Category Archives: Jesus Understands

“It’s A Shame!” Is Different Than “It’s A Sin!”

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“Condemning looks”

When it’s not a sin…

Annoy me!!

And it makes me sad to think…

That people need to do that…

Judge others!

Let’s be clear about the two…

Shame

noun

A painful emotion caused by a strong sense of

guilt, embarrassment, unworthiness, or disgrace.

 

Capacity for such a feeling:

(Have you no shame?)

 

One that brings dishonor, disgrace, or condemnation.

A condition of disgrace or dishonor; ignominy.

 

A great disappointment.

 

 Shamed, Sham·ing, Shames

 

tr.v

 

To cause to feel shame; put to shame.

To bring dishonor or disgrace on.

To disgrace by surpassing.

To force by making ashamed:

(He was shamed into making an apology.)

Put To Shame

Idiom

To fill with shame; disgrace.

To outdo thoroughly; surpass:

(Your productivity has put the rest of us to shame.)

 

Sin

 

noun

 

A transgression of a religious or moral law, especially when deliberate.

 

Theology

 

Deliberate disobedience to the known will of God.

A condition of estrangement from God resulting from such disobedience.

Something regarded as being shameful, deplorable, or utterly wrong.

 

Sinned, Sin·ning, Sins

 

intr.v.

 

To violate a religious or moral law.

To commit an offense or violation.

 

James 4:17

 

“If anyone, then,

 

knows the good they ought to do

 

and doesn’t do it,

 

it is sin for them.”

 

Colossians 2:6

 

“So then,

 

just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,

 

continue to live your lives in Him,”

 

*One on-line answer that I liked to the question:

 

What is the Biblical difference between sin and shame?

 

“‘Sin’ is generally used to describe a wrong doing of some sort,

 

usually ethical, moral, or religious.

 

It’s a known wrong,

 

that people in their respective society shouldn’t do.

 

‘Shame’ is often associated with sin in most cultures,

 

however it is definitely very different.

 

Shame is the emotion

 

associated with either being,

 

or doing, something that others disapprove of.

 

-You can feel shame because you were caught doing something wrong, like stealing.

 

-A child can feel shame when they don’t get picked for the basketball team because they’re not tall enough.

 

-A person can even feel shame for a wrong they’ve done that no one else knows about.

 

Shame is often associated with a conscience,

 

and it has some connections,

 

but shame is not necessarily an indicator that you have done something wrong.

 

The easiest way to define shame is:

 

An emotional sense of disappointment either in oneself or another,

 

caused by failure to meet some given standard, moral or otherwise.”

 

Summary:

 

A sin is an estrangement from God

 

And shame is a feeling of inadequacy or guilt.

 

Romans 6:14

 

For sin shall no longer be your master,

 

because you are not under the law,

 

but under grace.”

Ahhh…

 

Grace!!!

 

Shame or Sin…

 

Neither control me any longer!!

 

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

 

“But He said to me,

 

‘My grace is sufficient for you,

 

for My power is made perfect in weakness.’

 

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses,

 

so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

 

That is why, for Christ’s sake,

 

I delight in weaknesses,

 

in insults,

 

in hardships,

 

in persecutions,

 

in difficulties.

 

For when I am weak,

 

then I am strong.”

 

Don’t feel shame for something that honors God…

 

No matter how weak or foolish it makes you look…

 

In the eyes of unbelievers.

 

That would be misplaced shame!

 

Because the power of Christ…

 

Is perfected in our weaknesses!

 

1 Corinthians 15:34

 

“Come back to your senses as you ought,

 

and stop sinning;

 

for there are some who are ignorant of God—

 

I say this to your shame.”

 

 Only having shame for what dishonors God:

 

Ignorance of God…

 

Sin against God…

 

False beliefs about God…

 

Equals well-placed shame!

 

Consider the difference between:

Not dishonoring God vs Dishonoring God

 

God-Centered vs Self-Centered

This will explains the difference between…

 

Misplaced, or well-placed, shame!

