Scripture for the Soul

1 John 4: 7-21

God's Love and Ours

 ⁷Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.⁹This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son^[b] into the world that we might live through him. ¹⁰This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for^[c] our sins. ¹¹Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹²No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. ¹³We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. ¹⁴And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. ¹⁵If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. ¹⁶And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
      God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. ¹⁷In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. ¹⁸There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
 ¹⁹We love because he first loved us. ²⁰If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. ²¹And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.




All content copyright © 2009 Amber Johnson. All rights reserved. You MUST GET WRITTEN PERMISSION to reprint or republish any of this material.

The Free Gift

God is our Provider. It always eases my mind and calms my heart to know that the Lord will provide for me and take care of me. He knows me inside and out. He knows what I need and He promises to provide. The amazing thing is that Jesus is one of my greatest needs. Without Christ my days would be cloud covered, smile-less, and impossible. He provides me with the strength to keep moving, the will to do what is right, the faith to do the impossible, the love to help the unlovelies, the happiness to defeat the bad days, the heart to conquer all before me, and the protection to remain safe in it all. Jesus's love, grace, mercy, hope, promises, glory, goodness, giving, help, strength, and the rest of his characteristics are what I need every minute of my every day. Jesus is my greatest need and without Him and His provision I would be an empty, unfulfilled, hurting, helpless, hopeless, and defeated human being. To think that we can get all this by just asking Jesus Christ into our lives. This is the best FREE GIFT I have ever received. All you need to do is ask Jesus Christ into your life and you can get the best free gift ever given too!!!

Genesis 1:3-28 (New International Version)

 ³ And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. ⁴ God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. ⁵ God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
 ⁶ And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." ⁷ So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. ⁸ God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.
 ⁹ And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. ¹⁰ God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good.
 ¹¹ Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. ¹² The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. ¹³ And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.
 ¹⁴ And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, ¹⁵ and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so. ¹⁶ God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. ¹⁷ God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, ¹⁸ to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. ¹⁹ And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.
 ²⁰ And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." ²¹ So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. ²² God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth." ²³And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.
 ²⁴ And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. ²⁵ God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
 ²⁶ Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, ^[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
 ²⁷ So God created man in his own image,
       in the image of God he created him;
       male and female he created them.
 ²⁸ God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."

God provided us with the earth we live on and everything in it. He gave us nature and the beauties of the world so we could marvel and delight in them. He gave us everything we need so we could be blessed and enjoy them. God is the Provider.


All content copyright © 2009 Amber Johnson. All rights reserved. You MUST GET WRITTEN PERMISSION to reprint or republish any of this material.

New Creation

"I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free."

-- Michelangelo

This quote is by Michelangelo the great artist blessed with talent from God to create the breathtaking Pieta, David, the Sistine Chapel and other miraculous works. This quote is exactly what the Lord does with us. He sees our sin and our flesh that we are embedded in and He carves away until we are set free. Before we are saved we are stuck in our big block of sin, encased in the world, and all its ways. When we accept Jesus into our hearts He works to change our worldly stone heart into one that is filled with compassion, love, kindness, and empathy. He chips away at our old self and makes a new creation. He creates a work of art with His own hands that over time begins to gain the characteristics of the artist Himself. The Creator sees our potential, our future, who we are and who we will be. He sets us free from our bondage and the hardness of the world and transforms us into a work of art. If you haven't yet accepted Christ into your life give Jesus the opportunity to transform your stone jail of sin into a masterpiece carved by freedom from sin, eternal life, and everlasting peace in Him. 


All content copyright © 2009 Amber Johnson. All rights reserved. You MUST GET WRITTEN PERMISSION to reprint or republish any of this material.

Monday Inspiration

There are those who are willing to die for a cause, and there are those who are willing to live humbly for one.

