Important passages

THE BELL
I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 )
I am united with the Lord (1 Cor 6:17)
I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil 3 :20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor 1:21-22 )
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28 )
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 )
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13 )
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).. I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1: 5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven (Col 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)
I belong to God
Do you know
Who you are?

12 Ways to Love Your Wayward Child by Abraham Piper

Many parents are brokenhearted and completely baffled by their unbelieving son or daughter. They have no clue why the child they raised well is making such awful, destructive decisions. I've never been one of these parents, but I have been one of these sons. Reflecting back on that experience, I offer these suggestions to help you reach out to your wayward child.

1. Point them to Christ.

Your rebellious child's real problem is not drugs or sex or cigarettes or pornography or laziness or crime or cussing or slovenliness or homosexuality or being in a punk rock band. The real problem is that they don't see Jesus clearly. The best thing you can do for them—and the only reason to do any of the following suggestions—is to show them Christ. It is not a simple or immediate process, but the sins in their life that distress you and destroy them will only begin to fade away when they see Jesus more like he actually is.

2. Pray.

Only God can save your son or daughter, so keep on asking that he will display himself to them in a way they can't resist worshiping him for.

3. Acknowledge that something is wrong.

If your daughter rejects Jesus, don't pretend everything is fine.

For every unbelieving child, the details will be different. Each one will require parents to reach out in unique ways. Never acceptable, however, is not reaching out at all. If your child is an unbeliever, don't ignore it. Holidays might be easier, but eternity won't be.

4. Don't expect them to be Christ-like.

If your son is not a Christian, he's not going to act like one.

You know that he has forsaken the faith, so don't expect him to live by the standards you raised him with. For example, you might be tempted to say, "I know you're struggling with believing in Jesus, but can't you at least admit that getting wasted every day is sin?"

If he's struggling to believe in Jesus, then there is very little significance in admitting that drunkenness is wrong. You want to protect him, yes. But his unbelief is the most dangerous problem—not partying. No matter how your child's unbelief exemplifies itself in his behavior, always be sure to focus more on the heart's sickness than its symptoms.

5. Welcome them home.

Because the deepest concern is not your child's actions, but his heart, don't create too many requirements for coming home. If he has any inkling to be with you, it is God giving you a chance to love him back to Jesus. Obviously there are some instances in which parents must give ultimatums: "Don't come to this house if you are..." But these will be rare. Don't lessen the likelihood of an opportunity to be with your child by too many rules.

If your daughter smells like weed or an ashtray, spray her jacket with Febreze and change the sheets when she leaves, but let her come home. If you find out she's pregnant, then buy her folic acid, take her to her twenty-week ultrasound, protect her from Planned Parenthood, and by all means let her come home. If your son is broke because he spent all the money you lent him on loose women and ritzy liquor, then forgive his debt as you've been forgiven, don't give him any more money, and let him come home. If he hasn't been around for a week and a half because he's been staying at his girlfriend's—or boyfriend's—apartment, plead with him not to go back, and let him come home.

6. Plead with them more than you rebuke them.

Be gentle in your disappointment.

What really concerns you is that your child is destroying herself, not that she's breaking rules. Treat her in a way that makes this clear. She probably knows—especially if she was raised as a Christian—that what she's doing is wrong. And she definitely knows you think it is. So she doesn't need this pointed out. She needs to see how you are going to react to her evil. Your gentle forbearance and sorrowful hope will show her that you really do trust Jesus.

Her conscience can condemn her by itself. Parents ought to stand kindly and firmly, always living in the hope that they want their child to return to.

7. Connect them to believers who have better access to them.

There are two kinds of access that you may not have to your child: geographical and relational. If your wayward son lives far away, try to find a solid believer in his area and ask him to contact your son. This may seem nosy or stupid or embarrassing to him, but it's worth it—especially if the believer you find can also relate to your son emotionally in a way you can't.

Relational distance will also be a side effect of your child leaving the faith, so your relationship will be tenuous and should be protected if at all possible. But hard rebuke is still necessary.

This is where another believer who has emotional access to your son may be very helpful. If there is a believer who your son trusts and perhaps even enjoys being around, then that believer has a platform to tell your son—in a way he may actually pay attention to—that he's being an idiot. This may sound harsh, but it's a news flash we all need from time to time, and people we trust are usually the only ones who can package a painful rebuke so that it is a gift to us.

