airplane from the treasure box!” He replies. “That’s awesome honey, I am so proud of you!”  He was thrilled to fly his little airplane around as if it were the most expensive, most extravagant toy on earth. But he was more excited to share with me his achievement and receive praise for a job well done.

I have entered a season I’m going to call the season of pressure. Every direction I turn, I’m involved in something, responsible for something, have to do some part of something and well, I’m not really sure what down time looks like anymore, because all of mine is dedicated to some kind of project. Something is always waiting for my attention. So I am becoming friends with pressure. I can’t get away from it and I can’t get out from underneath it, because my friend pressure is filling every area of my life.

Pressure can be a good thing. My son now has a little pressure to work harder on his behavior. He doesn’t want to end up on yellow, or orange or red for the day, but has incentive to stay on green or work towards blue or purple which results in a tangible reward.

As our evening of celebration continued on, Isaiah was enjoying some hard earned video game time. I joined him while he played. He wanted to show me that he could do a certain “trick” on the game. As he was playing he said, “Come on, I want to make mommy proud.”

What? (I asked myself.)

Doesn’t he know how proud I am of him?

Doesn’t he believe me when I tell him how much I love him?

Does he think I won’t be proud of him if he doesn’t do this “trick” on the video game?

And then, God spoke to my heart. “Do you think I’m not proud of you? Do you think I won’t love you if you don’t get all of those “things” done on your list?”

When does pressure become a bad thing? When pressure makes me forget about God’s grace, love and mercy-it’s a bad thing. “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair.”~ 2 Corinthians 4:8. If pressure makes me forget that the God who created the universe is with me every minute of every day, guiding me, strengthening me, and enabling me, it’s a very bad thing. But when I remember that: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” ~Psalm 46:1, the pressure will disappear.

I’m not six years old. I know what grace is; I experience it and live it and am saved by it every single day. It’s God’s grace that is typing each of the keys on this keyboard at 3:30am in the middle of my insomnia battle. It’s by God’s grace that I will make it through the day, today and every day that He gives me to live. It’s God’s grace that will balance out my to-do list, my responsibilities, my commitments and my trials, which all seem overwhelming right now. And it’s by God’s grace that I know He is in control of this season of pressure and is using it to teach me things I can learn no other way. God will meet me in my weakness as He always does. Maybe I can learn a little more about depending on His grace alone, which is sufficient. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” ~2 Corinthians 12:9

There is nothing Isaiah can do that will make me love him more. Nor is there anything he can do to make me more proud of him. Today he was on green and I was just as proud of him as I was when he achieved blue. I know how he struggles and where his challenges are and I know he gave his best effort for the day. I love him just the same today as I did when he had a bad day and came home on red last week.

In the same way, there is nothing I can do to make God love me more. God loved me when I was a horribly angry, drug using, alcohol abusing, completely lost, and empty woman. I met Jesus while I was walking on a path that could only end in destruction. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”~Romans 5:8

God doesn’t love me more just because I don’t live that way now. I’m not treasured because I teach Sunday school or write blogs, or attend church or bible study. It is because God loved me that He saved me from that life. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” ~Ephesians 2:8. It is God’s grace that is making me new everyday and it is God’s grace that transforms me and carries me through every minute of this new life in Christ.

Have you let Jesus Christ save you? Have you let God’s promises conquer all of your pressures?

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ~Romans 10:9

Being a parent I find myself repeating things over and over, seems sometimes my children don’t listen, don’t remember, or just don’t get it. about the third time I find myself rolling my eyes.

I Have been reading the book of John and wonder if Jesus ever rolled his eyes. He was fully man, right? & even though the bible may not translate it, I would think from time to tome Jesus was like “really? I’m pretty sure I told you this like 5 times”..so maybe, John 14:5(a) Jesus rolled His eyes. or, John 6:52 (a) Jesus let out a deep sigh and muttered “really” under his breath.

I’m not to be excluded from this, it seems I need to be reminded of what Jesus taught or how I should apply it. maybe it’s just me, but sometimes, after I loose my temper, or make a wrong decision, or dwell too much on crap, one word in my head tends to make me redirect…”Really?”