Not of This World

  In the world but not of it?

  

  How can we as believers live in this world and not be a part of it?

  Believers in Jesus Christ are simply in the world—physically present—but not of it, not part of its values. As believers, we should be set apart from the world. This is the meaning of being holy and living a holy, righteous life—to be set apart. We are not to engage in the sinful activities the world promotes, nor are we to allow our minds to be corrupted by worldly views. Rather, we are to conform ourselves, and our minds, to that of Jesus Christ. This is a daily activity and commitment.

JOHN 17:14-15

   I have given them your teaching. And the world has hated them. The world hated these men, because they don't belong to the world, the same as I don't belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world. But I am asking that you keep them safe from the Evil One.

ROMANS 12:1-2

   Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-- this is your spiritual act of worship. 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.

   Being in the world means we can enjoy God's creation. The sunrises, mountain ranges, the smell of flowers or the taste of fresh honey on hot bread. This is being IN the world. 

    Being apart (set aside) from the world means we do not conform to this worlds values or morals. 

    How else can we be a light in the dark if we are not set apart, different from those who are lost??

  In my life I have been both in the world and of the the world. Seeking worldly pleasures and riches. To be in and of the world, we become committed to making ourselves priority number one. Once we are no longer of the world, we have put God first above all else.

   Once I totally surrendered to the Holy Spirit, all things became clearer. I was a very lost puppy, whose heart had become hardened by the world. I have written some of my testimony. All my past was covered by the blood Jesus shed on the cross. Praise His name that he didn't pick and choose which transgressions he would forgive and which he would not, He forgave ALL of them.

   I challenge you to "set yourself apart" from this world and live for Jesus. Make a difference in this world by being different then everyone else. Allow Jesus to be seen thru you. 

  This is by no means the easy way, the easy way is just go with the flow of the world as it spins itself into destruction. Stand for Jesus. Stand for your faith. No compromise. Spread the good news of Jesus to all nations my brothers and sisters. Never judge....always with love and compassion. The same love and compassion that Jesus gives us every minute of everyday. God Bless

Rebel Deacon

    I was given this nickname when I was a Deacon in the Baptist church. I guess you could say it fit....long hair, tattoos and rode a custom Harley. The wife and I kind of thought it was pretty neat... for a while. The more we thought about it, tho I dressed the part, I didn't want to be rebellious to what God had for me going forward.

  Remember (if your old enough) the movie with Marlon Brando,  "The Wild One"

Mildred (girl in cafe) asked Brando "What are you rebelling against?"
Brando answers "What do you got"


  The more I thought about it, the more I felt that wasn't me and when we changed churches I dropped the alias. I just wanted to be me. I wanted to follow Jesus where ever he led me, I'm not a "rebel"..... well I didn't think I was.

  If you have read some of my past post, you may see a trend. I'm not into compromise when it comes to God's word. I'm also not really tolerant about some of the more politically correct things going on in my country or with Christian Churches. Call me old fashion, but I never once heard in the Bible Jesus being politically correct, or watering down His message so not to offend someone. Our loving Savior always spoke with love and forgiveness. He didn't judge them out of the sin...He loved it out of them.

  So I guess when it comes down to it, I must be some type of a "rebel". Jesus was a rebel in His day. He spoke out against the corruption in the temple; He loved and forgave the adulteress and he dined with prostitutes and tax collectors. Praise God that he sent His Son for "those" people, people just like me.....and you. To love us and forgive us every time we stumble or fall into sin. He picks us back up, dust the dirt away, holds us close and tells us how much He loves us. Then He forgets we ever fell in the first place.... isn't that just awesome!!!

  My ministry is to spread His message to all! Even those who feel they have really blown it and Jesus could never care or love for them again. He can and He does.

  If your reading this, or someone sent this to you, it is because they care about you and I do too. Your not forgotten. The blood that covered my sins, covers yours too. How do I know? The Bible tells us over and over about God's love for us and His forgiveness.

  King David "a man after God's own heart" was a murderer, an adulterer. He broke the commandments. When he realized (thank you Nathan the prophet) that he had sinned and totally blown it. He asked for God's forgiveness, he repented of his sins and God forgave him. He does the same for all of us who slip and make mistakes.

  I know some of you that are reading this may have been "saved" at an early age, or maybe you fell away after some time, I know I did and it was a tough road getting back to the path He had for me, but I made it and so can you. It's about developing a relationship with Him. You can know the guy down the street but not have a relationship. Jesus wants to have a relationship with you and I.

