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Resting In the Lord
John 5:24 (KJV)
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
What is a Christian? A Christian is a follower of Christ; a title of honor. One who is of honor is separated from those who are not believers through sanctification. We as Christians know that we must die unto life to receive the gift of everlasting life. A gift that is through God’s only begotten Son being obedient, dying a physical and painful death on the cross, being raised from the grave and ascending to heaven and is seated at the right hand of The Father so that we might have everlasting life. We must ask for it and through faith receive this gift.
We all want to go to heaven but we don’t want to die. Sometimes the physical process of dying brings sickness, agony, suffering and fear. We know that God didn’t give us the spirit of fear but the unknown is sometimes frightening. It is our human selves which makes us want to avoid the unknown.
The dying is not the only suffer. The family suffers as well. We watch our loved ones in preparation of leaving us to go to a home that is promised to us as believers, who have repented their sins, accepted and believe that Jesus Christ is Lord.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1: 9 KJV).
Father Almighty, we confess our sins daily which are sometimes too many to enumerate. To insure that we haven’t overlooked some of our sins we ask that you have mercy on us as we ask forgiveness for those sins we don’t remember. We ask forgiveness for what we think and don’t speak and what we speak that causes harm to someone of which we cannot take back. We ask that you give are departing loved ones peace, assurance and comfort while they make this journey. Father if it be Thy Will we ask that you give us strength, understanding and comfort for those of us who are left behind until that day that we reunite with our dearly departed. Although we might grieve for at time we take comfort in knowing that joy cometh. We can also take comfort in knowing when we sign and seal this prayer in the precious blood of Jesus it is already done, Amen.
Blessed Assurance Hebrews 10:22 (KJV)Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Faith is seen as covering issues that science and rationality are inherently incapable of addressing, but that are nevertheless entirely real. Accordingly, faith is seen as complementing rationality, by providing answers to questions that would otherwise be unanswerable.
There are so many signs and wonders in the world that defy reasoning. We as Christians need only to know and to trust that God Is. He is omnificent; with unlimited power to create and omnipresent; continuously and simultaneously present throughout the whole creation.
Take your concerns and worries to God in prayer through Jesus Christ and leave them. I can recall in my past and sometimes not so distant past, that I wondered if God could hear me when I prayed. I would wonder if He found the time or could listen to my prayers amongst all the prayers and complaints of others. I once said to someone that I knew that God didn’t listen to all the prayers of the world because if I were Him I would turn off the radio (metaphorically speaking) to drown out the sheer noise of hearing everyone all at once; what would set me apart from everyone else. I knew better to doubt God’s Word because as a very young child I knew to pray and I knew that God answered my prayers. God always answers prayers, it may not be the answer we seek but it is answered none the less. Suppose He gave us everything we asked for; it may not be even good for us and because the Father knows everything, it is why He sometime says no. Maybe you are questioning why Jesus is the only way to The Father. It is so because it is told to us in John 10:36-38 (KJV) Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemes; because I said, I am the Son of God? If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father [is] in me, and I in him.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You this day giving thanks and praise. We thank you for sending your angels to watch over us as we slumbered. We thank you for your mercy and awakening us this morning, for every breath we take, for every beat of our hearts, for the ability to stand and walk without aid and we thank you for being clothed reasonably in our right minds. Of these blessings there is nothing that we did or could do to make so. You did it all because You love us. In Jesus’ name we thank you!
"Blessed Assurance" is a well-known Christian hymn. The lyrics were written in 1873 by blind hymn writer Fanny J. Crosby to the music written in 1873 by Phoebe P. Knapp.
CHRISTMAS SEASON AND THE GIFTDuring this past Christmas Season I’ve spent quite some time reflecting on God’s goodness and mercy. There are many people who spend lots of money on the latest gadgets, toys and luxury items to appease some and/or to be liked by others. Some people look forward to this opportunity to obtain things wished for throughout the year. Others literally go broke to give their kid toys, clothes and electronic items. I am not opposed to the custom of giving and receiving gifts but I am opposed to the celebration of Christmas without Christ.
I have received the best gift of all and I partake in this gift throughout the year every year. I don’t have to worry whether it fits or is it the right color or when I’m told that it’s the thought that counts and I’m wondering what they thought of me. I don’t have to try to return it without a receipt and risk offending the giver. God thought so much about me that He presented me with the best gift of all; the gift of life; it fits, it is the right color and most of all I needed it. God gave His Son; Jesus Christ our Savior.
John 3:16-17 KJV For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
You too can accept the gift of salvation by confessing your sins and believing that Jesus is the Son of God, who was obedient unto the cross. God presented His Son, who knew no sin, suffered and died for our sins so that we might have everlasting life. No one can make that declaration for you – not grandma, momma or daddy can take this step for you. You have to know Him for yourself. Don’t wait. Wouldn’t you want to know that if your life here on earth was over that you be with Our Lord for an eternity? But it is not just about your life after death but it is also about your daily walk in life. Jesus is the shield that goes before you while you are going through the storm of adversities. Be assured that God has full knowledge of all the sins that we have committed. He is waiting for you to confess them and receive the gift of salvation.
Mat 12:31 KJV Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy [against] the [Holy] Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
Rom 10:9 KJV That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Rom 10:10 KJV - For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Ex: Jesus, I know that I’m not worthy: but I thank you for the ultimate sacrifice of being obedient to the cross for me. Please forgive me for all of my past sins. I repent of these actions, and with Your help, I will change and not repeat them again. I willingly accept You as my Lord and my Savior.
After accepting Christ, please seek and find a bible teaching church. Be Blessed!
