- The Wonder of it All
As the day we celebrate Christmas quickly approaches I get caught up in the “season.” I love bringing out all my big boxes of Christmas decorations, hanging garland, putting up a snow village, hanging wreathes, putting up the tree with over 1000 lights and at least 100 different Christmas ornaments. As my daughter puts it, “My Mom throws up Christmas all over the house!”
Yes, I admit it I LOVE decorating for Christmas!!!! – it is the one time of the year where I can SHOUT out that I know the REAL reason for the season.
Growing up my Dad would be outside hanging lights around the living room window and on the chain link fence and Mom would be putting up her plastic nativity set in the front yard. We would have a tree and Dad would put the lights on and the rest of the family would hang the ornaments and the tinsel – Oh Yes, tinsel and lots of it. Tree always seemed so huge to me as a little girl and I loved watching as the number of packages under the tree seemed to multiply daily!
Although I have very fond memories of Christmas, it was not until I was 18 years old that I understood the true reason for Christ’s birth thousands of years ago.
Jesus Christ came as a gift from God to everyone ever to live on this earth. Jesus came as a baby in a manger. He grew up and lived a sinless life, and died on the cross of Calvary to pay for the sins of the world. Jesus’ death was one of the most physically excruciation, gruesome, and humiliating deaths. He suffered not only physically but He took on Himself the sins of the world! Why would the God of the universe do that? Because He loved us, and knew that was the only way to for us to be saved.
Now when I put up my Christmas tree, the first ornament I hang on my tree is a metal nail to remind me of the greatest gift I will ever receive – the gift of eternal life.
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
I hope you will take a few minutes from your busy Christmas and thank God for the greatest gift we will ever receive – SALVATION!
The Story of the Christmas Nail
Every year on our Christmas tree, we hang a nail for all to see. A reminder of the nails of the manger where the Christ Child lay, and of those piercing His body as life drained away. A reminder of love in the green of the tree, the greatest gift that was given to you and me. Hanging brightly from its little red cord, the story of Jesus, our Savior, our Lord.
Hope you have a Merry Christmas!
- A Smooth Path
There are times in our life when God allows us to have a “smooth” path to follow.
Get up, eat breakfast, go to school, go to work, come home, do some laundry, make dinner, clean house, go to bed and then start all over again. Nothing that we would consider difficult just life. But it is times like these, where it is easy to lose our focus. We get caught up in the “routine” of the day.
When things are good or normal and everything is going “smooth” we forget about God and our need for Him. We let our quiet time with our Bible slide or say I will pray later; I really don’t have any “big” problems to pray about.
Before you know it, it has not been just a day or two since you last read your Bible and prayed but it has been a week, a month, or even longer.
Proverbs 1:32 warns us.
For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity (smooth times) of fools shall destroy them.
To put it simply, when things are good, we don’t make God a priority!
Okay, so how do we take those smooth times and use it to honor God?
First, learn to recognize when you start letting things “slide.”
When you see that you have missed a few days (hopefully not many) stop and pray and ask God to get you back on track.
Here are some ideas to help you stay on track:
- Keep a calendar where you mark when you have done your quite time and prayers.
- Get a daily devotional book and keep a book mark showing where you are
- Send a daily text message to a friend (or even yourself) about what you have read and prayed about.
- Keep a journal with thoughts about your Bible reading and prayers
- Enlist a friend who is willing to keep you accountable
The smooth times can be times of great blessing and growth for a Christian. Remember, God knows your routine even better than you do.
Matthew 6:31-33 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
The routine of your day can actually allow the Christian more time with their Bible and prayer life.
Make a schedule. The key is STICK TO IT! Include in your schedule your routine items and include a specific time for Bible study and prayer. Then stick to your schedule! Okay, I know that things happen and schedules get changed, but if you are committed to put God first in your life, He promises to make that happen.
Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
- A Godly Path
Over the past 6 months I have shared with you 12 “stones” that were essential to my growth as a young Christian.
