Remember

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for everyone who has died serving in the American armed forces.

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.  (John 15:13 NLT)

Today and throughout the year we ought to remember those who placed themselves in harm’s way to protect our freedom.

Remember

Today and throughout the year we should also remember someone else who willingly died for us.

Jesus Christ died for us so that we could have a rich and satisfying life.

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.  (John 10:10 NLT)

Jesus Christ died for us to free us from the grasp of sin and allow us to live for what is right.

He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.  By his wounds you are healed. (1 Peter 2:24 NLT)

Jesus Christ died for us so that we can spend eternity with Him in heaven.

Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.  (1 Thessalonians 5:10 NLT)

So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.  (John 8:36 NLT)

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Why is America turning it back on Christianity? Why are Christians in America becoming the bad guys?  Why is a nation that was founded on Biblical principles banning the Bible and prayer from their public schools? Why are there so many individuals who hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and “just don’t get it”?

Many people have been exposed to the gospel and simply do not understand what it is all about.

Why is this true?

Scripture tells us several reasons why people can’t understand the gospel.  One of the reasons is that their eyes are blinded and their hearts are hardened.

Many people are blinded to the truth of the Gospel.

 “The Lord has blinded their eyes
and hardened their hearts—
so that their eyes cannot see,
and their hearts cannot understand,
and they cannot turn to me
and have me heal them.” (John 12:40 NLT)

Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. (2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT)

Many people are spiritually dead.

Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. (Ephesians 2:1 NLT)

An individual who is spiritually dead is unable to do anything to change or correct his separation from God.  Left on his own, he will continue living in sin.

Individuals who are spiritually dead, with blinded eyes and hardened hearts, will hate Christians.

“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.  The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.  (John 15:18-19 NLT)

What is the solution to this problem?  What can we do for the person who is spiritually dead with blinded eyes and a hardened heart?

There is only one answer.

Prayer

We can pray to God and ask Him to draw that individual to himself.  We can ask God to change the heart of the individual we are praying for.

For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me … (John 6:44 NLT)

A person will have no desire to become a Christian unless God changes his or her heart.

In addition to praying for individuals, Christians can and should also be praying for God to bring a spiritual revival to America.

 … May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.  (Colossians 1:12-14 NLT)

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If you have a genuine desire to become a Christian, is there anything that would make this desire impossible?

If you recognize the fact that your sins are separating you from God and you understand that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins, is there anything that would make it impossible for you to repent of your sins and receive the free gift of salvation.

NO

The Bible says:

But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ (Acts 2:21 NLT)

For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  (Romans 10:13 NLT)

The Bible also says:

If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.  (Jeremiah 29:13 NLT)

 Don’t give up.

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8 NLT)

How will you respond?

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.  (Romans 10:9-10 NLT)

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I repeatedly hear people talk about their hectic schedules.  Many people are constantly “going” from the time they get up early in the morning until they drop into bed late at night.

We all need to “stop and smell the roses”.

Scripture says, “Be still, and know that I am God!”

“Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”  (Psalm 46:10 NLT)

 Take time to reflect on your relationship with God.

My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth!  (Psalm 121:1 NLT)

Get to know God better by meditating on His Word, the Bible.

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.  (Joshua 1:8 NLT)

Take time today to enjoy God’s creation.  Spend time today with God.  Get to know God better.

Enjoy the creation, but more importantly worship the creator.

“Be still, and know that I am God!
” (Psalm 46:10 NLT)

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Abraham was declared righteous by God because of his faith.

And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous.  (Romans 4:22 NLT)

 Abraham had a right relationship with God because of his faith, not because of anything he had done.

We too can have a right relationship with God because of our faith.  We cannot earn our salvation and we certainly do not deserve salvation.  It is a gift from God.

 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. (Ephesians 2:8 NLT)

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  (Romans 10:9 NLT)

Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. (Ephesians 2:9 NLT)

Are you experiencing the joy that comes from a right relationship with God?

“Oh, what joy for those
    whose disobedience is forgiven,
    whose sins are put out of sight.
Yes, what joy for those
    whose record the Lord has cleared of sin.”
(Romans 4:7-8 NLT)

You may also want to read “Whoever Believes”.

