Complete Assurance

Do you live in complete assurance that you are saved by grace and you are eternally alive in Christ?  It takes a lot of faith in Jesus to feel totally secure, "For by grace you are saved through faith--and not of yourself, it is the gift of God--not by your works can you boast."  (Ephesians 2:8-9)  Only if you rely on the righteousness of Christ alone can you have complete assurance:

Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  In His great mercy He has given new birth through a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade: kept in heaven for you who through faith are shielded by God's power. 

 (1Peter1:3-4)

"We must go beyond the limits of our comfort zones.  Our 

faith is activated at these times when we walk into the unknown."

The believer lives through His grace acquitted before the judgement seat.  He is totally delivered from all his sins and is righteous before God because of His loving kindness and His love.  He embraces me just as I am.  He has a good conscience, and knows that He is walking in God's ways and doing His will.  He is preserved by His grace and can sin no more.  Death cannot harm him, for he has eternal life like all the angels of God.  If God be for us, who can be against us?

For I know Jesus and am persuaded that He is able to do that which I have committed unto Him against that day.  I have complete assurance in Him who loves me and gave His life for me.  Without assurance of salvation, one cannot truly know God.  "And this is life eternal, that they might know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.  (John 17:3)  With complete assurance, "You can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens you."  (Philippians 4:13)  It will make you bold and courageous!

"Warriors on the front line, instead of watchers on the sideline."

Kohlbrugge   M.S. Lounder   2 Timothy 1:12   Big Daddy Weave   MIKESCHAIR   Casting Crowns

You Called Me Brother

Suppose someone has enough to live and sees a brother or sister in need, but he does not help.  Then God's love is not living in that person.  (1 John 3:17).

The needy look to their right, then look to their left and believe there is no one concerned about them.  God says that we should uphold the cause of the oppressed and give food to the hungry.  Jesus taught that life is more than food and clothes.  He said, "Do not set your hearts on these things, for the Father knows what you need and not to worry about it".  Rather seek His Kingdom and these things will be given to you.  Sell what you don't need and give to the poor.  For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.

Make every effort to live in peace with all men; not considering anyone beneath you.  You may ask, "What does the Lord require of me?"  God's word says you're to do three things:

Seek justice, love mercy, and walk humble with your God.  (Micah 6:8)

Seeking justice is that in our society, we strive to put no one below what are considered equal; treating everyone the same and lifting up the poor and oppressed.  Therefore, showing a heart that loves mercy, you walk humble with your God.

Keep on loving each other as brothers, and entertain strangers for some have entertained angels without knowing it.  Keep yourselves free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, because God has said,

"Never will I leave you;

Never will I forsake you."

Therefore, through Jesus offer a sacrifice of praise continually, and confess His great name.  And do not forget to do well and share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Tolstoy, the great Russian writer, was walking down the street and approached a beggar.  He wanted to give the beggar some money, but his pockets were empty.  He turned to the man and said, "I'm sorry brother, but I have nothing to give," the beggar brightened and replied, "you have given me more than I ask for:

"You have called me brother".

Natalie Grant   Psalm 143   Isaiah 40   Luke 12, 13   Hebrews 12, 13   Max Lucado

Leo Tolstoy

The Perfect Storm

When you lose your ultimate source of meaning and hope--it breaks your spirit.  The incomplete joys of this world will never satisfy your heart.  Do you feel that raging storm inside wanting to pull you in?  Disaster comes and the waters rise causing your faith to be replaced by fear; when you wake up and feel the storm.  Life isn't perfect and the evil one will test your faith.  You will feel like everything is falling apart, you will have doubts about your salvation.  You will be convicted of the sin in your life; you don't know if God is real in your life.

Somehow you have got to realize, Jesus is in the eye of the storm, breaking through the clouds reaching out for you.  Can't you hear the thunder of His voice?  He will be your shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm.  Just open the eyes of your heart and you will see the King and His beauty, for it is Him that will save you.