- Death and its consequence
- Church/Religion
- My Sin
- God’s Love for ME
- Doubts – Eternally Saved
- New Life as a Christian
- Seeking Truth
- Fulfillment in Christ
- God Direction
- Dedication to the Lord
- God’s Will not mine
- Step of Faith
Those events shaped my path and lead me to a life of service to the Lord. Time to begin the work. I am able to humbly say that I have been blessed serving the Lord for over 36 years. (Ok, I know I am aging myself!) Has it always been easy? No, but the Lord never said it would be.
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Throughout the years, I have clung to a couple of verses that have always given me a great hope. The fact that Christ promises to never leave me – US.
Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Those two verses cover everything that we could possibly encounter during our life time.
I have had times in my life where I wanted to say – “I am done!” Everyone will have “stones” throughout our life that will cause us to doubt, stumble, fall or want to quit. But the Lord will be there! We have nothing to fear!
Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
You are probably thinking, “That is easy for you to say,” but I have seen the faithfulness of God – even when I was unfaithful. Christian, when the tough time comes, and they will, remember God loves you! You are His child! He wants what is best for you even when you may not know what that is yourself. Trust Him, open yourself up to His path for your life and you WILL be blessed.
I hope that by sharing some of my early “stones” you have been encouraged and challenged to keep moving along the path the God has set before you. As I continue down my life’s path, I will share more of the “stones” I have faced and what I have learned by going through them. My hope is that through my experiences, you might be able to avoid some of the mistakes that I have made and make your life’s pathway just a bit smoother.
God Bless and Guide Always,
Cora
- New New New
After all the excitement of everything coming together… if finally started to sink in as I was driving down the highway. One of the biggest decisions of my life! I was on my way to the Chicago suburbs to go to college. New school, new place, new job, new church, new friends…NEW!!!
What did I just do?
A little bit of panic, a lot of heart pounding and one great big prayer…
“LORD, I DON’T KNOW IF I CAN DO THIS?!?
I was never really one to step out on a big adventure, certainly not by myself; I was too timid and afraid. Everything just came together so smoothly, now I finally had time to stop and think. Which is not always a good thing as the devil likes to corrupt our thoughts.
2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Thankfully, just as the devil tried to corrupt my thoughts, the Lord was there to calm and guide me one specific verse came to mind.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
This was the first time I remember specifically praying – “Lord, you brought me this way, if it is not the direction you want me to go YOU need to stop it. I want YOUR will for my life.” (This was the first time I prayed that specific prayer, but it certainly would not be the last).
A peace came over me, being a young Christian, I did not fully understand that was God comforting me.
I safely arrived at my destination around 11:00 pm, the drive was long and I was tired, but I had a new friend waiting there to greet me and had a nice place for me for the night. The next day would begin a new path for me to follow with many different stones for me to overcome.
- 14-hour Journey
The next few days were a whirlwind!
The drive to Colorado just as exciting as the ride out. Many of our Kids had made positive decisions to follow Christ and I was making plans to head to Bible College when we returned. It was amazing to see how God worked everything out for me to go.
I had a few challenges ahead of me. How my parents were going to handle the news. (So far, they were not too concerned about my new found “religion” as they called. I even think that they were hoping that I would grow tired of it and stop being so “churchy”.) How am I going to get my apartment cleared out, school stated the next week. What about my job, I needed to give notice but it was not going to be the “normal” 2 weeks but one day. What about my car is it good for the long trip? What about money do I have enough?
Once again, I had my list of doubts, stones in my path…how will God work these out?
We arrived home and headed over to my parents’ home to let them know what I had decided regarding college. I was amazed by their response, not only did the understand, but Dad went straight out and started looking over my car for the long trip. Mom took me back to my apartment and helped me pack what I was going to be taking with me. She called my sister and brother and they agreed to help my mom empty out my apartment so I would not have to worry about it. The next day I went to work and to my surprise I had a paycheck waiting there for me and they had no problem with the short notice. The next day was Sunday, and I went to church and my church family was excited to see me go off to Bible College and even gave me a small love offering to get me started. After church, I went to my folks’ house and Dad said my car was good to go for the trip to Illinois and gave me some more money.
