To all who believe in HIM, He gives the right to become cheldren of God! We can know what God is like by learning what Jesus is like. We can learn what Jesus is like, by looking at us! Can people see Jesus in me? People do observe us to see if we act like a christian. Sometimes that's the measure they use to decide to follow Jesus or not. How do I act?
Jesus has made known everything He heard from His father. We can know it, too, by listening to Jesus and reading about Him in the scriptures. We are Jesus' friends, not His servants.
My body is for the Lord. I must be joined with Him, not with sin. I am united with Him! Honor God with your bodies. My body is a temple of God - He lives in me. I must not abuse His temple!
God cherishes us! The more we know Him, the more we will understand His love for us. We have been chosen by God - we belong, we matter, we have been accepted. We are a part of God's family!
He will send His Holy Spirit to give us the power to be a Christian - the power to be His witness, the power to be filled with Him and share Him with all around us. The Holy Spirit is our strength, our boldness, our helper, our teacher, the revealer of truth. He makes the word of God understandable! We cannot do all that is involved with being a Christian without the helper, God's Holy Spirit!
Jesus says we are the salt and the light of the earth. Salt preserves. It was used as a preservative for meats and perishable foods until refrigeration came along. It heals. Salt can heal wounds. It also makes us thirsty. That's why the bars serve pretzels and nuts - to make us thirsty so we'll order more drinks! The light shows the way. A light house on a dark night is a wonderful sight to sailors who are out at sea - it leads the way to safety. A flashlight can be a lifesaver when there is only darkness. It's so wonderful to be able to swith on a light in a dark room. We are the salt - making people thirsty for more of the spiritual, we are agents of God's healing touch, we teach people how to preserve their heritage in Christ. We are like the light house showing the way to God. "Thy word is a light unto my feet." The light leads the way - out of the darkness and into the light. When we are Christians we are observed!
Each of us is a part of the body of Christ. Each part is important, needed, required for the whole to function right.
We are not judged guilty when we are in Christ. We are not ruled by our sinful selves - we are ruled by the Spirit of God - if that spirit of God really lives in us. Ask Jesus to forgive your sins and allow Him to direct your life. Study the bible to find what God expects you to do.
Our homeland is heaven. We are waiting for Jesus to come and to rule all things. I am important.
Jesus is our intercessor. He intercedes for us when we pray to His Father. He stands between us and the evils of this earth when we ask Him to. No one condemns us. No one can stand against us and win. We only need to call upon the name of our protector, our intercessor - Jesus Christ.
I am a new creature in Christ - the old me is gone! Sometimes that old me tries to come back, but if I repent and stay close to my Jesus and ask the Holy Spirit to fill me anew, I know that old me has gone. I am a new creature.
We have the right to come to the Father through Christ. He raised us up with Christ and gave us a seat with Him in the heavens. And nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate us from God's love. Even when we feel separated, just remember - He hasn't gone anywhere! It is us who have moved away from Him, but He's always there waiting for us to come back. And He welcomes us with open arms.
God is our strength. God made us His chosen people. He sealed us with His spirit to show we are His. He put His spirit in our hearts to be a guarantee for all He has promised. Everything works for the good of those who love Him. He says: "You did not choose me, I chose you. And I give you this command: go and produce fruit, fruit that will last, then the Father will give you anything you ask for in Jesus' name.
I can do all things through Christ who stengthens me. He gives me what I need to accomplish whatever He asks me to do for His Kingdom. Jesus is the vine, we are the branches. Without the vine, the branches die. We can do nothing without Him! With Him we can bear much fruit.
I have been justified (Just as if I'd never sinned) through the blood of Jesus. Jesus paid for our sins and in Him we are forgiven.
We work together with God - do not let the grace you received from God be for nothing. God has made us what we are. He planned in advance what we are to be doing and He has provided the grace to do it. God will perfect what He has begun in me. He ain't finished with me yet!
God has made us His own children. Because of Jesus being sacrificed as the perfect Lamb of God and His precious blood being spilled for me and for you we have been adopted. Adopted into the family of God. We are royalty. We are co-heirs with Jesus to all that the Father has!
Do you know who you are?
