Tag: Jesus

Confidence in Christ Jesus

1 John 5:14 NIV, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”

It was a busy weekend for me, as I continue packing for my upcoming move. It always amazes me how much stuff can accumulate over time. I still have a few Little Golden books from when I was little. Going through all this stuff, reminds me of the many stages of life I have been through. When I see items from years gone by, I can see how fast time has flown.

Photo by: Binti Malu

The love and care that God shows us does not change. Circumstances may change. People may change, or we may even change. But God, He remains the same. His faithfulness is constant. During times where my needs were lacking, I knew God would somehow provide for me. Because He always has, and I know He always will. That’s the confidence we have in knowing Christ. In Him, we have a firm foundation. We can be sure. Sometimes we hesitate to believe, but when it comes to Him, we don’t have to hesitate. We can freely trust and believe.

As we start this new week, His presence is with us and living in us through the Holy Spirit. We can ask Him for what we need. Every need we have, rather big, small or somewhere in between, He has promised to lovingly supply. When your heart feels anxious and life tries to overwhelm you, remember that God is still greater than whatever or whoever.

May you be blessed, as you walk in the confidence that comes from knowing who you are in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Follow the Light of Jesus

John 8:12 NIV, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Jesus said that He is the Light of the world. He promised that when we follow Him, we will never walk in darkness. When we know Jesus, we will know Truth. His Truth keeps our hearts free from the deception that is overtaking so many in the world today. He will give us an understanding of what is right.

I came across this poem by Helen Steiner Rice:

“I Am the Light of the World”

In this sick world of hatred

and violence and sin,

Where society renounces morals

and rejects discipline,

We stumble in darkness

groping vainly for light

To distinguish the difference

between wrong and right. . .

But dawn cannot follow

this night of despair

Unless faith lights a candle

in all hearts everywhere. . .

And, warmed by the glow,

our hate melts away

And love lights the path

to a peaceful new day.

Father,

Thank you for sending us your Son to light our path each day. Help us to cling to you and your Word, and to not be dragged away by the foolish wicked schemes of the evil one. Teach us to trust in you with all of our hearts. Fill our hearts with your Light and Love. Thank you for supplying our needs and thank you for never forsaking us.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Photo By: Lukas

One Way…Jesus (pt 2)

One way…Jesus (pt 1)

We explained to her that we had met Jerry through the singles ministry at church. She seemed astonished and became very inquisitive about His church attendance. She didn’t waste anytime asking us if we knew rather or not her Uncle had become a Christian. So we begin to share with her how Jerry had accepted Jesus as his Savior, and had become a faithful member of the singles ministry. The look on her face was priceless. I remember hearing her inhale in surprise.

It was such a thrill for me and the other group leader to be able to share the good news about Jerry with her. Although we hadn’t known Jerry very long, being able to assure her that he had chosen to give his heart to Jesus brought us so much joy.

She briefly looked around the room. Then she showed us the small Bible that she had in her hand. She said she knew that many of the family members were unsaved, and that she had asked the Lord for a chance to share His Word with them. She opened the little Bible and showed us several of the scriptures that she had highlighted. We exchanged a few more words with her, before she moved on to speak to others in the crowd.

Photo by: ryanking999

I glanced over at my friend Jerry and admired the gold cross that he was holding in his hand. Although his old physical body was lying there lifeless in the casket, I knew for certain that he was now in the presence of the Lord, with his new heavenly body. No more pain, no more hurt, and no more divorce.

I’m thankful the Lord allowed us to be standing in the right place at the right time so that we could meet Jerry’s niece. I was delighted to be a part of a moment that was so special to her…finding out about her Uncle’s new life in Jesus Christ. Jerry lost something valuable when his marriage dissolved, but he found something priceless, when he gained eternal life through Jesus.

Some people say there are many ways to God, but Jesus said this and I believe Him…

John 14:6 NIV, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

There is nothing that is too hard for God. He knows exactly what we need and when we need it. He knew what Jerry needed. He’s knows what you and I need. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

One Way…Jesus.