Wow, what a great couple of days, God worked in ways that just amazed me.
That night my mind was buzzing; I could hardly sleep…I was leaving for college the next morning.
Bright and early, I packed the car and went over to my Pastors home to say good bye. When I got there, he was there with is family and a couple close friend to send me on my way with a gift (more money) and a prayer.
In three days, God removed all of my doubts, once again, He not only removed the doubts but blessed me in ways I never thought possible. I was going to Bible College to learn about what God and His plan for my life. I had not only my Church families blessing by my physical family’s support, something that I did not imaging ever happening.
What a wonderful God I serve to care for me that much!
- Following God’s Path
It was hard to believe that it had been one year since I trusted Christ as my Savior. A lot of things had changed in my life and more change was coming…
I was spending my time working, going to church and serving at my local church. I was fortunate that my pastor and my church family were gracious to me and where very open to my questions and encouraged me to truly seek God’s path for my life. I was able to take a couple Bible college courses which left me wanting to learn more about the Bible, but I really did not want to spend years in college…so I thought…
This summer our church was having a camp for our teens and we were raising funds to take us to a camp in Northern Minnesota. As many churches do, we held a rummage sale to raise funds for our kids. I donated some of my furniture from my apartment to the rummage sale as, after returning from camp, I was planning on moving back into my parent’s home to save money.
Well, the rummage sale was a huge success! The teens were all getting very excited for the 14-hour ride to Minnesota and I was looking forward to sometime away from work, working directly with our teens and getting some time to focus on the Bible for myself.
We got everything ready, and bright and early on Saturday morning, our church leaders and teens loaded up 2 passenger vans with food and camping stuff and we headed out. It was along trip, as we drove straight from Colorado to Minnesota. We tried to make if fun telling stories and singing songs but soon the kids were asleep and the adults did everything, we could to keep each other awake. We made it into Minnesota in the early evening and to our dismay we drove right into a Minnesota rain storm. The last hour of the trip was at 20-30 miles per hour with a torrential down pour…ugh!
Well, when we finally made it to the camp on Leech Lake, we were warmly welcomed and settled into our shelters. The next few days were filled with meeting new friends, memorizing verses, playing games and going to camp meetings that opened up the Word of God to the teens in a wonderful way. I saw many of our teens began to grow and wanting to learn more about what being a Christian really means. I would like to say that I remember all of the messages or the specific verses we memorized – but I can’t. Although our main focus being there was to help our teens grow spiritually…what I do remember is going to sleep at night and something saying to me. “Okay, you’re here to help our church kids – but what about you?”
My first thoughts were, “What about me? I am here for our kids. I am good where I am at…”
As the week went on with the messages and the memory work and personal devotions, I started to feel a NEED to learn more, I started thinking, “Should I go back to School?!?” Oh boy, not what I wanted. But God kept bringing to mind “you want to know more about me, don’t you?”
This would be a HUGE step – the Bible College was in Illinois – I did not know anyone in Illinois. I have never really traveled outside of Colorado except one trip when I was 7 to see family in Texas. God wants me to go all by myself? What about the expense I could not afford to keep my apartment – how am I going to pay for[CM1] college? All these thoughts where flooding through my mind. I did not tell anyone just and kept those thoughts to myself.
As camp was coming to an end one of the counselors asked me what I was planning for school. I started to give excuses… I don’t have the money…I don’t know anyone…I don’t have a place to stay…I don’t know what my family will do.
Needless to say, in a matter of hours all of my excuses where removed.
- I could work at the church to cover my tuition.
- I had spent time with other young Christians who were attending the college so I would not be alone.
- A church family in Illinois offered to let me stay with them, for free, until I could find a job and get a place.
- I knew that my Church family would be there to stand by me.
