He Purged our Sins

I was reading Hebrews chapter one today, and the word "purged" caught my attention. I went to the dictionary for the definition of "Purge:"

   1 a : to clear of guilt
      b : to free from moral or ceremonial defilement

   2 c (1) : to rid (as a nation or party) by a purge
         (2) : to get rid of  

Now I know what you are thinking regarding 2 c (1)...but no politics here. 
Don't get me started.

Back to the Word.  Chapter one reads, "God who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds, who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they."  Hebrews 1:1-4

God has spoken to us...by His Son. Jesus has (past tense)... purged our sins. For the church to keep talking about sins, week after week, month after month, and year after year is a slap in the face of God to what Jesus accomplished on our behalf! It needs to stop. Our sins have been purged, we are cleared of all guilt, once and for all. Let's throw out the flesh (carnal thinking) and just believe we are guilt-free! We are no longer defiled by sin. We have been made new!! All praise to Jesus!

[Obviously speaking of born-again believers.]

If you are not among that group ~ you can be today.

See the "Salvation Prayer" post.

Baby Robins Hatching

Baby Robins Hatching

It was amazing to me in watching this video that the baby Robin

opens it's mouth almost immediately upon breaking free of the

egg shell. They seem to know instinctively to open their mouths 

wide in order to be fed, to survive. and to thrive. We can take a

lesson from the baby Robins, and in faith look to our heavenly 

Father for all of our provision each and every day! God loves you!

Psalm 81:10

New King James Version (NKJV)

10 

I am the Lord your God,

Who brought you out of the land of Egypt;

Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

Gospel of Grace

Acts 20:32

So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

We are called heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. What is it that we have inherited? Well, for one thing, we have inherited the Word of God. As born-again believers, we were born of the incorruptible Seed ~ the Word of God. We also have inherited the Holy Spirit ~ who lives and abides in us and is there to teach us. The Lord spoke these words to me one day ~ 'The Spirit and the Word work together to bring life to a situation.' I believe our greatest gift of inheritance is life. Without life [true eternal life] nothing else holds much value. Now that's grace!

Calamities...Why?

Joseph Prince talks about why there is trouble in this world. In order for there to be "free choice" there had to BE a choice. Humankind has a choice to make in all areas of life. Many make the wrong choices, and their wrong choices affect other people many times. It is always God's will for us to have the good, not the evil. So, if you are one who says "God is in control," no, he gave man dominion in the earth. If God were in control (truly) everything would be perfect on the earth. There would be no sickness, disease, abortion, poverty, crime, adultery, murder, tsunamis, tornadoes, etc. There will be a day when Jesus will make things right in the earth, but for now, it's up to us to make good choices and use our god-given authority in the earth. (see Luke 9:1, Luke 10:19)

Boldness

This is an excerpt from David's new book, "Gates: Thanksgiving Papers"

  'It says in John's first epistle, "Herein is our love made perfect, that we have boldness in the Day of Judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world." I John 4:17  The way that God thinks of His Son Jesus is the same way He thinks of you. This blessing is a free gift, but you must become born again to receive it.  His love is extended toward all. He is not mad or angry at you. If you are struggling with something, a behavior you know isn't right, God says come as you are. Know that God is a kind and merciful God who has already forgiven mankind, but you and I must receive it. (See Ps. 86:5)'

"that if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." Romans 10:9-10

Receive the forgiveness and love of your Father today.

As one who is born-again, you can be bold as a lion, now and on judgment day.

History of Memorial Day

The Civil War claimed more lives than any other war. In the late 1860's, Americans began honoring their fallen in the spring of the year with flowers on grave sites and with prayers spoken.

Decoration Day was the precursor of the current Memorial Day. It began on May 5th, 1862, as a nationwide day of remembrance for the fallen, with flowers and flags. Originally, it was a day to honor only the soldiers who died in the Civil War, but it evolved into commemorating the deaths of all Americans who died fighting in any war or conflict.

With the passing of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1968, it was deemed to fall on the last Monday of the month of May. This same law made Memorial Day a national holiday. The day is celebrated with parades, memorial services at grave sites, and is the unofficial start of summer. 

Father, we pray for the families of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice of their lives for the sake of love of country. Comfort them...be near to them.

Jesus Saves

Jesus Saves

He is the Bread of Life

He is  the Alpha & the Omega

He is the Living Water

He is the great I Am

He is Love

He is all you need!

Storms

With the onslaught of these recent storms, I feel compelled to send out a warning to people who have not made Jesus Lord of their lives.

Nobody knows when they will take their last breath here on earth, in this earthly body. Be assured there is an afterlife. Your spirit will live on...it's just a matter of where? Hell or heaven. There are no other options. Just make a decision today to be ready, either for when Jesus returns for His bride, or you leave this earth by way of death. That day could be tonight, tomorrow or next year. Only God knows.

