The two sides of regret - the doing and the not doing.
1)Not doing: that sickening feeling that a person feels when they realize that they missed an opportunity to do something and didn't take it
2)Doing: that sickening feeling a person feels when they realize they said or did something they shouldn't have said or done.
No matter which side of regret I fall on, that feeling can be like a wave crashing over me. Can you relate? Unfortunately I have felt both sides and with the same results... miserable feelings of regret. It is so easy to get stuck in that place, living in the past and reliving our sense of failure (whether perceived or real). May I encourage you today to look at these experiences through the lens of scripture?
Romans 3:23 tells us that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." But praise be to God that "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9
One of the redeeming qualities of life is that we don't have to live in the past, we can make amends and move forward to make different, better decisions. God knows our frame, that we are weak and sinful yet He has provided a way for us to be reconciled to Himself: through Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection.
So next time you begin to get swallowed up by feelings of regret, remember that God has already made a way for you to be restored and get on the right path again.
Showing posts with label salvation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label salvation. Show all posts
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Yahweh Tsuri ~ The Lord My Rock Pt 2
There may be times when we are falsely accused or slandered, unfairly mistreated or rejected. During those times, we may be tempted to defend ourselves by fighting back, slandering in return, or retaliating in some other form.
If you have confessed with your mouth and believed in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again to save you from your sins then you have a powerful defense... you can forgive them and freely turn it all over to God.
Should you find yourself in a situation like the ones I described above, let me encourage you to consider that God is your rock - He is your deliverer, He is your defender. Take refuge in Him, He is your salvation. Trust Him with those people, with that situation, with your hurt.
Echo David's prayer in II Samuel 22:2-4:
"He (David) said,
'The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
3 My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge;
My savior, You save me from violence.
4"I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised,
And I am saved from my enemies.' "
If you have confessed with your mouth and believed in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again to save you from your sins then you have a powerful defense... you can forgive them and freely turn it all over to God.
Should you find yourself in a situation like the ones I described above, let me encourage you to consider that God is your rock - He is your deliverer, He is your defender. Take refuge in Him, He is your salvation. Trust Him with those people, with that situation, with your hurt.
Echo David's prayer in II Samuel 22:2-4:
"He (David) said,
'The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
3 My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge;
My savior, You save me from violence.
4"I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised,
And I am saved from my enemies.' "
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Yahweh Tsuri ~ The Lord My Rock
When the storms of life are raging or the troubles of life are overwhelming, remember that God is our Rock. He is steadfast, immovable, reliable, unshakeable. Meditate on these truths from the Word of God, make them your prayer and praise today.
"There is no rock like our God."
I Samuel 2:2
"The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
My shield and the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold."
Psalm 18:2
"For who is God, but the LORD?
And who is a rock, except our God,
The God who girds me with strength
And makes my way blameless?"
Psalm 18:31-32
"Let the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer."
Psalm 19:14
"Incline Your ear to me, rescue me quickly;
Be to me a rock of strength, A stronghold to save me.
For You are my rock and my fortress;
For Your name's sake You will lead me and guide me."
Psalm 31:2-3
"From the end of the earth
I call to You when my heart is faint;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I."
Psalm 61:2
"He only is my rock and my salvation,My stronghold;
I shall not be greatly shaken...
He only is my rock and my salvation,My stronghold;
I shall not be shaken.
On God my salvation and my glory rest;
The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God."
Psalm 62:2,6-7
"And they remembered that God was their rock,
And the Most High God their Redeemer."
Psalm 78:35
"There is no rock like our God."
I Samuel 2:2
"The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
My shield and the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold."
Psalm 18:2
"For who is God, but the LORD?
And who is a rock, except our God,
The God who girds me with strength
And makes my way blameless?"
Psalm 18:31-32
"Let the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer."
Psalm 19:14
"Incline Your ear to me, rescue me quickly;
Be to me a rock of strength, A stronghold to save me.
For You are my rock and my fortress;
For Your name's sake You will lead me and guide me."
Psalm 31:2-3
"From the end of the earth
I call to You when my heart is faint;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I."
Psalm 61:2
"He only is my rock and my salvation,My stronghold;
I shall not be greatly shaken...