 

If you’re dishonoring God…

 

You’ll feel shame…

 

No matter how strong,

 

Or wise,

 

Or right

 

You are in the eyes of men!

 

Sin is always a proper cause for shame…

 

Sin is behavior that dishonors God.

 

Solution????

Get rid of the unbelief that feeds shame…

 

Through belief in God’s Word…

 

And faith in the promises of God!

 

Read more at: 

http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/battling-the-unbelief-of-misplaced-shame

 

Romans 9:33

 

“As it is written:

 

‘See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble

 

and a rock that makes them fall,

 

and the one who trusts in Him

 

will never be put to shame.'”

 

http://christianity.about.com/od/faqhelpdesk/f/romans14issues.htm

 

Christians…

Our traditions, rules, and regulations…

 

Are not equal to God’s laws.

 

We can’t base our moral judgments of others…

 

On opinions and personal dislikes…

 

Only on the Word of God!

 

Our relationship with Christ and His Word

 

Regulates our convictions!

 

Romans 14:23

 

“…everything that does not come from faith is sin.”

Let faith…

And your conscience convict you…

And tell you what to do in these matters.

Romans 14:12-13

“So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another.

Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle

in the way of a brother or sister.”

But how do we decide if something is sin when the Bible is not clear?

According to: 

http://christianity.about.com/od/faqhelpdesk/qt/knowsin.htm

 

“The Bible presents general guidelines to help us judge sin when we are uncertain.

 

Romans 14 is a great place to start.

 

Usually when we’re in doubt over sin,

our first tendency is to ask

if something is bad or wrong.

I’d like to suggest thinking in the opposite direction.

Instead, when you’re trying to determine if something is sin,

ask yourself these questions based on Scripture:

  1. Is this a good thing for me and others? Is this beneficial? Will it draw me closer to God? Will it strengthen my faith and my witness? (1 Corinthians 10:23-24)
  2. The next great question to ask is, will this glorify God? Will God bless this thing and use it for his purposes? Will this be pleasing and honoring to God? (1 Corinthians 6:19–20; 1 Corinthians 10:31)
  3. You can also ask, how will this thing affect my family and friends? Although we may have freedom in Christ in an area, we are never to let our freedom cause a weaker brother to stumble. (Romans 14:21; Romans 15:1) In addition, since the Bible teaches us to submit to those in authority over us (parents, a spouse, a teacher), we can ask, do my parents have a problem with this thing? Am I willing to submit this to those in leadership over me?
  4. Finally, in all things, we are to let our conscience before God convict us of what is right and wrong on matters that are not clear in the Bible. We can ask, do I have freedom in Christ and a clear conscience before the Lord to do whatever is in question? Are my own desire’s submitted to the Lord’s will? (Colossians 3:17; Romans 14:23″

 Something may be a shame, but not a sin!!

Don’t judge!

And don’t cast that condemning look!!

Don’t Stress Out!!

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Happy 4th of July!!

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Our Crazy Siberian and I are just chillin’ today!

While hubby’s watching the Yankee game…

And our son’s out of town…

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Our Precious Little Girl’s been feeling better lately…

And is actually letting me type this post!

Yipee!!

See?

She doesn’t look stressed out! 

Ha!

I received this e-mail this morning!

“A Great Lesson on Stress

(author unknown)

A young lady confidently walked around the room…

While leading and explaining stress management to an audience…

With a raised glass of water…

Everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate question…

“Half empty???

 Or half full???”

She fooled them all…

“How heavy is this glass of water?”

She inquired with a smile…

Answers that were called out…

 Ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz…

She replied…

“The absolute weight doesn’t matter…

It depends on how long I hold it…. 

If I hold it for a minute…

 That’s not a problem… 

If I hold it for an hour…

I’ll have an ache in my arm…. 

If I hold it for a day…

I’ll have to call an ambulance… 

In each case it’s the same weight…

But the longer I hold it…

The heavier it becomes!”

She continued…

“And that’s the way it is with stress… 

If we carry our burdens all the time…

 Sooner or later,

As the burden becomes increasingly heavy…

We won’t be able to carry on!”