  The road coming back is a hard one, I'm not going to lie to you, but my brothers and my sisters it is so worth every step. That I can promise you.

  Rebel Deacon mmmm I think I like it more now then before, maybe one day it will be Rebel Reverend???? Brothers, Sisters.. I love you

Testimony of Love and Forgiveness, my own.

Ever wondered 'how did I get in this mess?", or maybe " why me?"?

   I know those sayings all too well. There was a point in my life where I felt it did not matter what I did, I was going to make someone mad. There were times in my life where I decided I was going to live for me and take care of number one. Times where I considered "morals" as just guidelines, good ideas. They could be stretched, re-arranged to fit what ever I wanted them to look like.

 I was living the life!!........but joy,happiness in this setting was for a moment only and fleeting.

  I came to know my Lord at a young age. I truly believe I understood what that meant at the time. I went to church every Sunday, memorized the scriptures and even taught a senior adult Bible class one Sunday when I was 16. I was on the right path, on fire for Jesus. Witnessing to fellow students.
  Then something happen. Sundays were hard to get up and get ready for, the message that was being taught became boring. Pretty soon I was that guy on the back row paying more attention to my girlfriend and ignoring the Word. Church became a place to meet girls and socialize. I really believed that I liked it better this way.
   The following years since then has seen me go through two divorces, drinking, and living life to the max for me. I thought that the more money I could bring into my account would make me happier. The more things I owned would surely make me more joyful. Wasn't working to well for me. Well maybe if I had the right car, the expensive watch and the big brick house I would be happy. I mean wouldn't anybody be happy with all of that??? The job, the car, the house and the prestige that comes with it all. I thought so.......then it all changed in the blink of an eye.

  In the blink of an eye we were both out of work. I was trying to work with her dad in his business. Her dad and I are very much alike..so we did not see things eye to eye on a few things......well most things. Ok almost all things we disagreed. We were struggling to make ends meet, our dogs (all three) had the mange. My wife and I fought constantly. I can still remember all the yelling. This went on for a year or better, we had only been married for 8 months when camelot came crashing down and the hurricanes and fires hit our marriage. This wasn't what I wanted. Third is suppose to be the charm...right?

A break in the storm.......

   My mother invited my wife to a "Beth Moore" concert/bible study a coupe hours away. My wife jumped at the chance to get away. While my wife was away that long weekend I had a chance to really reflect on what was important in my life and what I needed to change. When my loving wife returned from being gone for a few days, the first words were not "I love you" or "I miss you" that I was hoping to hear but instead........

 " I rededicated and gave my heart and my life to Jesus! Are you coming with me? "

  I didn't see that coming. I don't do well with threats or ultimatums and will usually get very defensive and aggressive when that happens. So many things went thru my mind.."what did my mom do to her?", "it's a trick women's question, be careful what you say". I open my mouth and said.......

....yes.

  It wasn't til a few years later that I learned from my lovely wife that she had intended to leave me that weekend, she was done with me, tired of all the problems, tired of the fights and tired of being broke. My moms invitation was just the break she needed before she made her break. On her way home from the Beth Moore study that weekend she had decided that only "one" answer would be acceptable when she asked "Are you coming with me?", a no, or well maybe, lets talk about it; would not have worked. She was prepared to leave me that very second if I had not open my mouth and let Jesus said "yes!" It wasn't me but it was Jesus coming to my rescue after so many years of denying him and ignoring him, he was there in my true hour of need!
  We were both on our knees praying and re-dedicating our lives to Christ.

  ......and they lived happily ever after. The End

 Well not quite. we have still had our moments of discussions and disagreements. She has forgiven me more times then she should have had to but we have both kept our eyes on Jesus. I can honestly say without a doubt that I am happier now then I ever have been. I am more in love with my wife today then ever before. Forgiven

  Maybe another time I will go into deeper details about my sordid past. What I really want you to see is.. it does not matter to Jesus what your past is, it doesn't matter what you have done. He loves you! You are forgiven! Brake the chains that are binding you. You are worthy! You are one of His!
 Too many times Christians fall short and feel that they blew it and there is no more redemption...WRONG! Step out of the dark, leave the chains that have kept you bound. Your sins are no different then mine or anyone else. Do you think Christ died on the cross for only a few sins?? or maybe He died for only a select few? NO. His blood covers all! Turn your eyes back to Him.