He only is my rock and my salvation,My stronghold;
I shall not be shaken.
On God my salvation and my glory rest;
The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God."
Psalm 62:2,6-7
"And they remembered that God was their rock,
And the Most High God their Redeemer."
Psalm 78:35
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Our Great Salvation
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
"to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
"who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
I Peter 1: 3-5
Recently I have been working my way through I Peter, trying to really dig in and grow in my understanding of what it is God wants me to learn from it. I sat down, prayed then broke down the above verses as best I could using a Greek Word Study New Testament (please keep in mind that I am no Greek scholar). After having read and reread the passage several times here is what I observed about our great salvation from this passage of scripture:
1) We have been born again according to God's great mercy.
It is by His grace and mercy alone that we can stand before a holy God because we are clothed in Christ's righteousness. God has shown great compassion on those who are born again as we see in Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
2) We have been born again to a LIVING hope.
Our hope is not vain, dead, or wasted... our hope is a living hope, a vivifying (life giving) hope. That life comes through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. "Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness!" (Hymn: The Solid Rock by Edward Mote)
3) We have been born again to an inheritance which is:
~~imperishable- cannot be corrupted
~~undefiled- cannot be soiled or debased
~~will not decay- unfading as in in cannot ever wear out
~~reserved in heaven-kept, watched over
Our inheritance is not one that can be lost, stolen, squandered, eaten by moths or burned by fire.
It is like nothing on earth, it is eternal, perfect, it's beauty will never fade! It cannot be corrupted, soiled or debased... isn't that wonderful? God has reserved it in heaven FOR YOU. Wow!
4) We are protected by the power of God through faith.
The word protected in this verse has the imagery of a person mounting guard as sentinel, it is being watched in advance, it is completed safe. Why is it safe? Because it is protected by the power of God Almighty- the wind and the waves obey His voice, He spoke the universe into place, He calls all the stars by name, He is God of very God (Psalm 104)! HE is the one who protects those who have placed their faith in Him. Hallelujah!
5) Our salvation will be revealed in the last time.
As we walk through this life by faith we are looking forward to the blessed living hope, our inheritance reserved for us. Why do we do this? Because we have eternity in our hearts, we are not meant to stay here, we are pilgrims, sojourners heading for our heavenly home. In the last time God will literally remove the veil to expose that which was previously hidden... our great salvation. It will not be just a living hope anymore but a glorious reality. We will no longer vaguely see Him but we will see Him face to face! We will take hold of that which has been reserved in heaven for us - our imperishable inheritance!
Maranatha - Lord Come Quickly!
Oh Lord Jesus, I am overwhelmed by the glories of Your word! So little can I comprehend and how great that little bit is! Help me Lord to continually live in the reality of this great salvation You have given to me. Enable me to understand Your word and apply it to my life in such a way that I become more and more like You. Thank You, thank You for the cross and the living hope it gives. Amen.
"to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
"who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
I Peter 1: 3-5
Recently I have been working my way through I Peter, trying to really dig in and grow in my understanding of what it is God wants me to learn from it. I sat down, prayed then broke down the above verses as best I could using a Greek Word Study New Testament (please keep in mind that I am no Greek scholar). After having read and reread the passage several times here is what I observed about our great salvation from this passage of scripture:
1) We have been born again according to God's great mercy.
It is by His grace and mercy alone that we can stand before a holy God because we are clothed in Christ's righteousness. God has shown great compassion on those who are born again as we see in Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
2) We have been born again to a LIVING hope.
Our hope is not vain, dead, or wasted... our hope is a living hope, a vivifying (life giving) hope. That life comes through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. "Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness!" (Hymn: The Solid Rock by Edward Mote)
3) We have been born again to an inheritance which is:
~~imperishable- cannot be corrupted
~~undefiled- cannot be soiled or debased
~~will not decay- unfading as in in cannot ever wear out
~~reserved in heaven-kept, watched over
Our inheritance is not one that can be lost, stolen, squandered, eaten by moths or burned by fire.
It is like nothing on earth, it is eternal, perfect, it's beauty will never fade! It cannot be corrupted, soiled or debased... isn't that wonderful? God has reserved it in heaven FOR YOU. Wow!
4) We are protected by the power of God through faith.