“Let me live that I may praise you.” Psalm 119:175

Have a wonderful week!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Wishing you all a blessed and beautiful Valentine's Day!!!! Remember Jesus loves you more than anything in this entire world!!!
God Bless,
Amber

Love: An Action

God is LOVE!!!  He is the perfect example we have of love. Remember love is not merely a feeling it is an action. It is what you do to show your love for another. It is not a mushy gushy butterfly feeling but a wash the dishes, take out the trash, be there when you are needed, and be like Christ kind of love. Love is Christ, dying on the cross for the sins He never committed, for the people who caused Him pain, anguish, and death, and all so we could have eternal life in the most perfect place every created next to the most loving perfect awesome God there ever was, is, and will be for all eternity! How is that for love?

1 Corinthians 13

Love

 ¹If I speak in the tongues^[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ²If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,^[b] but have not love, I gain nothing. ⁴Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
 ⁸Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. ¹¹When 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. ¹²Now 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.
 ¹³And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.





All content copyright © 2009 Amber Johnson. All rights reserved. You MUST GET WRITTEN PERMISSION to reprint or republish any of this material.

Monday Inspiration

We are like pencils. Our true worth lies within us. We are in God's hands and He uses us. We are sharpened in life by events and situations. We are also expected to leave a mark.

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

Have a wonderful week!

Revelation Song - Kari Jobe - Music Video

This video was sent to me by a friend and it touched my heart so deeply I felt I needed to share it with all of you. Our Lord, our Savior, our Creator, Christ is so beyond worthy of our praise!!! He deserves our lives and our endless praise and devotion always!!! Jesus loves you so much that He died for you on that cross, He endured the pain and ridicule it took to get there, and He never gave up on you. He took the beatings, He took the nails, He took the agony, and He took all the sin upon His own sinless body so we didn't have to die that way for one of our sins but could live righteously with the blood of Christ covering our sins. Live and praise Him for the unending everlasting sacrifice and love He has poured out on you!!! PRAISE JESUS, WHO IS LORD AND KING FOREVER AND EVER!!!!! Amen!!! 

Lyrics to Revelation Song by Kari Jobe: 

Worthy is the, Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to him who sits on
Heaven's mercy seat

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You

Clothed in rainbows, of living color
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be
to You the only wise King

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You

Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder
At the mention of your name
Jesus your name is power
Breath, and living water
Such a marvelous mystery
Yeah...

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come, yeah
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You

All content copyright © 2009 Amber Johnson. All rights reserved. You MUST GET WRITTEN PERMISSION to reprint or republish any of this material.

Tutorial on the Prayer Pact

Today I wanted to bring people on this blog together in prayer. I hope all of you will post your prayer requests. I  want to encourage and build up my readers and what better way to do that then prayer. So I on the right side of the blog under my about me information you will see this :

Prayer Pact

To submit a prayer request:

Click Here

Click on any of the underlined pink lettering: To submit a prayer request: Click Here and you will be on your way. Read the Scripture about prayer and scroll down to the comments section. Click  Post a Comment and type in your prayer request or what God has put on your heart. Then submit it and the praying will begin :D!!! I hope you all find this a blessing! God bless you all!!! 


All content copyright © 2009 Amber Johnson. All rights reserved. You MUST GET WRITTEN PERMISSION to reprint or republish any of this material.

Prayer Pact

This is an area for everyone to post their prayers and what is on their heart so others can pray for them.

New International Version (NIV)
Luke 18:1 The Parable of the Persistent Widow  1Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
Romans 12:12 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Ephesians 6:18 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Colossians 4:2 Further Instructions  2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 17pray continually;

Leave a comment with your prayer request and I as well as others will be praying for you :D!!! Have a blessed day!!!
~Amber~

Holy Helping

It is a blessing to me that the Lord guides us and the Lord knows all. It is such a comfort and relief to know that I don't need to have everything under control, even if at times I want to. The Lord knows what was, is, and will come and we just need to be open to the opportunities, the challenges, and to learning more about the Lord. Every day is a chance to show our dedication to the Lord and to improve our upward growth. We get to learn of the power, greatness, holiness, and love of God. We get the privilege and honor to read the Words of God and to have His spirit within us to guide us and teach us. As Christ followers we can mature and develop in the Spirit and dive deeper into the wisdom of the Lord. How amazing is it that the Lord Almighty gave us not only the gift of eternal life by His side and cleansing from sin in His Son but that we also received the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide us, to teach us, and to grow us to be more like Him. His gift of the Holy Spirit grows us to be like Him and moves us towards Him as we start to mirror areas of His likeness. No one on this earth will ever be perfect but with the help of the Holy Spirit, the Bible, and Christian fellowship we can continue our journey, growing upward towards our kneeling seat at the heavenly feet of our gracious merciful and loving Savior. 

