It's a new year ... It's a new day.
Isn't it wonderful to know we have a God Who knew we would need new life.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)
Father God, Hear our prayer. May 2013 be a year of falling chains from God's people. A year of reclaiming what the enemy has attempted to steal, kill and destroy. Breathe new life in us Father. Let us boldly proclaim the resurrection power of Your Son, Jesus. Move in us Lord. Then move through us to a watching and hurting world. Amen.
Showing posts with label Good News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Good News. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Sunday, November 15, 2009
What Could Have Been - Part 2
The service was simple .... but powerful.
The pastor began by reading my uncle Danny's obituary.
... just a few words which had been chosen by his family to represent (in print) his contribution and his impact during his 62 years of life.
And then the pastor began to share (from the fullness of his own heart) the transformation he had witnessed in my uncle Danny during his final days on earth.
There was a change. A dramatic change. A change in my uncle's heart and mind.
What was the change? His surrender to Christ.
My uncle Danny first met Jesus when he was a child but he didn't bow his knee to Him until just a few short days before he died.
There wasn't a dry eye in the chapel as we listened to the pastor describe the change that had occurred in my uncle Danny's life.
The JOY.
The CONTENTMENT.
The PEACE.
The LOVE.
The change that occurs when we surrender ourselves to the LOVE of Christ.
I just can not tell you how happy I am that my uncle Danny experienced the fullness of Christ's Love in his final days on earth. But I know my uncle Danny would want you to know ....
Our time on earth is short. The Bible describes it as a vapor. It goes quickly!
We have no promise of tomorrow.
We are told ... TODAY is the day of salvation.
Today, if you hear His voice DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEART.
And we are promised .... ALL that call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.
Have you called upon the name of the Lord.
Have you been changed by His Love and His Grace?
The pastor began by reading my uncle Danny's obituary.
... just a few words which had been chosen by his family to represent (in print) his contribution and his impact during his 62 years of life.
And then the pastor began to share (from the fullness of his own heart) the transformation he had witnessed in my uncle Danny during his final days on earth.
There was a change. A dramatic change. A change in my uncle's heart and mind.
What was the change? His surrender to Christ.
My uncle Danny first met Jesus when he was a child but he didn't bow his knee to Him until just a few short days before he died.
There wasn't a dry eye in the chapel as we listened to the pastor describe the change that had occurred in my uncle Danny's life.
The JOY.
The CONTENTMENT.
The PEACE.
The LOVE.
The change that occurs when we surrender ourselves to the LOVE of Christ.
I just can not tell you how happy I am that my uncle Danny experienced the fullness of Christ's Love in his final days on earth. But I know my uncle Danny would want you to know ....
Our time on earth is short. The Bible describes it as a vapor. It goes quickly!
We have no promise of tomorrow.
We are told ... TODAY is the day of salvation.
Today, if you hear His voice DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEART.
And we are promised .... ALL that call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.
Have you called upon the name of the Lord.
Have you been changed by His Love and His Grace?
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
"SonDay, Sunday" - Humility
In my Adult Bible Fellowship (a.k.a. adult Sunday School) this week we had a guest speaker from our church counseling ministry. I was deeply moved by this portion of his presentation - I am posting it here (with his permission, of course) in hopes it will be an encouragement to you, or someone you know ...
I want to be your friend, but first I must be your Lord.
Your pride is the primary hindrance to intimacy with Me.
I will help you deal with your pride.
As your sovereign, loving Lord, I will allow painful, unpleasant
circumstances into your life offering you the opportunity to
surrender to My wisdom, My ways, My plans, and My agenda.
Your surrender in itself will be saying no to your pride and
embracing humility … allowing you to draw closer to Me.
As you surrender more and more of your will to Me,
you will experience profound emotional peace.
Jesus
________________________________________
Will you surrender? Begin today. Or begin again, today.
I want to be your friend, but first I must be your Lord.
Your pride is the primary hindrance to intimacy with Me.
I will help you deal with your pride.
As your sovereign, loving Lord, I will allow painful, unpleasant
circumstances into your life offering you the opportunity to
surrender to My wisdom, My ways, My plans, and My agenda.
Your surrender in itself will be saying no to your pride and
embracing humility … allowing you to draw closer to Me.
As you surrender more and more of your will to Me,
you will experience profound emotional peace.
Jesus
________________________________________
Will you surrender? Begin today. Or begin again, today.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
He is Risen!
Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. “Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.” And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it... Matthew 28:1-8
Death could not hold Jesus, but energized by the power of the Spirit He burst forth from the grave. "If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life [now!] to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you" (Rom. 8:1 1).
So . . .
"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:13–14).
This Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009 - our response should be the same as the women that first heard the report of His glorious resurrection 2000+ years ago.
With fear and great joy we should go and report it.
Who will you tell this week?
He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!
Death could not hold Jesus, but energized by the power of the Spirit He burst forth from the grave. "If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life [now!] to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you" (Rom. 8:1 1).
So . . .
"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:13–14).
This Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009 - our response should be the same as the women that first heard the report of His glorious resurrection 2000+ years ago.
With fear and great joy we should go and report it.
Who will you tell this week?
He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Beautiful Savior, Almighty God
"TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE"(Luke 23:43)
These words were spoken to a thief. A guilty man hanging on the cross next to Jesus. There was another thief in the same condition, but he did not receive the promise. Why not?
The thief that did not receive the promise saw Jesus as a possible solution to get him out of a mess.
The thief that received the promise saw Jesus as the One able to offer mercy and forgiveness for his sin.
The invitation is the same today. How will you respond to Jesus?
Will you see Him simply as a solution out of your mess.
OR
As He really is...
King of Kings.
Lord of Lords.
Beautiful Savior.
Almighty God.
Today is the day of salvation. If you hear His voice, do not harden your heart.
These words were spoken to a thief. A guilty man hanging on the cross next to Jesus. There was another thief in the same condition, but he did not receive the promise. Why not?
The thief that did not receive the promise saw Jesus as a possible solution to get him out of a mess.
The thief that received the promise saw Jesus as the One able to offer mercy and forgiveness for his sin.
The invitation is the same today. How will you respond to Jesus?
Will you see Him simply as a solution out of your mess.
OR
As He really is...
King of Kings.
Lord of Lords.
Beautiful Savior.
Almighty God.
Today is the day of salvation. If you hear His voice, do not harden your heart.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Life Changing Love
There is no sweeter memory than falling in love. You know, over-your-head, in-too-deep, no-turning-back, life-changing-love. The kind of love that smacks you right in the heart, and forever leaves it's mark.
Not sure such a love exists? I assure you it does - I am living proof.
The day I met Him, I knew I was a goner! He was so unlike anyone I had ever met. He pursued me, protected me, loved me, and cared for me. I was blown away by His depth of devotion. It was easy to love Him because, He had first loved me. I gave Him my heart and He was faithful.
Over the years, just as in the beginning, He continued to pursue, protect, love, and care for me. Even in the times when my heart grew cold for Him, He stayed. He never ceased calling me to return to Him. How it must have grieved Him to watch me give to others what belonged to Him.
Years after I first gave Him my heart, I gave up the fight. When I surrendered, I embraced His heart and accepted His love. That's the day forever etched in my heart, the day I fell head-over-heels in love with Jesus. Today, that love compels me to tell others, this Love does exist.
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