39 comments:
I read through all the scriptures that made up "the bell" and wrote down what thoughts I had as I read them. This was the result of what I wrote down. I was amazed as I started to write on here what I had written down. It all just seemed to come together and it is a very powerful teaching and word for us - straight from the scriptures and straight from God, I believe.
Any other thoughts or gleanings from these scriptures?
Thanks Karen for sharing this bell. I got so much out of this little bible study. I hope you all do.
This IS a powerful teaching, Lonnie. The thing (well, one of the things, I guess would be more accurate to say) that I have a hard time believing or at least wrapping my mind around is that once we have committed to Christ and taken Him as our personal Savior, our sins are separated from us as far as the east is from the west. As you put it, we are justified. Maybe it is the old Catholic thinking from when I was young, but I still believe some sins are not forgivable. And the Bible does mention those who will not be in Heaven, and if it is true -- Heaven will be sparsley populated!! I am exceedingly grateful that our God is a forgiving God. Who can help me out on this one? Clarify?
Our God IS a forgiving God. He forgives and forgives and forgives. We must repent and repent and repent. I think that we are "tempted" all the time. There is a war in the heavenlies over our souls. We belong to Jesus, and His Holy Spirit is the seal that makes us God's family. The devil is trying everything he can think of to get us back. And I believe that the closer we are to the return of Jesus, the greater the temptations are, and the more we need to put on the armor of Christ. Read
Ephesians Chapter 6:10-18. Sure, we give in to those temptations from time to time, but we can know our God forgives when we are truly sincere and sorry for those sins. Somewhere in the scriptures it says "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit" and "there is an unforgivable sin". I can't find them right now, but I will and when I do I'll post the book, chapter and verses here. I'm not sure how we grieve the Holy Spirit or what the unforgivable sin is, but I'm supposing it has something to do with turning our backs on who we are in Christ and rejecting Him - after we've known Him and walked with Him awhile. Kind of like Judas. The scriptures also say to keep on resisting the devil and he will flee. When he sees we aren't giving in, he'll go pick on someone else. Any more help on this - anyone? Thanks for the question, Sharon. It gives us something to think about and find the answers to.
Isn't the unforgivable sin denying the Holy Spirit once we have made the committment to follow Christ? However, the Bible does mention (it was when Jesus was speaking) that some won't be in Heaven..it included adulterers and theives and I should find the scripture before I try to talk about it! Probably it means those who continue down those paths without trying to change their ways?? Also, when Jesus calls the child to Him and is speaking that we need to become as children, He does say it will be bad for anyone who causes one of these little ones who believes in Him to stop believing. Sometimes the Bible seems contradictory, huh?
Yes, I think that is right, Sharon. And, since the Holy Spirit, Jesus, and God are one person, whomever commits the unforgivable sin must be rejecting the Holy Spirit, Jesus, and God! Wow!
I found that scripture. It is: Mark 3:28 and 29. This is in other gospels, too. I am wondering if the scripture you are referring to is Matthew 7: 21-23. Also probably other scriptures say that, too.
Thanks for responding. You are very wise.
Sharon - I've been trying to find that scripture about "bring the little children unto me . . . ." and "it will be bad for anyone who causes my little ones to sin . . . " and can't find them. Do you know the book, chapter, and verse?
MATT 18:2-7 (and beyond)
I think that Jesus is speaking both metaphorically (little child = new Christian) and literally (child means innocent child). Either way, he warns not to cause one of these little ones to loose their faith or tempt one of these little ones or harm one.
There is only one way to get to heaven and that is BY GRACE. I don't know the scripture, but I know I did a lengthy bible study on it. I also believe that forgiveness can only come from God. We are not capable of such a thing without Him. I think some people think if you are forgiven it gives you the OK to do whatever. And really, if we know God truly forgives us, then we are in his Presence. We are following HIM. Our hearts are sorrowful and God forgives us and washes away our sins, not because we deserve it. But because He loves us. Our brains can't even fathom this kind of love. That is where faith comes in. The gateway to heaven is by grace!
OH and, Thank you Sharon and Mom for this great insight and scriptures. You are both so wise and knowing. You both have been a blessing in my life with your strong faith. You teach me a lot and for that I am grateful.
