Friday, May 27, 2011

Some big pluses are yours?

"What's in it for me?" A very reasonable question to ask. So, let's break it down into little nibblets the big pluses coming your way when you make your choice for Jesus.

#1. Your sins being forgiven and forgotten. This might not sound like you'll be receiving a big plus, but on judgement day you'll be glad your sins are all wiped clean and the dept for your sins paid-in-full. Trust me,this is a big plus because the only way God forgives sin is there has to be some blood shed as payment, and not any old blood will do. The blood has to be from a pure, acceptable sacrifice. That is why there were so many rituals of animal sacrifices in Old Testament time that had to be performed by priests.  For us today the accepted and approved sacrifice we can stand firmly on is Jesus'. Jesus only had to willingly give Himself once to shed His blood. He was the sacrifice that would end the need for any more sacrifices. His sacrifice did it once and for all. God saw it, was pleased and accepted it. So, when you have Jesus, your sins are forgiven through His shed blood on the Cross. Period. Having your sins forgiven is a huge plus.

Jesus was victorious on the Cross 
Photo credit: cohdra from morguefile.com

#2.  Did you know you some pretty neat rights as an adopted child? And the same goes for anyone in the family of God. Being a child of God, and this pertains to grown-ups as well, gets to be in on the inheritance of all the good God has to shower upon His precious children. And that inheritance is part of the inheritance that Jesus will get as well. Every one of God's children will receive great inheritance with magnificent eternal perks. That's something to look forward when you choose Jesus making you an adopted child of God. So, another great plus you get when you choose Jesus.

#3. With Jesus, you move from darkness into light. Without Jesus, you have no choice but to be in the dark. It's only when you accept Jesus into your heart that the Light of the world comes in and your spirit is awakened.  You're a reborn person because your spirit has been awaken and enlightened with the Light of the world.  I know this sounds impossible, but this is what happens spiritually.  Your spirit is that part of you that is not flesh nor blood but is made in the image of God, and it's the you that will live forever, the true, real you. God is Spirit, and your spirit is what is brought to light when you choose Jesus. So, your spirit moving into the Light is another great plus you get.


Photo credit: Alvimann from morguefile.com


#4.  Your home is being prepared in heaven by the hands of Jesus, and it will be a mansion tailor made for you. All the palaces in the world will pale in comparison to your heavenly mansion because it will be absolutely perfect in every way and made just for you.  Where else and who else has that in store for you? The answer is no one.  Don't miss out by letting another day or minute pass without Jesus in your life.

#5.  This plus has to do with God, the creator of the world, the universe, and maker of all things. Before your sins were forgiven, you were an enemy to God. Sin separated us from God. So, another big plus is Jesus changed all that. Jesus redeemed us back to God when anyone accepts Him as their savior. How to get back in right standing with God is as act of faith. Simply in faith know this is how God wants it. His Word says so.  Ask Jesus into your heart. Be sincere knowing you are a sinner and there's no way you can pay the price that sin demands in order to be forgiven.  But Jesus stepped in and up on the Cross and stood in your place as the one, acceptable sacrifice that God approved of and when you have Jesus, you thus possess great pluses that come as a package with Jesus.

#6. Another plus I can share that you get when you choose Jesus is security. When you are in Him, there is nothing that can happen to you that will alter your inheritance or any other plus. Nothing can change your eternity other than maybe getting to heaven sooner. But no one knows the day Jesus will return. But that really doesn't matter. Your future is secure no matter what. That secure feeling is a good feeling to have even during the worst of days here on earth.

#7.  Purpose. What's the use of going through life without a purpose for living?  As I've gotten older, it's becoming more important to have some purpose in life. Yes, there's purpose to get an education, etc. but the deeper purpose in the end is to have lived a life that was pleasing to God since it's Him whom we all will gave to give an account of how we utilized all the blessing we received during our lifetime.  Purpose gives life meaning. What will you have to leave when your time comes to an end? With a purpose your life can be worthwhile and have deeper, lasting meaning and your legacy will be a worthwhile one to those still here.  God gives us a good purpose and that's to lead others to Him so they can know about Jesus and make their choice for Jesus, too. What greater purpose is there than that? And what a wonderful feeling to know you had a purpose and part in leading another soul to heaven. Knowing that God wants no soul to be lost, I can only bet He has some pretty good rewards for anyone being a part in getting more people to chose Jesus and thus heaven bound. It will be rewarding to see those souls in heaven you had a part in showing them the way there.