The word protected in this verse has the imagery of a person mounting guard as sentinel, it is being watched in advance, it is completed safe. Why is it safe? Because it is protected by the power of God Almighty- the wind and the waves obey His voice, He spoke the universe into place, He calls all the stars by name, He is God of very God (Psalm 104)! HE is the one who protects those who have placed their faith in Him. Hallelujah!
5) Our salvation will be revealed in the last time.
As we walk through this life by faith we are looking forward to the blessed living hope, our inheritance reserved for us. Why do we do this? Because we have eternity in our hearts, we are not meant to stay here, we are pilgrims, sojourners heading for our heavenly home. In the last time God will literally remove the veil to expose that which was previously hidden... our great salvation. It will not be just a living hope anymore but a glorious reality. We will no longer vaguely see Him but we will see Him face to face! We will take hold of that which has been reserved in heaven for us - our imperishable inheritance!
Maranatha - Lord Come Quickly!
Oh Lord Jesus, I am overwhelmed by the glories of Your word! So little can I comprehend and how great that little bit is! Help me Lord to continually live in the reality of this great salvation You have given to me. Enable me to understand Your word and apply it to my life in such a way that I become more and more like You. Thank You, thank You for the cross and the living hope it gives. Amen.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Preparation and Purpose
I Peter 1: 13
"Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely in the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
"Gird up" (prepare):
a metaphor derived from the practice of the Orientals, who in order to be unimpeded in their movements were accustomed, when starting a journey or engaging in any work, to bind their long flowing garments closely around their bodies and fastened them with a leather belt."
I like this word picture, it illustrates very well how we are to remove or put aside any encumbrances so we can we take action or work. One interesting thing to note is that the ancients did this at the beginning... not once they had begun but in preparation for what lay ahead of them. That required forethought and a sense of purpose.
"keep sober in spirit":
We are to be discreet and keep watch. Our minds are to be occupied with things that pertain to our calling as believers. Now does that mean we are fuddy duddies that have no sense of humor without any sort of interesting personality? No! It does mean that we are serious about our calling as believers and that brings a sense of purpose to all we do (Romans 14:17). We are not to be senseless but loving, joyful, patient, kind, among other things (Eph. 5:22-23).
"fix your hope completely in the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ"
Completely means perfectly, entirely, to the end, in the sense of accomplishment of hope. We are to fix (set) our hope perfectly, entirely on the grace that will be brought to us at Christ's revelation. He is our source, our motivation, our reason for preparing for action in the first place. We are to wait for our salvation with joy and full confidence that He who promised is faithful to complete that which He has begun (I Thes 5:23-24).
As we look forward to Christ's return and He will enable us to prepare, act, keep watch, and hope in His abundant grace.
Thank You Lord for the grace which You so freely bestow on me every day. Forgive me for losing sight of my purpose and falling short. Enable me to live a life that is honoring to You in my thoughts, emotions, words, and actions. In Jesus' name - Amen.
"Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely in the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
"Gird up" (prepare):
a metaphor derived from the practice of the Orientals, who in order to be unimpeded in their movements were accustomed, when starting a journey or engaging in any work, to bind their long flowing garments closely around their bodies and fastened them with a leather belt."
I like this word picture, it illustrates very well how we are to remove or put aside any encumbrances so we can we take action or work. One interesting thing to note is that the ancients did this at the beginning... not once they had begun but in preparation for what lay ahead of them. That required forethought and a sense of purpose.
"keep sober in spirit":
We are to be discreet and keep watch. Our minds are to be occupied with things that pertain to our calling as believers. Now does that mean we are fuddy duddies that have no sense of humor without any sort of interesting personality? No! It does mean that we are serious about our calling as believers and that brings a sense of purpose to all we do (Romans 14:17). We are not to be senseless but loving, joyful, patient, kind, among other things (Eph. 5:22-23).
"fix your hope completely in the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ"
Completely means perfectly, entirely, to the end, in the sense of accomplishment of hope. We are to fix (set) our hope perfectly, entirely on the grace that will be brought to us at Christ's revelation. He is our source, our motivation, our reason for preparing for action in the first place. We are to wait for our salvation with joy and full confidence that He who promised is faithful to complete that which He has begun (I Thes 5:23-24).