Here’s where I strongly disagree…

With the rest of this…

 Worldly attitude!!

As she continues…

“As with the glass of water…

You have to put it down for a while…

And rest before holding it again…

When we’re refreshed…

We can carry on with the burden…

Holding stress longer…

And better each time practiced…

So, as early in the evening as you can…

Put all your burdens down… 

Don’t carry them through the evening…

 And into the night…

Pick them up tomorrow.”

But as a Christian,

I must say,

“Lay those burdens down at the feet of Jesus,

And NEVER pick them up again!!! 

Wake up refreshed!!”

Psalm 68:19

“Praise be to the Lord,

to God our Savior,

who daily bears our burdens.”

Matthew 6:34b

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,

for tomorrow will worry about itself.

Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to Me,

all you who are weary and burdened,

and I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you

and learn from Me,

for I am gentle and humble in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.

For My yoke is easy

and My burden is light.”

Psalm 55:22

“Cast your cares on the Lord

and He will sustain you;

He will never let

the righteous be shaken.”

1 Peter 5:7

“Cast all your anxiety on Him

because He cares for you.”

Psalm 121:1-2

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—

where does my help come from

My help comes from the Lord,

 the Maker of Heaven and earth.”

I John 5:3

“In fact,

this is love for God:

to keep His commands.

And His commands are not burdensome,

Savor these verses…

Let’s NOT stress out!!

Give it ALL to God…

He can handle it…

And leave us stress-free!!

Amen!

Where Are You???

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I’m at your feet, Lord!

There is nowhere else for me!

My King!

All I need is at Your feet!

My soul sings!

Here at Your feet I lay my life down!

Kneel before His feet!

Pour out your love for the Master!

Pour praise on Him like oil!

You weren’t there the night Jesus found me!

You did not feel what I felt…

When He wrapped His love all around me!

I was a prisoner to the sins that had me bound…

Until the day when Jesus came to me!

And healed my soul with the wonder of His touch!

So now I’m giving back to Him all the praise He’s worthy of!

I’ve been forgiven…

And that’s why I love Him so much!

You don’t know the cost of my praise!

You don’t know the cost of the oil in my alabaster box!!

At The Feet Of Jesus

Sermon by Rodney Burton

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/at-the-feet-of-jesus-rodney-burton-sermon-on-jesus-christ-131517.asp

Luke 10:38-42

 “As Jesus and His disciples were on their way,

 He came to a village where a woman named Martha

 opened her home to Him.

 She had a sister called Mary,

 who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what He said.

 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.

 She came to him and asked,

 ‘Lord,

 don’t You care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?

 Tell her to help me!’ 

 Martha, Martha,’

 the Lord answered,

 ‘you are worried and upset about many things, 

 but few things are needed—

 or indeed only one. 

 Mary has chosen what is better,

and it will not be taken away from her.'”

 

“This is where worship occurs.
Every time in the Word
we encounter Mary of Bethany (the sister of Lazarus),
we find her at the feet of Jesus.
The heart of worship is to find ourselves at the feet of Jesus in submission.
How often do we find ourselves there?
Do we really possess a strong desire for God and His presence?
Do we go through life largely consumed with secular pursuits and worldly entertainment,
while the things of God have little place in our lives?

1. At His Feet to Listen to His Words.

a. While Martha was busy,

Mary was at the feet of Jesus listening to Him.

b. She was open to what He had to say.

c. She was hungry to know Him and hear from Him.

d. Jesus declared that Mary had chosen the good part.

e. Sometimes we get so caught up like Martha

in trying to do the work and service of Christianity

that we forfeit what is really important.

f. We can get so busy in the doing that we forget the being.

g. The most important thing a Christian will ever do is

worship Jesus,

and the best place to do that is at His feet.

2. At His Feet to Bless and Anoint Him.

a. John 12:3  Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard,

an expensive perfume;

she poured it on Jesus’ feet

and wiped His feet with her hair.

And the house was filled with the fragrance

of the perfume.”