Have you hidden His word in your heart; do you seek His face and not just His hand?  You have to be careful less you drift away.  In confusion you will face the darkness feeling alone and you will feel fear.

This is where Jesus enters the perfect storm.  He called you out of death and into life; now through Christ you are reconciled by His crucifixion on the cross.  How great is His redeeming love.  He sank into that ultimate storm so that you would not fear any storm in your life.

You should see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God, He might taste death for everyone.

Fix your thoughts on Jesus and when you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.  You won't realize Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.  It is one thing to believe the love of Jesus, and another to work it deep into your heart so it affects all you think, feel, and do.  You can enter into God's rest because Jesus went through the perfect storm so you wouldn't have to.  So find out what God's will for your life is, and do it!

"We will glorify the King of Kings, we will glorify the Lamb.  He is the great

I am".

Bid Daddy Weave   Jeremy Riddle   Isaiah 35, 36   Psalm 118, 119   Timothy Keller

David Crowder   Tocqueville 1830   Hebrews 2,3   Francesca Batastelli   MIKESCHAIR

Rich Mullins   Twila Paris

The Sure Foundation

In these days God has spoken to us by his Son Jesus, whom He appointed heir to all things, and through whom He made the universe.  Jesus is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His Being, sustaining all things by His powerful Word.  After He had provided purification for sins, Jesus sat down at the right hand of God, the Majesty in heaven.

It was in the beginning; Jesus laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of His hands.  You, who are far away, hear what He has done, you who are near your God, acknowledge His power!  For Jesus will be the sure foundation of our times.

Your eyes will see the King in His beauty and there should be no fear now, if your feet are planted on  the Rock of His foundation, and you take Him at His word.  The works of God's hands are faithful and just, and He is gracious and compassionate.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and good understanding.  Even in the darkness when you are afraid, and have a raging sea of doubt in front of you, ready to give up and say, "I'm not good enough.  I'm at rocks bottom," Just cry out, "hold me Jesus, come fill up my heart".  He will come to you and there will be no fear in you.

Surrendering to Jesus is not a natural thing.  Instead of taking Him at His word you have been trying to make it on your own, which will lead to frustration and doubt.  Just trust in His great name and there will be no fear and your heart will be secure in Christ Jesus.

Well, where do you go from here?  Jesus said, "If anyone would come follow Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily".  Give Him all that you are and cry out for more.  You owe Jesus your life: and you are in better hands now.

You are on the sure foundation and can sing out:

"When Christ shall come with trumpet sound,

O, may I then in Him be found.

Dressed in His righteousness alone,

Faultless to stand before the Throne".

Jesus is the "Solid Rock" of my salvation.

Psalm 110-114   Isaiah 33   Natalie Grant   Norman Bebo   Luke 9   MIKESCHAIR

Francesca Battestelli   Hebrews 1   Aaron Shust   Rich Mullins  
Hymn Solid Rock

I Believe

I believe in God the Father who through His Son Jesus created the heavens and the earth.  I believe that Jesus came in the flesh to dwell among us.  He was conceived by the Holy Spirit; born of the Virgin Mary.  I believe that he suffered and was crucified on the cross to pay my sin debt, and reconcile all things unto Himself.  I believe He died, was buried, and on the third day he was resurrected.  I believe He ascended into heaven where He sits at God's right hand.  I believe that He is coming again to judge us by His great name.  I believe that if I call out to Jesus and accept Him as my Savior; by God's grace and my faith and trust in Jesus alone; He will grant me eternal life.

What a priceless gift:  He called me out of death into life through Christ crucified.  He showed that God is love but is also just.  Thank you Jesus for awakening my heart and showing me what I can be now that my sin debt has been paid.  You sent the Holy Spirit to live all around and in me; to guide me.  Oh, what outrageous love you have for me.

