What about our Relationship with God?

Having read all the "I Am-In Christ" scriptures and finding out that as Christians we are totally accepted by God we might be wondering about what happens when we sin. Does our failure in this area interfere with God's acceptance of us? Let's look at a simple illustration.

When I was born physically, I had a father. His name was Richard. As his daughter, I have his blood running through my veins. Richard and Debra are "blood related". Nothing I could possibly do would change that. No act or mistake. We are related by blood. But is there anything I could do which would affect the harmony of our "relationship" as father and daughter?

Certainly. My attitude and behavior caused at times a strain or conflict in our relationship. What did I need to do to keep our relationship in harmony? I needed to be obedient. Our relationship issue was settled at my birth; the harmony issue became dependent upon my behavior and obedience.

In the spiritual realm, when I was born again I became a member of God's family. God is my father and I enjoy an eternal relationship with Him through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Version: NAS

1 Peter 1:18-19
18. knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19. but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, [the blood] of Christ.

The issue of "Eternal Security" is a real hot button of debate. Here is where I differ somewhat with the author of this book. I will try to state my case in a succinct manner. If you do not agree with me, I totally understand. I have voiced my opinion loud and clear on several occasions in the past. But my understanding of eternal security changed after study and prayer and asking God many questions concerning this matter. Up until that point I had believed that no matter what you did as a Christian, no matter how you acted, what you said, or what you stood for, you were still going to heaven. "Once saved always saved". Now believe me, I know all the scripture that supports this. But let's just view this from the common sense viewpoint of ourselves and God. I don't believe we are to throw common sense out the window in our viewpoint of God.

When we are born again it is a matter of forgiveness of sin, confessing publicly and acknowledging Jesus as our Lord and Savior, then surrender and asking for Jesus to come into your heart. We use our will to get to that decision.

Some denominations go the other extreme. They believe you can lose your salvation more easily. I know both these viewpoints as I have been a member of both of these denominations.

Let's use Adolf Hitler as an example, or any other maniacal despot from history for that matter. Ruthless killing, desiring complete control, hideous actions and ways of thinking. Some say mental illness, I say pure evil. Now what if as a young boy, Adolf had made a profession of faith at his local church. What a sweet young boy. Then as time went by there became no evidence of his relationship with God. No evidence whatsoever. He manifested into the dictator and murderer that he has come to be known for. Do you think that Adolf will be sitting next to Jesus at the marriage supper of the Lamb? Not unless he had a complete and utter profound experience of salvation right before he shot his companion Eva and then put a bullet in his own head.

Now some of you may be ready to argue with me at this point. Some would say, "Well, he just never actually had a salvation experience." But I will say this. I believe some people have a real salvation experience, but for some reason or circumstances they find they do not want God in their lives. They deny their relationship with Christ and basically lock the door to their heart. It is not easy to lose your salvation. Almost impossible, and it is not done with our failures or actions. Salvation is lost when we make a clear statement to God that we are done with Him. finished. over. We tell Him to get out of our lives and never come back. This is part of the "unpardonable sin", blaspheming of the Holy Spirit. I believe that before this happens we are given every opportunity to patch things up with God, even if we are angry and feeling hopeless and lost.

Version: NAS
Luke 12:10
"And everyone who will speak a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him.


God will have the Holy Spirit do everything to comfort and change our heart. Our will is still our will. I believe just as our will says yes to Jesus and the Holy Spirit to invite Him in. We can choose our will to "evict" the Holy Spirit and say NO to anything He desires to do for us. It isn't about mistakes, hurts, disillusionment, or "backsliding". It's about a conscious decision to sever our relationship.

Think about Peter in John Chapters 18 and 19, when Jesus had been arrested. He denied Jesus in front of others, but he was sick in doing so. He made a horrible decision to deny his knowing Jesus, but he was not evicting Him. Peter was terrified of being arrested also. He was a coward, but not someone that denied Jesus in his heart.