A lot of rebellious kids would do well to hear that they're being fools—and it is rare that this can helpfully be pointed out by their parents—so try to keep other Christians in your kids lives.

8. Respect their friends.

Honor your wayward child in the same way you'd honor any other unbeliever. They may run with crowds you'd never consider talking to or even looking at, but they are your child's friends. Respect that—even if the relationship is founded on sin. They're bad for your son, yes. But he's bad for them, too. Nothing will be solved by making it perfectly evident that you don't like who he's hanging around with.

When your son shows up for a family birthday celebration with another girlfriend—one you've never seen before and probably won't see again—be hospitable. She's also someone's wayward child, and she needs Jesus, too.

9. Email them.

Praise God for technology that lets you stay in your kids' lives so easily!

When you read something in the Bible that encourages you and helps you love Jesus more, write it up in a couple lines and send it to your child. The best exhortation for them is positive examples of Christ's joy in your own life.

Don't stress out when you're composing these as if each one needs to be singularly powerful. Just whip them out one after another, and let the cumulative effect of your satisfaction in God gather up in your child's inbox. God's word is never proclaimed in vain.

10. Take them to lunch.

If possible, don't let your only interaction with your child be electronic. Get together with him face to face if you can. You may think this is stressful and uncomfortable, but trust me that it's far worse to be in the child's shoes—he is experiencing all the same discomfort, but compounded by guilt. So if he is willing to get together with you for lunch, praise God, and use the opportunity.

It will feel almost hypocritical to talk about his daily life, since what you really care about is his eternal life, but try to anyway. He needs to know you care about all of him. Then, before lunch is over, pray that the Lord will give you the gumption to ask about his soul. You don't know how he'll respond. Will he roll his eyes like you're an idiot? Will he get mad and leave? Or has God been working in him since you talked last? You don't know until you risk asking.

(Here's a note to parents of younger children: Set up regular times to go out to eat with your kids. Not only will this be valuable for its own sake, but also, if they ever enter a season of rebellion, the tradition of meeting with them will already be in place and it won't feel weird to ask them out to lunch. If a son has been eating out on Saturdays with his dad since he was a tot, it will be much harder for him later in life to say no to his father's invitation—even as a surly nineteen-year-old.)

11. Take an interest in their pursuits.

Odds are that if your daughter is purposefully rejecting Christ, then the way she spends her time will probably disappoint you. Nevertheless, find the value in her interests, if possible, and encourage her. You went to her school plays and soccer games when she was ten; what can you do now that she's twenty to show that you still really care about her interests?

Jesus spent time with tax collectors and prostitutes, and he wasn't even related to them. Imitate Christ by being the kind of parent who will put some earplugs in your pocket and head downtown to that dank little nightclub where your daughter's CD release show is. Encourage her and never stop praying that she will begin to use her gifts for Jesus' glory instead her own.

12. Point them to Christ.

This can't be over-stressed. It is the whole point. No strategy for reaching your son or daughter will have any lasting effect if the underlying goal isn't to help them know Jesus.

Jesus.

It's not so that they will be good kids again; it's not so that they'll get their hair cut and start taking showers; it's not so that they'll like classical music instead of deathcore; it's not so that you can stop being embarrassed at your weekly Bible study; it's not so that they'll vote conservative again by the next election; it's not even so that you can sleep at night, knowing they're not going to hell.

The only ultimate reason to pray for them, welcome them, plead with them, email them, eat with them, or take an interest in their interests is so that their eyes will be opened to Christ.

And not only is he the only point—he's the only hope. When they see the wonder of Jesus, satisfaction will be redefined. He will replace the pathetic vanity of the money, or the praise of man, or the high, or the orgasm that they are staking their eternities on right now. Only his grace can draw them from their perilous pursuits and bind them safely to himself—captive, but satisfied.

He will do this for many. Be faithful and don't give up.