1 Corinthians 2: 

Wisdom From the Spirit

 ⁶We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. ⁷No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. ⁸None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. ⁹However, as it is written:
   "No eye has seen,
      no ear has heard,
   no mind has conceived
   what God has prepared for those who love him"^[b]— ¹⁰but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
      The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. ¹¹For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. ¹²We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. ¹³This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.^[c] 14The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. ¹⁵The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment:
 ¹⁶"For who has known the mind of the Lord
      that he may instruct him?"^[d] But we have the mind of Christ.

All content copyright © 2009 Amber Johnson. All rights reserved. You MUST GET WRITTEN PERMISSION to reprint or republish any of this material.

Monday Inspiration

Compassion will cure more sins than condemnation.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

Have a wonderful week!

Beautiful Day

Enjoy the beauty the Lord has given us. Bask in the sun, take in the blue sky, listen to the birds singing their songs, and remember that the Lord loves you. He is always there, always ready to be your foundation, your rock, your strength, and your song. Always make Jesus's loving sacrifice the part that is the most beautiful about your every day.

All content copyright © 2009 Amber Johnson. All rights reserved. You MUST GET WRITTEN PERMISSION to reprint or republish any of this material.

Dive into Blessings

Blessings are everywhere in our everyday. Sometimes our comfort zone keeps us from venturing out and experiencing the opportunities where those blessings can be found. Remember to pray that the Lord transforms you to be more like Him everyday. Pray that He gives you the strength to do the things you didn't think you could ever do. Step out in faith and dive into the blessings He has for you.


All content copyright © 2009 Amber Johnson. All rights reserved. You MUST GET WRITTEN PERMISSION to reprint or republish any of this material.

Monday Inspiration

When you are at your lowest, exercise faith, trust in God, then like the ladder step-by-step you will make it to the top.

“Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10

Have a wonderful week!

Scripture for the Soul

“[Trials and Temptations] Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”- James 1:2-3

Everything we go through and face can be made into an opportunity to stand for Christ and learn and grow in Him. Pray for His strength, help, courage, and wisdom during the storm and the sunshine. Strive to embody His characteristics and His likeness. Find Him in His Word, on your knees, and in the rainbows He has placed in the sky. Find joy in the Lord and pour that joy into your life. 

All content copyright © 2009 Amber Johnson. All rights reserved. You MUST GET WRITTEN PERMISSION to reprint or republish any of this material.

Monday Inspiration

The amount of light you carry determines your glow.

“Let us walk in the light of the Lord.” Isaiah 2:5

Have a wonderful week!

Haiti – How You Can Help

Haiti – How You Can Help

Shepherd of the Hills Church has partnerships with ministries in Haiti. We are currently very involved and in communication with our missionaries on the ground in Port-au-Prince. They are safe, but in great need of prayer and support as chaos grows in the face of the devastation caused by the severe earthquake. Our Missions team is talking with our missionary partners in Haiti and assessing the best means of support.

You can help in several ways:

1. Pray – The people of Haiti and the relief teams responding to this disaster need your prayers.
   
2. Give – Shepherd of the Hills will channel your financial gifts directly to our mission partners—Northwest Haiti Christian Mission, North American Mission Board, and International Disaster Emergency Service. These dollars will be turned into humanitarian aid (medical supplies; emergency food, water and shelter; transportation; mobilization teams, and more), which is given with the love of Christ and deepens the impact of our evangelistic efforts there. You can donate by either submitting a check made out to Shepherd of the Hills (IMPORTANT: write “Haiti” in the memo) or online by clicking here.