As we look forward to Christ's return and He will enable us to prepare, act, keep watch, and hope in His abundant grace.
Thank You Lord for the grace which You so freely bestow on me every day. Forgive me for losing sight of my purpose and falling short. Enable me to live a life that is honoring to You in my thoughts, emotions, words, and actions. In Jesus' name - Amen.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Lavish Grace
Ephesians 1:7-8
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us."
Grace in the Greek is charis - it means unmerited or undeserved favor.
Lavish is the Greek verb perisseuo which means to superabound, to be in excess. The Greek lexicon explains it this way: to furnish one richly so that he has abundance. Here in Ephesians God performed the action, it is a statement of fact with no regard to the past, present or future time. This is a reality in the believer's life... God lavished the riches of His grace upon us. WOW!
Recently I have been studying God's grace, I am overwhelmed by the lavishness of it! God sent His Son to be the propitiation for my sins, He redeemed me by His blood, He has forgiven my trespasses. He did that while I was yet a sinner (Rom. 5:8), at enmity with Him. Christ broke down the dividing wall between myself and God (Eph. 2:13-16). Truly all undeserved by a sinner such as I.
"Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within.
Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that is greater than all my sin."
As I ponder the vastness of the grace of God, I begin to get a glimpse of the outworking of His grace in my life. Although salvation is more than enough - it is super-abundant - His sanctification in my life has been abundance on top of abundance.
How many times has He forgiven me? Countless times and without hesitation.
What has He forgiven me? Limitless things- every sin I bring to the foot of His cross is forgiven.
Where am I now compared to 5 years ago? Ten years ago? Walking more and more in His grace by His grace... I am so dramatically changed because of His grace.
Who am I? Chosen by God in Christ (Eph. 1:4, John 15:16), predestined to adoption as sons through Christ (Eph. 1:5), accepted in the Beloved (Eph. 1:6), joint heir with Jesus (Rom. 8:17).
Any one of these things is cause for rejoicing and awe. I know that I know God's grace in my life because nothing could accomplish in me what God's grace has accomplished. Because that grace is so freely given, lavishly given, how can I not extend grace to those around me? What right have I to withhold grace from others when I have been so abundantly supplied?
A parable comes to mind in answer to this question...remember the parable of the unforgiving servant?
In Matthew 18, Christ is talking to Peter about forgiveness and He tells Peter about a king who began to settle accounts with his servants. One servant in particular possibly owed more than he might ever be able to pay in his lifetime - ten thousand talents. The king ordered that he be sold as well as his wife and children to settle the debt. But the servant begged mercy of the king, begging his patience. Not only did the king release the servant but he forgave him the entire debt. The king had every right to the payment but chose to forgive it all.
The story doesn't end there though. That same servant, the receiver of much grace (undeserved favor), goes to another servant who owed him a pittance compared to what he had just been forgiven and demands immediate payment. He not only demanded it, he took that fellow servant by the throat and threatened him. When that man begged for mercy, he was denied and sent to debtors prison until he could repay. When the king heard of it, he was angry and delivered the wicked servant to the torturers until he could repay saying, "Should you not also have compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?" (Matt. 18:33)
So what is the answer to, "What right have I to withhold grace from others when I have been so abundantly supplied?" NONE, I have no right to withhold grace from anyone because the grace I received is not mine, it is a gift from God richly poured out on me. I have not done anything to merit grace - it is completely undeserved by me. Therefore, it is my obligation to pour out grace on others in Christ's name - not under durress but out of abundance. Freely He has given, freely we need to give - it's His grace we give. Let us walk in the abundance that is already ours spreading that abundance as we go.
Oh Precious Jesus, how You have so lavishly poured out Your grace on me through Your death on the cross. You have cancelled the debt I owe that I could never repay by Your blood. Help me today to walk in that abundant grace and to be a source of that grace to everyone around me. Help me to see myself as I truly am, a sinner saved by Your grace, not of myself lest I should boast. I love You Lord, Amen.
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us."
Grace in the Greek is charis - it means unmerited or undeserved favor.
Lavish is the Greek verb perisseuo which means to superabound, to be in excess. The Greek lexicon explains it this way: to furnish one richly so that he has abundance. Here in Ephesians God performed the action, it is a statement of fact with no regard to the past, present or future time. This is a reality in the believer's life... God lavished the riches of His grace upon us. WOW!
