Trust, Belief and Faith

Trusting and believing in a person leads to having faith in that person.


Photo credit: Prawny from morguefile.com

It's NOT possible to have faith in someone you neither trust or believe.

It requires time to grow to trusting and believing a person.
Their talk must match their walk. Should you detect that person
can't be fully trusted, this brings a degree a doubt, and trust can't be
built within doubt.

A person's reputation and character coupled with their actions and speech are just a few
relevant factors to determine if a person is worthy of your trust and can can be believed.

You feel completely confident in a person you trust.

A person you believe in is a person you can place your full acceptance in what they say, their character, morals and values.

Placing your FAITH is a step beyond believing and trusting.


Photo credit: anitapeppers from morguefile.com
 
Faith exists without concrete evidence physical evidence, per se.
Not all evidence can't be touched, seen or presented in court to be cross-
examined or even studied under a microscope.

Faith is a matter of the heart and spirit.
And, like your spirit, it's intangible, but it's very real.

Putting your faith in a person is placing your total (heart, mind and soul) acceptance, trust and belief in that person.

Jesus is worthy of being trusted and believed.
But more so, he's the One whom you can place your faith.


Why? Because He gave his life for your soul.
He cares for you that much to have died for you so that the real you,
your spirit, that part of you which will never cease, can live in a heavenly home after His return.

Jesus has paid the just penalty for the sins you and I have committed against a Holy God.

Yes, we should have to pay for our sins, but thank the Lord, because of his love for you and I, on the Cross of Calvary He's paid our sin-debt in full.
A person is saved from having to pay their sin debt when they accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
Yes, Jesus is faithful. He's worthy of being trusted and believed.


To be in the good graces with God the Father, God the Son must be your Lord and Savior.
The way to get Jesus into your life is by faith.
When you open your heart to invite Him into your life by faith, you can then say you need him, you believe what he did for you on the Cross, and you trust him to lead your life as Lord of your life.

Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Jesus is God in the flesh-He came to do what had to be done concerning the spiritual matter of sin, removing the separation between Man, Woman, Child and God, so anyone desiring to move from double and death to spiritual Life and an eternal inheritance.

Sin separates us from God, but God made a Way.

Jesus brings those saved from sin into the family and kingdom of God.               

God never reneges on any of His promises to us.

He who has the Son, has the best gift from God.

The best is yet to come for those in Christ.

When you accept the gift of Jesus by faith, you step into receiving of the bountiful and lavish gratuity of God's loving charity which has no expiration. Take the leap of faith!


Answer for yourself these questions.....

Do you know that because of your sins, you're an enemy of God and deserve to pay the penalty with your life?

Jesus paid the penalty you owe for your sins. But when you accept him by faith into your life and heart, and believe who he is and what he did for you, you're pardoned from the penalty you owe from your disobedience and sinning against a holy, righteous and just God.

 Do you want to know Jesus personally? 

 If so, then seek him and he can be found. Open your heart and study of his life in the Bible and
 inquire of someone whom you can trust to point you to him? He will reveal himself to you if you earnestly seek him.

Are you a sinner saved by grace or a sinner in enmity with God?

God's gift is life and peace and joy. God's gifts are promises for those in his Kingdom to enjoy. Jesus is the way to the Kingdom of God. Without inviting Jesus into your heart and life, you're already walking dead with no hope for the future. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Light. 

Faithful brothers and sisters

Today I learned about Coptic Christians.

I am amazed how my brothers and sisters in Christ are firm in their faith,
in persecution for their faith,
even to death.

To learn about Coptic Christians, click here.

The transformation that matters

Christian's aren't perfect. That deserves repeating, Christian's aren't perfect people, not by a long shot. After accepting and receiving the Son of God as our Lord and Savior by faith, people think followers of Jesus automatically turn into perfect people. That's impossible. As long as anyone is  living a human existence, it's impossible to be perfect. The best we as Christians can do and become is a better person in God's eyes by following the example of Jesus,(WWJD),and strive each and every day to be better than the day before as we work through our mistakes, mishaps, shortcomings and inadequacies, in other words 'our imperfection' as we are molded more and more into the likeness of our Lord on the inside, and that transformation starts to be seen outwardly in our actions, our speech, how we conduct ourselves, etc..