Well said. Thank you, Abraham Piper

Salvation Passages

God Desires for Everyone to Be Saved
Ezek. 33:11;12; 1 Tim. 2:3-4; Titus 2:11; 2 Pet. 3:9;
Jesus Died for All So Anyone Can Be Saved
Jn 1:29; 1 Tim. 2:5-6; 2 Pet. 2:1; 1 Jn 2:1-2;
God Invites Everyone/Anyone to Be Saved
Isa. 45:22; Matt. 11:28-30...; Rom. 10:12-13; Rev. 22:17
Jesus Is the Only Way to be Saved
Jn 3:36; 14:6; Acts 4:12; 10:42-43; 1 Cor. 3:11; 1 Tim 2:5; 1 Jn 5:11; Revelation 7:8;9;10; 21:24-26;27

Commands to Believers

1. Abstain from all appearances of evil. 1 Thess. 5:22

2. Abstain from all fleshly lusts. 1 Pet. 2:11

3. Avoid troublemakers. Rom. 16:17

4. Avoid profane and vain babblings. 1 Tim. 6:20

5. Avoid false science. 1 Tim. 6:20

6. Avoid foolish questions. Titus 3:9

7. Avoid arguments about the law. Titus 3:9

8. Be reconciled to a brother. Matt. 5:24

9. Be wise as serpents. Matt. 10:16

10. Be harmless as doves. Matt. 10:16

11. Be thankful. Col. 3:15

12. Be patient toward all men. 1 Thess. 5:14 ; 2 Tim. 2:24

13. Be ready to give an answer of the hope that is in you. 1 Pet. 3:15

14. Be transformed. Rom. 12:2

15. Be patient in tribulation. Rom. 12:12

16. Be children in [avoiding] malice. 1 Cor. 14:20

17. Be men in understanding. 1 Cor. 14:20

18. Be steadfast. 1 Cor. 15:58

19. Be unmovable. 1 Cor. 15:58

20. Be always abounding in God’s work. 1 Cor. 15:58

21. Be of one mind. Rom. 12:16

22. Be separate from the unclean. 2 Cor. 6:17

23. Be angry and sin not. Eph. 4:26

24. Be filled with the Spirit. Eph. 5:18

25. Be anxious for nothing. Phil. 4:6

26. Be an example to other believers. 1 Tim. 4:12

27. Be gentle to all men. 2 Tim. 2:24

28. Be ready to teach. 2 Tim. 2:24

29. Be content with what you have. Heb. 13:5

30. Be vigilant. 1 Pet. 5:8

31. Do not be like the hypocrites in prayer. Matt. 6:5

32. Do not be afraid of men. Luke 12:4

33. Do not be conformed to this world. Rom. 12:2

34. Do not be children in understanding. 1 Cor. 14:20

35. Do not be deceived by evil companions. 1 Cor. 15:33

36. Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. 2 Cor. 6:14–18

37. Do not be drunk with wine. Eph. 5:18

38. Do not be weary in well-doing. 2 Thess. 3:13

39. Do not be slothful. Heb. 6:12

40. Do not be influenced by strange doctrines. Heb. 13:9

41. Beware of false prophets. Matt. 7:15 ; Phil. 3:2

42. Beware of [evil] men. Matt. 10:17

43. Beware of covetousness. Luke 12:15

44. Beware of backsliding. 2 Pet. 3:17

45. Do not bid false teachers Godspeed. 2 John 1:10–11

46. Bring up children in the Lord. Eph. 6:4

47. Cast your cares upon God. 1 Pet. 5:7

48. Have confidence in God. Heb. 10:35

49. Come out from among the world. 2 Cor. 6:17

50. Count it joy when you are tempted. James 1:2

51. Treat others as you expect to be treated. Matt. 7:12

52. Desire the milk of the Word. 1 Pet. 2:2

53. Do all to God’s glory. 1 Cor. 10:31 ; Col. 3:17, 23

54. Do all things without murmuring or disputing. Phil. 2:14

55. Earnestly contend for the faith. Jude 1:3

56. Give no place to Satan. Eph. 4:27

57. Give thanks. Eph. 5:20 ; Phil. 4:6

58. Give time to reading. 1 Tim. 4:13

59. Give no offense. 1 Cor. 10:32

60. Give freely. 2 Cor. 9:6–7

61. Give as God has prospered. 1 Cor. 16:2

62. Give willingly. 2 Cor. 8:12

63. Give purposely. 2 Cor. 9:7

64. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit. Eph. 4:30

65. Grow in grace. 2 Pet. 3:18

66. Have no fellowship with darkness. Eph. 5:11

67. Have compassion. Jude 1:22

68. Have a good conscience. 1 Pet. 3:16

69. Hold forth the Word of life. Phil. 2:16

70. Hold fast sound words. 2 Tim. 1:13

71. Honor fathers. Eph. 6:2

72. Honor mothers. Matt. 19:19

73. Honor widows. 1 Tim. 5:3

74. Honor rulers. 1 Pet. 2:17

75. Lay aside all envy. 1 Pet. 2:1

76. Lay aside all evil speaking. 1 Pet. 2:1

77. Do not lay up treasures on earth. Matt. 6:19

78. Let your light shine. Matt. 5:16

79. Let everyone deny himself. Matt. 16:24