Once again, God had provided everything…How could I say no.
So off to college for ME!
- Take the Plunge
As I continued on my Christian Walk, I started realizing that there would be “Stones” set in my path. Challenges set before me such as the death of my cousin, changing churches, personal doubts, moving out, learning to be a Godly person, and following Christ even when others don’t understand. Although some challenges seem huge to me, others seem “logical” or easy to go through. This next one was an easy decision for me, but until just a few years ago I never realized how it affected others in my life. Let me explain.
I had been saved for about 6 months and faithfully attending church, helping out in ministries like the nursery, Ranch (our teen group), and even occasionally cleaning the church, which surprised me because to this day I don’t like housework 😉. I was excited to get involved, get to know other Christians, and learn more about the Bible and what God wanted for my life.
One of the next steps for a believer is to be Baptized. I was excited to be saved and I wanted to let others know that I believed that Jesus died on the cross, was buried, and roses again on the third day making it possible for me to go to heaven. What a better way to show that by being Baptized by immersion – a wonderful picture of salvation.
I talked to several church member and the pastor and decided that I wanted to get baptized. We set the date and then, I asked my family to come and see me get baptized but none of them did? My Mom even questioned me as to why I was doing it, I was baptized as a baby. I never really understood why my family was not excited for me. But I knew that it was what I needed to do.
Many years later I was able to ask my mom about it, she said that she thought I was getting caught up in something strange group and that I would get tired of it and stop acting so weird and doing all this religious stuff. She even said that she called my Pastor and told him to stop bothering me with all the church stuff – we were Catholics.
Now looking back, I see that, me getting baptized was a big stone in my family’s path. They had never before seen someone dedicated to serving the Lord. They had never been taught about God’s True Love for them. There would be many more stones along my journey that my family didn’t understand, but as each stone came it brought them closer to understanding God’s plan for each of them.
So, stay strong as you progress on your path that God has for you it will not only change your life but the lives of others around you.
- Moving On
Well, the last few months had flown by. I was final at a point of my life where I felt content. Attending church and reading my Bible regularly. Learning daily more about God and what He wanted for my life. Can I say that I understood everything. No. But I was at peace where I was at.
Looking back now on what happened next it is clear that the devil did not want me as new Christian to feel at peace or secure. The devil wants to stop every young Christian. The devil wanted me to doubt what I was learning and question whether having Christian Walk was important.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
I was sharing an apartment with a cousin. Things were great as long as we both were going to church reading our Bibles together, but as things do, something changed. My cousin starting working a lot of long hours that pulled her away from church. She started bring over her new friends from work most of them claimed to be Christians but their actions didn’t always show it. The apartment became the new weekend hangout the “friends” were hanging around doing some drinking and smoking. Some of them even offered me to “try this out.” I started to feel uncomfortable and something inside said “this is not a good place for you to be.”
What was I supposed to do. I was a young, just out of High School working a minimum wage job, 20-30 hours a week. I was only able to afford moving out by sharing an apartment with my cousin. I did want to move back to my parents’ house either. (I story will share another time.) BUT inside me I know it was the right thing to do.
So, time to move on.
I began praying, “God if this is what you want me to do, then you have to make it all work.” 3 main steps
- Step 1 – Finding a place…I was able to find a place to rent it would be double what I was currently paying.
- Step 2 – Need furniture…the only thing I had was my twin bed and a dresser.
- Step 3 – Then ask for more hours….my current pay was not going to pay my rent, let alone food and gas for my car.
I didn’t know how it was going to work, but I knew the situation was getting worse.
I started packing and told my cousin I was moving out; she didn’t really understand why it was such a “big deal” or seem to care, which was hard for me to understand, she was the one who influenced me to go to church and eventually get saved. (I would quickly learn that not everyone who is a Christian chooses to follow what the Bible says regarding living a separated life and being a testimony for the Lord.)