Recently I have been studying God's grace, I am overwhelmed by the lavishness of it! God sent His Son to be the propitiation for my sins, He redeemed me by His blood, He has forgiven my trespasses. He did that while I was yet a sinner (Rom. 5:8), at enmity with Him. Christ broke down the dividing wall between myself and God (Eph. 2:13-16). Truly all undeserved by a sinner such as I.
"Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within.
Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that is greater than all my sin."
As I ponder the vastness of the grace of God, I begin to get a glimpse of the outworking of His grace in my life. Although salvation is more than enough - it is super-abundant - His sanctification in my life has been abundance on top of abundance.
How many times has He forgiven me? Countless times and without hesitation.
What has He forgiven me? Limitless things- every sin I bring to the foot of His cross is forgiven.
Where am I now compared to 5 years ago? Ten years ago? Walking more and more in His grace by His grace... I am so dramatically changed because of His grace.
Who am I? Chosen by God in Christ (Eph. 1:4, John 15:16), predestined to adoption as sons through Christ (Eph. 1:5), accepted in the Beloved (Eph. 1:6), joint heir with Jesus (Rom. 8:17).
Any one of these things is cause for rejoicing and awe. I know that I know God's grace in my life because nothing could accomplish in me what God's grace has accomplished. Because that grace is so freely given, lavishly given, how can I not extend grace to those around me? What right have I to withhold grace from others when I have been so abundantly supplied?
A parable comes to mind in answer to this question...remember the parable of the unforgiving servant?
In Matthew 18, Christ is talking to Peter about forgiveness and He tells Peter about a king who began to settle accounts with his servants. One servant in particular possibly owed more than he might ever be able to pay in his lifetime - ten thousand talents. The king ordered that he be sold as well as his wife and children to settle the debt. But the servant begged mercy of the king, begging his patience. Not only did the king release the servant but he forgave him the entire debt. The king had every right to the payment but chose to forgive it all.
The story doesn't end there though. That same servant, the receiver of much grace (undeserved favor), goes to another servant who owed him a pittance compared to what he had just been forgiven and demands immediate payment. He not only demanded it, he took that fellow servant by the throat and threatened him. When that man begged for mercy, he was denied and sent to debtors prison until he could repay. When the king heard of it, he was angry and delivered the wicked servant to the torturers until he could repay saying, "Should you not also have compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?" (Matt. 18:33)
So what is the answer to, "What right have I to withhold grace from others when I have been so abundantly supplied?" NONE, I have no right to withhold grace from anyone because the grace I received is not mine, it is a gift from God richly poured out on me. I have not done anything to merit grace - it is completely undeserved by me. Therefore, it is my obligation to pour out grace on others in Christ's name - not under durress but out of abundance. Freely He has given, freely we need to give - it's His grace we give. Let us walk in the abundance that is already ours spreading that abundance as we go.
Oh Precious Jesus, how You have so lavishly poured out Your grace on me through Your death on the cross. You have cancelled the debt I owe that I could never repay by Your blood. Help me today to walk in that abundant grace and to be a source of that grace to everyone around me. Help me to see myself as I truly am, a sinner saved by Your grace, not of myself lest I should boast. I love You Lord, Amen.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Psalm 18 - Who is God?
I walked through Psalm 18 and it was a treasure trove of insight into the character of God. What an awesome thing it is to look into the Word of God, to see truth when we so desperately need it!
Let these truths wash over your soul today... cleansing it of worry, unbelief, stress, depression, fear, whatever else the enemy is throwing at you. This, my friends, is for you... the daughters of the king!