One Way…Jesus (pt 1)

John 14:6 NLT, “Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

During my eleven years in Michigan, I attended two different churches. The first church I attended for about eight years. For two of those years, I had the privilege to serve as a group leader in the Singles Ministry. This particular Singles Ministry was for ages thirty and up. As group leaders, we were responsible for helping to facilitate the Sunday morning discussions. Proverbs 2:8 was our theme scripture. Our ministry was called, “One Way Singles Ministry”, since Jesus is the One Way.

Photo By: Brett Sayles

Proverbs 2:8 NIV, “for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.”

I’ll never forget one man who was part of our ministry. His name was Jerry, and he was 70 years old. He was actually the oldest member of our ministry. Jerry had not been a Christian for the majority of his life, but he had come to know the Lord through the pain and hurt of divorce. His wife of fifty years, had left him for her high school sweetheart.

It was always hard to understand how something like this could happen, but Jerry had so much joy in his heart. Whenever you spoke to him, you could sense the love he had for the Lord. He would share how empty his life was before he came to know Jesus.

Jerry became terminally ill, and I still remember the last conversation I had with him about two weeks before he passed away. He asked me how I was doing, and he had so much concern and compassion. I could feel how genuine his spirit was.

The day before Jerry’s funeral, I attended the viewing at the funeral home, along with one of my fellow group leaders. While we were there, standing near the casket, a woman came in and told us she was Jerry’s niece. She seemed very anxious and begin to explain to us that she had not seen her Uncle Jerry in quite awhile. She had just found out about his death the day before.

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Love and Truth

Psalm 143:10, “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”

God is love, and God is Truth. As Christians, we should allow ourselves to be guided by His love and truth as we go through this life. God’s definition of love, often differs from the worlds. And of course truth, has become whatever people want it to be. Whatever makes them feel good is deemed to be true. However, God’s Word does not change based on our feelings. He will lead us on level ground, but we must be willing to follow Him.

John 10:27 NIV, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

Photo By: Pixabay

The love and truth that is found in Christ is priceless. It is imperative that we listen to Him, so that we will not be lead astray by the deception of the world. As the old hymn says, “On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand.” May you walk in the joy of God’s love and truth, and stand firm knowing that as you follow Christ, His faithfulness to you will never end.

He Knows Your Name

Isaiah 43:1-2 ESV, “….Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”

Fear not! God is with you through it all. He has promised to never leave your side. He will not allow you to be overtaken by evil when you keep your hand in His. Every tribulation that you must endure, He will strengthen you to do so. In your weakness, His strength is made perfect. He is upright and just in all His ways. His wisdom far surpasses our limited understanding.

He loves you with an everlasting love and He will never fail you. No matter what you are going through, He is still God and He knows your name.

Photo By: Oliver Sjöström

At The Cross Of Jesus Christ

John 8:36 NLT, “So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.”

I awaken this morning reminded of what a privilege it is that we can lay our burdens at the foot of the cross. There is rest in Jesus. He takes care of us and will provide all we need. Thinking about His goodness makes me smile. His love brings hope, even in the situations that seem the most hopeless.

There is freedom in Jesus. Freedom from the grasp of sin and shame. Freedom from hurt and pain. Freedom from the lies of the enemy. In Jesus we have freedom to be all that we were created to be. We are free to walk in His truth and light. We are free to say no to the wicked ways of the world.

We are free to be confident in who He is and who we are in Him. The cross where He suffered and died represents freedom. In Him we have abundant life that far surpasses anything the world could ever offer us.

Photo by: Aaron Burden

My favorite hymn is called, “At The Cross” by Isaac Watts.

A few of the words are….“At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, and the burden of my heart rolled away. It was there by faith, I received my sight, and now I am happy all the day.”

Be blessed and have a wonderful Sunday. In Jesus Christ you are free!