God is a loving and forgiving God. He is also just and sin is detrimental to any relationship with him. Sin cannot be in His presence. But, He wants to have a relationship with us and He loves us so much that He provided a way to atone for our sins. As the Israelites, His chosen people, were delivered from the bondage of the Egyptians, a system was created to appease God of sin. That is a long story for another time, but basically, a blood offering was needed, a sacrifice for the sins of the people. But, because of the sins of the people, including the priests, this was needed over and over, every year. Read through Hebrews to learn more about this. So, God the Father, sent His only Son, Jesus, who had no sin, to be that blood sacrifice to redeem all who believe. Jesus Christ came to this earth, becoming fully man and fully God, giving freely His life, taking the sins of the world on His shoulders, being nailed to a cross and being raised from the dead on the third day. He showed true love, unconditional love. Because of what Christ did, we can be forgiven.
Continue reading “Love and Forgiveness”
Marriage and Relationships
What does the Bible say about marriage and relationships? I am no expert (if you want good, expert advice, try Focus on the Family or Family Life Today) and I have many flaws as a husband, but I try to follow what God says how to treat my wife and others. I often fail, but I try. I hope this post will encourage you, whether married or single. God’s Word has much to say about relationships and I would like to share with you a few scriptures to help you be a better husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend or what to look for in one. Marriage is a wonderful thing, created by God, so use wisdom, show love, be kind and honest, take your time, enjoy it, and always put God first and in the center of your life and your relationship. Continue reading “Marriage and Relationships”
Jesus the Greatest Gift
Merry Christmas, everyone! May your hearts and homes be filled and I hope that all of you will have a wonderful time with friends and family this Christmas season! I love the time of opening gifts and seeing joy of others when they receive a gift that they will enjoy. But the greatest gift of all and the greatest blessing is knowing Jesus Christ. Not just knowing who He is, but really knowing Him, having an intimate relationship, a saving relationship with Jesus. It gives me such great joy to see someone make that decision to trust in Jesus. It is overwhelming joy!
That is what Christmas is all about. We celebrate the birth of Jesus (though it may have actually been some time in the fall, not December 25) on this day, not for the opening of presents or gathering of families or the feast or any of that, though that is all great, too, but that Jesus came to this earth to save us from our sins, from eternal damnation, to give us eternal life! Continue reading “Jesus the Greatest Gift”
The World, Idols, and Materialism
Three of the things God despises are worldliness, idolatry and materialism and I think these go hand in hand and are almost synonymous. God wants your complete and total commitment to Him. He does not want to share loyalties with anyone or anything else. He should be the one and only God in our life. We should serve Him and Him alone. Continue reading “The World, Idols, and Materialism”
The Song of Mary
After Mary found out that God had chosen her to give birth to His Son, Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit, she gave this humble proclamation:
Luke 1:46-55
My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His name.
And His mercy is on those who fear Him
From generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich He has sent away empty.
He has helped His servant Israel,
In remembrance of His mercy,
As He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and to his seed forever. Continue reading “The Song of Mary”
My Daily Scriptures 