Even though things were getting difficult and time was running out on my apartment lease…God is never early but never late. About 5 days after telling my cousin I was moving out, I got a phone call stating that an apartment had opened up and I was able to move in right away…Step 1 done…then to my surprise both my parents and my grandma offered items to help furnish my apartment…Step 2 done…then the “icing on the top” when I got to work that day my supervisor said if I was willing to change departments he could offer me a full time position…Step 3…done.
Wow, I was blown away…God did exactly what he said. He provided. Not only what I need but so much more.
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
I moved into my new apartment. (By the way it was bigger and nicer than the one I shared with my cousin.) I had more than enough furnishing to make it a cozy, (sofa, desk, lamps, kitchen table, kitchen supplies and even some fun decorations). The new job was great and provided more opportunities to share my faith. God had provided everything that I needed and more!
This was the first time, but certainly not the last time, that God directed my path just as He promises to.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
- Missing Piece
For most of my life I felt like I was always searching for something, a missing piece.
As a child I wanted the newest toys or to see the latest movies. As I grew older, I began searching in different ways. Friends, sports, academic achievements, a sporty car even making LOTS of money. Although I had some of those things, I always felt something was still missing, and emptiness that I could not fill.
After trusting Christ as my Savior, I now had a peace. I could not quite understand it but I no longer desired to have the next “great” thing or wait anxiously for the next pay raise or job promotion.
But there was still something missing…
I was attending church faithfully every week on Sunday morning, but I still was not satisfied. I started going Sunday nights and Wednesday evenings. I began helping with the teen ministry. That missing part was slowly starting to fade but still something inside me said I was missing something…something important.
One night I remember sitting at home, alone and quietly reading when I remembered something…
When I was a little girl, I would sneak into my parents’ bedroom and look at our “Family Bible.” You know the large one that had the gold edged pages and the fancy cover with a picture of Jesus kneeling and praying. It was never opened or read and I was not allowed to touch it. Well, I did touch it. I like looking at the pictures and carefully pulling apart the gold edges that were still stuck together, because it had never been read. I even tried reading it a couple of times but I never got very far.
At that moment, I realized what that missing piece was…a personal knowledge of God and His Word.
Now, I had my own Bible, and took it to church every Sunday. There was no one telling me not to touch or not to read it. I even had friends at church that encouraged me to read the Bible, but I never gave it much thought. Now I had a DESIRE to know more about God and Jesus. That night for the first time outside of church, I opened my Bible and began reading.
As I began, it was not just some mumbo jumbo words, but God speaking to me.
1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
I began seeing that God wanted me to know His word so that I could be blessed.
Proverbs 4:20-22 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
I now understood that the Bible was to be my guide, not just a fancy object to be on display in my home.
Psalm 119:5 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
The more I read, the more I wanted to read!
Ephesians 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
I had finally found the missing piece in the Bible – a personal relationship with my Savior.
- Be Picky
Growing my parents did not allow us to picky when it came to eating or really anything. They provided the best they could and we were to be appreciative of what we had. The food that was set in front of us was expected to be eaten. Luckily for me, it was pretty simple food – hamburgers, chicken, pork chops. The veggies were also basic corn, peas, green beans. I wasn’t sitting there staring a plate of asparagus, brussel sprouts or lima beans. Actually, I don’t think I had a brussel sprout until I was in my 30’s. (Lucky me!
)
Now, I had to make a choice what “spiritual” food I was going to have to help me as I started my life’s journey as a Christian. So off to the Christian books store for me…. (that was some years ago when there were still books stores.)
As I walked in, I was amazed to see so many different Bibles – not only styles, shapes, and sizes but also translations. Which one should I choose? Which one is best? Does it really make a difference?
Yes, it does. God says…
2 Peter 1: 20-21 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
God used men to speak and write His words.
Psalm 12:6-7 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
God promised to preserve them FOREVER – and remember God cannot lie (Titus 1:2)
Through the centuries God used men with a love for the Bible to keep it from harm. Zealous Jewish patriots, Bible-believing Christians have kept the scriptures available, many of them sacrificing their lives to do so.