I find what you wrote here to be most interesting, Karen. It IS grace that gets us to Heaven, although we have to work on it, too. And the thought about forgiveness and how some people think they are forgiven and can do whatever they want..HOW TRUE!! Me thinks they are a tad bit misguided!! Understanding just what forgiveness means and how you get it and give it has always been perplexing to me. It does come from God as you say, either to yu or through you to someone else.
I think this blog is so interesting and gives insight from more than one perspective. I wish more people would join in, don't you?
I sure do! (wish more people would join in). Karen - your comment on forgiveness is so good. YOU are wise, too. We all learn from each other, and that's what we're supposed to do! any other comments or postings to add to this blog? Thanks for the scripture, Sharon. I think it would be good if we all read that and comment here on what we get out of it. How do you understand this scripture?
From Matthew 18:2 - 7
Think of how a little child is. Jesus said we must change and become like little children. As I pondered this, I thought of how innocent a child is - before the things of the world start making an impression upon them. How trusting a child is. He/she can't even think that anyone would hurt them, or lie to them. They believe. They need us for everything! They are so humble. No pride has set in yet. They look "up" to see us. And jesus tells us we must "change and become like little children." The rest of the story says "Otherwise, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Oh my! I must ask the Lord to help me to take this verse seriously, and help me learn to become as a little child. Teach me innocence, Lord. Teach me to trust and have faith in You. I need not fear or doubt. I need to trust and believe! Teach me to be humble. Forgive me for my pride. I look to you, my God, my Father in heaven, for all my needs. I believe you are my strength, my hope, my Lord. Help me, Lord.
Something to ponder:
Wouldn't life and all of the problems it holds be much, much easierif we learned to trust our Heavenly Father as a child would? We'd not spend time worryig, we'd trust Daddy to take care of it. We'd not worry about the "bullies" who come into our life, we'd know our Daddy was stronger than all of them put together. We'd KNOW without a doubt in our mind that our Daddy would keep all of the promises he made to us. Just think how much easier life would be!!
Sure do wish I could get to that space of trusting as a child does.
Brian - there's a good "assignment" for you - right from the mouth of Jesus, Himself. He said to change and become like the little child. You can observe how the little children are and let us know. What is Jesus talking about?
(Matthew 18 1-4, and more)
This is wonderful stuff and I really enjoy reading it. It really makes me think and ponder, but it is difficult to turn the thoughts into words. I'll give it a try - regarding forgiveness and trust from the perspective of a child... A child so wants to be loved that he trusts and forgives no matter what. He has unconditional love. Maybe this child is GOD. Maybe that is how God feels about each and every one of us. He trusts us, loves us unconditionally, and no matter how much we disappoint and hurt him, he forgives us and loves us still. In turn, we must love our fellow man in this same way. By doing that, we mirror God. A child does not show hate, prejudice, jealousy or greed. That is, until he is taught those things. The devil stepped in and did his dirty work. The child grows and is tested with good versus bad his whole life. It is difficult for him to go back to his Child self, because he has learned mis-trust, prejudice, and hate to name just a few. It is hard for him to forget what he has learned because everyone around him reminds him daily. Then, he looks at the Child (God), and says "please forgive me". He knows that the Child forgives him, but he also knows he must change and keep that Child's trust and forgiveness. For what if one day, the Child learns hate too, and can no longer forgive him for his sins?
Of course, we know the Child (God) will never be overcome by the devil and learn to hate. But what if, just what if, he was so overcome by hurt and mis-trust, that he could no longer forgive? It would be too late for us then.
To make a long analogy short... God loves us unconditionally, makes no judgements, trusts us and forgives us, like a child would. He needs us and depends on us to do his work, just as a child would. But a day of reckoning is coming...
Kay, this is such a refreshing view on the aability of God to forgive and forget. It WOULD be wonderful if all of his children could do the same! And you are correct in saying the day of reckoning is coming - God does correct and/or punish his wayward children.