Drawn to Him

Jeremiah 31:3 “The LORD appeared to us in the past saying ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love. I have drawn you with loving-kindness’”

 I had read that scripture many times, but in January 2010 the Holy Spirit brought it back to me and opened it up in a new way that gave me hope in a very difficult time in my life.  He opened up the word "draw" for me, unveiling it like a beautiful treasure that He framed in the context of His everlasting love and His loving-kindness.  The actual word in Hebrew is "masak", and in its general definition, it means to drag or extend, but He wanted me to go deeper and what I discovered changed me, delighted me as He showed me yet another dimension of His love. 

Draw; to gather up with gentleness and tenderness and hold close, like a small child scared in the dark, a loving parent will gather her up, tenderly hold her close and speak soothing words to calm and comfort.  Can you picture Papa God doing that with you? That’s what He said, just there in Jeremiah 31:3. 

But, it gets better, draw can also mean to pull along, to cause to move forward by a force applied in advance of the thing.  As only God can do in His everlasting love, as He knows our end from our beginning, He will apply the force in advance to move us forward.  He does not make it up as He goes along, He does not push, He in His love knows you so intimately, that He does in advance just exactly what you need to move forward, more and more into His love.

When we get in too deep and the waters and the enemy threatens to overtake our whole life, He will draw us out of the deep waters, He will pull us up, up above our circumstance, onto the solid Rock, the     Foundation we have in Christ Jesus.

This is a good one, to draw can mean to bring by compulsion.  Ever feel Him draw you to Him even though you were kicking and screaming?  Even if it was away from the edge of the cliff or from the trap of the enemy?  I’ve watched Him to that.  I’ve watched Him patiently and firmly pull one of His children, kicking and screaming from the jaws of the enemy who was just about to devour and destroy one of His precious children. 

And in contrast, I’ve seen the LORD move slowly, extend gradually, draw one of His own with consummate love and tenderness back into His will, His path.  There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.   He will go to great length to draw us back to Him, to win us, to attract us, to invite us to come near. 

Then just as the sail of a sail boat will draw the Wind…… To be filled with the Wind so it can advance on, He will fill us with the fullness of the Holy Spirit, enabling us to move forward. Does He not tell us He will  take us from glory to glory?

In the depth of this simple word, I found no trace of a God Who tolerates me, puts up with me, or looks at me as an obligation, I see an amazing love that spans time, past, future and current.  I see a Papa God who is always for me, Who will never let go and is not far away. 

I challenge you to take a step back and ask Him, how has He drawn you?  Then let Him show you how He draws His precious child who He loves with an everlasting love.

Unconditional Forgiveness For All

   Simon Peter denied Christ three times.

Mark 14:66-72


 ⁶⁶ While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. ⁶⁷ When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.
   “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.
 ⁶⁸ But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.
 ⁶⁹ When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” ⁷⁰ Again he denied it.
   After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”
 ⁷¹ He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”
 ⁷² Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

  John 18:15-18

¹⁵ Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, ¹⁶ but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in. ¹⁷ “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter.
   He replied, “I am not.”
 ¹⁸ It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.
 John 18:25-27

²⁵ Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?”

   He denied it, saying, “I am not.”
 ²⁶ One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” ²⁷ Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.


Matthew 26:69-75


 ⁶⁹ Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.
 ⁷⁰ But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
 ⁷¹ Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
 ⁷² He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”
 ⁷³ After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”
 ⁷⁴ Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”
   Immediately a rooster crowed. ⁷⁵ Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

  Peter denies Jesus three times. First to a servant girl, next to another servant girl (with witnesses) and the third time it was a servant from the high priest. This time Peter felt trapped and cursed that he did not know Him.

  Betrayal from a disciple that told Jesus just hours before that he would follow him to prison and even to death.

Luke 22:33

   ³³ But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”

 

  Jesus tells Peter that when he has turn back to Him and his brothers to strengthen them in faith. Jesus forgave him even before he had sinned against Him.

  Let me say that again, let it sink in, soak in it. "Jesus forgave him before he had sinned against Him"

  We serve an awesome God that offers forgiveness before we even know we needed it.

John 21:15-19

  ¹⁵ When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter,“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

   “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
   Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
 ¹⁶ Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
   He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
   Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
 ¹⁷ The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
   Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
   Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. ¹⁸ Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” ¹⁹ Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”


   Jesus forgave Peter completely, it was forgotten! He went on to send Peter out to spread the Gospel. Peter was the rock that His church would be built on. Amazing the man who denied Him in His hour of need, He had unconditional love and forgiveness.


