Sin and the simplicity of the Gospel

Remember, it will not be the "act" of sin God will punish come final judgement. Rather, every soul that rejects His only begotten Son's perfect sacrifice & atonement will be cast away! 

Do we really realize the price Christ, the Messiah paid when He endured His Father's wrath? So many want to chalk it up to His physical sufferings. Its so much DEEPER THAN THIS! This was the 1st ever separation He had from His Father... Sin separates us from God. 

JESUS BORE OUR SIN! EVERY BIT OF IT! Everything you and I would ever do to break God's heart and His law. 

Even as much as I believe, my tiny human mind cannot fully comprehend that magnitude! People say, "religion is complicated. It's dull and boring." Christ didn't come to give you a bunch of hoops to jump through. He came to give you LIFE! HE CAME TO SET US FREE! He came to give us HOPE so that we CAN know the Father and His impeccable LOVE for us, His creation. 

Truth is, we sin. "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." How dare we claim to be "good", when there is NONE GOOD BUT JEHOVAH! 

I know that's pretty abstruse but that's the simplicity of the Gospel Truth! We need not complicate the only thing that saves a soul from eternal damnation!

JOY IN THE BURDEN

"Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation." Jeremiah 15:16-17

Beautiful and filling are the Lord's words. There are times He separates us but not always for a wilderness journey. Sometimes it is so we are filled with His burden. It is a  necessary time in His presence. Here, Jeremiah was filled with indignation; which is fury, anger and rage. He was tasting God's displeasure for sin. 

How could this be "joy and rejoicing"? After all, so many focus only on the love of God. How can this be? Simple! Knowing we are His and Him sharing His heart is enough. Have you experienced the Lord’s heart through His Word? Did it fill you with joy and rejoicing?

If we are truly in Christ, we too will carry His burden, however He sees fit. Being called by His name is the root of all joy! Remember, "joy" is greater than a feeling and deeper than the surface. God's love is balanced and it carries great weight! 

Jesus is the Word! John 1:1 tells us, 

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." 

Jesus' words should bring us great comfort as He directs us in His will. 

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Matthew 11:29-30

Can we be connected to Christ and not be grateful, thankful and full of joy and rejoicing? Not for long! Our focus is Him and He is all we need. Are we feasting on Him, THE Word? Are we allowing God to have His way in the journey? Most importantly, are you embracing His presence as He helps to carry the burden?

You CAN know Christ personally!

Knowing Jesus Christ personally is NOT the same as have a "touch of religion"! Surrendering ourselves to Him and His call makes all the difference. 

Enjoy a short clip to share with those who need Jesus! I hope you are blessed today and every day! Love y'all!

https://youtube.com/shorts/2haSjAZU-sI?feature=share

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Remember, you can strengthen your walk with Christ by daily spending time in the Word of God. (Romans 12:2).

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May God bless you more and more as you GROW IN HIM! 

Known by Christ or a Grapevine Experience

I remember in my younger days a lot of people knew who I was, but not because then knew me personally; they knew me by association-- they knew others who did know me... that were close to me. 

Even still with business I encounter similar situations. Many know who I am but aren't close enough to know me personally. I'm not into popularity. No, I share this because as I pondered these things the Lord spoke to my heart. 

He brought this passage to mind: 

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Matthew 7:21-23

Many know of Jesus yet very few know Him personally. Key question is: Does He know you?

He said, "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Matthew 7:14

Knowing Him is personal, a genuine relationship. Religion leads one to believe it's collective or a grapevine experience. It is not by customs, traditions nor through any other coattail experience that we are forgiven, redeemed, and set free... Come to know Christ, turn to Him. Only He has the power to save. 

Will you be a stranger saying unto Him, "Lord, Lord..." only to hear those dreaded words, "I never knew you" and be eternally cast away? I pray you are not rejected by Him.

Break up that fallow ground

"Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you." Hosea 10:12

Fallow ground is hardened, unplowed and unseeded ground; it is undeveloped yet potentially useful. Can hardened ground accept seed or absorb water; much-less produce any fruit? 

Consider this in relation to our hearts. It is the Lord who must prepare us, tilling up what is hard and not useful. Are we willing to allow His blade to dig deep down, breaking up the unused parts that we may absorb His goodness, His Word and become saturated with His Living waters? 

In Jeremiah, the Lord is careful to instruct, "For thus saith the LORD... Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns." Jeremiah 4:3 

What's the difference, if the ground be tilled anyway? In the parable of the seed and the sower Jesus details the "thorns choke out the seed". It is their deep roots that spoil! 