Mary anoints the feet of Jesus and wipes them with her hair.

b. So often people are looking to receive an anointing or blessing from God

rather than looking for opportunities to anoint and bless Him.

c. The highest degree or form of devotion is to give to someone

without the motivation of getting anything in return.

d. Mary’s act was motivated purely by love.

e. A note in the Full Life Study Bible declares,

(Mary’s) faith in and devotion to the Lord

is the highest example of what God desires in believers.

3. At His Feet When He Didn’t Do Things The Way She Wanted or Expected.

a. John 11:32 “When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw Him,

she fell at His feet and said,

‘Lord, if You had been here,

my brother would not have died.’”

Lazarus was in a tomb.

Surely Jesus could have prevented that.

b. Even though Jesus had not acted in the way Mary had desired,

she still laid at His feet in devotion, submission and worship.

c. The true character of a person’s heart will be revealed

when God acts differently from their desires or expectations.

d. Whenever God is doing things that are beneficial or going your way,

it is real easy to worship Him

and be at His feet.

e. True worship that is genuine and from the heart

comes regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves.”

Fall at His Feet!

Always!

No!!

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Oh, No!

Soooo No!

Just No!

Nooooo!

Absolutely No!

Never!

Can’t!

Won’t!

No Way!

Dear Jesus, No!

I Refuse!!

According to:

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/oscar-mayer-brand-launches-humorous-its-yes-food-advertising-campaign-to-support-new-product-line-149815315.html

The Oscar Mayer Selects campaign, developed by McGarry Bowen in Chicago…

Uses highly relateable examples to show how the word…

“No!”

Is often the sensible thing to say…

By using creative and amusing scenes…

To establish the prevalence of the response…

“No!”

In the daily life of a typical family…

Then, show how easy it is to say…

“Yes!”

To the great taste of Oscar Mayer Selects…

That have no artificial preservatives…

An important attribute to reaching new consumers…

By poking fun at the messy, imperfect moments…

Experienced daily as we struggle to make better choices…

And to show that Oscar Mayer Selects is an easy…

And delicious choice…

When it comes to breakfast, lunch or dinner…

In the multi-spot television campaign…

The Oscar Mayer brand is holding a mirror up…

To real family life by following one family…

The Mayer Family…

Through a series of funny, realistic experiences…

In their house, just like in many others,

The Mom has to say…

“No!”

To a lot of things…

“No!”

Is said each and every day in this family’s house and…

At the end of each spot…

They find relief when they can say…

“Yes!”

To Oscar Mayer Selects Cold Cuts, Hot Dogs and Bacon.

If you haven’t seen the commercials…

Watch an example at:

http://ispot.tv/a/7Vja

Sometimes I
I just want to close my eyes
And act like everyone’s all right
When “No!” They’re not
This world needs God
But it’s easier to just stand and watch
I could say a prayer and just move on
Like nothing’s wrong
But I Refuse!

‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care
I don’t want to say another empty prayer
Oh I Refuse!
To sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh, I could choose
Not to move
But I Refuse!

I can hear the least of these
Crying out so desperately
And I know we are the hands and feet
Of You, O God
So if You say move
It’s time for me to follow through
And do what I was made to do
And show them who You are

To stand and watch
The weary and lost
Cry out for Him
I refuse!
To turn my back
And try and act like all is well
I Refuse!
To stay unchanged
To wait another day
To doubt myself
I Refuse!
To make one more excuse

I Refuse!
I Refuse!

I wish I was more of a man,

Have you ever felt that way?

And if I had to tell you the truth

I’m afraid I’d have to say

That after all I’ve done and failed to do

I feel like less than I was meant to be

What if I could fix myself maybe then I could get free?

I could try to be somebody else who’s much better off than me

But I need to remember this

That it’s when I’m at my weakest I can clearly see

He made the lame walk and the dumb talk

And He opened blinded eyes to see

That the sun rises on His time

Yet He knows our deepest, desperate need

And the world waits while His heart aches

To realize the dream

I wonder what life would be like

If we let Jesus live through you and me

What if you could see yourself through another pair of eyes?

What if you could hear the truth instead of old familiar lies?