Fortunately for us, we have one translation that is based on God has preserved Word. That is the King James Version – KJV. Let me give you a few reasons.
- 1. The KJV has stood the test of time – it was commissioned in 1604 by King James the First and completed in 1611. It was accepted as the standard English Bible for over 400 years from mid-17 century to early 20th century.
- 2. It was translated by a group of 47 scholarly men from Cambridge, Oxford, and Westminster trained in ancient languages they were the authority in ancient languages.
- 3. It is a formal equivalence translation – The translators translated word for word as close to the original Greek and Hebrew writings to keep as much of the original wording of the Bible as possible – not thought for thought or a paraphrase of the meaning.
- 4. They included the “Italic” text – these helper words were added to help us understand not to change what the original language was saying.
- 5. KJV is considered a stable translation – since 1611 only minor changes have been made – change in font styles from the old English calligraphy and word spelling (and example: sonne to son). In 1769 was the final revision and will most likely be the same as the KJV version we have today.
- 6. KJV is based on the Received Text – which is made of the two texts. Masoretic, Old Testament, and Textus Receptus, New Testament. Over 5000 ancient manuscripts of the New Testament, along with some 2,000 select readings still exist today – the majority of them confirming the correctness of the Received Text.
- 7. KJV is not inspired and should not be considered better than the original writings of the Prophets and Apostles. It is the closest to the original writings that we have available to us today.
Start with a simple Bible that does not have any notes or comments. Allow God’s Word to speak to you, remember He wants a personal relationship with you and will help you understand His Words.
My prayer for you today: 2 Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. in Jesus name Amen”
- What’s Next?
The last few months of my life were a whirlwind of life-changing events.
My cousin’s death, the struggle with my sin, and the reality of heaven and hell all resulted in me becoming a Christian, a child of God. Now, I am wondering, what does it mean to be a Child of God?
Just as a newborn baby needs security, clothing, sleep, nutritious food, sensory stimulation, attention, and love. A newborn child of God will need many things to help you grow.
*SECURITY – This is found by faithfully attending a Church that teaches the Word of God.
Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
*CLOTHING – You may need to make some changes to how you look so that you are modest.
1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
*SLEEP – The only place to find rest is by praying and giving your burdens to God.
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
*FOOD – Daily time reading and studying the Bible provides the spiritual nourishment to begin growing as a Christian.
Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
*SENSORY STIMULATION – Start spending time with other Christians and start getting involved in activities around your church.
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
*ATTENTION – You need to focus on reading your KJV Bible – start in the books of John and Romans. If you don’t understand what it means ask a godly friend or your pastor. The Bible is life’s instruction manual.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
*LOVE – Remember God loves and has accepted you as you are a sinner saved by grace. Don’t beat yourself up if you miss a day’s reading or forget to pray. Just begin each day anew. If you stay faithful it will become a life-changing habit.
2 Corinthians 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
- Doubts Destroyed
But what if I sin again? … Hebrews 10:12 But this man, after he (Jesus) had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; and 1 John 2:2 And he (Jesus) is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Jesus paid for all my sins forever – past, present, and future.
Actually, Jesus paid for the sins of the whole world – not just mine.
Can I lose my Salvation? … John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Christ himself said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
I have EVERLASTING life. Not life until I sin again. Jesus himself tells me that FACT.
How can I be absolutely sure?… John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
I have ETERNAL life, will NEVER perish, and am SECURE in God’s hand.
I can KNOW I have eternal life this very moment!
Stone 5 – Doubt Destroyed
Through life we walk a path that can lead us in many different directions.
When we are young those paths are often directed by our parents, school teachers and other people that cross our path.
As we grow older our paths become our own, sometimes smooth easy going other times we struggle and suffer heart aches.
I have experienced many things and encountered a variety of people along my path. There were times when I overcame obstacles and times when I stumbled. Through it all the Lord used key moments to draw me closer to Him. I hope some of my experiences will help you along your life path.