Now, as I have said, I know the scripture, but I also know the scripture that supports the loss of salvation. And I'm not going to "debate" this. You have your opinion and I have mine. All I ask is that you put it before God yourselves. Seek God on your own, without "church doctrine" in mind. Even as a young person I had questions on this subject. No answers that my church tried to teach me fully covered all the areas of this. It just didn't make sense to me. Evicting the Holy Spirit is not a matter that most of us would even consider doing or being involved with.

You ask me how I know? By experience. There was a time that I came into deep disagreement with God. He had told me something was going to happen. It didn't happen when I thought it should. I was so angry I said some things to God that were really bad. I had a vision of myself going over a cliff. He grabbed me by the neck and rescued me. I knew at that time that He wanted me to not continue, that if I continued in the way I was feeling, acting, and the things I was saying I would be putting my eternal relationship with God in jeopardy.

So having divulged this belief that I have. I will still say, As a Christian, we cannot change God's mind about us, and we are always in Relationship with our loving Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ. As long as we willingly choose to be His child we will remain so. No matter what. And if you are worried that you have lost your salvation, please do not worry, you have not. If you have lost your salvation, you will not care.

Love, in Jesus,

Debra

Our Emotions in a Fallen World

Yesterday we talked about the fact that on Adam and Eve leaving the Garden of Eden after they sinned, their "spiritual" life had died; their "zoe" life, and that they were removed from the "protection" of the Garden. They were then on a course of "physical death"; their "bios" life changed. Death had come into the equation. Not only for Adam and Eve, but for all mankind.

            

Now to look at the middle circle; the "soul" of man. Let's see what happened to the mind, will and emotions of man after the "fall". What is our negative inheritance?

In the Garden all their "emotions" were positive. All their needs were being met and they had a close relationship with God. After they sinned the first thing we see is fear. Adam and Eve hid from God. They were afraid of God and they were consumed with shame, guilt, and anxiety. These negative emotions are all evidence of a lack of faith in God. Later in Genesis we see the emotions of anger, hatred, depression, and jealousy being shown in their children, Cain and Able, when Cain murders his brother.

Version: NAS

2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity (fear), but of power and love and discipline.


Secondly, when we look at the concept of the "will", we can contrast in that in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve only had one wrong choice, and that was to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Up until that time all their choices were good and approved by God. Once they sinned and left the Garden, choices became hard as their will was given free reign.

John 7:17
"If any man is willing to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or [whether] I speak from Myself.



Their "minds" were darkened as they lost the knowledge of God. They lost relationship with God and in doing so they lost the ability to "know" God on an intimate level.

1 Corinthians 2:16
For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.

As New Testament believers with a relationship with Jesus Christ, we have the ability to "Belong" to God and trust Him which can relieve fear and all the wrong emotions that are attached.

We can give God the ability to direct our "will" in that we pray for Him to lead and guide us with our choices. We don't have to be out there depending on our human nature to come up with the right answers for the choices that we must continually make.

Knowing Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, puts us back in the place to have relationship and knowledge of God. Our unregenerate "mind" becomes new, our eyes are opened to God's Word the Bible, and we can look at life through the eyes of God, not human nature.

Rejection becomes "belonging". Fear, guilt, and shame become "significance" in the eyes of God, and poor choices and sin become "safety and security" through our protection and covering by The Father.

Jesus offers us new life in Christ. Through Him we are reconnected and re-established with Father God. Our minds can be renewed and we are restored in relationship. How wonderful! We're not on our own, but filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, and protect!

Next, Chapter 2 "Forever Different"

love you all,
Debra

"Encountering" Sin

Have you ever wondered how long Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden with God? How many years... hundreds of years... thousands of years...did they enjoy the intimate and loving company of God? How many years of knowing God and walking in perfect relationship, before they decided He wasn't "enough" for them?

(Just a little funny here,

before we look at a really serious subject)

Genesis Chapter 3 tells the story of Adam and Eve's lost relationship with God through sin. 