In the near future, we may send specialized teams of professionals to Haiti, and we will keep you updated as you pray and seek ways to help. You can find the latest information directly from our partner, Northwest Haiti Christian Mission, by visiting www.nwhcm.org.

http://www.theshepherd.org/haiti-2013-how-you-can-help

Alpha Omega Attitude

Attitude

Attitudes can make or break a day. How many times have you wished you didn't respond a certain way or that you felt differently about a situation? I have been thinking about how our attitudes can affect our behaviors and those around us. What is causing us to act the way we do and why do we respond the way we do? Is it the situation, is it the people around us, or is it us? The more I thought about it the more I prayed that God would change my heart and my attitude so my behavior and feelings towards situations and the people around me would glorify Him and be pleasing in His eyes. I am responsible for my attitude and my behavior so that is what the Lord and I are going to work on. The Lord can change our attitude, our behavior, and our life. Nothing is to big for the Lord to handle. He can change a frown into a smile. He can turn anger into happiness. He can turn hate into love. The Lord can transform our hearts and our desires....He can create in us the Alpha Omega attitude!!!

Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.


2 Corinthians 3:18
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Philippians 1:6 (New International Version)

⁶being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

To see more on how Jesus transforms, heals, mends, purifies, and makes people whole see His Word the Bible. If you don't have one of your own check out the online Bible at http://www.biblegateway.com/ . There is also a link to it on my sidebar.


All content copyright © 2009 Amber Johnson. All rights reserved. You MUST GET WRITTEN PERMISSION to reprint or republish any of this material.

Bro's Birthday

Happy Birthday to my Brother !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today is my brother's birthday so I wanted to wish him the biggest and best birthday ever!!!!! Happy Birthday Bro!!!! Love ya!!! 

All content copyright © 2009 Amber Johnson. All rights reserved. You MUST GET WRITTEN PERMISSION to reprint or republish any of this material.

Monday Inspiration

If we are God’s work of art, then our lives should reflect a masterpiece.

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

Have a wonderful week!

God Has A Plan

Everything that happens in life is under the umbrella of God's plan. We have free will so we can see God's goodness, His love, and His grace. We may choose to sin or choose Christ but in all decisions He knows our hearts, He knows our deepest desires, and He knows where we are in our lives. That is an extraordinary thing- that the Lord God Almighty knows our future and will guide our steps if we listen and lean on Him. Every person, every place, every circumstance that has passed through your life has been there for a reason. If it was something negative- what did the Lord teach you? Did you make that obstacle into an opportunity? Did you grow in Christ in some way? Well, then that "negative" was not negative at all. It was an opportunity to grow, to change, to be transformed into the likeness of Christ. It was an opportunity to be strengthened by the Lord in your areas of weakness. If the past is following you to the present, meet it, deal with it. Ask God to show you how you have grown during that time, ask Him to show you the lessons you learned, and ask Him to help you live for the glorious present He has given you. The Lord has a plan for each of our lives. He knows our past, He guides our present, and He sees our future. Find peace and joy in the fact that the Lord can guide your steps, your heart, and your desires onto His path towards the prosperous future He has for you.


Here are a few Scriptures to show that the Lord has a plan, knows our future, and will guide us:

New International Version (NIV)
Jeremiah 29:11 Listen to this passage 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. New International Version (NIV)Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica
Psalm 37:23 Listen to this passage  23 If the LORD delights in a man's way,        he makes his steps firm; New International Version (NIV)Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica
Proverbs 3:5 Listen to this passage  5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart        and lean not on your own understanding; New International Version (NIV)Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica
Psalm 48:14 Listen to this passage  14 For this God is our God for ever and ever;        he will be our guide even to the end. New International Version (NIV)Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica
Jeremiah 10:23 Listen to this passage Jeremiah's Prayer  23 I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own;        it is not for man to direct his steps. New International Version (NIV)Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica
Psalm 37:4 Listen to this passage  4 Delight yourself in the LORD        and he will give you the desires of your heart. New International Version (NIV)Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica

http://www.biblegateway.com/

The Bible is the best way to get to know your Creator God so dive into His Word to seek Him. If you don't have a Bible of your own check out-- http://www.biblegateway.com/ which is an online Bible.