caterpillar is transformed into a butterfly

Photo credit: natureworks from morguefile.com

 
Even though Christians have the Holy Spirit guiding our quickened spirits, we still dwell within our fleshly bodies. The difference that can't be seen to the naked eye is the inner spiritual transformation. The difference is Christians are not held hostage any longer by sin, and are more sensitive to sin than before when sin was a way of life and we had no concern about it one way or another. Our hearts were made spiritually alive when we accepted Jesus into our lives. What a transformation that is!
                                                            Being spiritually alive to the things of God makes us children of the Almighty God and heirs to His promises. We yearn to please Him, our heavenly Father, and we know our sins are forgiven through the redemptive blood of our Savior. We live by faith and know our Father in heaven loves us unconditionally. We may look the same as before, but a spiritual surgery has been performed on the inside. Our insides 'so to speak' are perfect and that's all that really counts. 

Christians are not perfect, but we're hooked up with 'The One' who is, and that's what matters anyway.

2 CORINTHIANS 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Things to ponder-

Jesus was the only man who was perfect. He was born of a woman in order to be the sacrifice for all Mankind. He was also God in that He was without sin so He could be The One Perfect Sacrificial Lamb in order to please God the Father so Sin could be forgiven.

To worship and live a Christian life, one must worship in  spirit and truth for God is Spirit.

To accept Jesus is an act of faith in what God provided for us so we can have life, spiritual life. The body will die but the spirit will live forever. We are body, soul and spirit. It's the condition of the spirit that matters.


So the question is- have you been transformed from 'death into life?' What are you waiting for?



I like this website.


Keeping that upward trek on the narrow path set before me.

Good life,regardless

I'm amazed when people excel despite hardships and struggles. It makes me wonder where do they get their strength, who is their model, what keeps them so positive and motivated?  What is their secret? What is their source of strength?


I came across these videos a couple years ago and revisit them and amazed each time I see this guy. I know you will be also.

Click here and view videos and be amazed at his contagious perseverance and inspirational message.  This is for real. This is great! This is inspiring!

So, if Nick Vujicic can be positive in life inspite of his shortcomings,  then what's keeping someone battling drugs, or a physical handicap, or living under any number of life struggles from seeking God's help and winning?  God is so able and willing. The question is are you willing to allow Him?  Something to think about today.

Remember, with God, Nothing Is Impossible!

With the Son, anything can be conquered

Photo credit: Grafixar from morguefile.com

Today,  just a bit further along the road of Faith feeling the warmth of the Son on my face

