Christianity

No Greater Love

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No Greater Love

John 15:13 (KJV) Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

What does it mean to lay down your life for others? Jesus defined love in terms of sacrificial actions rather than words or emotions.  As I have stated in previous blogs there are four different types of love. They are as follows:

EROS includes passion or infatuation as well as sexual or romantic love.

STORGE refers to the natural affection between a parent and child.

PHILEO refers to the intimacy that good friends share.

AGAPE is sacrificial love–a commitment that motivates us to deny ourselves on behalf of another. This is the type of love the Lord had in mind when He commanded His followers to love one another.

You can see that AGAPE love is a sacrificial love. This is the true love that flows from God and it is a command for those of us who say we are born again believers of Jesus Christ.

Our physical life is one of the most valuable asset we possess. There is only one greater and that is our spiritual life in Jesus Christ. There is not a greater expression of love than when a person is willing to lay down their life for another person or their country. It enhances the love of Jesus Christ. Jesus died for His enemies and those who hate Him and those who reject Him as the One who came and died for us sinners. What Jesus did for us shows the extent of His love that He has for us. There is no greater love than when He laid down His life for us.

Have you ever been in a situation where you had to possibly lay down your life for someone else? Have you ever thought about what you would do if the situation ever presented itself? I have and I had to make that choice in January, 1968. That was a transforming experience for me since I am still alive and I praise God that He granted me additional time here on earth. How about the many who have died for our freedom? How sad it is when people demonstrate and destroy because they say it is their right. How many have died so others may have that right? I often ask myself, would these demonstrators be willing to die for others? I know what I thought about before and after my experience of how close death was at my door and it was for a total stranger. I have no regrets and I praise and thank God for the privilege of serving Him.

As we enter into this Christmas Season, God may not ask you to lay down your life, but He may be asking you to share with someone you may know or don’t know, the Good News of Jesus Christ. Sacrifice a little by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. You will be blessed. Jesus sacrificed His position in Heaven to come to earth as a gift for us. Give Him thanks by sharing with others. May the Lord bless you this Christmas?

WILLIAMS MAIL

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I would like to share an email I received. I believe it would be an opportunity for the Christian Community to witness and show a young boy our love by sending him mail. May the Lord bless those who respond in His name. Thank you for your consideration.

Williams Mail

I have never done, or asked anything like this before, but I felt the need to. That need that comes from being a mom and wanting to do everything in your power to make your child happy. It seems like such a small thing but it is the few things that drive a mothers soul. The need to protect and the need to bring joy to your kids faces.

My son, William is 12 years old. He is an amazing kid. He rarely asks for much. He is full of love, joy and happiness. William is smart, funny and awesome. William also has Autism (severe) and is also non verbal. (he can not talk). During Christmas time (his absolute favorite time of the year) he always asks me for the things he wants, and they are always the same. He wants Mr.Sketch Markers, Copy Paper, Lays Regular Chips, and whatever Blu Ray is on his mind for his collection. (His “thing” is movies). He is the easiest and hardest to shop for. I am always looking for new things to add to the list but he usually is not interested and just wants what he wants.

This is where my request comes in. This year he asked for something new! I almost fell over when he added it to the box (his Christmas wish list box) and the new item is……….. MAIL! Mail. Mail. He LOVES getting mail. Half of our family lives in Northern Canada and the other half lives in Southern USA so he gets mail from family a couple times a year. I always knew he loved getting his mail but when he asked for it, I cried. I actually sat here and cried. Both happy and sad tears. Happy because he was expressing his wants and sad because of how I was going to figure out how to get him what he wants. He is such an amazing kid and he rarely wants for anything, I really want to make something special for him.

Let me tell you why I was sad. William has never had people come to his birthdays or has he been invited to any. No one asks William to come over for playdates or sleep overs. There are a small handful of kids in his class with needs of their own so I understand why. It is not anyone’s fault, it just is what it is. My family lives 1000 miles in one direction and my kids other family (fathers side) lives 1000 miles in the other so there is no family here for us. My teenage daughter is always out, socializing, hanging with friends and sometimes it just breaks my heart. I wish William had that too, but life has other plans for this amazing kid.

Many people assume since he can not talk that he does not understand. Well, let me tell you, this kid understands. He understands a lot. He understands too much. He just can not communicate the way we do, but he is sharp as a tack. He feels love and affection and I think he finds mail from others as affection. He carries around the last box that was sent to him. He covets the post cards. He wants me to read mail to him (even though he is an excellent reader) he wants to send mail. He LOVES mail and asks me for it now (the past couple weeks) multiple times a day. He writes MAIL on his drawings, he brings me the key to check the mail. I think he truly appreciate mail.