80. Let him share with the needy. Luke 3:11

81. Let everyone obey civil laws. Rom. 13:1

82. Let no man deceive himself. 1 Cor. 3:18

83. Let everyone examine himself at communion. 1 Cor. 11:28

84. Let your requests be made known to God. Phil. 4:6

85. Let your speech be with grace. Col. 4:6

86. Do all things in decent order. 1 Cor. 14:40

87. Let those who are taught support the teacher. Gal. 6:6

88. Let wives be subject to their Husbands. Eph. 5:22 ; Col. 3:18

89. Let husbands love their wives. Eph. 5:25

90. Let wives reverence their husbands. Eph. 5:33

91. Let everyone be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. James 1:19

92. Let the afflicted pray. James 5:13

93. Let the adorning of women be more inward than outward. 1 Pet. 3:3–4

94. Don’t let the left hand know what the right hand is doing. Matt. 6:3

95. Do not let sin reign in the body. Rom. 6:12

96. Do not let the sun go down on your wrath. Eph. 4:26

97. Follow things that edify. Rom. 14:19

98. Walk in the Spirit. Gal. 5:25

99. Do not provoke one another. Gal. 5:26

100. Do not be weary in well-doing. Gal. 6:9

101. Come boldly to the throne of grace. Heb. 4:16 ; Heb.10:19–21-23

102. Do not forsake assembling together in worship. Heb. 10:25

103. Exhort one another. Heb. 10:25

104. Lay aside every weight. Heb. 12:1

105. Run with patience the race before us. Heb. 12:1

106. Look to Jesus. Heb. 12:2

107. Offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually. Heb. 13:15

108. Do not judge one another in doubtful things. Rom. 14:1

109. Do not cause others to stumble. Rom. 14:13

110. Mark troublemakers. Rom. 16:17 ; Phil. 3:17

111. Pray for your persecutors. Matt. 5:44 ; Luke 6:28

112. Pray for laborers. Matt. 9:38 ; Luke 10:2

113. Present your body to God. Rom. 12:1

114. Put on the new man. Eph. 4:24 ; Col. 3:10

115. Put on the whole armor of God. Eph. 6:11, 13

116. Do not quench the Spirit. 1 Thess. 5:19

117. Consider yourself dead to sin. Rom. 6:11

118. Redeem the time. Eph. 5:16

119. Resist the devil. James 4:7 ; 1 Pet. 5:9

120. Restore backsliders in meekness. Gal. 6:1

121. Strengthen feeble knees. Heb. 12:12

122. Study to show yourself approved to God. 2 Tim. 2:15

123. Take no anxious thought of tomorrow. Matt. 6:34

124. Take the Lord’s Supper. 1 Cor. 11:24–26

125. Be careful not to despise little ones. Matt. 18:10

126. Be aware of yourself and your doctrine. 1 Tim. 4:16

127. Withdraw from disorderly people. 2 Thess. 3:6, 14

When I find that I am Being Self-centered

Today I read: Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4
What is the purpose of life?

Life is preparation for eternity. We were not made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in Heaven. One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body -- but not the end of me.

I may live to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillions of years in eternity. This is the warm-up act - the dress rehearsal. God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity...

We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense.

Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one. The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort; God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy. We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ likeness.

No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on. And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for.

You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems: If you focus on your problems, you're going into self-centeredness, which is 'my problem, my issues, my pain.' But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others.

You have to learn to deal with both the good and the bad of life. Actually, sometimes learning to deal with the good is harder.

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.Romans 12:9-21


(Excerpts above are from a Rick Warren interview some years back.)