It is a great blessing when the Lord accepts people   as if they are without sin!”
(Romans 4:8 ERV)

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The Goldfinch have come back to Atlanta.  The trees in our backyard are full of these brightly colored birds.  From morning until evening their songs fill the air.

These small birds are a good reminder to all of us that we have an awesome creator and God.

Then God said, “…. Let the skies be filled with birds of every kind.”   So God created … every sort of bird—each producing offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.  Then God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply. Let … the birds multiply on the earth.”  (Genesis 1:20-22 NLT)

These little birds also remind us of other things.  Here are three more reminders these little birds can bring to our thoughts.

• Even the smallest details matter to God.

What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.  And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.  So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31 NLT)

•  Worry doesn’t accomplish anything.

 Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear.  For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing.  Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!  Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?  And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things? (Luke 12:22-26 NLT)

•  God cares about you.

Give your burdens to the Lord,
and he will take care of you.
He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
                                     (Psalm 55:22 NLT)

 Remember:

• Our God is an awesome God.
• Even the smallest details matter to God.
• Worry doesn’t accomplish anything.
• God cares about you.

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. (1Peter 5:7 NLT)

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Springtime is a time of new life.

Springtime is a time of transformation.

Springtime is a time when we see new growth all around us.

Springtime is a time when we are reminded that we have an awesome creator.

He (Jesus Christ) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. (Colossians 1:15-16 ESV)

Springtime is a great time to be reminded of Christ’s offer of salvation to all who believe in Him.

^… everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.  (John 3:15 NLT)

 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!  (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT)

 “In him (Jesus Christ) was life …” John 1:4

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“Why do you seek the living among the dead?  He is not here, but has risen.”

(If you have not read the Good Friday post I suggest that you read it now.)

The Resurrection

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.  And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel.  And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?  He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” (Luke 24:1-7 ESV)

 More than 500 people saw the resurrected Christ.

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,  that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,  and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.  Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.  Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.  Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8 ESV)

40 days after Easter Christ was taken up into Heaven and is now seated at the right hand of God.

So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. (Mark 16:19 ESV)

Christ is now preparing a place for all Christians in Heaven and will come again to take all believers to be with him.

 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14:1-3 ESV)

Do you believe this?

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26 ESV)

… because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (Romans 10:9-10 ESV)

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13 ESV)

You may also want to read “Whoever  Believes”

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Good Friday is the Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. Jesus died on a cross a little more than 2000 years ago.  Jesus suffered the slow, public, painful, humiliating death that was generally reserved for those who had committed heinous crimes.

• Scripture tells us that Jesus is the Son of God.

And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;  and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I (God the Father) am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17 ESV)

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them …  And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” (Mark 9:2-7 ESV)

• Scripture tells us that Jesus created the world.

He (Jesus Christ) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. (Colossians 1:15-16 ESV)

All things were made through him (Jesus), and without him (Jesus) was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:3 ESV)

• Scripture tells us that Jesus is God.

In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word (Jesus) was with God, and the Word (Jesus) was God. (John 1:1 ESV)

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). (Matthew 1:23 ESV)

I (Jesus) and the Father are one.” (John 10:30 ESV)

• Jesus Christ, God the Son, out of obedience to God the Father, died on the cross.

… but (Jesus) emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:6-8 ESV)

For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.  No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” (John 10:17-18 ESV)

• Jesus died on the cross for our sins.

He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. (Romans 4:25 NIV)

… but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  (Romans 5:8 ESV)

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the creator of the universe, God the Son, willingly came to earth in human form to die on a cross so that our broken relationship with God could be restored.

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.  Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good.  But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.  (Romans 5:6-8 NLT)

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Maundy Thursday is the name given to the day on which Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples. Many people refer to this event as the Last Supper.

Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread arrived, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed.  Jesus sent Peter and John ahead and said, “Go and prepare the Passover meal, so we can eat it together.”
When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table.  Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins.  (Luke 22:7, 8, 14, & 15 NLT)

The word Maundy is derived from the Latin word for “command.” During the Last Supper Jesus gave his disciples a new commandment.

“ …. Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. … So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.  Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”  (John 13:33-35 NLT)

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.  But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.  God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.  This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.  Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.  (1 John 4:7-11 NLT)

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