Born twice to only die once

What's this about being born twice to only die once? That's anti-everything we logically understand about life and death. That's right, it isn't logical. It's supernatural. It's spiritual. The Christ-like life is spiritual and a one-to-one personal relationship, and a willing to practice faith, obedience, trust, and unselfishness. It defies logic. It takes a steady focus and willingness to make lifestyle choices and then act them out in daily living.The example Christians have is Jesus. Human nature can't be explained as logical. Our human wills can be strong and pretty darn stubborn and Christians have to choose to rise above their selfish nature, or at least I do, to be Christ-like.  It's really not hard once you understand that God, our heavenly Father, is Holy and beyond wonderful and wants the best for His children. When I was young, I finally got a concept instilled in me by my Mom when I got a spanking. She'd tell me the spanking was necessary for my own good and to make sure she got my attention when talking had failed.  We humans tend to have a will that sometimes needs focused and applied attention to the hind end to fully grasp and understand what those who love us are telling us it to protect and keep us from harm and loving us enough by looking out for our safety and well-being. That's called tough love. When I was a youngster, it was sometimes through my hind end that I finally understood it really was dangerous and not in my best interest to play with the stove and fire.  I didn't know I could be badly burned on the stove, but my Mom did. God, in His Holy Word, tells me disobedience brings trouble. Many stories in the Bible show this. So, if I follow His Word, I avoid getting burned.  We humans also tend to want visual, concrete evidence before we place our faith in something we can't see. The beauty of faith is it defies human logic, too.  Oh, God's Word is true and reliable and His Word is what holds all things together. That takes eyes of faith to see that, not just plain eyes. We live from moment to moment, but God lives outside of time and sees from beginning to end.  So, silly, who knows the most? Our eyes can't behold all His brilliance, nor can our eight pound brains in our little skulls, which He created, even begin to imagine how truly awesome He is. Man is too small to contemplate the vast, wondrous magnificence of God. God can not be contained, therefore our two eyes can not see Him.  He is too vast and high and wide. Why? Because God is Spirit. And that's also how we can be born again. First we're born of flesh, as babies to our parents. But inside is our spirit waiting to come alive. When the spirit comes alive, this is called the second birth, or born-again, and occurs when you choose and accept Jesus as your Savior. It's supernatural and defies all human logic. It's designed that way by God. Our spirit is the part God made us in His likeness.  When you ask and invite Jesus  into your heart to be your Savior, that instant, your sins are forgiven and your spirit is quickened and made alive. You're born again. No matter where you are in life, what you've done before, who your parents are, or what your name is, the change takes place on the inside. It is a spiritual thing. A God thing. You may not see fireworks when it happens, or even feel as if anything happened. But if you're sincerely,  it happened. You're spiritually adopted into the family of God and you're sealed in Him forever. Nothing can pluck you from Him once you're born again. No need to worry if you're not perfect, or if you'll ever get your life in order, or if you can't stop smoking, or if you continue being a rotten person. Totally inconsequential  the country you live or the religion of your parents. It's Him whom you'll ultimately have to answer to, not anyone else. It's a personal heart choice to believe and trust and have faith in God and willingly admit you're a sinner and believe upon His Son, Jesus, to save you. And He is faithful and just to do that. He already has, you just have to ask to receive Him into your heart. Then daily it's a personal, intimate relationship to allow Him to work within your heart and take on the characteristics of godliness. If you don't ever believe or trust in Jesus and be born again, there's no hope you'll ever enter heaven. There can be no sin in heaven, so heaven is reserved for those who've asked God's only begotten Son, Jesus, to be their Savior.  It is only through and by Jesus, whom God said He is well pleased.  There is no other way to have your sins forgiven. One way, period. Jesus is it.

You can be born again into the family of God

Photo credit: kakisky from morguefile.com

And finally, God saves the best for last. If you're born twice, you'll only die once. Your spirit comes 'alive' by the Holy Spirit when you accept Jesus into your heart. So your sins get forgiven and you become born again. This supernaturally happens because Jesus died and paid the penalty of sin for all mankind when He died on the Cross. So when you take your last breath and life leaves your fleshly body, your spirit is instantly escorted to heaven. You really won't even experience death because Jesus conquered death for you on the cross. You see, the real you, your spirit, will always be alive and well in the presence of God, residing in heaven, void from sin, in a wonderful glorified body.  However, on the other hand, when you take your last human breath but you've not accepted Jesus as your Savior, your spirit will be sent to hell until the judgment, then ultimately cast in the Lake of Fire forever. This the second death- a spiritual death. It's death because your spirit will be out of the presence of God, that's bad enough,  and in forever darkness with the putrid smell of sulfur, that's awful too, and, Satan and the other fallen angels will be there, that's also nothing to smile about.  Being banished to hell and then the Lake of Fire won't be any party any soul will enjoy for one second. There you, your spirit, will forever be out of the presence of God and that will be like experiencing death forever. Remember, you won't be living the flesh as we now know,  but your existence will be spirit and you will suffer forever in the Lake of Fire. 


God is love and is all about showing His love to us. He does not make anyone do something by force or fear. He gives each of us a free choice to choose Him to your God. Remember, God is Spirit, so His ways do not fall under the understanding of human logic. And, God is all knowing, so His  ways are higher and wiser than man's ways. Thank God for that. The way to know this is to study God's word yourself. Don't trust any one's opinion. That person may tell you erroneous information and your eternal destiny is too important to not know for sure yourself.  You owe it to yourself to read God's Word for yourself. Ask God to open your eyes and give you understanding of His Word. He will reveal His ways which are mysteries to those who don't want to know the truth. I continually grow little by little in understanding the scriptures.  When you seek and ask to know the truth, God is eagerly and patiently waiting to reveal His truth and His way to those who seek Him. Have faith in God and make today the day of your spiritual birth. And welcome into God's family. The best is yet to come for His children.

