We sow our wild oats, and what do we get in return? Lung cancer from damaging long-term cigarette smoke…Hepatitis C from IV drug use…Sexually transmitted diseases from promiscuous activity…Cirrhosis of the liver from chronic alcohol abuse. It doesn’t sound like great compensation for a few minutes of pleasure. That’s why God’s offer is far superior with lasting benefits…for it says in Romans 6:23, ” For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Tag: blood of jesus
John 7:37 ” Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.”
When Jesus stood, He did so without bias or partiality towards any certain people group. When He spoke, it wasn’t directed to only a select few. Jesus showed no favoritism, bigotry, or chauvinism as He invited all to accept the free gift of eternal life. And that invitation still stands today to every man, woman, and child across this wide world. There is no barrier left that can prevent you from receiving this gift offered by a loving Savior.
The Tomb’s still empty.
On that Resurrection Sunday they found the stone rolled away and the tomb where they had laid Jesus empty…and somehow we tend to forget the power it took for that miracle to happen. We forget the magnitude of Jesus taking every sin ever committed by mankind on Himself. We downplay the sacrifice He made for us while we were yet sinners. So the next time you’re racked by fear and doubt…remember the tomb’s still empty. When discouragement and anxiety try to take over your life…remember the tomb’s still empty. When the world seems in turmoil and paranoia…remember the tomb’s still empty, and God’s still in control…and if you had been the only person on earth, Jesus would have died for you.
I John 2:17 ” The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.”
All the world’s affections and fascinations will not last…they are here but a day and then gone. The only thing that remains…the only true thing we can base our life and faith around is the person of Jesus Christ. For it’s by Him and Him alone that we might be saved.
Mark 10:48 ” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, ‘ Son of David, have mercy on me!’ “
Blind Bartimaeus was begging by the roadside near Jericho, when from all the commotion, he realized Jesus was walking his way. He started shouting at the top of his lungs trying get the attention of Jesus who he heard healed people. And he continued to yell…and yell – to the point the gathering crowd reprimanded him sharply. But Bartimaeus was undeterred…for he just knew that Jesus could heal him…so he kept calling out, ” Jesus, heal me!” Don’t ever allow other people’s disapproval or doubt stop you from reaching out to Jesus and receiving your healing…just keep on yelling!
Matthew 16:26 ” What good will it be for man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? “
In this passage Jesus is being very blunt…we can’t work our way into heaven. No amount of riches we’ve amassed will do…no worldly commodity, can be exchanged for the gift of salvation.
Matthew 16:24 ” Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.’ “
Jesus would ask you today…”Are you willing to give up yourself for Me? Are you willing to put into proper priority all things and people in your life so I’m first? Are you willing to endure the afflictions and trials of following Me and My teachings? Are you willing to give up yourself…in order to find Me? “
Ephesians 6: 17 ” Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
The Roman soldier’s helmet was a defensive weapon…covering and protecting the head, while the sword was an offensive weapon…used to attack the enemy. Each day we need to intentionally cover our mind with the blood of Jesus…asking Him to guard what we look at, listen to, and think about. We need to then take up our sword – the Scriptures – and armed with that Truth, we are then able to cut through the deception of the enemy.
Matthew 11:28 ” Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Do you find yourself burned-out and apathetic with life …”Come to Me.” He says. Do problems have you laden down and broken in spirit…”Come to Me.” He’s saying to you. The Lord is there to lift those burdens off your weakened shoulders and allow you to settle in to rest. He wants to support and sustain you through those tough times…He doesn’t want you to go it alone. The Lord is calling your name…”Come to Me.”
Psalm 107: 10-11 ” Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom, prisoners suffering in iron chains, for they had rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High.”
I want, what I want ,when I want it! That sentence pretty much sums up the human mindset. And if you add to that our penchant towards arrogance and rebellion…no wonder we find ourselves living with the circumstances of really bad decisions we’ve made. So we sit…bound up in chains of addiction, deep in the blackness of depression and self-loathing, wondering how we got there. We got there because we wouldn’t listen to authority…we defied and resisted God’s plan for our life, and instead ran ahead with no regard for anyone else but ourselves. If you find yourself in this type of self-made prison today…there’s only one way out, and only one person with the keys…and His name is Jesus.
Safetypinlove 