I'M SAVED, NOW WHAT?

An unsettling number of Christians receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, but then never develop in their Christian life because they don't get proper instruction in the Word. Some say there are over 3000 promises of God to His children in the Bible. It is full of them! From the Bible we also come to understand the true nature of God, and who we really are in Christ. As a new believer it is a natural response to crave more understanding; so we come to God with an open heart, and mind...a clean slate if you will...like a little child.

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..." (2 Peter 3:18)
"Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation," (1 Peter 2:2)
And (Jesus) said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3)

We are born-again as spiritual infants into God's family. It is only proper that we humble ourselves and acknowledge this and not be rebellious children, but instead submit ourselves to His loving instruction through His Word.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship." (Romans 12:1)

God loves us and to the extent we submit to His leading and authority in our lives He will shower us with all the love, affection, and gentle correction we need. But we need to watch out for the influence this world can have on us.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." ~ (Romans 12:2)

When we were saved, we became just like Christ in our born-again spirit. Knowing that helps us to be mindful about the fact that we need to renew our natural mind to agree with the mind of Christ which is in our spirit. 

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)
God is growing us up to think and act just like Jesus! Oh how He loves us!

AM I SAVED?

When you hear God's Word, Satan immediately tries to steal it from you. Don't let him. His only weapon against you is deception. The only way he can deceive you is if you don't have understanding. Comprehending your salvation is essential for preventing the devil from talking you out of your benefits for this life. This is why it is not just good, but essential for Christians to be deeply rooted in God's Word.

"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. 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

The Word says whosoever, meaning anyone can participate. Aren't you a somebody...a whosoever?
Have you confessed with your mouth that Jesus is your Lord? (confessing Him as Lord means that you recognize Him as master, giving Him complete authority in your life. It means you put your complete trust in Him to do what His Word says He will do)
Do you believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead? (if you do not believe in His resurrection, then all bets are off. This would make Christianity, just another religion. Without the resurrection Jesus would not be who He said He was, and we would still be in our sins)
The moment you "sincerely" committed your life to Jesus Christ, you were saved. Congrats! Heaven is your home.

Grace for Today

Christians are never given more than one day to live. It is called today.

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest... So, as the Holy Spirit says:

“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts... ~ Hebrews 3:1,7,8

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail. ~ Isaiah 51:6

Jesus said...
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." Matthew 24:35-36

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. ~ Psalm 118:24

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. ~ John 14:1

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. ~ John 14:27

What's In Your Hand This Christmas?

Our gifts do not have to be monetary. Everything in our care can be a gift/seed, whether it be a dollar, time, a smile, an encouraging word, a prayer, or any material thing. But one thing for sure; when we give out of a loving heart...God will always multiply and return the gift to us. Never believe that God doesn't want to use you. He is ready and willing, and is simply asking us to release, by faith, the things He has already given us.
 God asked Moses, "What's in your hand?". He said, "a rod"...and with that rod God worked many mighty miracles and upset the strongest army on earth.
"What's in your hand Samson?"..."the jaw-bone of an ass"...and with it he slew 1000 Philistine enemies of God.
"What's in your hand David?"..."a slingshot and five smooth stones", and with one of the stones David killed a giant who challenged and insulted the people of God.
"What's in your hand son?"..."five loaves and two small fish", and with that little boys lunch Jesus was able to feed 5000 men, plus the women and children.
Today God is asking you to trust Him with whatever you have at your disposal. Maybe it is your time, your love, or some worldly possession. You will never be able to out-give God. If He can get it through you, He will get it to you. Be a funnel of God's love and blessings. You will not regret it.
-"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." ~ Luke 6:38 NIV
-“Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. ~ Mark 10:29-30 NLT

The Fullness of Life

Are you a whosoever? Have you confessed Jesus (verbally) as Lord of your life? Do you believe that God raised Him from the dead? If so, U R Saved! Don't let the Devil lie to you and cause you to neglect or miss out on the benefits of your salvation. The Devil is a liar and if he can't stop you from confessing Jesus as Lord, he just switches gears and tries to keep you feeling unworthy and condemned so you will not walk in the fulness of what Christ has for you and wants to give others through you for His glory. Get the truth and promises of God's word deep in your heart so the devil can't steal it from you. God has your picture in His wallet, He loves you, and has great plans for your life...seek Him and find out what they are.

"...if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Rom. 10:9-10 NKJV

For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13

Contrasting Himself and the Devil (thief), Jesus said "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

"When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside." Matthew 13:19

Use Your Authority

Have you ever stomped your foot and told and old dog, or pesky animal to "Get out of here!"? - That's the way you have to treat the devil and his little imps sometimes. Anything troubling you today, if it can be called by a name (e.g. pain, infection, cancer, depression, poverty, lack, strife...) it must bow to, or flee from, the name of Jesus. Try it...speak to your mountain...call it by name and

tell to "GET OUT, IN THE NAME OF JESUS!" - then begin to praise God for the authority He has given you to use the name of His precious Son who died for Y O U :) - You will get better at this as your faith muscle grows, but if you don't try you will never know.

"God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father." ~ Philippians 2:9-11 NLT

 

 

Poem by C.T. Studd

“Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”
— extra stanza —
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.”

C.T Studd