SUMMARY-                                                                                                                                1. For once, push aside your pride and choose to exercise faith in God.                                    2. Read and study God's Word. Let His Word speak to your spirit. It may not seem logical to be obedient to God's word at first, but do it anyway. It becomes increasingly easier and your faith will deepen.
3. Trust in the ways of God. His ways don't seem logical to mortal man, but trust anyway.
4. Act unselfishly, kindly, humbly, all Christ-like characteristics. This pleases God. And when you please God, he honors you. Just wait and see.
5. Be born again. Yes, it's a spiritual and personal act.  This wonderful gift God has in His grace and mercy of having your spirit made 'alive' is extended to you because He loves you unconditionally and wants you to be with Him in heaven. Jesus died on the Cross as your ransom, saving you from the ultimate spiritual death. Yes, be born twice so you only die once.
6. God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit all are One, and Holy, and possess distinct characteristics, but are One. God in His infinite wisdom, love, grace and mercy has your back. There is one thing He will not do for you, and that's make the decision for you to choose Him.                                                                                                                                           
Here's a site with solid Christian programming on the internet and radio.
Here's a song to listen to 'The Plan of Salvation'




6 steps to become spiritually born again and a prayer you can pray. Visit my older posts on this blog.

Until next time, continue skipping along in faith on the straight & narrow path toward the Son.

scripture references- The entire Book of Matthew; Mark 1:11,10:45; John 1:1; 3:1-10; 4:24, 5:22; 1Peter 1:23; 2 Peter 2:4; Revelation 20:14-15

Where the winning really is

Last week an article in the newspaper caught my eye, "Opelika woman writes on faith, illness."
This woman, Lynn Fox Adams' ailment has no cure and somewhat rare even to her doctors, and has her pretty much just coping and medicated to survive day in and day out. She is diagnosed with dysautonomia.  What was amazing I thought is her faith. She say's her condition has no cure, but she says she's a winner. She may feel bad physically and emotionally, but spiritually she's winning the battle. Now that's what Christianity is all about. She's carrying her cross and her faith is the stronger for it. And other thing that really touched me about this woman with a condition affecting her autonomic nervous system, is her attitude. In the article her quote was, ''usually when people get sick the first thing they do is they turn to God and say help me. But what we need to do is say, 'God let me help you.' " Now that's profound in my opinion. She's not looking at what she can get or what she's lacking. She's looking at her relationship with God and what can she do for Him by giving of herself to help others build their faith and get through tough situations. Even though her life is consumed with medications, IV's, not feeling well and not being able to do the things she used to do, she's not being selfish or depressed or crying how miserable her life is.

Sometimes you have to give even with a bleeding heart

Photo credit: jdurham from morguefile.com

This type of faith is very strong. The type of faith I want to have. Reading of her faith has touched me.  I've been debating to share a video or not, because a part of me doesn't want to share it, but another part of me does to show by comparison what faith is and isn't.  I came across this video while I was searching for a good YouTube video on the subject of how to get saved. One video I noticed a young man-I initially thought he might be Jewish,  so I viewed it. To my surprise he talked about his conversion to Islam and how Allah has made his life go good. Since his conversion, he now has money, and everything is going his way, he's getting everything he asks of allah. To me this shows selfishness- he's excited for himself because he has more things and his life is going so well. That's not faith. I've decided to insert the video below so you can see the difference in this man compared to the faith Lynn Fox Adams' has in her God. To me it's not about how much you get, but how much you grow spiritually and then from that, how much you share what really matters with others, not how well your life is being blessed with things. What makes you a winner is how much you rely on God in spite of what's going on around you. Life's situations change, but God remains unchanged. Having a close relationship in God makes you a true winner.  It's praising the giver of all things, not being excited that you get the things. Things will all pass away, but love and relationships and how you give will last forever. That's what Jesus did. He is our example. He suffered profoundly for us and still his ministry is affecting the lives of many every day. Serving others- that's where the winning really is.