Picture: http://www.heartlight.org/

All content copyright © 2009 Amber Johnson. All rights reserved. You MUST GET WRITTEN PERMISSION to reprint or republish any of this material.

Monday Inspiration

Happiness keeps me sweet, trials make me strong, sorrows keep me human, failures make me humble, but God keeps me going.

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Have a wonderful week!

Scripture for the Soul

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,”- Titus 2:11-12

How to Know God Personally

How to Know God Personally

What does it take to begin a relationship with God? Devote yourself to unselfish religious deeds? Become a better person so that God will accept you?

You may be surprised that none of those things will work. But God has made it very clear in the Bible how we can know Him.

The following principles will explain how you can personally begin a relationship with God, right now, through Jesus Christ...

---

Principle 1:

God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life.

---

God's Love
"God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." ¹

God's Plan
[Christ speaking] "I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly" [that it might be full and meaningful]. ²

Why is it that most people are not experiencing the abundant life? Because...

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Principle 2:

All of us sin and our sin has separated us from God.

---

We Are Sinful
"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." ³

We were created to have fellowship with God; but, because of our stubborn self-will, we chose to go our own independent way, and fellowship with God was broken. This self-will, characterized by an attitude of active rebellion or passive indifference, is evidence of what the Bible calls sin.

We Are Separated
"The wages of sin is death" [spiritual separation from God]. ⁴

This diagram illustrates that God is holy and people are sinful. A great gulf separates us. The arrows illustrate that we are continually trying to reach God and the abundant life through our own efforts, such as a good life, philosophy, or religion -- but we inevitably fail.

The third law explains the only way to bridge this gulf...

---

Principle 3:

Jesus Christ is God's only provision for our sin. Through Him we can know and experience God's love and plan for our life.

---

He Died in Our Place
"God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." ⁵

He Rose From the Dead
"Christ died for our sins...He was buried...He was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures...He appeared to Peter, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred..." ⁶

He Is the Only Way to God
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.'"⁷

This diagram illustrates that God has bridged the gulf which separates us from Him by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross in our place to pay the penalty for our sins.

It is not enough just to know these three principles...

---

Principle 4:

We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God's love and plan for our lives.

---

We Must Receive Christ
"As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name." ⁸

We Receive Christ Through Faith
"By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast." ⁹

When We Receive Christ, We Experience a New Birth

We Receive Christ by Personal Invitation
[Christ speaking] "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him." ¹⁰

Receiving Christ involves turning to God from self (repentance) and trusting Christ to come into our lives to forgive our sins and to make us what He wants us to be. Just to agree intellectually that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for your sins is not enough. Nor is it enough to have an emotional experience. You receive Jesus Christ by faith, as an act of the will.

These two circles represent two kinds of lives:

Which circle best describes your life?

Which circle would you like to have represent your life?

The following explains how you can receive Christ:

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer

Prayer is talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. The following is a suggested prayer:

"Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be."

If this prayer expresses the desire of your heart, then you can pray this prayer right now and Christ will come into your life, as He promised.

From: http://www.ccci.org/wij/index.aspx

Happy New Year with the Lord Almighty!!!

Happy New Year!!! I can't believe it is 2010, isn't that crazy!!! I wish you all a blessed year! If you haven't made Jesus Christ your Savior yet maybe this new year, this new day is the day! If you have fallen away from Christ maybe this new year, this new day is the day to walk hand in hand with Him! If you need more time with Christ, more time to work on a personal relationship with Him maybe this new year, this new day is the day to be aligned mind, heart, and soul with Christ! Don't wait another second to get the state of your heart, you life, your eternity settled!!! Choose Christ, run to Him, draw close to Him, live for Him, and learn from Him. 2009 is the past, 2010 is our present live for Him in this moment, this day, this year. Remember Jesus loves you!!! God bless and good night!!!

Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

God already knows the plans and days of your life. He has great things in store for you!


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