I have decided to observe children I see wherever I go and see if it helps me know what Jesus was trying to tell us in this scripture - "Unless you change and become like a little child . . . . " I made a good observation today. I'll share it here:
I had hung my coat in the coat room as I entered the new church at Holy Spirit. During mass there were so many little people around us. I had a great opportunity to ponder this. During mass they call forth all the children and they take them to their own level of church in a different part of the church. It was so wonderful to see so many children come forth and Fr blessed them and sent them out. The children truly looked like the baby lambs coming to be blessed and sheparded by our Lord. Then there were the babies. Almost all of them were very content - especially one in front of us being held by his father. You could see the love for the child from the father, and how the baby felt safe and content in his father's arms. Then there was the little girl in the red dress who came back from wherever the children went for their children church, but she was lost looking for her parents. Her daddy saw her and got up and went over and opened his arms and she had that look of relief as she ran into her father's arms. But the best one was when I went back to get my coat. There was a daddy and his two little sons putting their coats on. The smallest of the two couldn't quite manage the zipper. He said "Daddy would you help me, I've tried and tried and I can't make it work!" The daddy immediately squatted down to his level and showed the little one how to do it, and between the two of them they got the job done!
Now that was fun - and I think I had a great lesson on how I can become like the little child. I'll work on it!
Did any of you happen to observe the little ones and compare what they do to how our Lord wants us to be?
Children in church are so cute. I always made sure I sat behind a couple for entertainment purposes mainly. Children in a grocery store, however, act much differently. They are not so cute in there when they are screaming "Gimme, Gimme!" (Sorry to digress...This entry does not belong here on your BLOG, but it was the thought that popped to mind.)
So anyway, to get back on track; How sweet the observances of the trusting, loving children in church. Their parents are their World. Just as God should be our World. It is ashame that I forget this at times because I cannot see him. But, he is there, I have to trust. Thank you, Mom, for raising me on this faith. I can see, for you have taught me to see. Just like the children in Church. They are learning to see God.
Actually, Kay, your similarity of us and God - from the grocery store - is a good one. Aren't we all like that with God? Most of our prayers are "Gimmee, gimme" prayers! Most of the time we forget about prayer (which is simply communicating with God) unless we are in trouble. Then we remember God, and we ask for what we want and need. Which is okay. God said to come to Him when we need help - he's always there, ready and willing to help. But we also need to remember the "thank you"!
I had the same thought as I read Kay's comment, Lonnie. I think God popped that thought into her mind so we could all think about that. We should be telling God every day what a great and loving Father He is. But, so many times it is "gimmee! gimmee!" or "If you can just help me get out of this one..." then we forget until we need him again. And the good news is - He will sit patiently and wait to hear from us again. We should all be such loving and patient parents.
Thank you, Kay, for the nice comments about your faith. It is good when we can learn to have faith in God, even though we can't see him. Thanks for saying that. Faith is a gift from God. It is good to ask Him for it. I was thinking of the child who wakes from a bad dream and cries out for Mommy or Daddy, and they are right there to comfort them and take away the fears. Or when a child falls down and skins his knee and Mom or Dad pick him up and fix the owie. Aren't these two good examples of how our heavenly Father, our Abba, Daddy, is with us? We only get to know that when we have faith as a little child in knowing that when we need Him, our daddy is there!
Hey, Brian, Karen, and Debbie - The teachers of the family, whose job it is to be in a room full of kids all day, do you observe any things in your experiences with the children that Jesus could have been referring to when he said we must be as the child . . . . .?
I thought of another one:
I was observing the neighbor kids across the street playing in the new fallen snow the other day. They were out ther running and squealing with delight as they threw snowballs, made a snowman, and layed down and made snow angels. They put their faces up with their arms out stretched, and let the snow fall on them and into their mouths, receiving it so gleefully. They were so free of cares and worries. So proud of their accomplishments of snowmen and angels. That's how we need to be. Free of worries that come with responsibilities of adulthood. Happy. Knowing God is showering His blessings on us every day. Open our arms, our hearts, raise our hands to "catch it all". Now, that's not so easy to do when there are so many troubles in the world, so many responsiblities that come with our lot in life. But, if we surrender all to God, and really trust Him, and KNOW WHO WE ARE, and WHO'S WE ARE and have Faith given to us by God's grace, we can be like the little children. It's hard to do that. It's not very often that I can do that - worry wart that I am, but when I am able to give all my burdens to Him, it lifts it all from my shoulders, and I do know the way this little child can be free to be all that I can be - in Him!