If you are ready to make Jesus Lord of your life,

all that is required is that you believe Jesus is

the Son of God, He lived as a man on this earth,

He died (to remove your sin and mine) on a 

cross. He rose from the dead, to give you new

life, and His desire is to live in you now. If 

you believe this, just say "Jesus, take my life

and do something with it. Come and live

your life in me, make me new." 

[If you prayed that short prayer and meant it in your heart, you 

are saved, you are a child of God, and you belong to Him.]

God's love for you

This is it, church. 

We need to show people 

how much 

the Father loves them!

Sin is a non-issue.

What does God believe about us?

Do you struggle with wondering what God thinks of you, maybe even on a daily basis? Do you wonder if He is pleased with you?

 

What are God's thoughts toward us and how do we find out? 

If we are wise, we'll go to the Word. We were appointed to the Word, according to 1 Peter 1:8b. And this is how God sees us...

            "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,

             His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him

             who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once

             were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not 

             obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy." 1 Pet. 1:9-10

Read this over several times. Saints, it's time to renew our minds to what the

Word of God says about us. He says that we have been called out (sanctified)

to proclaim His praises. We are to tell others of the marvelous works that God 

has done in our lives. He pulled us out of a miry pit and brought us from death to life. He brought us from darkness to light! To God be the glory for what he has done in our lives!!

Wanderlust

Wanderlust...I woke up with that word on my mind today. I had to look it up, so I checked with Merriam W.

It means "a strong longing for or impulse toward wandering."

David and I have moved quite a bit in our 22 years of marriage...just ask our kids. And I have always had a desire to see new places and experience new things. For good or for bad, we have traveled to new lands many times.

I do believe that part of it is that we are just plain "homesick." This earth is not our home. Our citizenship is in heaven. (I have to qualify it and say this is for Christians, now) We are waiting for a land where Jesus Himself will be the light. There will be no darkness there. There will be no tears, no sorrow, no pain, no sickness. And best of all... no more death!  Finally, an end to "wanderlust."

If you don't know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, go to the post titled "Salvation Prayer." He is waiting to hear from you...with some new citizenship papers.

St Francis of Assisi

We are heirs, joint-heirs with Christ. We are co-laborers with Him. What a privilege God has given us. What a responsibility, as well. We don't have to walk around and look at all the evil that is present in our world. Christ is in us, and we can make a positive difference in the world.

Lord, make me an instrument of peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, let me sow pardon.
Where there is doubt, let me sow faith.
Where there is despair, let me sow hope.
Where there is darkness, let me sow light.
Where there is sadness, let me sow joy.
                                 St. Francis of Assisi

Seek His Righteousness

Many people believe that they can earn their way to heaven by "being good and doing good." Nothing could be further from the truth! The Bible tells us that 'our righteousnesses'  (our way of trying to do and be right) are as filthy rags. Pretty plain, huh? The Bible doesn't mince words.

Isaiah 64:6

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁶ But we are all like an unclean thing,
And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags;
We all fade as a leaf,
And our iniquities, like the wind,
Have taken us away.

But, the Bible also tells us what we should be doing in Matthew 6, verse 33... that we are to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you."

What this means is that we, in and of ourselves, have no inherent goodness, holiness or righteousness. We have to seek those qualities outside ourselves and there is only one place to look. We need to look toward heaven and look to Jesus. The only 'righteousness' that counts with the Father is His (Jesus') righteousness, and the only way we attain it is by surrendering our life to Jesus and letting Him give us new life [in Him.] 

If you haven't surrendered to Him, do it today. If you have, then go out and share the joy you have found in Him.  

I'm Not Worthy

Have you ever wondered if you were worthy enough to be saved or to go to heaven? Or have you ever flat out said, "I am not good enough or worthy to be saved." Well, if you have, I have "good news" for you! You will never be worthy enough or good enough to make it to heaven, apart from Christ. This is "good news" you say?  Yes, if you are apart from Him, change it right now...the choice is yours to make. Jesus has already invited you in His Word.
If you are "saved," your only qualification for heaven and every other blessing is Christ. You need to be found in Him.

¹² giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. Col. 1

When (if) you accepted God's Son, He qualified you. You never have to worry about whether or not you are good enough. You will never be good enough.
But, Christ is more than enough! He is your Sufficiency! He is your Strength.
He is your Everything! Praise God for Jesus!

Have you manufactured a god for yourself?

John 1:1

New King James Version (NKJV)

The Eternal Word

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Think about that verse...especially the last part of it. 

The Word was God. 

So many people have listened to their families, friends and other voices, telling them who God is. If that information doesn't line up with what the Bible says about who God is, then it is just false information. There are many Christian books out there today, trying to define who God is. But, let's face it...some of them are just plain untrue depictions of our God and His nature.