   Have you ever felt that you have sinned beyond redemption? The blood that Jesus shed only covered some sins and not all? Who told you that????


  Jesus was crucified for all of our sins. True forgiveness.


  The next time you transgress, stumble or fall, ask for forgiveness and put it in your past. Christ has already forgotten all about it.


  My brothers and sisters I love you. I want you to know the freedom and grace He has given me. The amazing forgiveness and unconditional love that He has in abundance for all who ask and follow Him.

New Breed Believers taking cues from the First Believers

We preach:
Atonement, not attainment
Relationship, not religion
The Christ, not the church

We practice:
In matters of morality, purity.
In matters of faith, unity.
In matters of opinion, liberty.

In all things, LOVE.

We are Radical Believers.

The Church today needs:
RENEWAL
REFORMATION
RESTORATION
RECONCILIATION
REUNIFICATION
REVIVAL

Roger Born wrote these declarations in 1996. The Christian Church is still in need today.

   The church that Jesus built is not a religion.
All religions are man-made. Exception is the religion given to the Jews by God.
Jesus ushered in a new covenant, He came to set us free from religion and the
man-made laws.

    Jesus is the head of His church
Jesus placed few commands on his children. Love one another as He first loved us.
Go spread the the good news of Jesus and salvation.
Believers are free to worship Jesus and to serve Him as they feel led by Him.
All other laws and traditions are just that..man-made.
We keep focused on Jesus and the moral questions are easily answered.

   The Secret
If you are more concerned about serving others, rather than yourself, you will be very careful for their feelings, their conscience, and their souls. This is"Hesed". What is "hesed"? This is a Hebrew word that has no Greek equivalent.  It has many meanings. It means...service, servitude, loving-kindness or gratitude. The angels visiting Abraham were shown Hesed. The angels showed Hesed to Lot in taking him to safety. Boaz showed it to Ruth; Rahab to the spies and God to the Jews in dealing with them as a nation or a person. These were all Old Testament examples. What about in the New Testament? The word Hesed is never used. As stated before there isn't a word that is equivalent in the Greek language. Strange how such a powerful word could not be translated, but there is a solution.....Jesus is Hesed but first Jesus is LOVE.

  We do need unity in the church, but we need this unity to come about without compromising what Jesus taught. We need more radical believers to step up and be counted, take a stand for what you know is right.

Radical Believers

Have you noticed? God is raising an army.


  Radical Believers are popping up all around. A new breed of Christians wanting the truth, the solid truth without all the trimmings. Believers who want to follow Jesus without compromise. Believers who want to share the Gospel without compromise!
   The radical believers who are coming will not look like the traditional believer. Some will have long hair or no hair. Some will have tattoos and piercings. The radical believer may look like a business man, in a suit with a short haircut. They all have the same desire in common....to share the message of Jesus, to help other Believers develop a stronger relationship with God.

  How many souls are not going to church for fear of judgement? How many avoid church because they have been beaten up by "religion"? How many use the excuse that the members are hypocrites, pretenders? One person on Sunday and another the other six days of the week?
   Just want to tell them to "get over it" and go to church anyway?? How's that working? Church attendance has been dropping steadily over the past several years. Churches are filing bankruptcy. Is it working yet?

   Are you a Radical Believer? Being a Radical Believer means to believe Love and Forgiveness not tolerance and compromise.
    Radical believers don't care what you look like or how much money you have in a portfolio. The care about your soul, your heart and your relationship with God.

  What are we really talking about? We are talking about the Believers of the first church. Everywhere they taught the Gospel, anywhere where these believers lived their faith. There was radical christianity! This was not because they were religious and adhered to manmade traditions but it was because they truly loved the people.

   They loved people exactly the way Jesus did!


Matthew 5:13-16

    ¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

   ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

  Read the passage from Matthew again.. We are called to be Radical!!

 What made Jesus radical in his day???


   The world taught...hate your enemies.....work hard get rich......forget the poor... and show no mercy.
    Jesus taught....love your enemies....take no thought about tomorrow...give to others and show mercy.


   We are not called to be religious. We are not called to judge others. We are not called to force our opinions on others.
   We are called to be radical. We are called to love others, we are called to forgive others, we are called to share Jesus with others.

 Who do you want to be?