Any body have any other stories about things you see as you observe the children in your world?
Wow, such good insights and truths here! I would like a copy of the Bell to put on my fridge. Karen, do you still have the email? Could you forward it on over to me?
Another characteristic of children that I think we lose as we mature is the willingness to learn and change. Kids are so eager to learn new things and try new ways of doing things. They ask questions and listen to the answers. God wants us to be like that!
Children are always ready to brag about, or tell you about, there parents. (Until they reach that teenage time when they don't even want to acknowledge that they have parents!) "My Dad's stronger than your Dad" "Well, my Dad can outrun your Dad." Etc. As children of God, we need to be eager to tell the world about our DADDY and acknowledge who our Abba is before man.
Wow! I love these insights into God's word! Thanks.
I had another one at mass on Sunday. When Fr. got up to read the scriptures a little girl, maybe 2 years old or so, who was sitting right across from us, got so excited to see him there, and waved and waved and waved and kept saying Hi to him as he read. It was so cute. Now, if only we could get that excited about seeing God in the scriptures! When we do, we sure do get excited, just like the little girl did.
Debbie - don't you have the Bell on the blog?
Yes, but I don't know how to print out just the bell.
Left click your mouse and highlight the bell. Control P (or however yu print, if different) When print menu shows up, mark print selection. Then print. Ding dong bell, it should work very well.
Mom, I love the picture you painted about the children playing in the snow. No worries, just the beauty of the world around them. I'm sure God is giving us a glimpse of what heaven is.
Remember when you went for walks with your little children? Usually one in the stroller, one walking, and one on the way. When the one wlking tired, she/he would raise her arms and say "carry me." How many times has our Heavenly Father carried us when we are too worn down to go any more.
Sometimes, you would fall asleep in the back seat of the car, your Mom or Dad woud quietly pick you up and carry you to your bed. You didn't remember getting from the car to your bed, but you woke up there all snug and safe and rested. Someday, my Heavenly Father will carry me home just like that! I won't remember the trip, I'll just be thrilled to be safe and snug in my "mansion in the sky."
You have to trust your parent a whole lot not to wake up when you are being moved. Trust.
AND you have to know who your parent is. You'd never let a stranger carry you off to his home.
I had another "kid" moment at church last Sunday. Grandpa (who is our friend, Bill Waldenberg) was with his 5 year old grand daughter, and his 7 or 8 year old grand son. The granddaughter was so active - couldn't sit still a single minute. The grandson just kept looking at her like a big brother who was so annoyed with her. Grandpa kept trying to calm her down a little. He'd put his arm around her, and she'd squeeze out - going under his arm, and sitting there, looking like she had accomplished the impossible and Grandpa just smiled at her. The funniest part of this scene was that when the little girl ducked out from under his arm, her long, golden blonde hair would get all this static electricity in it, and it stood straight up all over her head. She didn't know it. The brother was annoyed. The grandpa was just trying to hear the homily, so didn't notice, either. But I did, and got the giggles because of the scene. Now, I wonder if this has anything to do with a child's relationship to God and how we are supposed to be like the little child to get to heaven!?? Does anyone know?
We are supposed to have the joy of the Spirit and keep on going even though those in authority might try to restrain us. We are supposed to praise God through adversity and be happy and untouched by the ways of the world.
Thanks, Sharon! Great thoughts. All I could do was look at the hair. Can't you just see her? that static electricity just put every strand of her long hair straight up in the air or out to the side! Like a picture in a comic strip! Your thoughts are better than mine! Maybe it is best if we "get lost" in the things of the Lord, and don't notice all the strange, weird things that go on in the world!?
I'm telling ya! Always sit behind little kids in church. You will always get a smile that will make your day! Remember when Brian (about 2 years old) pulled the wig off the lady in front of us? We were mortified! But I bet the people behind us were entertained.
Well, if there is no lesson in the two above experiences other than what a wonderful sense of humor our God has, that is enough! A great lesson to have.
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