Back To The Beginning - Assurance of Salvation

So you got "saved" a while ago.  You go to church. You pray and you even read your Bible. But you might have some little, niggling fears that make you doubt you salvation.

You know, these thoughts, "Am I really saved?" How do I know I am going to Heaven?" You might even have different questions and that's normal. 

Many seasoned believers would tell us that they too have struggled with the assurance of salvation. And they would also tell us that the only way to have that assurance is to memorize scriptures that pertain to salvation.

Satan will try anything to make you doubt your salvation.  He will remind you of your past. He will tempt you to do things you shouldn't do. And let's be clear, following Jesus is not just a "things not to do" or a "things I must to list." Being saved means following Jesus and developing a relationship with Him, the Living Word of God.

So we know why we need to be saved: Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. And Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. That knowledge is what brought you to salvation.

And we know how we got saved. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and that God has raised Him from the dead you will be saved. Romans 10:9

But maybe you get frightened that you can't "stay" saved. I used to feel that way too. These verses will help you. Just take one per week. Write it on a card, say it out loud. Put it on a post it note on your mirror. But keep at it until you absolutely have it memorized and then move on to the next one.

John 10:27 My sheep know my voice and I know them and they follow me.
John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
John 10:29 My Father who gave them unto me is greater than all and no man is able to snatch them out of my Father's hand.

 

*John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.
*John 1:14¶ And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 The Apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonians. He said, "Rejoice in the Lord always, Pray without ceasing, In everything give thanks for this is the will of God concerning you."*

When things are going well, it is easy to be thankful. It takes faith to be thankful when going through trials, but we can trust that God is in control and is working things out for our good.

Prayer: Father we need your help in many ways. Thank you for always meeting our needs. We have loved ones and friends who are going through  trials. They are on our hearts constantly. Help us to remember to place all of the concerns of our heart in Your hands and be thankful that You are in control. Nothing is too hard for you!

*I Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,

in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.   *Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Blessing Or Impressing

Jesus didn't come to impress folks and yet nothing can compare to  His impact. He did not come to be served, He came to serve. He teaches us that no greater love has a man than that he lay down his life for his friend. God the Father gave Him so that we can have eternal life.

So the question is are we doing something to impress others or to bless others? Here is one way I am learning about this. If someone gives a plate of cookies to someone, the receiver may compliment the giver. How should the giver respond?

Possibly a godly response would be, "Thank you, it is a great recipe." That kind of response is  kind and yet humble. It gives the glory to the writer of the recipe.

Our pastor says, "We do not do good things to be seen by men.  We do good things so that men may see.

Prayer: Father teach us how to be good givers and good receivers. Let us be good stewards of the gifts and talents you have bestowed upon us. Let your light shine through us and glorify God. Teach us how to respond to compliments with sincerity and humility.

*Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

 John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

*Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

*I Corinthians 13:4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

*Matthew 11:29-30 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

 

 

 

 

 

Bulls Eye!

I got a revelation recently. I have been recuperating from back surgery. I saw a bulls eye. Large circle, smaller circle and little circle. Then I was reminded of what Jesus said, On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.*  This is the meaning of the target a.k.a. bulls eye. God the Father is Omnipresent. He is everywhere all the time. He is the space outside of the large circle. Jesus is the large circle. He is in the Father. Then the small circle is me. I am in Him. Then the smallest circle is Jesus. He is in me. He is the center of my life. He is included in everything I do.  He is Jehovah Rapha, the Lord Who Heals. I can't not get better!

*John 14:20 NIV On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.   * Exodus 15:26 and said, “If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.” (Jehovah Rapha)

It's Not All About Me!

It happens to all of us. Those little frustrating things that others do. You know, like when someone puts the toilet paper roll on the wrong way. Or, and this is a big one, someone leaves the toilet seat up! Man!  Of all the nerve!

But really those things do not have the power to make us angry. Ephesians 6:10-18 speaks about spiritual warfare.  I firmly believe that there are little imps out there that taunt and torment us, if we let them.

It is so much easier to just flip the toilet paper roll, or just check to make sure the shower is turned off before we turn the water on! It really isn't a big deal unless we let selfishness make it a big deal, and thus lose our joy. Well it might just be temporarily, but still.

The point is it really isn't all about "me." We are to look on the things of others. We need to care for and consider each other. Isn't that what love really is all about?*

*Philippians 2:3-4 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

 

*(NLT) I Corinthians 13:4-5  Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud  or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.

 

*Just a little reminder: The joy of the Lord is our strength and the Word is the source of joy!
 

How Do You Know?

There are many, many different religions in the world today. People who are devoted to their beliefs have lives that demonstrate it. Where does their devotion come from? They know their stuff!

Let me ask a question. If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? We have the power to live with a devotion to Christ that demonstrates His life changing power. How is this possible? Take a look.