With my mouth I will confess you before others and praise Your Holy name.  I was saved by Your great hand and You have done everything for me.  I believe I will see the King and all His beauty.  I hear God's word and put it into practice because of His great love for me.  I devote myself to prayer and the study of His great word that I may stand firm in doing the will of God.

I believe in the Holy Church of God where I can fellowship with like minded believers, being taught and encouraged by them in unity.

I believe in telling others about Jesus who is my great hope.  I believe in praising and worshiping my King.  I am not ashamed but bold.

"I believe what I believe".

Psalm 108, 109   Isaiah 31, 32  Switchfoot   Rich Mullins   Luke 8   Jeremy Riddle  

Francesca Battestelli   Colossians 4   Natalie Grant   Jeremy Camp

John 1:14

This is the Way; Walk in It

Consider for a moment your thoughts as seed; some become flowers, others become weeds.  You can sow seeds of hope and enjoy optimism, or sow seeds of doubt and expect insecurity.  Our thoughts have a grip on your walk with God.  If you are not being led by Jesus, you cannot know what the will of God for your life is.  That is the biblical definition of Sin.

If this sounds like you want to get started, why not now?  Pray to the Holy Spirit that you want to learn to walk  in His ways step by step and say that you will follow Jesus.  He is never out of reach and if you stumble, or if you fall He will pull you through.

Think of God's wondrous deeds; He stilled the storm with a whisper and when you cry out in despair, He will bring you out of your distress.  God is neither an impersonal nor a static thing.  He is a dynamic pulsating activity--the great fountain of energy and beauty spurting up in the very center of reality.  The Lord longs to be gracious to you; to show you compassion, for He is a God of justice.

Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  Take off the old self and put on the new which will be renewed in knowledge.  As God's chosen one, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Forgive others as the Lord forgave you.  And above all these virtues, put on the love which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.  It is the Christ Jesus you are serving, anyone who does wrong will be repaid for that wrong, and there is no favoritism.

Tell Jesus that you will follow Him and learn to walk in His ways.  You will discover the will of God in your life.  Come to Him and He will embrace you:  just as you are.  And follow Him all the days of your life.  Now you know:

"This is the Way; Walk in It".

Big Daddy Weave   Isaiah 30   Jeff Mullins   Psalm 107   TobyMac   DC Talk

MikesChair   CS Lewis   Colossians 3   Max Lucado   

Justin McDade's Blog "Heirs to the Promise" 

Alive in Christ

The bible says we should maintain justice and constantly do what is right.  Have we forgotten His promises and become watchers on the sideline afraid to get involved?  I think we have a new generation with courage to step up to the frontline, ready to reignite the passion.  We were made for so much more than to just sit by while others become warriors for Jesus.  God has awakened their hearts making their lives beautiful.

I believe we were made for so much more than we have been doing.  We should arise and ask for more.  We should realize we were made to be alive in Christ.  We were made to serve our mightyKing.  Do we believe His promises?

I'm afraid some of us have gone into a kind of hibernation, just going through the motions of meaningless prayer and groping through the bible without understanding.  But those who have seen the work of His hand will stand in awe of God.  Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding, and will accept instruction.  They will become courageous knowing they are alive in Christ.

My purpose is that you may become encouraged in heart and united in love, so that you may know that in Christ is hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  Just how firm is your faith in Christ that you continue to live in Him and for Him?

You don't have to be afraid or timid for you have been given the fullness in Christ who is over every power an authority.  He forgave you of your sins and took that which was against you and nailed it to the cross.

So, are you going with this generation which is becoming warriors for Jesus, instead of watching on the sideline?  Jesus has equipped you, so begin with asking the Holy Spirit for the knowledge to know His will for your life, and do it.  You were born to be courageous.

After all, God is on your side, so it's your decision.  There is no reason to be afraid or discouraged for :

You have been made "Alive in Christ"!

Psalm 106   Luke 6   Casting Crowns   Colossians 2   Francesca Battestelli

Isaiah 29   Rich Mullins   Matthew West