And what if you could feel inside the power of the hand

That made the universe?

You’d realize

All our hearts they burn within us

All our lives we’ve longed for more

So let us lay our lives

Before the one who gave His life for us

Let Him live through you and me

Say “Yes” to Jesus!!

Refuse to live any other way!!

 

Is There A Road I Should Walk??? Lord, Help Me Find It!!

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He will!

Walk right into His will…

Stay close to Christ!!

That’s where the blessings are!!!

6-12-13 Sunset-Rainbow 084“He made known to us

the mystery of His will

according to His good pleasure,

which He purposed in Christ, 

to be put into effect

when the times reach their fulfillment—

to bring unity to all things in Heaven

and on earth under Christ.”

Ephesians 1:9-10

6-13-13 Beach-Sunset 030“Now may the God of peace,

who through the blood of the eternal covenant

brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus,

that great Shepherd of the sheep,

equip you with everything good for doing His will,

and may He work in us

what is pleasing to Him,

through Jesus Christ,

to whom be glory for ever and ever.

Amen.

Hebrews 13:20-21

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You want His perfect will for you

Not just the road you choose…

Be careful….

He’ll let you have it!

Pray!!

His Plan is always the best!

Where to go from here?

Isn’t always very clear!

We can’t do this on our own…

As long as He is near…

We’re done fighting…

We’re finally letting go…

Trust in Him!

He’s never failed before!

If there’s a road I should walk…

Lord, help me find it!

If I need to be still…

Give me peace for the moment…

Whatever Your will…

Can you help me find it?

I’m giving You fear…

You give me faith…

I’m giving You doubt…

You give me grace…

I know I’ve never been alone!

Even when it hurts…

Have Your way…

Even in the valley I will say…

With every breath…

You’ve never let me go…

I will wait for You…

You’ve never failed before…

I will wait for You…

I lift my empty hands…

Come fill me up again…

Have Your way my King…

  I give my all to You…

I lift my eyes again…

I was blind, but now I see…

You are all I need to find the road I should walk!!

I’ll start with this road in Romans:

“As it is written,

there is none righteous,

no, not one.”

 Romans 3:10

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“For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God.”

Romans 3:10

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“But God commendeth His love toward us,

 in that, while we were yet sinners,

 Christ died for us.”

 Romans 5:8

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 “Wherefore, as by one man

 sin entered into the world,

and death by sin;

and so death passed upon all men,

for that all have sinned.”

Romans 5:12

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“For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God is eternal life through

Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Romans 6:23

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“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth

 the Lord Jesus,

and shalt

believe in thine heart

 that God hath raised Him from the dead,

thou shalt be saved. 

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness;

and with

the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 

For the scripture saith,

whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.”

Romans 10:9-11

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“For whosoever

shall call upon the Name of the Lord

 shall be saved.”

Romans 10:13

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Thank you, Lord!

“I Pledge Allegiance…”

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We do these pledges at our school every day:

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To The Flag Of The United States Of America…

I pledge allegiance to the Flag    

of the United States of America,

and to the Republic for which it stands:    

one Nation under God, indivisible,

With Liberty and Justice for all.

To The Christian Flag…

I pledge allegiance to the Christian Flag

and to the Savior for whose Kingdom it stands.

One Savior, crucified, risen, and coming again

with life and liberty to all who believe.

To The Holy Bible…

I pledge allegiance to the Bible

God’s Holy Word, and

I will make it a lamp unto my feet,

and a light unto my path, I will hide its words in my heart

that I may not sin against God.

What a great way to start our school day!!

 

God Bless The USA (Proud To Be An American)

By Lee Greenwood

At Yankee Stadium (Go, Yankees!!)

If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I’d worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
With just my children and my wife.

I’d thank my lucky stars,
To be livin’ here today.
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
And they can’t take that away.

And I’m proud to be an American,
Where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died,
Who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
Next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God Bless the USA.

From the lakes of Minnesota,
To the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas,
From sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Houston,
And New York to L.A.
Well, there’s pride in every American heart,
And it’s time we stand and say.