Psalms 119:9 How can a young man cleans his way? By taking heed according to Your word. Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Are you beginning to see a pattern yet? We must spend time hearing, reading, studying and memorizing the Word! Essentially if we are to have an impact in this world we must know our stuff!

If you already take time to memorize scripture wonderful!  If you don't even know where to start hook up with someone in your church that can help you. If you need further help please send me a comment and I will get back with you!

 * I Peter 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
*James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and
tremble.
*II Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

 

 

Confessions and Prayer Requests

James 5:16

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

 

Pride keeps us from speaking openly and honestly about our faults. But face it, none of us are perfect! We all have issues.

 

I confess to you now that I struggle with food issues. I had a battle with a half dozen chocolate chip cookies and I lost! Now that may not seem like a sin to you but to me it is. I am diabetic and over weight. My body is supposed to be the temple of the Holy Spirit. Did I realize I was getting into sin? You bet I did.  My spirit was willing but my flesh was weak. 

 

So now I ask that you would pray for me to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Pray that I would be free from excess and able to resist that temptation. And I promise I will pray for you too, when you tell me what you need help with!

 

Blessings!

Where Ya Gonna Go and How Ya Gonna Get There?

As followers of Jesus there is no doubt that someone asked us where we would spend eternity. The plan of salvation was explained and we were lead in the prayer of salvation.

The word teaches us that it is wise for us to win souls. But how can we do that if we do not know how to present the gospel?

We need to be able to explain why we need salvation:
It is the only way to get to heaven!
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.



We need to be able to explain how to get saved:
We confess that we are sinners, believe that Jesus is Lord and that God raised him from the dead and invite Him into our hearts.
Romans 10:9-10 that 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 need to be able to lead the prayer of salvation:
Lord God, I  confess that I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus died for my sins and was raised from the dead. I ask you Jesus to come into my heart and help me live for you.

We need to follow up:
We can't just abandon a new believer. We must teach these new believers, the importance of baptism, church attendance and Bible study,

Jesus was baptized and we follow his example:  Mark 1:9
Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change: Romans 6:4
The importance of Church attendance:

Jesus went to church: Luke 4:16
It's how we grow: Romans 10:27
We are encouraged: Hebrews 10:25

We need to back up the plan of salvation through scripture:
Most people know that Christians go to church and read the Bible. What a shame it is that many of us do not know where to find these important passages within the Word of God! After all Jesus IS the Word!

Gluttony - It Is What It Is

Gluttony is a word that for the most part isn't even in our vernacular.  Webster's dictionary defines gluttony as excess in eating or drinking; greedy or excessive indulgence.

The Holy Spirit, our Helper gives us power over excesses. He produces in us His fruit. (Galatians 5:22-23 ... love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.)

II Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

We don't have to be a slave to that second piece of cake!

Prayer: Father help us to walk in the Spirit and not gratify our desire for excesses. 

Proverbs 25:16  Have you found honey?  Eat only as much as you need, Lest you be filled with it and vomit.

Psalms 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shaped From The Inside Out

The more of the Word/Jesus we have in our heart and mind, the more the Holy Spirit can shape us from the inside out!

*John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.

*John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

 

 

Prayer:  Father please fill me with your word. Stretch out and be  and be at home in my heart, shaping me from the inside out.

Taters

Did you ever meet a tater that you didn't like? I haven't. Baked, boiled, fried or mashed I enjoy them all!

But Jesus isn't looking for "spec" taters.  He is looking for our genuine worship. Worship is more than singing and lifting our hands. When we truly worship the Lord, the Holy Spirit will be evident in our lives.


*Matthew 15:8 These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me. 

*John 4:23-24 “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

*Galatians 5:22-23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
 
Prayer: Father please help us to worship You in all we do!

Thoughts - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Psalms 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

Have you ever felt like your prayers were hitting the ceiling and going no farther? We need to pay attention when that happens.  While it is true that we walk and pray in faith, we need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit.

When we feel like our prayers are ineffective we need to praise the Lord, meditate on the Word, and ask Jesus to search our heart. When we do that, we are inviting the Lord to show us where we are missing the mark, which is what sin really is. * Psalms 51:10

Remember that the Lord knows all of our thoughts, the good, the bad and the ugly.*Psalms 94:11

Ask yourself, "Would I like it if someone thought those thoughts about me?", "Would I want someone to say that about me?" , "Would I want someone to pray that for me?" If the answer is no to any of those questions we have some errant thoughts.

We mustn't let  sin separate us from the Lord! Guilt can cause us to avoid prayer, but if we confess our thoughts to the Lord, He will cleanse us and forgive us , because He loves us!*

*Psalms 15:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

*Psalms 94:11 The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.

*I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.