God's Grace

 

God’s Grace

Titus 2:11 “For the grace of God that bring salvation has appeared to all men” the prodigal son took his inheritance from his dad and squandered it on women and drink, then he had to wallow with the pigs. Was he deserving of a feast when he arrived home? That’s God’s grace. The wife of Hosea tired of her husband over and over, prostituted herself and yet Hosea took her back every time. Was she deserving? No, that’s God’s grace. The thief on the cross didn’t deserve God’s grace, but he received it. None of us deserve God’s grace but we receive it repeatedly. Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” When we are ready to receive it, God gives it. Unfortunately, not all are ready to receive it. There are some holding on to their sins thinking that they can continue for now and repent later. (God always forgives). That is what is called grace abuse. The problem is full hands cannot receive gifts. Forgiveness needs to be accepted as well as forgiven. The prodigal son was more than ready to receive his just due but got grace instead. Hosea’s wife received God’s grace repeatedly. The thief on the cross received a place in paradise with Jesus’ grace. When we truly love God, we won’t hang onto a sin thinking we can repent later. We must repent in order to receive the wonderful gift of grace. Let us examine our life and be thankful that God’s grace abounds in our life.

Please read the scriptures listed, study them, apply them to your life and grow in the saving relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior.

For more posts like this, go to: https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Humble Yourself

 

Humble Yourself

Galatians 6:3 “For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing. He deceives himself.” Paul was writing this to the Galatians, but it still applies to us today. Ponder Jesus. How He came to earth and took none of the credit for all the things He did. He spoke of all things as coming from God. Paul also wrote to the Philippians in chapter 2:12 to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. When we serve God, it is not to be seen, or to be put on a pedestal. We do it because God called us to do it and we know and understand that we cannot do anything without Christ. In Philippians 2:3 it says, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind. Let each esteem others better than himself. Let not each of you look only for his own interests but also for the interests of others.” When we do service in God’s name, we must remember it is God who puts us to it, and He deserves all the credit. We are only God’s ministers and bringing the Good News to others is our commission. We should not do anything to look good in other eyes. What is pleasing to God is the only thing that matters. God is our only salvation and none but God through Jesus Christ can take us to heaven. With humility we must serve the Lord and allow God to work through us in all avenues of our life. Only God is high and mighty.

Please read the scriptures listed, study them, apply them to your life and grow in the saving relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior.

For more posts like this, go to: https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Pray to be Counted Worthy

 

Pray to be Counted Worthy

Luke 21:36 “Pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”

The words “counted worthy” made me stop and ask the question, how can we be counted worthy when no one is worthy? What great, exciting thing have we done to be counted worthy? Do we look at our deeds, or do we look beyond that? You and I became worthy the day we accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior and were buried with Him in baptism. We became worthy when we built a relationship with God’s Son, Jesus Christ. We show our worthiness when we become a servant to God in spreading the good news that Jesus died, was buried and rose again to take away our sins. So, if we can be counted worthy, then when “all things come to pass” the faith we have in the Lord God Almighty, will help us escape all the trials and tribulations that come our way. “Pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”

Please read the scriptures listed, study them, apply them to your life and grow in the saving relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior.

For more posts like this, go to: https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Giving to the Lord

 

Giving to the Lord

Have you considered all the things that the Lord has given to you? Our food, clothes, family, land, homes, etc. The list is endless. Now consider what you can give to the Lord that isn't already his. David said it best in 1 Chronicles 29:14 “But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer so willingly as this where all things come from you?” David was making preparations for his son Solomon to build the temple of God. He understood that without God's generous gifts of gold and silver and timber he could do nothing. Yes, these things came to him by the hands of the people, but God created them and made all things available to David for this one purpose. For this, David praised God and counted it nothing of which he could offer. Everything we have, our spouse, children, friends, family, all our earthly possessions are on loan to us while we are here on earth. So how can we give to God when he already has everything? It's not what we give to God it's how we give to him in verse 17 of the above scripture David says “I know also, my God, that you test the heart and my pleasure and my brightness. As for me in the uprightness of my heart, I have willingly offered all these things.”