God Bless the USA.

One Nation Under God..

Indivisible…

Liberty and Justice for All…

Our Flag still Stands for Freedom…

Men gave that Right to Me…

We Love this Land…

From Sea to Shining Sea…

We Stand and Say…

We Bless You, Lord…

Our Savior brings us Life and Liberty…

We Believe…

In Our Savior who was Crucified and has Risen…

May His Kingdom Come…

Your Holy Word is Sure…

A Light and a Lamp…

Unto My Path..

Its Words are Hidden in my Heart…

I’m Proud to be an American serving you, Lord!

Please, Bless our Country!

“…if My people,

who are called by My Name,

will humble themselves and pray

and seek My face

and turn from their wicked ways,

then I will hear from Heaven,

and I will forgive their sin

and will heal their land.”

2 Chronicles 7:14

Here’s A Great Prayer…Lord, That The Lost Get Found!!

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“For the Son of Man

came to seek

and to save the lost.”

Luke 19:10

Hello my friend…
I remember when you were…
So alive with your wide eyes…
Then the light that you had in your heart was stolen…
Now you say that it ain’t worth stayin’…
You wanna run but you’re hesitatin’…
I’m talkin’ to me…

Don’t let your lights go down…
Don’t let your fire burn out…
‘Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe…
Why don’t you rise up now?

Don’t be afraid to stand out…

That’s how the lost get found!

So when you get the chance…
Are you gonna take it?
There’s a really big world at your fingertips…
And you know you have the chance to change it…
There’s a girl on the streets, she’s cryin’…
There’s a man whose faith is dyin’…

Love is calling you!

Why do we go with the flow?
Why take an easier road?
Why are we playin’ it safe?
Love came to show us the way…
Love is a chance we should take…
I’m movin’ out of the gray!

Stand out!!

You know you have the chance to change it!!

Love is calling you!!

Take the chance!

Luke 15: 4-24

The Parable Of The Lost Sheep

“What man of you, having an hundred sheep,

if he lose one of them,

doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness,

and go after that which is lost,

until he find it?

And when he hath found it,

he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

And when he cometh home,

he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them,

‘Rejoice with me;

for I have found my sheep which was lost.’

I say unto you,

that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth,

more than over ninety and nine just persons,

which need no repentance.”

The Parable Of The Lost Coin

“Either what woman having ten pieces of silver,

if she lose one piece,

doth not light a candle,

and sweep the house,

and seek diligently till she find it?

And when she hath found it,

she calleth her friends

and her neighbours together, saying,

‘Rejoice with me;

for I have found the piece which I had lost.’

Likewise, I say unto you,

there is joy in the presence of the angels of God

over one sinner that repenteth.”

The Parable Of The Prodigal Son

“And He said, ‘A certain man had two sons:

And the younger of them said to his father,

Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me.

And he divided unto them his living.

And not many days after

the younger son gathered all together,

and took his journey into a far country,

and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

And when he had spent all,

there arose a mighty famine in that land;

and he began to be in want.

And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country;

and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat:

and no man gave unto him.

And when he came to himself, he said,

‘How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare,

and I perish with hunger!

I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father,

I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

And am no more worthy to be called thy son:

make me as one of thy hired servants.’

And he arose, and came to his father.

But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him,

and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

And the son said unto him,

‘Father, I have sinned against Heaven,

and in thy sight,

and am no more worthy to be called thy son.’

But the father said to his servants,

‘Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him;

and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it;

and let us eat, and be merry:

For this my son was dead, and is alive again;

he was lost, and is found.’

And they began to be merry.”

God rejoices when one of His lost children…

Is reconciled to Him…

When the lost get found!!

What a great prayer!

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Relationships Are Hard! Dear Lord, Forgive Me!

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“Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it,

and whoever loses their life will preserve it.”

Luke 17:33

Do you know what…

She said?

He did?

It’s wrong for them to treat us like this…

It’s wearing out our hearts…

It’s messing up our minds…

The way they disregard our feelings!

It’s Love or Hate…

We have to make a choice!!

Father forgive us!