Verse 1 - He is my strength
Verse 2 - He is my rock and fortress, my deliverer and my God, my strength, my shield, horn of my salvation, my stronghold
Verse 3 - He is worthy to be praised
Verse 6 - He hears my cries of distress, He hears my voice
Verse 7-15 - He is powerful, Creator, controller of all things, Master of the universe, Lord of all creation
Verse 16 - He is my deliverer
Verse 17 - He is stronger than my enemies and those things that are too big for me
Verse 18 - He is my support
Verse 20 - He is my rewarder
Verse 25 - He is merciful and blameless
Verse 26 - He is pure to those who are pure, He is shrewd toward those who are devious
Verse 27 - He saves the humble
Verse 28 - He lights my lamp, enlightening the darkness around me
Verse 29 - He enables me to run against a troop, to leap over a wall
Verse 30 - His way is perfect, His word is proven, He is my shield
Verse 31 - He is the Lord, my rock
Verse 32 - He arms me with strength and makes my way perfect
Verse 33 - He sets my feet on high places
Verse 34 - He is my teacher
Verse 35 - He gives me salvation, He holds me up, He is gentle
Verse 36 - He guards my path so my feet do not slip
Verse 39 - He arms me with strength for battle
Verse 46 - He lives, He is my rock, He is the God of my salvation
Verse 47 - He is my avenger
Verse 48 - He is my deliverer
Verse 49 - He is deserving of thanks and praise
Verse 50 - He shows mercy to His anointed
Let these truths wash over your soul today... cleansing it of worry, unbelief, stress, depression, fear, whatever else the enemy is throwing at you. This, my friends, is for you... the daughters of the king!
Verse 1 - He is my strength
Verse 2 - He is my rock and fortress, my deliverer and my God, my strength, my shield, horn of my salvation, my stronghold
Verse 3 - He is worthy to be praised
Verse 6 - He hears my cries of distress, He hears my voice
Verse 7-15 - He is powerful, Creator, controller of all things, Master of the universe, Lord of all creation
Verse 16 - He is my deliverer
Verse 17 - He is stronger than my enemies and those things that are too big for me
Verse 18 - He is my support
Verse 20 - He is my rewarder
Verse 25 - He is merciful and blameless
Verse 26 - He is pure to those who are pure, He is shrewd toward those who are devious
Verse 27 - He saves the humble
Verse 28 - He lights my lamp, enlightening the darkness around me
Verse 29 - He enables me to run against a troop, to leap over a wall
Verse 30 - His way is perfect, His word is proven, He is my shield
Verse 31 - He is the Lord, my rock
Verse 32 - He arms me with strength and makes my way perfect
Verse 33 - He sets my feet on high places
Verse 34 - He is my teacher
Verse 35 - He gives me salvation, He holds me up, He is gentle
Verse 36 - He guards my path so my feet do not slip
Verse 39 - He arms me with strength for battle
Verse 46 - He lives, He is my rock, He is the God of my salvation
Verse 47 - He is my avenger
Verse 48 - He is my deliverer
Verse 49 - He is deserving of thanks and praise
Verse 50 - He shows mercy to His anointed
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Assurance of salvation
My girls and I just started an inductive bible study through the book of I John. We've only done one lesson but it is an awesome way to study the bible! Inductive bible study includes reading and re-reading the text to identify key words and phrases, book and chapter themes, what kind of literature it is (letter, prophetic, etc.), who wrote the book, as well as the historical setting. At first it is a lot to do but starting with prayer puts your feet on the right path. It's amazing how much information you can gather without any extra study tools.
What we have learned so far is that the book of I John is about assurance of salvation. In I Jn. 5:13 that purpose of the book is clearly stated, "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life."
The author gives us a measuring rod to test if we are truly saved.
Chapter 1: we can't be in fellowship with God and walk in darkness (1:6)
Chapter 2: we have come to know Him if we keep His commandments (2:3)
Chapter 3: we are born again if we do not habitually practice sin (3:9)
Chapter 4: we are His if we confess that Jesus Christ is the son of God (4:2)
Chapter 5: we have a witness living within us, the Holy Spirit (5:10)
Isn't that awesome? God has given us His Word to show Himself to us and to give us the tools we need to stand firm in our faith. The Word of God is truly living and powerful (Heb. 4:12); it is given by inspiration of God for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instructions in righteousness so we may be complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work (II Tim. 3:16-17). Dig in to the Word, taste and see that the Lord is good!!
NOTE: For further information and a clear understanding of inductive bible study, I would encourage you to read "How to Study Your Bible" by Kay Arthur.
What we have learned so far is that the book of I John is about assurance of salvation. In I Jn. 5:13 that purpose of the book is clearly stated, "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life."
The author gives us a measuring rod to test if we are truly saved.
