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Monthly Archives: April 2015

If He can fix me….he can fix anybody

If He can fix me….he can fix anybody

John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

Sitting here watching the sun rise, wondering how many of you might be at Easter Sunrise Services? Today is the most holy day of our Christian calendar; it celebrates Jesus rising from the grave 2000 years ago, forever conquering the power death has over those who repent and believe in Him. Do you believe that Jesus died, arose, ascended, and that he is coming back? Do you believe that the Son of God condescended himself to live as one of his creation to provide the only means possible to right the wrong that man committed in the Garden of Eden? Do you believe that the only way you can get to heaven in through a humble repentant heart that understands we can only get to heaven by acceptance of what Jesus accomplished 2000 years ago? Do you understand that you can never do enough good works, live a good life, go to church every Sunday, give to the poor, love everybody, and yet think those good merits will get you into paradise? You can label it religion, legalism, any “ism” sect of religion that teaches you must do any work yourself other than humble yourself condemns. Jesus condemned the religious throughout the New Testament.

Some friends of mine on social media have been sharing their hearts for Christ; mini-testimonies of their love for him and those that don’t know how much Jesus loves everybody. Our world is spinning seemingly out of control headlong into sin. Our churches are conforming to the world rather than standing for truth and against the world. Christians are being slaughtered daily for their faith and many of us believe that decision may not ever come to us. Will you die for what you say that you believe? Will you put your life on the line for One who did the same for you? If you doubt, you need to go to God in prayer and his Word for a strengthened faith. I promise you will know when you possess the power to say you will die for your Christian faith; you have no fear, for you understand you will be at the feet of Jesus hearing him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord.” (Matthew 25:21 paraphrased)

Why do I write this devotional blog? In hope that God does a work through it to show you that he can fix me, he can fix you. To show you a testimony of incredible mercy and grace. To show you that you do not need an education to find God; it is a matter of the heart and I graduated high school on straight D’s. I have lived most of my life stuck in pride and committed great sins. I relate strongly to Paul’s statement of being “the chief of sinners,” yet he wrote most of the New Testament. There is nothing you have done that you cannot be forgiven for; all you must do is realize that, then repent and believe. There is such a hope in heaven that the fears of this world will pass away. You will live in an eternal security that you desire for others to possess. You will become bold in your faith and not worry about those that ridicule you. People that knew you before Jesus will be your biggest critics, but they don’t likely possess Him, and if they do, they don’t truly understand grace.

Listen to my heartfelt plea; there is an answer to what your problem is, that answer if Jesus Christ. If you will only ask him to forgive you, then seek Him in his Word. I grew up in religion, and my life truly changed much later in life when I began to read my Bible every day. You cannot spend daily time in God’s Word and remain the same person you were the day before. If He can fix me……he can fix anybody.

 
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Posted by on April 5, 2015 in Daily Devotions

 

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The Story

The Story

John 3:14-15 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

I heard a quote once of the Gospel of John that said, “It is shallow enough that a toddler may wade, but deep enough that an elephant may swim.” The simplicity of the passage above explains why Jesus had to die; to save us from sin and provide eternal life to all who believe in him. The depth of this passage when Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus goes way back into the typology of Christ in the Old Testament with Israel fleeing captivity with Moses leading them in the desert. If we look back into Numbers 21, we find that Israel had rebelled again, and God had punished them by sending poisonous snakes that bit many who died. Israel had recognized their sin, and asked for Moses to pray to God to forgive and heal them. This was Moses’ last miracle before he died. 7 And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 8 And the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live. Matthew Henry has a powerful commentary on this passage from Numbers 21 on the sting and recognition of our sin also. Israel found the serpents repulsive, just they found the Cross repulsive. Now God was showing them in the desert that they must look upon what turned their stomachs to be healed. Jesus was telling Nicodemus of his coming death at the cross; Jesus was telling him that he must look upon what he despised to be healed from our sins.

One of my sons told me recently of how a kid at school said he didn’t believe some of the stories in the Bible. It bothered him deeply, and I pray that the Lord gives them time alone to let the Holy Spirit lead a conversation. Many other religions tell that Jesus was a good man, a great prophet, a man like none other even, but a division comes at him being the Son of God. It is proven in history outside of Christianity of his life, death, and resurrection, yet many argue he was not the Son of God. Do you believe? You can’t say you are a Christian and not believe the foundational truth that the Son of God came to earth, died for your sins, and arose from the dead to return to heaven. This must be bedrock, this must be understood that their is no other way to heaven except through Jesus Christ and what he accomplished just over 2000 years ago. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Do you have questions also about Jesus? What is the Easter season where we are celebrating his death and resurrection? I am including a link to a great website that will help you understand. Take a few minutes and explore The Story and let God open your eyes through your heart.

http://viewthestory.com/viewer/?c=1000&p=t&quality=high

 
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Posted by on April 3, 2015 in Daily Devotions

 

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I ain’t two smart……

When I first looked at going back to school, I had to pull my high school records; I never went to college. I held my head in shame as I reflected on how lost I was in those years. Graduating by my teachers extending me grace and inching by with a diploma. I had started life’s bad habits at that time, and school became something that took my time away from partying. I have learned the very hard way for 30 years the mistakes I made in my youth, and place a higher regard on education. I am thankful for God blessing me with a wisdom only found by His Spirit through his Word. I am thankful for God guiding me through life now as I walk through life now according to the time I spend seeking to abide in him. I am trying to live my life as a disciple; I fail every day, try to repent every day, and he extends me mercy and grace every day. You do not find God through study, you find God through your heart. You will not attend any college or seminary that will prepare your heart for Him. It all begins at your realization how lost you are without Him. At that humble plea for him to save your eternal soul, your temporal life changes also. You begin to become wise by heavenly standards.

 

Link to today’s Experiencing God devotional.

https://oneminuteministry.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post-new.php

 

 

 

 
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Posted by on April 1, 2015 in Daily Devotions