Give and you shall receive- Personally, God wants me to be his hands and heart and feet to be of service to my fellow man, and have faith in Him that he will keep his promises to me, and lean on Him while giving of my heart so to bring others to Him. To those people with an unquickened spirit, this makes no logical sense. You may be asking, How can you give in order to receive? How do you lay up treasure in heaven while on earth?  How does serving others make you a winner?  The answer is this in a nutshell- God's ways are far above the most advanced human logic-that's why it's called faith.

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen- Hebrews 11:1

I also think of Mother Theresa, God rest her soul. She was someone who lived with little need for material things, but she made a powerful impact upon many lives, and still does. To me she was a person who cared so much about others and was content owning few things for herself. Here are some of her quotes. See if these quotes touch you and build your faith. But without any doubt, Mother Theresa was going by the example of Jesus in caring for others and had little need for things. There are other people who've lived with the gift of helping others and haven't been drawn under by the need for many material things. I believe it's because they'd come to realize the most important things in life aren't things, but in loving others, and when you love them you serve them. That's the Word all wrapped up, love others. And we have the example how to go about this in the life of Jesus. He has the most powerful impact upon lives still to this day.  I understand the following scripture a lot better today than I did years ago. This is powerful. Maybe some day someone will tell the man in the video below about it. You will lack nothing that really counts or is important- you're a winner when you put first things first- just follow the example of those who do these scriptures-

Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Then drop down a bit to verses 31-33 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Scripture references:
Lay your treasure up for heaven- Luke 12:15-34; entire Luke 12 chapter; 1Tim 6:17-19
Faith scriptures -2 Cor 5:7; Hebrews chapter 11
More blessed to give than receive- Act 20:35
Worship in spirit and truth- John 4:24
Differences- 1 Cor 11:19
False prophets- 2 Peter 2:1
Bear your cross- Luke 14:27
God can turn around any situation for the good- read about Joseph in Genesis chapters37-42

Here's that video below. When you view it you'll hear of this man telling how much he's received since turning to allah, how well he's doing, in other words- what he's gained. Nothing about how he's helping others and he says nothing about his sins being forgiven. There is only one that God has approved of for that and that's Jesus, not allah.  There's no other way to God but through Jesus. If that's overlooked, in the end, you are not a winner.


I say God's blessings are not always things, but rather that which will build character and will last forever. God can use you no matter what your situation or condition if you'll only be willing, just as Lynn Fox Adams.  I think that will make anyone a winner in God's eyes, and after all, that's what really counts.

I have one more comparison to show. The man in the video above has his mind and heart turned away and closed to the Truth. Compare him to this man who says he was the biggest Bible skeptic. (read his testimony here). The difference here is this man wanted to know the truth and researched to disprove the Bible. But after countless hours spent to disprove it, he found the Word of God to be true and discovered God's mercy and grace and got saved. So how does one man search and discover the Truth, and another man can't see it?

To sum it up, the real, lasting winning is through Jesus. 

Until next time, I'm keeping my face and my faith directed toward the author and finisher of my faith. And remember- with God nothing is impossible. He can turn around anything and make it work together for good- Romans 8:28  (be it health, finances, or whatever)

Visit my other blog - upforgrabstoday.blogspot.com
and read the About Me on my website

Mid Morning Watermelon and Three Converts

I don't know about you, but I sure do enjoy good watermelon.  I just had to include this photo after my last entry to show I'm still partaking of my garden surprise. While others may be thinking pumpkin this last Monday of October, I'm eating juicy watermelon from my garden, compliments of the One who gives me abundantly all good blessings. (See my previous entry about how I came upon this watermelon in my garden).

My mid morning watermelon plate

One additional thought for today's entry. Jesus started his public ministry when he was 12. That's pretty young if you think about a young man being about his Father's business.
Yes, young people can make the decision to serve God at an early age. If they are mature enough to make that decision about right and wrong and have knowledge to make that decision willingly, why shouldn't they?  It's my opinion that all parents should raise their children to be responsible, aim to have wisdom, and give them the foundation for serving God. The young are just as important in the family of God as anyone else.  God can use them just as he can anyone. So really, age is irrelevant.

Three young new Christians

The above is a photo I took of three wise young Christians. They understand what sin is, they know about Jesus and what did to pay for their sins,  and what it means to be saved. They each accepted willingly into their hearts Jesus as their savior and have also been water baptized to show our congregation symbolically what's happened in their life and hearts.   Their parents and grandparents must be so proud these precious children have come to want to accept Jesus at an early age. Praise God.