Well, there you have it- 7 pluses you get when you ask Jesus into your heart. Remember, Jesus won the victory for all over sin and death and when you have Him, you are brought into right standing with God.  All these pluses (and there are more)are waiting and are instantly yours the moment you pray to ask Jesus into your heart. I think the best pluses are yet to come.  Question is, do you want them?  If you do, Jesus is the key. I can't think of any better pluses in the entire world. 

The light from the Son
Photo credit: click from morguefile.com


Bottom line- What's in it for you? When you choose Jesus, you get the best God has to offer and you also have some pretty big pluses and so much to look forward to.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Possibly the best message I've ever heard

I was meditating on the Sunday message my pastor gave this week and I think it's the best I've ever heard. I rate it a 10. The message summed up everything about being a Christian, about how to live and about what's really important in life. The message really hit home with me in a big and profound way. The topic of the message was about covetousness, the insatiable greed and desire to have things we don't possess, but to me it was about how to live, conduct myself about life matters and decisions, and how to please God. By touching on all these matters, the message included just about everything in life for today, tomorrow and into eternity.  That's one super message!

The wise don't place faith in money or things
Photo credit: cohdra from morguefile.com

I sum the message up into four points, along with Bible scripture my pastor gave-

1. Everything comes from God.  Let me clarify that- everything means everything.
2. You're going out the same way you came in.  In plain English, that means empty-handed
    you were born and the same you'll be when you die.  Never are there any exceptions.
3.  Putting faith and importance in things and money is just plain stupidity.
4. And, since it all belongs to God, in all situations it's wise to seek Him first and obey His
    commandments. This pleases God, and it's best to please Him than to not please Him.
    Remember, #1.

Buck naked and empty-handed you came, and the same you will leave

Photo credit: pablogv2004 from morguefile.com

Hearing this message on covetousness about one rich man in the Bible, who was a fool to think he had it made in the shade with his riches. He was wrong. It's not wise to be selfish or greedy or desire every thing you see or place faith in those things. Things don't sustain anyone. I could store up my personal things, and keep wanting more, but they will not add one second to my life and things do not make me and things are not the source of happiness. Have you ever wondered why wealthy people aren't the happiest people?  It's okay to be content with what you have, and most of us have more than enough to be plenty content with. So lets put into practice the art of being content a little more.  Might even be good to get rid of those extra things and free up some space around the house.  There are millions of people in the world who would think I'm living large, because of what I have. It's silly of me to think I need more, when I have the necessities of life and then some. Many people around the world are not that fortunate to say they have more than enough.  However, need to be very content with what I have while holding onto my dream of living in my two bedroom log cabin home with red roof and wrap around porch.

I know everything I have or possess is a blessing from God. I know there's nothing wrong with having things, but keep it in focus to love the giver, who is everlasting, and not the things, which are temporal.  And, I think coveting things is a sin.

Scripture references- Luke 12:13-21, chapter 12:31-35, chapter 18:18-25
                                   Ecclesiastes 2:18-19 chapter 5:19, chapter 6:7, chapter 12:7,13,14
                                    and Job 1:21

 One added thought- obeying His commandments is not the old 10 Commandments. That was overridden when Jesus came. The  commandments can be summed up into two, and Jesus gave them. 1. We are to love God, the Father with all your might, all your heart, soul and mind. 2.  And Jesus said love our neighbor as yourself. When you obey these two commandments,  you are obeying the old ten commandments.  So, the commandments have been condensed down to two commandments.   I purposefully make it my personal goals to please God the best I can everyday.
Matthew 22: 36-39; Mark 12:29-31 and Luke 10:26-28.

Until next time,


The path is wonderful being lit by the light of the Son.