Jesus Loves Us

It is so easy to pass over - Jesus loves you - as a platitude.

It has become a bumper sticker equivalent of "how are you," said without thought, heard without meaning.

How do we reach large numbers of people with the truth, when the truth becomes a marketing slogan?

We don't.

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. - I Corinthians 1:17-18

The wisdom of this world, the wisdom of marketing slogans, is of no value to the gospel.

Each person with which we converse, and we ourselves, are unique. It is the Holy Spirit working in us that helps bring an individualized message of hope to everyone.

God may lead someone to him from your bumper sticker or a single statement. The hope someone else has planted may be watered by you.

The key is to pray - and then to obey. Study the Bible so that you will recognize God's voice, he will not contradict himself. Ask The Holy Spirit to assist you as you read.

Prayer is the conversation of friends united in love, join with God in prayer constantly.

God attends to the miracle of growth, and will be there for the harvest. Be led of God, and you will share with all the workers in the rewards of the harvest.

God knows what each individual needs to hear or not hear, the Holy Spirit will guide you.

I remember a fellow in a music group that at the start of a service felt God leading him to share a specific word with the congregation. He resisted because it was so specific. Impressed through the whole service - he finally blurted it out before the final song. Someone who had just entered burst out crying. God touched the listener with exactly the word he needed. God also touched the singer - God had known how long he would have to speak with him so the message was perfectly timed for the hearer.

God knows us intimately and individually, God is also smarter and wiser than we are. If we want the best for his kingdom, for our loved ones, for ourselves - we need to listen and act as the Holy Spirit directs.

God is more than big enough to work all things to good when we act in faith at his word.

Jesus loves us, and will only direct us in our and everyone else's best interest.


Lord God,

Thank you for placing your hand on us.

Thank you for that touch that heals and instructs.

Thank you for the love that binds us to you - and you to us.

We come to you now, knowing that none of us is preferred in your sight. We all have equal access to you, your wisdom and knowledge, and your love.

In Jesus Christ's holy name we come to talk with you.

Let love shape the language as we talk ---

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Freedom & Responsibility - or - The Easy Way Out

Why are people attracted to the comfort of cults?

In a cult there are strong leaders that will tell you what to believe and how to act.

It is the opposite of freedom and responsibility.

Many people follow the easy broad path as driven sheep.

Sheep led by demanding teachers at school, by bureaucratic bosses at work, by political party or government officials that demand adherence to their philosophies, and above all - by spiritual leaders that demand compliance with their teachings.

If you are stuck in any of these situations - learn to think and act for yourself.

If the oppression is too great to overcome - move.

Find a place where self determination is rewarded.

Private or home schooling - your own business - a different party or country - a relationship with Jesus Christ.

You can always move back again if that is your decision.

Church is not a building. Church is not a local group calling themselves Christian. Church is not even an international movement that uses the word church in their name.

The Church is the corporeal unity of those that have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

There is no force or coercion used by God - he offers you the free choice of relationship. Man on the other hand loves to create special rules, regulations, and inducements to draw you into their religion.

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. - John 8:36

Christ can set you free from this world's systems.

• yes we are sinners
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• yes we need to repent
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• yes we will still make mistakes
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• God will not throw us out for mistakes, he will help us to escape and eventually to triumph over our sins
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• our relationship is based on God's freely given sacrifice - not our hard work
  

Your relationship has been defined by God with certain characteristics - you are given the choice of entering into and leaving it at will. God has paid the adoption price to adopt you into his family - the question is - are you willing to join?

O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. - Psalm 34:8

If you were raised in a church and are now disenchanted, it is probably man that disappointed you, not God. You may have even disappointed yourself, not fitting in with man's rules.

Consider God's offered relationship instead. Join Jesus Christ as part of his Church - not a man created church.

You do not need me, or another man, a book, or an (fallen?) angel to tell you how to act and what to believe.

In fact the Bible is simple enough it will take a dedicated person to mislead you.

Instead talk to God (prayer) ask him to have the Holy Spirit help you to understand his love letters (the Bible).

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God -- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. - John I: 10-13


The choice is yours.


A suggestion - subject to your choice of course - start with one of the New Testament gospels - Matthew or John - they tell you about Jesus the Christ.

Next read the book of Acts - it will show you the Church and how believers should act. Find a local church that acts like that - it will not be perfect - it is inhabited by people as subject to error as we are. They do need to try and follow God rather than bow to the traditions of men.

In all areas of your life the choice is yours - be a sheep following other sheep or discover, decide, and act for yourself. You may decide it is better to follow the good shepherd.

There is more work in discovery, it may get uncomfortable, but the truth must be sought by you and for you.

Others may guide - it is always your choice.

Please join us now in prayer:


Father God,

Thank you for loving us.

We ask you now for your help, send your Holy Spirit to guide us as we study your words.

We want to know you God.

We come before you to seek understanding of ourselves, by understanding you better.

Lead us

Direct us

Help us to find you

In Jesus Christ's holy name we thank you that we can talk with you now ---

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On Vacation

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I will be back from a short vacation about Feb 20.

For Information about your relationship with the living God- check here.

If you want direction for prayer - please pray for Asian Missions.


May you find and live in God's best,

Allan

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Wisdom and Understanding

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Thank you Jesus,

Jesus - you have provided for us all we will ever need.

Spiritually - psychologically - socially - physically - everything.

Every good and perfect gift comes through our relationship with you.

We thank you.


Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. - James 1:17


These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. - John 14:25-27


But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. - Romans 3:21-26


Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. - Hebrews 4:14-16


Father God - we want to know and understand the truth you have given, and the love you so willingly share with us.

Holy Spirit, teach us to listen to you regarding our needs.

Help us to grow in both wisdom and understanding.

Deal with us God not according to our limitations - but according to your love.

We have eagerly come to spend time with you.

We enter boldly before you now - - -

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Praise The Lord!

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Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her,

Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Luke 10:38-42


Dear Jesus,

We are so in need of your wisdom.

We have missed many opportunities to grow closer to you.

So much time has been spent performing tasks and thinking thoughts that have no eternal value.

The honest integrity of your word sits before us, and we ignore it for mindless tasks that divert us from the search for you.

If we pay attention to you, you will take care of all things. Holy Spirit help us therefore to live as we believe - following Jesus Christ.

Give us wisdom and understanding, that we might seek the better things that you offer.

Father God - in Jesus name we come before you to spend time with you.

Instruct us ---

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Be Not Conformed To This World

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Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. -- Matthew 5:10-16

Are we trying too hard to conform to this world?

We are condemned as Christians because of the antics of some that call themselves Christian.

If we are already condemned by the world - we need to speak the truth openly.

If someone is to be offended by Christianity -- let it be for the cross, the blood of Jesus Christ, the need for repentance, the resurrection, and the proclamation that there is but one way to God.

Drown out the voices of the political aspirants, the social balkanizers, those that would appease critics by diluting and diminishing the gospel. We who love Christ must boldly proclaim the truth we know, the world needs to hear our voice in concert.

Lord Jesus,

Help us lord to speak without fear the truth you have given to us. Heal our divisions lord, we know your body should not be in pieces. Let us speak the truth we share:

• your death by choice
  
• your resurrection as prophisised
  
• your power to save and heal
• one God, three persons - Father - Son - Holy Spirit
• your sacrificial blood as the only route to salvation
• Faith
• Hope
• Love

And the greatest of faith, hope, and love is -- love.

God you are love.

Thank you for the blessings you have given us.

We come to you now, seeking to know you better---

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