Version: NAS
Genesis 3

1. Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Indeed, has God said, 'You shall not eat from any tree of the garden '?" 2. And the woman said to the serpent, "From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; 3. but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat from it or touch it, lest you die.'" 4. And the serpent said to the woman, "You surely shall not die! 5. "For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." 6. When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make [one] wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. 7. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings. 8. And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9. Then the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?" 10. And he said, "I heard the sound of Thee in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself." 11. And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?" 12. And the man said, "The woman whom Thou gavest [to be] with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate." 13. Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" And the woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."

Having read this chapter again, I want to spend more time on this than the book covers. We can find some really important things to look at in Genesis Chapter 3. God has highlighted some points that we all need to think about when it comes to dealing with temptation and sin, and then how we react and relate to God after the fact.


1. God never changes and His Word, the Bible, never changes. It is just as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago, or 4,000 years ago, or however long ago that this time of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden occurred in this chapter in Genesis. It's not mythology, it's not fabricated to "prove a point". It's not a metaphor. It's the Truth. Now, having said that, if any of you doubt or don't believe there is an actual spiritual entity out there called Satan; I have two words for you... WAKE UP!

2. In verse 1 we need to realize that Satan is crafty. He is real and smart and devious. Don't lose sight of this. He will trick you, lie to you, and maneuver you with thoughts and ideas.

3. Satan looks for our "comfortable times". Adam and Eve were living the good life. All their needs were being met. Life was "cushy" and they were enjoying themselves. Don't let the enemy into your life at all. Always be on guard. Don't get too comfortable in your spiritual life, thinking everything is great and you are beyond the idea of temptation. Satan is looking for opportunity to catch us "off guard".

1 Peter 5:8-9
8. Be of sober [spirit], be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9. But resist him, firm in [your] faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.
 4. Don't "engage" the enemy with conversation. It won't lead to anything good. If he starts talking to you, don't listen or talk back, except to tell him to get out of your mind and life "In Jesus Name". Satan cannot read your mind. He's not all knowing. How he presents himself in our mind is by his interjecting "thoughts". If you keep hearing in your heart and mind something that says. "You're no good... you're stupid...you're not worth it...you'd be better off dead"...any number of things. You are hearing from Satan. Recognize his deceit and rebuke him. Then stop listening.

5.This is why we need to be reading the Word of God daily. Spend time with the Lord, so that just like a counterfeit $20 bill, you will know it. The more time you spend reading the scripture and praying, the more easily you will be able to recognize when the devil starts trying to talk. Put God's Word in your mind and in your heart daily. Know the Truth of God's Word, then you won't be confused with what the devil may be throwing at you.

6. Realize that just like in the previous point, Satan will twist scripture to try to get you confused. He will take it out of context and change words and ideas around to try to get you to listen to him. He's smart, and he knows God's Word. He will try to make you question what God has said to you, and tempt you with doing it your own way. If Satan cannot keep us out of the Bible, then he will try to use it against us, by condemnation and misuse. There is a big difference between "condemnation" and "conviction". "Condemnation" makes you feel horrible and is not used by the Holy Spirit. "Conviction" is for positive change and doesn't beat you over the head. It's encouraging and challenging, without making you feel rotten.

7. Guard your attention, and interests. Don't get off into something that God has not permitted or orchestrated for you. Be careful what comes in front of your eyes and ears. If you set around reading novels about lust and romance and adultery, I can tell you it won't be long before the devil sees your interest in it. If you're reading and thinking about adultery and promiscuity, then hey, it won't be long before the enemy will present you with a real opportunity to experience it!
If you are trying to budget but you find yourself looking through catalogs and magazines, wanting everything you see, it won't be long until your charge card is burning in your hand and you're off to the mall.
Stay focused on God and what He puts in front of you. Don't let the enemy have place in your thought life.

8. Now I'm going to make a big point here. Husbands listen up. Men, you can stop playing the blame game. Pastors and teachers...read your Bible. This wasn't all Eve's fault!