Win A Bible Contest

Verse:
John 3:16; Jn 3:16; John 3

Keyword:
Salvation, Jesus, Gospel

With Operators:
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Dean Jones, what a life!

Dean Jones was born on January 25th 1931 in Alabama. He is most widely known for his role in many Disney movies including the Volkswagen Beetle called Herbie.

But please don't say, "Oh that guy" just yet. His Christian testimony is worth a much closer look.

Dean became a Christian in 1973. This was near the time of his father’s death, he also endured a divorce from his first wife Mae Entwisle, and remarried in 1973 to actress Lory Patrick Jones. He has appeared in several Christian films. These are among his greatest works in my opinion. My favorite is his stage performance where he toured as a one man show known as St. John in Exile. In this production, Jones portrayed St. John, the last surviving Apostle of Jesus Christ, reminiscing about his life while imprisoned on the Greek island of Patmos. A performance was filmed in 1996. In 1998 Jones founded the Christian Rescue Committee (CRC), an organization that helps provide a "way of escape to Jews, Christians, and others persecuted for their faith." He is semi-retired and currently lives in California.

I would not have known about his greatest work, St. John in exile had I not stumbled across it in the Family Christian books store. I bought a copy for $6.98, and was blown away at what he does with the character. This is a great demonstration of the talent of Dean Jones as he portrays the follower of Jesus, known also as John the Beloved disciple.

The jacket on the DVD puts it this way:
Imprisoned, John the last living disciple of Jesus' twelve, remains full of humor, strong in spirit and obstinately spry.

Dean Jones demonstrates an intriguing perspective on a follower of Christ who is credited as the writer of five of the New Testament books. This performance is entertaining, intriguing and true to the biblical accounts surrounding the life of John.

If you can find it, you will have a great treasure for the family library. If you are into acting you can really learn from watching this master! This is a life changing presentation and what I would consider Dean Jones' best theatrical work! I hope you find it buy it, watch it and be amazed! I know I was.

Now I am looking for my copy of Acts , where he performs as Dr. Luke telling the book of Acts. I didn’t know that was him! I am glad I learned about this Alabama born, Christian reborn man who uses his gift to draw us into the life of Christ.

www.FathersLoveLetter.com

FATHER'S LOVE LETTER

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is.Will you be my child? John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad.

Father's Love Letter used by permission Father Heart Communications Copyright 1999-2009

http://www.fathersloveletter.com

Bible Study Magazine

I am enjoying the new venture by Logos called Bible Study Magazine. Follow the links to learn more.

Bible Study Magazine and Eternal Perspective Ministries are giving away 40 signed copies of Randy Alcorn’s book, Heaven. Not only that, but they're also giving away five subscriptions to Bible Study Magazine and a copy of their Bible Study Library software! Enter to win on the Bible Study Magazine Randy Alcorn page, then take a look at all the cool tools they have to take your Bible study to the next level!

Knowing Your Purpose

We should always be proud of who God has made us to be and never allow the voice of discouragement to make us wish we were someone else. God has created each of us as an original and unique being equipped with special gifts and talents that no one else possesses. You are on this earth for a reason and only you have the tools that are required to accomplish every dream and aspiration that God has placed within your heart. You must see yourself as God sees you; as special and one-of-a-kind. Never doubt your existence or your abilities. Trust that God will reveal to you your life's purpose and when He does be quick to follow and obey where He leads because it is sure to be a place prepared to bless you more than you are able to think or even imagine. Some great verses to meditate on:

Romans 12:3, 4, 5-6, 7-8
Jeremiah 29:11,12,13
Isaiah 30:21
1 Peter 2:9, 10

Philippians 2:13-14,15,
Psalm 8:3-4,5,
Romans 8:35-36,37

ARE YOU JESUS?

A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago. They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night dinner. Running through the airport with their briefcases in hand, one of these salesmen inadvertently knocked over a table which held a display of apples. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to barely reach the plane just in time for the final boarding call.

All but one.

He paused, took a deep breath, got in touch with his feelings, and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned. He told his buddies to go on without him, waved good-bye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived home and explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor.

He was glad he did.

The 16-year-old girl was totally blind. She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her--no one stopping and no one to care for her plight. The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket. When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said, "Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did. Are you okay?"

