Forgive Me Lord, For I Have Sinned

Here it is Good Friday, the day our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was hung on the cross on Calvary or Golgotha ( place of a skull).  The greatest act of unselfishness ever performed, was performed so that we could have a return trip to our heavenly Father.  You see, no man could take Jesus' life.  He voluntarily laid it down because of His love, unconditional love for you and me.  It truly is a "good" Friday!

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

Being Christ-like

I am a Christian,

but that doesn’t mean I can’t stumble;

but ninety-nine percent of the time

my spirit should remain humble.

I am a Christian,

can you see that in me;

or is it hard to find,

because I don’t have the right mind;

and I’m not truly free.

I am a Christian,

is that something I just say;

or do I put it on display?

I am a Christian,

I must carry my own cross;

and follow Jesus,

I know what I have to do;

and I know He is my boss.

I’m not afraid to pay the cost.

I am a Christian,

is there love in my heart;

am I being a disciple,

if not, I need to start.

I am a Christian,

so you should have heard;

I’m standing on the Word.

I am a Christian,

and I know I’ve been changed;

my mind and life have been Godly rearranged.

I am a Christian,

so my lifestyle should not be a suspense;

in my living for God,

there should be an abundance of evidence.

I am a Christian,

is the song I should always sing;

I am a Christian,

hallelujah to the King!

                                                                                               

                                                                  To God Be the Glory,

                                                                                        Written by: Gail Miller (03/18/13)

                                                                                                           

Taking it to Another Level !

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Ephesians 3:20 (NKJ).

"The power that works in us."  Paul had the revelation that if we followed His Word and were obedient to Him, God would provide all that we needed and that included power.  Power to do things that man could not understand nor explain.  Most of the time we don't understand the awesomeness of God's mighty power as it pertains to our lives, and even if we are spiritual and living for God, we question how he's going to do it.
But my brothers and sisters, claim His power in the Name of Jesus for yourself; speak it over your life and your families' lives.  Do not doubt that through Him we have the power to change things for the better.   He can do anything, and if we allow Him to guide and instruct, we can do anything in His name. 

Charity is an Act of Love

Charity is an act of love, which allows us to do something that is the total opposite of our basic and selfish natures. We did not progress or get to where we are in life without the assistance of others. At very young ages, we display selfish tendencies and attitudes. As children, we show a "that's mine mentality " when it comes to objects such as balls, toys, and candy. Parents and teachers are constantly trying to instruct us in the principle of sharing; however, we struggle with this and may even have tantrums, if someone takes or tries to take something from us. Again, we did not get here on our own. Parents, siblings, teachers and others have had an impact on the lives that we now live. The goals we have been able to reach have more authors than just us alone. Family members, friends and coaches have all imparted something into the make up of our lives. Once we come to this realization and allow our egos to deflate, we then have the opportunity to have our hearts softened and think about others, who are in need. We should challenge ourselves at every opportunity, for it is right to care about others and to do whatever we can for one another. Looking back on the roads that we've traveled throughout our lives should bring to our memories many, many people that were a part of the successes and failures we have experienced. Let's be thankful about these memories and be willing to do the same for others.

Proverbs 11:24-25
One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

I Ain't Ashame to Claim His Name, JESUS!

When I wake up in the morning I say: "good morning Jesus, here we go again."  I thank Him for being there for me 24/7 (all the time).  He said, in His Word, that: "He would never leave me nor foresake me." And He is true to His Word.  I'm so glad I know Jesus for myself, and have a real and right relationship with Him, because I need Him all the time; especially when times are hard.  I love crossing paths with other believers who are not ashame to claim His name.  There was my brother-in-Christ on the morning train who was wearing that marvelous hat that exclaimed his love for God, the Son, and Holy Spirit.  There was no doubt that he was a true believer, not because of the hat, but his face and spirit revealed that Christ lived inside him.  I just had to talk about the goodness of the Lord with him.  It was an opportunity to praise Jesus in public.  This made my soul glad, and my spirit leapt for joy!  How about my sister-in-Christ who exclaims the name of Jesus, His love, and salvation to a dying world on one of the corners of the West End every day.  One day I just had to encourage her, and show solidarity with her by hugging her, calling her my sister, and telling her God bless you for doing the Lord's work.  I welcome any and all opportunities to claim His name; Jesus!  There are people in other countries who risk their lives to find a hiding place to congregate so they can praise God; so why would I, a Christian, not take advantage of the fact that I can freely praise my Lord and Savoir!  We must claim His name from the highest places to the lowest.  We must claim His name from the four corners of the earth (north, south, east, and west.  We must be bold and claim His name (with Godly direction and Christ-like demeanor) on our jobs, in our schools, in the halls of justice, at the beauty salon, in the barber shop, in the super market, in the streets, in our homes, and, yes, even in our churches.

DON'T BE ASHAME TO CLAIM THE NAME OF JESUS!!!

If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.  Luke 9:26 (NIV)

Don't Judge Me !

People are all different which is good because variety is the spice of life.  We have a right to have a difference of opinion, and nobody has to be right or wrong.  We just agree to disagree.

Don't look at a person and think you know them.  We are all like onions.  We have a lot of  layers to peel away, and under each one is a different and unique experience.

How can anyone decide why a person acts a certain way when they haven't walked in their shoes.

We want what others have, but are we willing to sacrifice what they did to get it?

Don't judge me because I have to enforce the rules on my job.  The working me is just one part of a multi-faceted, very complex individual.

How can you just look at me and decide you hate me?  To know me is to love me!

"Don't speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters.  If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God's law.  But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you.  God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge.  He alone has the power to save or to destroy.  So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?" (James 4:11-12/NLT)

The Road Travelled is Difficult (BUT THE DESTINATION IS WELL WORTH IT!)

God has predestined a journey for each of us.  The journey will not always be easy, but God did not promise us easy; He promised us that He would never leave us.  There will be bumps in the road; there will be unforeseen (by us, NOT God) obstacles, hinderances, storms, and, yes, loss of material things, a job, or even more importantly a loved one.  We will have to strive hard to make it past all these trials and tribulations, but the One Who predestined this road trip for us will see us through, if we let Him.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Jeremiah 29:11(NIV)

Now let's look at the other side of life's difficult journey if we allow the Lord to rule, rest and abide in our lives.  The Lord will take care, giving us a peace and a joy that no man can take away.  He will be our everything here on earth and as it says in the most familiar passage and the basis of Christianity:  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV)

At the end of life's travel, if we believe , we get to go home and be with the Father.  Hallelujah!

What a promise; what a destination!