Scripture reference-
Luke 2:42-49
3 John 1:4

Keep forward facing in faith always

My heart and love prized relationship

I was thinking again about my life so far and you know, I have to say, it's been pretty good. Not one time in my life have I gone hungry other by choice of fasting. Not one time in my life have I not had a cushioned bed to sleep. I've never known what it's like to not have a pair of shoes, or a roof over my head or indoor running water. I take these things for granted because I've had them my entire life including an education, a means of transportation, medical care, and so much more that to many people in this world can only dream of having. But my most prized possessions that I have are what's happened on the inside to my heart   and my relationship with my God of all creation.

It's all about the heart

Photo credit: xandert from morguefile.com

Okay, I know having a picture of a real heart is not what you were expecting to see, but that's what it's all about. My heart has been changed from one that was dark and against Him, to one that's been cleansed and pure. And that's been done by the surgical workings of the Holy Spirit when I asked and accepted Jesus to live in my heart. Now, God sees my heart as one that's clean and pure because the spirit of Jesus resides in my heart.

Photo credit: dantada from morguefile.com


When I was young, I prayed many times for God to help me pass a test in school, and  to allow me to run fast at a track meet. I prayed for God to help me get through Marine Corp basic training. I prayed that he help me make wise decisions all along the way.  I prayed that he take the suffering away from my brother when my brother was very ill with cancer.  I prayed to God to save my marriage.  Looking back at many things and people I prayed for,  I can see that God answered every prayer. Sometimes those prayers were answered quickly, sometimes not so quickly, and sometimes they were answered not the way I would've thought He would answer them. But I see His answers are always the best.

 But all in all, my relationship with God has shown me God has never failed me.  Recalling stories in the Bible where God can accomplish much with just a few people truly committed to Him, that has always amazed me. With God, miracles are his forte-nothing is out of his scope.  God can flick His mighty finger and mountains crumble. God can't fail. And he's always right on time. He is a very loving and patient God. He has a heavenly lookout and  sees all things from beginning to end. He wants a relationship with his dearest creation, and that's every heart.  And that relationship begins with a spiritual heart transplant.  I wouldn't trade my heart for all the riches in the world. It's the condition of my heart which God sees as his plan for my ticket into heaven. Can't put a price tag on that.
God's work is done on the inside. My heart operation was painless with instant gratification and heavenly benefits. So, my heart's been spiritually cleansed, purified, redeemed, and sealed by Jesus and the Holy Spirit is one of my most prized possessions. I offered my dirty heart to God and he exchanged it for a better one and I have a lasting endearing, loving relationship with Him that will last forever.  He offers the same to every man, woman and child freely.


Photo credit: taliesin from morguefile.com

There's no better time than right now to start having the relationship that will change you from the inside out for the better.  Pray, believe and receive the spiritual re-birth that awaits you.
Get a Bible and read these few scripture passages for yourself-for how to get saved
Romans 5:12, Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 8:10-11,
Romans 10:9-10, and John 3:15
It's simple to make the decision to give your heart to the Lord. In your own words talk to God and tell you're a sinner and you want His Son, Jesus to be your Savior and to come and live within your heart. If you sincerely means this, then God will change you instantly. You're instantly an heir and adopted into God's family. Your body will one day day die,  but your spirit will live on with the Lord.

Keeping forward facing the Son.

Open Your Eyes, Remove the Blinds

I have a very good friend, I'll refer to her as Debbie. She and I have been the best of friends since the early 1990s. We used to see each other every week but now maybe once a year.  We have that kind of relationship that we know our love is still in tact and just as strong through time and distance. We're solid friends without a doubt. Almost like sisters I will even say. But here is what I want to write today about my friend. She is Jewish by birth. And she is Christian by choice of her faith- she believes in her heart that Jesus is the Messiah. I have always found this to be so interesting about her. She's Jewish and a Christian. Wow! Jesus came from the line of Jews in his miraculous human birth by the virgin Mary, chosen of God, and Jesus is the Messiah, the very one foretold to come by the prophets in the Old Testament.    
                                                                                                                                                    I asked Debbie a few years ago how did she come about to believe Jesus was the Savior and Messiah. This is so amazing what she said to me and I will never forget it. It was so simple, but so profound.