It is time to seek the Lord, the days are dark and His return is upon us. Will we allow the breaking so that we may absorb, be nurtured, grow and reap in righteousness and mercy?

I know your voice

My daughter & I were painting bedrooms one day. I gave her a small brush and showed her how to paint the trim above the baseboards.

She said, "Oh this is what my brother was learning the other day." (A friend of ours was teaching him) I laughingly said, yep and since you heard and saw him doing it, you should already know how." 

She paused a moment and said, "Well, I didn't really understand it until you told me because I know your voice." All I could do was giggle! 

The Lord did use her cute little phrase to speak to my heart as He reminded me of Jesus important words ...

"And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers." John 10:4-5

Not only do we, in Christ, have the Great Shepherd who leads us but we know His voice as well as His Spirit who abides within teaches us! 

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26

I love spending time with my daughter and I love how the Lord uses simple things as great reminders! I hope this has encouraged you as it has me! Stay blessed!

Center of the Centurion

Center of the Centurion

"And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour." Matthew 8:13

For the full story, read Matthew 8:5-13. I love this account. What was the at the center of the centurion? PURE FAITH!!!

He, being a military commander knew the power of authority... speak it and it's done! This man had no problem asking Jesus to speak healing over his servant. Jesus was amazed at his faith and granted his petition. Isnt that amazing!?

This story should resonate with every believer in Christ! Sure, we pray. We ask for deliverance and healing, for peace and protection. We ask even for the impossible! How often though are we asking in PURE FAITH? We need to take a serious look, not necessarily at what we are asking for, but more so at the level of our faith.

James reminds us, "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord." James 1:6-7

Did you catch that KEY ingredient? "Nothing wavering"! What does that mean exactly? It means that we MUST cast away any doubt. Often times, we know God is able. We KNOW He can, but we 1/2 heartedly give it to Him.

In every petition, may we too have FAITH as the centurion. God knows, He sees. He knows the needs and He sees if we come to Him fully believing and trusting Him or if we kinda want to give it to Him, but allow doubts to excuse our holding on to the issue.

Heart check, can you see situations you've fully surrendered in faith? Now, consider the things you want to hold on to and in essence doubt God's ability, His timing and His authority. Can you see where doubt has won and where faith has had the victory?

The beauty of Feet

 Greetings to all in Christ! I want to share a life lesson with you all that I've experienced. I pray you are blessed and encouraged and take a look at feet in a whole new light! In Jesus name!

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Here is a link to the song "At Your Feet" by Casting Crowns. I encourage you to listen ...

Casting Crowns "At Your Feet"

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"And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" Romans 10:15

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 QUESTION: How can we preach if we are not willing to submit to the call?

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Learning about service, humility and Love...

A while ago, my husband was joking about washing his feet as he was taking his work boots off one night. At first I was reluctant and kidding him about how stinky his feet were, but I knew there would be something to it, so I prayerfully did it. I ran a little bath water and had him sit on the edge of the tub and began washing his feet. He had been talking with a preacher friend, so since they both know I believe the Word of God, Jimmy wanted to test me and see if I would do as I say. During this time, I felt close to him. I had his undivided attention and he had mine. Even though he towered over me sitting on the edge; this was a true picture of humility, love & service. This was one on one time! I looked him in the eyes as I was finished and I said, "see how much I love you, this is a humbling experience, I'm on my knees washing your stinky feet!" He smiled and we laughed. I was praying through it that God would open his eyes and show him true humbleness and His Love. While drying Jimmy's feet he said, "too bad that didn't count." I said, how do you figure, that is being submissive, you are my husband and you asked me to do this... well, his preacher friend told him that women do this to women and men do this to men in their church... I told him, it did count because he was my husband and I love him enough to do it. I'm not sure what point his friend was trying to make, but this opened the door for me to share the story of Mary and Martha, and Jimmy was quite attentive!

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"There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.

 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment."  John 12:2-3 I explained to him that Mary was at Jesus feet, giving Him her all, completely undivided attention, she was showing her love for Him, while Martha was busy in the kitchen preparing the meal... she missed out on the face time!!!

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While trying to figure out what his friend was trying to tell him, I began prayerfully  searching the Word, and I was reminded of this...
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"Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." John 13:3-17

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There is a lot to learn from this ... Jesus is our example of LOVE, Humility & Service... These cannot be done with a pure heart apart from HIM. Jesus said, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."John 15:4-5 If we are in Christ, His attributes will be clearly seen. (This is His fruit) We will WANT to please Him, reach out to others and serve Him with all our being. If you don't have this desire, it's time for self examination...

What does your attitude reveal about you?

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"Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he." Proverbs 16:19-20