Christians Compromised

2 Timothy 4:3-4 (New Living Translation)

 ³ For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. ⁴ They will reject the truth and chase after myths.


 Are the days of fire and brimstone preaching forever gone? not the scare tactic, but the straight forward truth popular or not.
 Are our pastors, preachers and leaders watering down God's message not to  offend? and possibly lose attendance.
  Is it our pastors job to make us feel good about ourselves every Sunday morning?

Too many Christians are going to church on Sunday to feel better about themselves for not taking a stand. The pulpit over the past several years has come to cater to such non-sense.

 "We have to keep attendance up to pay for the new fellowship hall and the children's building needs a new heating unit"
  "If we offend people, attendance will drop and we won't be able to pay our bills"
  "John Q. Public gives a large check every Sunday in his tithe envelope, don't preach on adultery, he has a girlfriend his wife doesn't know about"

  Who is the head of our Christian church? It was Jesus at one time. Now popular opinion, large givers and self indulgent leaders control the message from the pulpit.

  Jesus loved the sinner but hated the sin. The woman who was to be stoned for adultery. He forgave her, and he told her to sin no more. He loved her and forgave her but told her to sin no more. He didn't say "don't get caught again", "try to stop...ok..please.."
   The political hot button of homosexuality. There are homosexuals in the pulpit of so-called Christian churches and in other leadership positions. Talk about compromise in principles. Let me say this...homosexuality is wrong, get over it.
   Does Jesus love the homosexual??? Yes, no doubt but he hates the sin. Different churches are becoming tolerant and compromising Biblical principles. How can you be a church leader and still think Jesus is ok with being a homosexual? I talked to Jesus this morning and He told me He is not ok with it! but He loves you and is waiting for you to truly follow Him.

  Pro-choice and a Christian? Oxy-moron! Sorry you cannot be both. To be both you have to compromise Jesus's teachings.
  Jane Roe (not her real name) of the Roe vs Wade fame has wished she had never been apart of the circus and theatrics that surrounded the supreme court case. By the way, she has never had an abortion. She was needed to stay pregnant to help the 1973 case. Abortion is killing a child, doesn't matter if it is at conception or a few weeks down the road..it is Murder!

 What has been your compromise today? What have you been tolerant of and not said anything for fear of not being politically correct? Think about this my Christian brothers and sisters,,,, when you remain quiet to situations that do not reflect Biblical principles, you are denying Jesus!!


 Where does this tolerant attitude begin? Why are so many Christians complacent in ability to stand up for what is right? well........

 It all began when our Christian leaders, pastors, preachers and priest decided it was better to be popular instead of being right with Jesus.

Going Deeper (Part 3) Sharing Jesus

Matthew 28:16-20 (The Message)

 ^16-17Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally.
 ^18-20Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age."

  Well that is the great commission that Jesus gave his disciples. So get to it!!!!

  If it were only that easy.........it is really.

  What if I am rejected?? Ok, who are they rejecting? You or Jesus?

     It is not "all about me".

     When you share your faith you are successful 100% of the time. Don't think so?? Think about this. When you plant a seed to grow it needs several things to help it grow to maturity. Water, fertilizer, sunlight. Sometimes we are the ones planting the seeds of salvation and sometimes we are watering a seed left by someone before us. Does it matter which one is our job as long as we do our job?

  I don't know what to say. 


   It is not "all about me"

    Jesus will speak thru you, you just have to trust Him. Start simple. Share your testimony of how you came to Jesus. I have found this to be very effective in getting me to relax and open up to who I am speaking with at the time. Questions begin to flow in the conversation. Surprise you are sharing your faith my friend.

  Who do I talk to? so many out there.


Acts 8 26-40


   This is the story of the Ethiopian and Philip. The Lord told Philip to go and meet him around noon, south of Jerusalem. Sometimes you just know it is right time with the right person. The Holy Spirit works in awesome ways to lead us and help us.
   Maybe it is the person next to you in line, maybe sitting next to you on a plane. It could even be your neighbor you helping with a project. If you are open to sharing your faith, you will have no problems finding opportunities.

  Ok, now what?

  Pray with the person to accept Jesus into their heart. That means they will trust Him. It means they understand that even as a sinner He loved us. Died for our sins, (took our punishment) and was resurrected three days later. They need to understand that this is only the first step. The relationship building with Jesus starts now. 