Chapter 1: we can't be in fellowship with God and walk in darkness (1:6)
Chapter 2: we have come to know Him if we keep His commandments (2:3)
Chapter 3: we are born again if we do not habitually practice sin (3:9)
Chapter 4: we are His if we confess that Jesus Christ is the son of God (4:2)
Chapter 5: we have a witness living within us, the Holy Spirit (5:10)
Isn't that awesome? God has given us His Word to show Himself to us and to give us the tools we need to stand firm in our faith. The Word of God is truly living and powerful (Heb. 4:12); it is given by inspiration of God for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instructions in righteousness so we may be complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work (II Tim. 3:16-17). Dig in to the Word, taste and see that the Lord is good!!
NOTE: For further information and a clear understanding of inductive bible study, I would encourage you to read "How to Study Your Bible" by Kay Arthur.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Eternity awaits
Oh my, what a life we live. What a gift each day is that comes our way and how often do we cherish it? One major event has brought this to the forefront of my mind. A dear friend of mine (and of many others) has slipped into the arms of Jesus after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer this past Saturday morning. She was an amazing woman, loved deeply by her husband, children, and friends. She did not publicly complain about all of the negative effects of treatment, she just privately endured what came her way. She loved her Lord and His name was on her lips whenever we spoke. What an example of humility and perseverance, longsuffering and grace she was. To know her more was to love her more... I am grateful to have known her.
I don't think we can say "I love you" enough to those we truly love.
I don't think we can hold hands too much, smile too much, or laugh too much.
Sing when you feel like it , dance in the rain often, and love like there's no tomorrow.
For those of us who know Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we need to live recklessly abandoned to hope- the blessed hope of Christ's return and the bodily resurrection of those who have gone on before.
For those of you who do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, let me share with you the hope that lies within me ( and my dear friend Linda) from God's Word. You see, this life is not all there is... eternity is our destination.
Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
You and I need a Savior because we cannot meet God standards of holiness.
Romans 5:12 "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned."
Because Adam and Eve sinned, all men share in the fallen condition of sin.
Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Death is the consequence for sin but God sent His own Son to die on the cross for sinners.
Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Christ willingly paid the penalty for your sin and mine, He was the perfect spotless Lamb. On the third day He rose again victorious over sin and death then ascended to the right hand of the Father in heaven.
Romans 10:9-10 "...if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
We cannot reach up to God but He reached down to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. It's not enough to believe in God or heaven. We must surrender our lives and hearts through faith in Jesus Christ. At this point our lives are no longer our own, we have given over the "controls" to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Friends, there is no greater joy that to live a life that is dead to sin and alive to God! No one knows what day or time they will pass away. Do you know where you will be spending eternity? I know I will be seeing Linda again and praising God with her in heaven one day.
Won't you surrender to the Lord Jesus today?
I don't think we can say "I love you" enough to those we truly love.
I don't think we can hold hands too much, smile too much, or laugh too much.
Sing when you feel like it , dance in the rain often, and love like there's no tomorrow.
For those of us who know Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we need to live recklessly abandoned to hope- the blessed hope of Christ's return and the bodily resurrection of those who have gone on before.
For those of you who do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, let me share with you the hope that lies within me ( and my dear friend Linda) from God's Word. You see, this life is not all there is... eternity is our destination.
Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
You and I need a Savior because we cannot meet God standards of holiness.
Romans 5:12 "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned."
Because Adam and Eve sinned, all men share in the fallen condition of sin.
Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Death is the consequence for sin but God sent His own Son to die on the cross for sinners.
Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Christ willingly paid the penalty for your sin and mine, He was the perfect spotless Lamb. On the third day He rose again victorious over sin and death then ascended to the right hand of the Father in heaven.
Romans 10:9-10 "...if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
We cannot reach up to God but He reached down to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. It's not enough to believe in God or heaven. We must surrender our lives and hearts through faith in Jesus Christ. At this point our lives are no longer our own, we have given over the "controls" to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Friends, there is no greater joy that to live a life that is dead to sin and alive to God! No one knows what day or time they will pass away. Do you know where you will be spending eternity? I know I will be seeing Linda again and praising God with her in heaven one day.
Won't you surrender to the Lord Jesus today?
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