Ask for the blinds be taken off you can see God's Truth

Photo credit: jdurham from morguefile.com

Debbie told me she prayed for God to open her eyes.
That was it. And God did. God took the blinds off her Jewish eyes and her eyes were opened to the truth about Jesus.  She doesn't ignore her heritage as a Jew, but she lives and practices her Christian faith. There's no doubt that she has the love of Christ in her heart.  Her belief and faith in the God of the Bible is very evident in her life. She's active in her church, along with her husband. She embraces her Jewish heritage but it's completed, in my humble opinion, with her having accepted the Messiah that the Jews are looking for. To all Jewish people, your Messiah has come already!  He was born to a virgin, lived, did miracles, taught, then was crucified exactly as the prophets foretold, and then Jesus arose from the grave after three days and was seen by multitudes before He ascended to heaven. Jesus reigns as the Son of God. He is the Messiah. The Prince of Peace.  And he will return just as it's written in the Holy Bible. If you're waiting for a sign, you've already received it.  You only have to ask for the blinds taken off your eyes and it will be so plain to see.
But my friend did much more than wait for a sign. She did what's so simple, but so profound-she took God at His Word. She opened her heart, mind and spirit to something called faith. Faith is believing what can't be seen with the human eye, but knowing and acting it to be real because it's the truth of Word of God.  God operates in the realm of faith. It takes the will to go up to faith, then you too will see God's mystery that's kept hidden for those not believing yet.  Just ask by taking or praying to God sincerely, then believe God at His Word. He is so eager to give and you have only to graciously receive His gift of salvation for all your sins to receive your new rebirth into the family of God with eternal heavenly inheritance, and you can have your newness of life right this moment when you do.  That's what happens when by faith you accept Jesus in your heart.  Ask and receive. God will hear you no matter where you are, if you ask loudly or speak softly, and no matter what you've done in your life. God's only concern is that you mean if from your heart and believe that His Son died for your sins and you accept Jesus into your heart as your Savior.  God the Father, Jesus, the Savior to a world so in need of Him, and the Holy Spirit- all Holy, all God in One. How can that be? Virtually impossible for the the human mind to comprehend,  but to the person saved by the grace of God, it makes more sense than anything I know. 

Supporting scripture - Matthew 12:39 and  Matthew 16:4 ;  Luke 2:12, Luke 11:29, Mark 8:12, 1 Corinthians 1:22,  2 Corinthians 3:13-16, John 20:29, and 1 Corinthians 2:5. And read Hebrews, Chapter 11 about many times the impossible was made possible through faith.  And I really like this website with some very interesting and amazing Bible facts, including comment about the over 10,000 Bible prophesies that have come TRUE!


'Til next time, I am facing the Son.

Gratitude is the attitude

Well, I was thinking about gratitude this morning. One day things can be going so well, and I'm so grateful with the feeling of gratitude that day. Then other days things don't go as I'd like, and I'm not having that feeling of gratitude.  Then I had this thought. What if I had the attitude of gratitude no matter what?  If I had that attitude, then my perspective would be different and therefore I would see things positively and I wouldn't have any 'bad' days. Just because the day isn't going my way doesn't mean it's a 'bad day'.  I just need to change my perspective and be constant in my thinking. Keep the attitude of gratitude. Now I think that's mature thinking. Of course it will take practice, but I think I can put forth the effort.
I even came across a site about gratitude that I thought was pretty cool for a  journey that will change your life in a most positive way. Yes, an attitude of gratitude is key to many wonderful things in life. Some time ago I heard that having this attitude positively affects your mind, your health, your thoughts, and spills over into how others treat you. I believe this and need to put it to practice more. I think gratitude is closely related to love.

There's even an essential oil blend that's called Gratitude. If gratitude had an aroma, this is it. Check it out under Links to 'Young Living Essential Oils and Health Products' on my website home page.

I compare gratitude with a surprise vase of beautiful flowers. Everyday is a surprise and you have to wait and see what happens. The surprise is different each day, but overall it's still good. When I or anyone places God in control of their life, it's beautiful and bright.