She nodded through her tears. He continued on, "I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly."
As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, "Mister..."
He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued, "Are you Jesus?"
He stopped in mid-stride. Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: "Are you Jesus?"

Do people mistake you for Jesus? That's our destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace. If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would. Knowing Him is more than simply quoting Scripture and going to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day.

You are the apple of His eye even though we, too, have been bruised by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked up you and me on a hill called Calvary and paid in full for our damaged fruit.

--author unknown

Why Memorize Scripture using Scripture Release?

I loved this: It's listed on their website as "The Hard Sell"

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Excuses are over! It is past time that you get off your pew-flattened backside and get down with your life as a redeemed, heaven-bound child of God. The two biggies in the faith are: The Word and Prayer. In other words, listening to God and talking to God. Scripture Release is all about the listening part. It is a “first step” only! But it is a powerful step. Why? The verses in the Topical Memory System were carefully, prayerfully chosen many years ago because they are bottom-line for believers. You need to know them word-for-word along with their references! You need to think about them and use them everyday. The Scripture Release! project makes it so easy it’s almost embarrassing. We have transformed these verses into 24 easy songs! They are like commercials. Short, color-filled and to the point. (BTW: How much of your day has already been invested in TV?!) Of course, there may be those who are waiting for the Puff Doggie version so that they can keep their toon files tight. Well, get over it! It isn’t going to happen! You need to take your sticky little fingers to the download page now and get started!

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You can have these verses nailed in three weeks without even trying!! Why, you might even see some of your friends come to Christ. (What a thought!!)

Foolishness is at the heart of neglecting the Word. Think about the passages below.
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Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. Psalm 119:97,98

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 1:23 & 1 Peter 2:2

I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread. Job 23:12

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. Psalm 19:7-8

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4

The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip. Psalm 37:30-31

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:4-5,6-7

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; Deuteronomy 11:18a

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ...Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:13, Ephesians 6:17

As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. Acts 17:2-3a

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. John 15:7

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:1-2,3

Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Acts 17:11

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I couldn't have said it any better! These verses have changed me and revitalized my walk with my Savior! Get busy! If you need more encouragement than this you had better call me! By the way, the mp3 downloads are free!!!

What do I find that is so appealing about Jesus?

It's not just a fascination with events recorded in a book from long ago. Jesus is alive today and is interested in me and every detail of my life! He's there when nobody else can be. He knows me completely like no one can and yet He still loves me! He helps me with even the most trivial of things. "What socks will I wear today, Jesus?" He knows me on the inside better than any piece of technology than any science could ever develop. He heals me and sets me free from the pain of my sin. He has given Himself totally for me and I long to do the same for Him. He restores me to fellowship with my Creator. He reminds me how to live victoriously! He forgives me and guides me back when I lose my focus from Him. He reveals to me the nature and character of God, my loving Heavenly Father who will judge sin. Because Jesus rescued me, I now know love and His strength in the midst of my weakness. He completes me and makes me whole -- emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. He is my source for joy even when I am in the temporary throws of life's turmoil. Knowing Jesus brings stability and meaning to my life. I am glad that Jesus is my friend and my Hero. When I hurt, He heals, if I stumble he picks me up, brushes me off and puts me back into His service. If Jesus ever left me, I wouldn't move again until He found me. I don't want to breath the air where Jesus is not. Jesus makes life so worth living and amazingly simple, I am ready to follow Him right out of this world when He chooses. As long as I am here I will follow Him and honor Him with the life He gives me. God teaches me that life is very simple --I want to love God with all my heart, and people as myself. I hope you know Him too. I hope we can learn more about Him from each other.

Today, I am reminded:

For those in need of a mother, He tenderly cares for us. (Luke 1:76-79; 1 Thessalonians 2:7)

For those in need of a father, He confidently and gently leads us. (Psalm 23:1-2, 3-4, 5-6)

For those in need of relationships, He loves us. (1 John 4:10)

For those in need of compassion, He weeps for us. (Philippians 2:1-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-11)

For those in need of a Savior, He died for us all. (Luke 1:46-48, 49-50; Titus 3:4-5, 6-7)

Jesus is definitely worth knowing! If you would like to know Him, I would be glad to introduce you to Him. If I you see me and I seem to be wandering away from Him for even a moment please point me back in His direction. Without Jesus I would be lost and destined for hell.

Thank you King Jesus for saving me!