“And call upon Me in the day of trouble:

I will deliver thee,

and thou shalt glorify Me.”

Psalm 50:15

What are we doing?

We need Your grace to forgive them…

When we feel we’re the ones losin’

“Let us then with confidence

draw near to the throne of grace,

that we may receive mercy

and find grace to help in time of need.”

Hebrews 4:16

We’re dead…

But, alive in Christ!

“And He said to all,

‘If anyone would come after Me,

let him deny himself

and take up his cross daily

and follow Me.”

Luke 9:23

Help us wrestle with this…

And lose the pain that’s ours!

And learn to forgive, seventy times seven times…

“In Him we have redemption through His blood,

the forgiveness of sins,

in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

that He lavished on us.

With all wisdom and understanding…”

Ephesians 1: 7, 8

But, Lord, it doesn’t feel right…

To turn a blind eye…

But, it’s not that much…

When we think of what You’ve done!!

That was Love! 

We always have a choice to make…

Will we…

Imitate Christ?

Or breed more hate?

Our hate isn’t going to break a hard heart!

Help us not to start wars that don’t need to be fought…

Forget our pride…

“Humble yourselves before the Lord,

and He will exalt you.”

James 4:10

Lay our weapons on the ground…

Don’t burn our bridges…

Our pain isn’t owed apologies…

It’s Okay…

Even if they never say they’re sorry!!

Ahhhh…Freedom…

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth,

where moth and rust destroy

and where thieves break in and steal,”

Matthew 6:19

Comes when we surrender….

To Your mercy and Your grace!

Send Your angels down, Lord…

Especially when we feel like we’ve been losing!

“Whoever finds their life will lose it,

and whoever loses their life for My sake will find it.”

Matthew 10:39

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I’m A Believer In Christ!!

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Here’s the answer to all your questions!

I can see through the laughter…
I know you’ve cried your share of tears…
But You don’t have to do this by yourself…
You tell me that you feel abandoned…
Carrying the weight of all this pain inside…
You trust in someone else…
But you’re cryin’ out for help…
Yes!
I’m a Believer!
That He’s strong enough to hold you now, where you are…
I’m a believer!
In the One who’s always reaching out to your heart…
He understands you…
There’s not a greater love that you’ll find in this life…
I’m a Believer in Christ!
Trying to escape the landslide…
Running from the choices that you make…
When will you surrender to His Grace?
His promises will never leave you…
Offering to free you from your past is the sacrifice…
He made..
He can be your shelter and your strength.
No matter what you’ve done…
How far you’ve run…
There is hope for you…
Through every broken heart…
He’ll  meet you where you are…
He will rescue you…
Let Him rescue you!
Yes!
I’m a Believer in Christ!!

Trading Sorrow For Joy??? It’s A Great Trade!! Do It!!

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“Surely He took up our infirmities

and carried our sorrows.”

Isaiah 53:4

“Why did Jesus live on earth as long as He did?

Why not step into our world just long enough

to die for our sins and then leave?

Why not a sinless year or week?

Why did He have to live a life?

To take on our sins is one thing,

but to take on our sunburns,

our sore throats?

To experience death,

yes —

but to put up with life?

To put up with long roads,

long days,

and short tempers?

Why did He do it?

Because He wants you to trust Him.” 

By Max Lucado

Trade your sorrow!

Trade your shame!

Lay them down for the Joy of the Lord!!

Trade your sickness!

Trade your pain!

Lay them down for the Joy of the Lord !!

Say,

“Yes, Lord!  Yes, Lord!  “Yes, Yes, Lord!

“Yes, Lord!  Yes, Lord!  “Yes, Yes, Lord!

“Yes, Lord!  Yes, Lord!  “Yes, Yes, Lord!

Amen!”

You’re pressed…

But not crushed…

Persecuted…

Not abandoned…

Struck down…

But not destroyed …

You’re blessed beyond the curse…

For His promise will endure…

And His Joy’s gonna be your strength!!

Sorrow may last for the night…

But, His Joy comes with the morning!!

Amen!

Go ahead!  Make the Trade!!