Here are some familiar quotes: “it's not the gift it's the giving.” “It's the thought that counts.” It's not the sacrifice, it's the obedience.” “Give and it will be given back to you.”

David couldn't have said it better; it is in the way we live and our willingness to give back to him what he has freely given to us.

Please read the scriptures listed, study them, apply them to your life and grow in the saving relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior.

For more posts like this, go to: https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Oh, Come Let us Adore Him

 

Oh, Come Let us Adore Him

Oh, how I adore my Jesus! My Jesus walks with me in my daily life. He never leaves me, nor forsakes me. Hebrews 13:5. He talks with me through the scriptures. What beautiful words He tells me. “You will be my child, and I will be your God.” Jeremiah 30:22. So many promises God has given to me. He is preparing a place for me so that where He is, I can be also. John 14:3. So many prayers He has answered. I know my God takes care of me. He fulfills my every need, and many times showers me with my wants because He loves me so! There is no better Father, Husband, or best friend that there is in my Jesus. Throughout all the heartaches, sickness, grieving and troubles that come my way I can rejoice in the fact that God is in control, and He has a better plan for me than I can imagine. I trust in the fact that He has my best interest at heart. I pray for all the people in the world that do not know my Jesus like I do. He has His arms stretched out saying, “Come unto me you who are heavy burdened and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28-29. Just say the word and God is there. Oh, how I adore my Jesus!

"The Man from George Street"

 

“The Man from George Street”

Romans 10:15 “And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things.”

Have you seen the video of “The Man from George Street?” Amazing things could be done if all Christians were as committed as the little white-haired man. Everyone who shares the word of God with others are among those who have beautiful feet, just as the man in the video. Oh, to think that God sees us as having beautiful feet!

Have you ever thought about all the people that God sent out to share the good news of Christ. Recall back to the day when Jesus was born. The shepherds were one of the first that God sent out to share the good news of Jesus’ birth. They weren’t rich people, they weren’t scholars, they weren’t what we would consider high class citizens. They were shepherds. They lived with sheep. If you have ever been around sheep, then you know they stink. But God chose them to spread the good news. We are sinners, we probably even stink at times, yet God has chosen us to spread the Good News.  The Word of God. And here we are, all of us with beautiful feet, blogging to all those who will take the time to open up our posts to read. Encouraging, loving and telling others all about Jesus Christ who died for us and took away our sins. Not only are your feet beautiful but your life shines forth more beautiful than ever because you are following the call of God and doing what He purposed for us to do while here on earth. God bless you greatly.

Please read the scriptures listed, study them, apply them to your life and grow in the saving relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior.

For more posts like this, go to: https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

The Holy Word

 

The Holy Word

Joshua 1:8 “the book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is within it. For then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success.”

In the days of Moses, the Levitical priests were instructed to study the books of law (Genesis through Deuteronomy) daily. They were to know the commandments and the laws like they knew the back of their hands. These books were also to be read to the Israelites every seven years. However, they did not follow God's orders because they felt it too difficult to do. Maybe that is what is wrong today. We find that making time to read the Bible is too hard to do.

Consider for a moment what the Bible holds for us. Not only does it contain the ten commandments and the laws for the Israelites but it contains many examples of how people live back in those days. That is history. Consider proverbs. This book tells us how we should live. There are 31 chapters in the book of proverbs and if you were to read a chapter a day according to the day of the month, each month, just think of the knowledge you would gain.

If you were to study the four gospels, Matthew, mark, Luke and John you will learn all about Jesus's birth, death and resurrection, not to leave all out all of the miracles he did while here on earth. The book of Acts is filled with stories of how the apostles carried out God's word. Then Paul wrote letter after letter to the Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and many more. He exhorted them, he taught them and even today we can learn much knowledge from them. two of my favorite books of the Bible is Romans and Hebrews. These two books are wonderful books on faith. Then the last Book of Revelation tells us of the end times and what we can expect in the last days.

If we want to live a godly life, we must meditate on His words day and night. If we want to go where God directs us, we must study His word to understand His plan for us. If we want to share Jesus with others, we must  “Study to show ourselves approved of God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 215.  For more posts like this, go to: https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.