We can only learn who He is by reading His Word. God, at His core, is love...according to 1 John 4:8. "He who does not love does not know God, for God is love." Everything God does is motivated by love. His nature is love. The very famous verse, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16) has been quoted and heard by many. 

One thing may be missing. You have to believe that God is love and that He so loves YOU. You are part of the world. You are the reason He sent His Son to die a horribly cruel death and to pay the price for your and my sin. You are the reason that He was raised from the dead. He wanted more than anything to give you "new life." Think about it. He thought you were worth it. You are.

Come to Him today...the one true God.

Spirit, Soul & Body

I (and you) am a three-part being. Those three parts are spirit, soul and body.

When I was born, I was born spiritually dead. My need was for "life." On my own,  I had no way of obtaining that life. Jesus is the Life-Giver. When I believed in Him, put my trust in Him and gave Him my life, his Holy Spirit came to live inside me. I was "born-again" from above, re-born by the Spirit of God. It's my spirit that was re-born. My "soul" which is my mind, will and emotions, was not born again. My body was not born-again. Only my spirit. My spirit is the "REAL" me. I have been sealed for eternal redemption by the Holy Spirit. My sins are gone; I am eternally forgiven. This is the Good News of the gospel! Only believe...

2 Cor. 5:17  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;

old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

...for of such is the kingdom of God.

I watched a sermon of Joseph Prince this morning. He talked about the only time where it's recorded in the Word of God that it says Jesus was "greatly displeased" was in Mark 10:13-16. You can read it below.

13 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might

touch them, but the disciples rebuked those who brought

 them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased 

and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, 

and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.

15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive

the kingdom of God as a little child will by no

means enter it." 16 And He took them up in His

arms, laid His hands on them and blessed them.

From this passage, we can learn that Jesus had a very soft heart for children. You didn't mess with His kids! And they really do belong to Him. As parents, we committed our children to God when they were very small. As they get older and are finally grown, we don't (or shouldn't) all of a sudden take them back...we dedicated them to God. He is far more able to care for them than we are. 

Children are full of faith. They believe what their Daddy or Mommy tells them. They take it at face value. In the same way, so should we. We just need to believe the Word of God.                ~ Blessings on your day!

Joseph Prince ~ The Good Shepherd

Jesus came to bring us LIFE!  Don't let anyone steal

that from you. Shepherds, feed your sheep.

Graduation

2 Timothy 4:7

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

We haven't posted for a few days because our son and daughter-in-law both graduated from college this past weekend and we traveled to Oklahoma to be part of that celebration. As a parent, you're so proud when your kids complete a task, especially an important one. It's a proving ground when you have to spend four years (or more) of your life and work hard to accomplish a great goal. They fought the good fight...they finished the race!

I can't help but think of heaven. As Christians, heaven is our ultimate goal and the way we get there is by faith. We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work, to be saved, and by faith we hang on to our belief. Our fight is the fight of faith. The things of life come against us, satan comes against us..to try and get us to stop believing in the glorious gospel. But faith hangs on and doesn't give up or give in. Eventually, we get to "graduate" to heaven. What a wonderful day of celebration that will be! But, instead of celebrating for one day, it will be for all eternity!! Amen?

David's New Book

I'm proud to announce that David's new book is available right now on

Amazon as an ebook for Kindle or the paperback version.

It's titled "Gates: Thanksgiving Papers."

In the book, he talks about God's unconditional love & grace, and the liberty we have, along with the need to defend it.  

You can get it here:  http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=gates+david+niedenfuer

Hope

1 Peter 3:15

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁵ But sanctify the Lord God^[a] in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

My reason for the hope I have.. is Christ and being found in Him.
He is my Everything. He is my perfect sacrifice. He became sin for me, so that I could go free! He paid my sin debt. He loves me with an everlasting love. He called me by name. When I was dead in my sin, He gave me life!

The Bible says that those that are without Christ in the world have no hope.
Don't be among those. Open your heart and believe that He came for YOU.

A Wintry Day in Colorado

This being the very first day of May, you would never know it by looking outside. I can't see the mountains anymore, due to fog or whatever it is. The ground is white with snow and yes, it is cold. As I sit here looking out my patio door at this very overcast, chilly day I can't help but think that this kind of day can be related to a person's heart. It is sometimes easy to let our hearts become "cold."

Jesus talked about this in Matthew.

Matthew 24:12

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹² And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

If we aren't careful to keep our eyes on the Word of God and the truth we know, it can start to affect us in a very negative way. We start to focus on all of the bad news, bad reports and things that only serve to upset us. We start to become cynical, bitter, introspective and generally begin to want to turn away from people. Sometimes even our own families and people we have loved dearly. If we let this pattern of thinking go on, we may even turn from God.

Let's remember that He is not the problem..He is the answer! Don't be tempted to turn from the One who loves you unconditionally. Keep your eyes on Jesus and His Word. He will see you through any storm that comes. If you belong to Him, He is with you.