   Building my relationship with Jesus has been amazing. I have always heard other people say they felt this or saw that. I couldn't understand why I didn't feel the same way. They seem to have a joy and a love that seemed to be manufactured right before they walked into the church. My friend..it is real!! I find that each day I grow closer to Jesus and learn more about Him that I am smiling more and feeling the joy that everyone was talking about.

Please if you have any questions or comments send them our way.

iamforgiven-ministries.com has a page on salvation and answers some of the questions. It is a new website that is under construction. The salvation page on the site is complete. 

  

   

Going Deeper (Part 2) stronger relationship with Jesus

  How do we develop a stronger relationship with Jesus. 

Pray

Get in the Word! (The Bible)

What you put in is what you put out.

Did I mention....Pray.

Pray:

We cometh before thee so we shall'eth be'th sanctified in your most glorious presence'th.

....and bless my dog, my cat and my fish Fred...oh and the ants in the front yard...

Oh Lord I need a million dollars....Amen   ...  tax free??

Sound familiar? Maybe it is you. maybe you have heard prayers similar to these. What is prayer really??

   Prayer in its most simple form is a conversation between you and God. Spoken as you would to a friend sitting next to you on a bench. It's honest and from the heart.

   I have always had a hard time praying out loud. I have found that I am not alone in this phobia either. We need to remember that we are praying to God and not to impress those around us. 

   Start small and go from there......

  I want to go deeper. Amen

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The Bible, the Word! Get in it!! :

  Choices, choices and more choices..... Which translation? Do I need a Life Application Bible or a parallel Bible? 

  Here are just a few choices and their strengths.

The Message - Easy to read in todays language. Reads like a book from a library would.

King James Bible - Tradition literal text. 

New International Version (NIV) Like the King James Bible but in todays language.

Parallel Bible - 2 or more translations on the same page for comparison.

Life Application Study Bible - variety of translations. Study notes emphasize how to live out the principles of scripture instead of the more traditional historical details of that period.

  Which ever you choose, start with the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) at the beginning of the New Testament. Then build from there.

   Read Proverbs in the Old Testament.  Read a proverb a day for 30 days.

   Find a good Bible study.

  Personally I like The Message. It flows like a good story. I have also downloaded different books of the Bible in different translations. I can listen to a book while waiting in line or when out riding. DVD's about the Bible are good also for those of us who need the visual as well as audio.

  Be sure to pray before starting your Bible reading. Ask for understanding.

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  "Garbage in, garbage out" Most of us have heard this expression. It is amazing how true this is in todays life. The movies we watch, the music we listen to and the people we associate with all influence our thinking and our decisions.

 It Is Time For A Change!!

  Have you ever found yourself in a group of people at work or even at church and the conversation starts becoming uncomfortable? Maybe it was gossip about someone, or maybe just every word was dripping with negativity. We are uncomfortable for a reason, something is not right. "If you lie down with dogs you will get up with fleas"

  How do you feel when you watch a good movie. A good moral story about life, a feel good movie. You feel good right? not negative and depressed. Think it is an accident???

  What about the music you listen to or our children? Just take a look at the Billboards top 5 songs for the week of 2/5/2011. 

  Music can set our moods and how we feel about ourselves. The theme to the original Rocky. Listen to it while working out or working on a project and you feel like you could tackle Mount Everest.

  This was not as hard as I thought. It started small and grew from there. People I associate with on a regular basis are a strong Christian influence. What I watch on TV or when we go see a movie, I think about what I want out of this entertainment then ask for guidance and make the right decision. I love music, all types. There are so many different Christian groups that whatever your favorite genre is, it is out there!  By the way, Petra is one of my favorites.

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Did I mention prayer?  Pray!

 The power of prayer can not be measured. Doctors are amazed by it, scientist can not explain it. The power is REAL!

  Here is a challenge. Do the following for 30 days.

1. Read a proverb from the Book of Proverbs each day.

2. Each day pray before you read your Bible, ask for understanding.

3. Before making even the smallest decision ask God for his guidance.

4. Thank God for a glorious day before you go to bed.

5. When you wake up, tell God good morning and ask for his guidance.

Doing the four steps above and the challenge will get you well on your way to developing a stronger relationship with Jesus. I know it works because it is the same steps that I took and I still work on. It is not perfection but progress. If you slip or stumble...don't worry Jesus has you in His arms and will help you on your journey. I'm still traveling on my path and I can say it keeps getting better and better.