The Christian mind sees or should see life and the world the way God sees it. We learn God's thoughts and perspectives by prayerfully studying His Word and embracing anointed messages from the pulpit.
2 Timothy 3:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Today many philosophies are contrary to the teaching and thinking of Christ. We must discern what is true and false, right and wrong, and good and bad according to Holy Scriptures.
Christ loved the unloved, the weak, and the rejected. He built up when others tore down.
Philippians 2:3,5 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves . . . Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.
The perfect valentine was written in blood, addressed to the world, and sealed believers with everlasting life.
I love you, I love you
That's what Calvary said;
I love you, I love you,
I love you, Written in Red
Gordon Jennsen
Jesus faced the bitter experience of being offered as a sinless sacrifice by the very One who loved Him most, yet He remained secure in His Father's love.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Never measure God's love by what you experience. He has a plan and purpose for your life because He loves you. There is nothing you can do to make Him love you less or more.
When human love falters, God's love flourishes.
"Being Saved" is not some difficult, mystical process. You don't have to "pray through" to be saved. You don't have to memorize the "sinner's prayer". You don't have to walk the "Roman Road" or be perfect.
All you have to do is look to Jesus by faith and trust that His death on the cross and His resurrection are sufficient to save your soul. The rest is up to Him.
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth The Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
When you believe in Jesus, the amazing grace of Christ will take you just as you are, make you His child, and give you eternal life.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Evangelist Junior Hill warns about the "Gee-Whiz" theology of our day. It goes like this:
"If you love God and trust Jesus and read your Bible and live in obedience, you'll always be happy, prosperous and successful. You will be healthy. Your wife will be beautiful. Your children will be obedient. Your house will be big, your car fast, and your money secure."
It's a lie.
Here is the theology of the apostle Paul:
2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Paul suffered frequent imprisonment, beatings, stonings, three shipwrecks, perils of robbers, weariness, pain, hunger, thirst, and being cold and naked. But he remained optimistic.
2 Corinthians 4:8,9 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed: we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
Psalm 30:5 . . . weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Worldly houses, lands, and riches perish at the grave. Someone gets our assets because we can't take them with us.
Born-again believers have hope at the grave. Unbelievers don't.
Psalm 49:15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for He shall receive me. Selah.
Job of old cried out, "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.
When each of us stand before Jesus on judgement day, our only hope is that He will see red. John writes, " . . . and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin."
You see, to go to heaven, your sins must be covered by the blood of Jesus. It will be sad for those who have not accepted Him as personal Lord and Savior.
There is a fountain filled with blood
Drawn from Immanuel's veins
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains
It was a trying year when Gale went overseas with the Air Force. Chris and Penny, age four and six, didn't fear my discipline as they did that of their dad.
They are adults now, but they still tell people how I took them outside at church and walloped their bottoms in front of strangers driving by.
In stressful times we need help. When we can't cope with conflict bashing our peace, we need help -- help for direction, help to do the right thing -- help to make life-changing decisions.
Psalm 46:1, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
We were created and placed on this earth to know God, to serve Him, please Him, and bring Him glory. Accompanied by an eternal perspective makes it easier.
2 Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are termporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
- Right now my burden is heavy, but one day it will be laid aside.
- Right now my body and mind grow tired and weary, but one day they shall find rest.
- Right now I struggle with a sinful nature, but one day there will be no such desires in my being to pull me down.
- Right now, I say good bye to friends, family and loved ones who precede me in death, but one day I will see them on the shores of Heaven.
- Right now Satan has his way in this world, but one day the knowledge of God will fill the earth.
- Right now death is all around me, but one day I shall attend the funeral of death.