An attitude of gratitude in all things is a gift like these beautiful flowers

Photo credit: christilper from morguefile.com


Keeping my face toward the Son.  Until next time, peace and love always.
And remember, unconditional love never fails.

See about me on my website and let me know how you're having more gratitude in your daily life in the comments here.

Love that never fails

I was thinking, love is what everyone's searching for? We all want it, need it, thrive on it.  Has love become what we seek for ourselves,  but not what we always want to give to our fellow man? Has love become such a fleeting emotion or choice? It seems it's so easy to dislike or find fault in others, but not so easy to love others who may be a little different in what they believe or different in how they look.
Everyday it's feeling more and more like Fall in the air. The leaves are starting to fall and the air is a bit cooler and less humid.

The seasons change. But God's love never changes.

Photo credit: hotblack from morguefile.com


I'm studying about love in the Bible, I Corinthians,Chapter 13. When I read this chapter, I always receive a deeper meaning of this love.  The type of love that never fails, which has made me think about religion in current news events.  I'm well aware there are other religions besides what I practice, but my heart is saddened when I see unkind treatment to people associated with religion?  What kind of love keeps a gender subdued, confined or limited?  How could the God someone worships not call for love to all? I just don't understand. Women want to be loved unconditionally.  I am not going to hate anyone who doesn't accept the religion or God I serve and worship.  I am so pleased that my God loves unconditionally both men and women equally.  Because God loves us and shows us His love in everything, we are to love our neighbor, that means all people.  The entire message of the Bible is about love. God is love. And when we find that special person to love, we are to love them with another type of love one has for their spouse which binds them and their hearts together as one. That love should endure as well.

I believe God created man and woman to be together to love each other and be fruitful and multiply. This is God's idea of family. Anything else is not the designed family that God intended. A baby should grow up in a loving environment and see Mother and Father display unconditional love towards each other.

Father, Mother and child

Photo credit: presto44 from morguefile.com

But getting deeper on the love in I Corinthians, Chapter 13, is the type of love many of us may never experience from the people around us- called unconditional love. Oh, we want others to have that kind of love for us, because that kind of love is not changed by circumstances or situations, or what bad might be going on at the moment. This kind of love is extra special, almost extinct now.  Unconditional love is not the here today and fade away tomorrow kind of love. This love is the I'd-give-my-life-for-you-kind of love. This is the love God has for us. God sent His precious Son, a part of himself in the flesh, to die a gruesome death in full public view. God and sin don't mix. All men and women have sinned and are sinners. Sin is disobedience against God, so Jesus took your place by dying for you. His dying was displaying the depth of his love, unconditional love, so your sins are wiped clean away, and you don't have to die. Your soul will be able to enter heaven.  No sin can enter heaven so it has to be cleansed away, and Jesus did that for you, but you must believe it to have your sins forgiven.  I don't know about your faith, but has your God shown unconditional love for you? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has cleared the way so the only two things you need to do is believe and accept his free gift? You don't have to work, or prove anything, or be perfect or perform anything. All you have to do is simply by faith believe and accept that God's love was sent in the body of Jesus, His Son, who died for your sins, and you, a sinner, by faith accept into your heart this free gift. It really is that simple. Then God's gift of unconditional love will live in your heart, and can then be displayed to others. Once you know what unconditional love is, you can share it. It's the greatest thing to experience and to share.
With Jesus in your heart, you can do it. And it's the greatest thing.

We know how to love because of God's love for us

Photo credit: taliesin from morguefile.com

It's a matter of the heart and the heart has to be reborn to really know what unconditional love is. When you accept Jesus, you're born anew, reborn, saved.

                 

Bleeding Heart

Photo credit: ren from morguefile.com

P.S. Love is what took Jesus to the cross. Love is what kept him on the cross until he fulfilled his mission. Love is what raised Jesus from the dead. Love is what will fill your heart when you accept Jesus into your heart by faith. You see, love never fails. Love is what will prevail in heaven, not hate. God is love. And love never fails. Get it?
In heaven there will be no need for hope and faith because Jesus will be there. Love will fill heaven.
Read I Corinthians Chapter 13, and I John 4:7-21, and Romans 10:9

Until next time, I'm putting my best face toward the Son.

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