Just As I Am

Romans 3:23-24  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

What will it take to get people to come to Jesus for salvation? It took a famous singer by the name of Charlotte Elliot to be confronted by a preacher named Caesar Milan.

In London, long ago, preacher Milan was invited to her concert. After the show  Milan approached her. "I thought as I listened to you tonight how tremendously the cause of Christ would be benefitted if your talents were dedicated to His cause. You know, young lady, you are a sinner in the sight of God, but I am glad to tell you that the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse you from all sin."

The singer became angry. As she stomped away, the preacher raised His voice. "I mean no offense. I will pray that God's Spirit will convict you."

That night the preacher's face and words kept her from sleeping. She was under terrible conviction over her sins. About two o'clock in the morning she got out of bed and got a pencil and paper. With tears running down her cheeks, Charlotte Elliot wrote these words:

Just as I am, without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that thou bids me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

The Peace Of God

Some precious promises are ours when we refuse to allow worry to be our master and learn to bring our needs to Jesus.

Philippians 4:6,7  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Be careful for nothing means don't worry. Worry is like a rat in your heart and mind. If left alone it will gnaw at you and steal your joy, power and energy. But the rodent of worry can’t live in the secret place of the Most High. Worry dies when we trust the Lord through prayer and read His Word.

The peace of God is that calm in the heart and mind despite raging turmoil and strife. It’s a mysterious thing, but it’s God’s gift to those who  trust Him in every thing.

That’s a peace that can’t be disrupted by the  problems of life. That’s a peace that can’t waiver, be shaken or destroyed. Job, Daniel, the three Hebrew boys, and David had that kind of peace. I’ve had that kind of peace and it‘s amazing. You can have that that kind of peace.

God Is Glorified

Every true believer wants a closer relationship with the Lord. Jesus will help us to serve Him more faithfully. His ability exceeds the lengths to which our minds can think or ask.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
Ephesians 3:20-21 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

We who are in the flesh can’t make the Christian life happen unless we yield to The Holy Spirit of the Lord within us. His power transcends our weakness and enables us to accomplish great things for His glory.

Romans 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

As we live for God and honor His Word, He receives glory from the church. As we love Him and love one another, He is glorified. As we  gather for worship, He is glorified. As we sing, pray, work, and serve in the church, He is glorified. Never forget why you go to church.

The Hem Of His Garment

For various reasons multitudes followed Jesus during His earthly ministry. Many needed healing. Others wanted to witness miracles or get a free meal. Some actually believed on Him.

One lady pressed the crowd to get closer, hoping to be healed of a twelve-year affliction. She knew Jesus had healed others, but why should He heal her? After all, she came as a last resort. Nothing had worked in the past. If she could only touch Him.

Pushing and shoving, she edged closer, enough to touch the hem of His garment. Jesus stopped, knowing somebody with faith had touched Him and been healed. It was immediate and complete.

Luke 8:48 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

This woman’s testimony revealed the power of faith. It’s one thing to “press Him” in a crowd or with prayers but another thing to “touch Him” by faith.

We may not have strong faith, but we do have a strong Saviour, and He responds to faith the size of a mustard seed.

Go Ask

When shattered people lay broken pieces of their lives at the foot of the cross, miracles happen. As they believe on Him, the Lord Jesus cleanses their sin, dispels their fears, confusion and delusion. The Holy Spirit brings peace to their humble heart.

Psalm 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

Here are some random life-changing stories I snatched from the song G0 Ask by Gloria Gaither.

“Don't ask me to explain for you how one can start again, how hardened hearts could soften like a child . . . . 

Go ask the man who's found the way through tangled roads back home to stay when all communications were destroyed. . . . . 

Go ask the one who's burned out mind has been restored, I think you'll find the question's not important as before. Don't ask me if He's good or bad,  I only know the guilt I had is gone, and I can't tell you anymore

Go ask the child who's got a dad to love away the hurt he had before this man called Jesus touched their lives.

Go ask the one whose fears have fled, whose churning heart was quieted when someone whispered peace to all her strife.

Go ask the man to tell you more whose life was just a raging war inside himself, until the Saviour came."

Our Hope Is In The Resurrected Savior

The crucifixion of Jesus on a Roman Cross is what killed him, but He offered himself as a sacrificial lamb for the sins of the world. Three days later He arose from the grave.

Praise God, Jesus lives today! He’s sitting at the right hand of His Father in Heaven, making intercession for believers. Because we serve a Resurrected Savior, we have hope in this life and beyond, and we don’t have to wait until Easter to celebrate. The Resurrection of Christ sets Christianity apart from all  other systems of belief.

John 20:17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

The message from the tomb is an unusual message given to Mary to pass to the disciples. It was to be a message of hope and blessing to those who mourned His death.

The world needs to hear from the redeemed  that Jesus  is alive. All who believe in Him are  saved from their sins, born again, and will have everlasting life. Do you know this risen Savior?

Worthy Is The Lamb

The Apostle John tries to tell us how many angels begin to praise the Lord around Heaven's throne, but the number is too great for him to fathom. Ten thousand was the largest number known to the Greeks. John says it’s as many as you can imagine times that many again and many thousands more.

Revelation 5:11-12 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.

Jesus is not in a dirty manger, on a dusty road in Galilee or a ship in a storm. He’s not dodging rocks thrown by religious rulers wanting to kill Him because He claims deity.

Jesus is not hanging in shame and agony on a cross or lying in a cold, sealed tomb. He’s where He deserves to be---on the throne in Heaven, glorified and exalted.

The Lamb of God still bares scars  of the cross as a constant reminder of what He did for us. There will be no room for pride in Heaven.  No one will be able to brag about how they got there.

When we see Him, we will see His love on permanent display. What a cause for continuous worship and praise!