OK, I've said it! This has always bugged me, that sanctimonious men have blamed Eve for all that happened. Not only punishing Eve, but every other woman. If you will read the scripture, you will realize that Adam was right there with her. Adam had authority in the Garden; not Satan and not Eve. It was Adam's responsibility to stick with his wife and watch over her, cover her, and protect her. He was the "spiritual head of his family" and he messed up. He didn't take authority over the devil and say, "Hey, stop talking to my wife!" He let the conversation go on and didn't stop it. He wasn't walking in his place of husband, leader, and protector. I could go on here and preach a sermon, but I won't. I'll stop now. But I hope you get my point!

9. So then, after we sin what is our first inclination? To run away from God? We try to hide and hope He won't see the mess we have made. We hope if we pull the covers over ourselves that He won't find us. We can't escape from God. We can try to run away, but the day will come when God stations Himself front and center in our path and then we will be forced to let God deal with us and our sin. It's best not to put it off. Come clean before God quickly, it's so much better.

10. Don't make excuses, and don't blame others. Sin is sin and we have to admit it. I remember at one time there was something that was plaguing me and I kept doing it. God had been speaking to me about it for quite awhile. It was something that I held onto and didn't want to let go of. I kept making excuses for my behavior, giving Him every reason in the book for why it should be acceptable to Him. One day He said to me. "Stop making excuses, it is sin and you better call it that." It was a strong word and believe me it got my attention!

11. God forgives our sin, but there are sometimes consequences. God is quick to forgive our transgressions. He is there to help us, move us forward, and encourage us. He loves us more than we could possibly know. But, we live in a "natural" world with natural "laws". If you jump off a building you will hit the ground...a natural law. Now, God will forgive your impulsiveness, your blindness, your stupidity, your arrogance, your lack of good judgement, etc.; but you will still be dead or disfigured.

This has been a lesson God gave me this morning. This is a real-time teaching that God has impressed upon me today, not from the book.

Tomorrow we'll pick up with our consequences from "the fall".

Let me know how this lesson effected you. I know it's a lot of food for thought. I am going to be having this in my head and heart all day today!

much love in Jesus,

Debra

OK, now I "get it"!

I have felt especially "contemplative" lately. I guess that comes with the new year. Given the time to do so, I am generally a pretty deep thinker. I like to roll things around in my head and put them before God, to get his take on things. I have to admit that there are some phrases, song titles, and slang that just make me a little queasy. Case in point, the phrase "bloom where you are planted". No offense, but that phrase has always set me on edge. I guess as a type A- personality, it sounded a bit trite to my ears. I prefer the idea of "bust your buns and do the best you can, and go as far as you can go, and don't settle for less."...that's more like the person I have been. Now?... well, let's just say, I'm rethinking a few of my viewpoints.

The following scripture was written by John the Apostle, probably the closest disciple to Jesus. He is recounting John the Baptist's ministry, who was the "forerunner" of Jesus, and his earthly cousin.

Version: NAS

John 3:22-30

22. After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He was spending time with them and baptizing. 23. And John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and they were coming and were being baptized. 24. For John had not yet been thrown into prison. 25. There arose therefore a discussion on the part of John's disciples with a Jew about purification. 26. And they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have borne witness, behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him." 27. John answered and said, "A man can receive nothing, unless it has been given him from heaven. 28. "You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but, 'I have been sent before Him.' 29. "He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. And so this joy of mine has been made full. 30. "He must increase, but I must decrease.
 
Look at the scripture in red, because these two thoughts were what God wants to stress today. He is the one that "gifts" us with our abilities. Yes, believe it or not, we all have special "gifts" from God, some being more apparent than others. Hospitality, financial giving, mercy toward others, just to name a few. God gives them out as He sees fit. Have you ever asked God what your "gift" is? I want to address not so much the "gifting" that you may have, but the wise use of whatever it is that God does see fit to hand over to you. Do you use yours wisely?
 
John the Baptist had been gifted with a purpose. A purpose that had been placed upon him by the Holy Spirit from his conception. He was to prepare the way for Jesus and His earthly ministry.
 
John had been given a place and people. He lived in the desert, wore camel hair britches (ouch) and ate wild locusts and honey. Sorry, that doesn't sound like a lot of fun to me. He was a "misfit" and "weirdo" by the world's standard, yet he fulfilled a purpose that had been given to him by God. He was to preach repentance to the people to prepare their hearts for Jesus arrival on the scene. John the Baptist was the "opening act", and Jesus was the "main attraction".

John sees his place in the grand scheme of things. He doesn't get his head all puffed up and lose perspective. He says in so many words, "God has given this to me as my purpose. This is my job, and I'm going to do it His way, in His place and in His timing. I'm fulfilling a purpose for Jesus and that is to start the plan into motion. Then I'm handing it over to Jesus. Because He's the one this is all about."
 
John knew what he was gifted to do and he did it. Even though he was in the "New Testament", John the Baptist, was the last "Old Testament" prophet. He never performed a miracle, but his life and ministry were crucial to Jesus' ministry.
 
Now, back to you and me. God's put something on me, a call if you will, and He's saying to me to be a person who will go out and do what He's asking of me. He's given me a gift, but He has given each one of you a gift also.  Will we use them wisely?
 
Take your gift out of the closet, and let it be known. Start using it. Tell Jesus, "I'm going to let you take over, I give You permission to "increase". My agenda will "decrease". You are the one that this is all about. Use my gifting Lord."

 Less of me, more of Jesus.

 
God has been dealing with me about this. Putting our gifting to good use, whatever it is. OK, now I get it, and now I can say it. Don't squander what God has given you. Don't hide it because of fear or lack of confidence...

"Bloom where you are planted".

 

Debra

 
Word for the day: "The ability to take what I have given you and to make it worthwhile. Don't squander what has been entrusted to you."

More Questions...what about Baptism?

Jesus tells Nicodemus about "being born again" and what that means. This then, goes into the subject of "Baptism". Let's look at this scripture to see just what that means in the context of our salvation. 

John 3: 3-6  NIV
3. In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.
4. "How can a man be born when he is old ?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"
5. Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.7. You should not be surprised at my saying "You must be born again."

Nicodemus whispers in Jesus' ear, "Help me understand about salvation."

Once we have been "born again", aka "saved" we have some understanding of the Bible and spiritual things. The scriptures can be "opened up" to us, we can "get" some things that before we could not comprehend. We do not know "everything", but we have a partial understanding. This is how the "Holy Spirit" gives birth to our "spirit". Without salvation we cannot understand spiritual things, they are foreign to our thinking.

1 Corinthians 3:8
For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when "Perfection " comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child, When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror, then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."

"Flesh gives birth to flesh" speaks of the fact that we are born physically and spiritually into a world that is "sin". We are not born "perfect" without sin, and then the world corrupts us. We are born into a life and world of sin. We do things in the natural way of men that have not yet met or known God.

So upon salvation the Holy Spirit gives life to our spirit in a miraculous way. We are given "new life", through the Holy Spirit. Things we did not understand as an unbeliever, are now opened up to our thinking.

In John 3:8, Jesus says that we must be born of water and of the Spirit. This is a fairly controversial scripture, and has been interpreted many ways. Some denominations and churches base a lot of their doctrine on this particular verse. I will tell you how I feel God has lead me to understand this passage:

In Matthew 3  Jesus asked John "the Baptist", His cousin and forerunner of His ministry, to baptise Him. This was a practice that indicated "repentance". At the time of Jesus' baptism the Holy Spirit descends on Him and He is filled with His power to enable Jesus to begin his earthly ministry. Jesus receives the act of baptism publicly to show us He is "fulfilling all righteousness", and as a picture of what we believers should do to "follow" Jesus.

Matthew 3:15.
Let's see what happens when we are baptised. Upon baptism we do not wash ourselves clean, but through our belief in Jesus Christ we have been washed clean with the "living water". ( The "living water that Jesus offered to the Samaritan woman in John 4.) It is the process of burying our  old "self" with Jesus, symbolically, through His death and resurrection.
Baptism is a "picture" and symbol, of our burial to the old ways of our flesh and life, and then the "resurrection" of our new life in Christ. It symbolizes our coming up fresh and clean. We "wipe the slate clean" so to speak, and then we start fresh in our spiritual life.

In the Old Testament times there was a purification process that took place so the Jews would not be "defiled". Washing hands, feet, and face were necessary for cleanliness. Bathing as we know it today did not take place. Long hot soaks in a tub were unheard of for the common man. So daily washing was necessary, and "customary". When guests arrived at your home, you had someone wash their feet. It was a courtesy of hospitality. Then the Jews took it another step spiritually in "ceremonial washing". In Old Testament times there is a lot of teaching, especially concerning acts of worship in the Temple that are about "washing" and "purification" .

Jesus is saying that we must go further, and wash not only hands and feet, but our hearts. That is the "washing of the water of the Word." God's Word, the Bible washes us when we read and accept, and allow it to "cleanse" us. That act of spiritual washing cleanses our heart, mind, and spirit.


Titus 3:4-7


4. But when the kindness of God our Savior and [His] love for mankind appeared, 5. He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6. whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7. that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to [the] hope of eternal life.

Jesus chose to be baptised publicly in the Jordan River. He was submerged in the water for a more clear picture for us to follow. Different churches baptise in different ways. I was immersed as a child of six. I knew and understood what it was about. I had received Jesus as my Savior and knew Him in my heart. I went into a "baptistry" at my church and was "dunked".

Many churches "sprinkle", or pour water, to symbolize baptism. Must you be baptised before you can enter heaven? My thinking is that it is not a requirement, as Jesus turned to the thief while they were each on the cross and says "This day, you will be with me in Paradise". This man had not been "physically baptised", but he was "spiritually baptised".

As believers should we be baptised? Yes, we do that in our act of following Jesus. Will the act of "physical baptism" get us to heaven? No. Not unless the physical act accompanies the spiritual act of baptism.

So when Jesus says you must be born of water and the Spirit, He is saying to be born again we must have both the spiritual repentance and cleansing which is the symbol of water baptism and then the spiritual rebirth we receive from the Holy Spirit.

There have been periods in my life where I was out of the "habit" of reading the Bible. We all go through these times. Sometimes it's not even a conscious refusal; we are just busy, our "life" gets in the way. Sometimes we have so many problems that we feel hopeless and unable to hear what God is saying. Sometimes the sin in our lives seems to take on a life of it's own and reading the Word of God is about the last thing we want to do. If we open the Word, then we open our hearts. Conviction of our sin is something we sometimes don't want if we are "enjoying" our sin for the moment.

I have been in all these places. I have found that daily Bible reading is important for me to maintain my intimacy with God. There is something "supernatural" about opening God's Word, the Holy Bible and reading. I may not know what or where to read, but if I submit myself to this daily act, then it is much easier for God to lead me and speak to me than if I never open the book. The Bible, the Word of God "washes" us in our daily life. Just like we physically wash every day. I need to spiritually "wash" every day.

My prayer for today: "Father, thank you for salvation, for the act of grace on your part that saved me from a life of sin. Thank you that I can come to you to receive "cleansing", that your Word is available and life-giving. Thank you that Your Holy Spirit is with me, speaking and leading me in my daily life. Thank you Father, that you are writing this Bible study, not me. I would mess it up. You are kind and loving and refreshing. Thank you for the ones you bring to this place. Please touch their hearts and lives individually, through your wonderful life giving words.
In Jesus Name. Amen.



Thank you for coming by for a visit to my study time. This has been a long time dream of mine, to be sharing God's Word. Some of these posts are long. Thanks for sticking with me through them. I want to share the "meat" of the Word. It's not something that can be accomplished in a "quickie post", I want to give you something to think and pray about...something to "chew" on for a while that is nourishing. 

Have a wonderful week.

  I'll be back.

Debra