Now to my request. I have been racking my brains for a couple weeks. I want to make this year special for this most special boy. He has nothing but love in him and I want him to feel the love from others. If you want to help a kind soul this year, I am asking for strangers to send him mail. I want him to know the world loves and values him in a way that he understands and feels. I have been buying stamps and have been “creating” mail for Christmas. I have enlisted my small family (there is only a handful) to send mail to him for Christmas. I was hoping someone out there would want to sit down and send mail to William. He deserves to feel the love from the world like the rest of us do because he makes this world a better place. He deserves all the mail in the world according to me , but I am his mommy so I am bias.

I know, it may seem strange to ask strangers for mail but this is the only way I can think of to fulfill my sons Christmas wish. I am starting a page, and if people write letters to him on it, I will print the letters off and turn them into mail. If you feel inclined to send this amazing kid a piece of mail, I will save it until Christmas morning and when he wakes up, he will wake up to his beloved mail.

He loves his mail so much that his weekly treat is to visit the Post Office so he can get a Mail Box (a priority mail box) and when we get home he wants me to put Mail in it (usually just one of his BluRays) and he gets so happy to open it. He also carries around this Christmas USPS flier thingy they sent out a while ago with their Christmas stamps.

Please take the time to consider my request. It would mean the world to a very special young boy whose only real wish this year is to open MAIL It would mean the world to this Momma , William and his big sister Victoria too, we just want to make it a very special Christmas for a very special boy

https://www.facebook.com/pag…/Williams-Mail/1575623412666921

If you would like to learn more about what to write or what William likes to talk about please read this link. https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1576474325915163&id=1575623412666921

Twitter @mail4william

‪#‎mail4william

Williams Mail

PMB# 175

816 Peace Portal Dr.

Blaine, Washington 98230

USA

Please share

HOLIDAY CHANGES

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HOLIDAY CHANGES

As we enter into the Holiday Seasons, there seems to be a change taking place that saddens me. What I was raised with and have enjoyed for many years were the greetings of HAPPY THANKSGIVING and MERRY CHRISTMAS. Now it appears that these greetings are changing to Happy Harvest or Happy Holiday. I ask, why? I believe that a great deal of the change has to do with the Christian connection that is represented in these two holidays. It seems in our present age, any reference to a Christian ideology is taboo among our society. What is even sadder is that the voices of our Christian churches are not speaking up or taking opposition to these changes. Again, I ask, why? There seems to be a lull of apathy for not standing up for what is right in our country today. Has Satan gotten us so full of fear that we are afraid to challenge those who are taking away our rights as citizens of this great country? I ask, what happened to God’s promise in Romans 8:31(NKJV) 31 what then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

As we enter into the last holidays of 2014 I pray that you remember all the blessings you have been given by a great and loving God. I realize that there are those who are hurting, depressed and down and out. If God has blessed you, give to others as you are capable of giving even if it is just telling someone that you love them. Then give thanks and praise to God as stated in Psalms 100:4, (NIV) Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.

As we enter into the Christmas season, remember to keep Christ in Christmas. After all, that is what Christmas is all about. Don’t “X” Him out! The Christmas story can be found in the Gospel of Matthew 1: beginning with vs. 18 and in the Gospel of Luke 2: beginning in vs.1. God sent His Son Jesus Christ to be with us and eventually give Himself as sacrifice. What a gift! Even if you think you have nothing, you have the most wonderful gift that anyone could ask for. This gift keeps giving and giving from generation to generation and what is so wonderful, all you have to do is receive it. It is free.

I pray that you all have a Happy Thanksgiving and a very Merry Christmas. Love to all.

WHAT IS THE SABBATH REST?

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WHAT IS THE SABBATH REST?

Is Saturday or Sunday the real Sabbath day of rest? After 2000 years of teaching about the Sabbath rest, Christians still have a misunderstanding of what the true meaning is and what is important to us. Does Satan have people confused about what is God’s Sabbath rest and what is man’s Sunday rest? Is man’s Sunday rest in opposition to God’s Sabbath rest?

First, let us look at what Genesis 2:1-3 of the KJV says:

  1. Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2.And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 3.And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

The word rested in the above verses does not have the same meaning as it does in Hebrews Chapter 4. It does not mean what we often think it means. Here it means God ended His activity. His creation work came to an end. We must come to realize that the true meaning of rest is very crucial to our Christian walk. What does it mean? It can be summed up in one word, FAITH.

I ask you, should we be observing the Sabbath rest today as many Christian groups still believe we should? If you do not follow their line of thinking that you must keep the Sabbath or you must not be a true Christian. Look at the following Scripture.

Colossians 2:16 (KJV) Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days.

In The Gospel of John, Chapter 5, Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath. The Jews were upset over this act. The Pharisees accused Jesus of breaking the Sabbath. Jesus answered them by saying, My Father is working until now, and I am working. Jesus was imitating His Father in actions of love and mercy.

Now, let us look at what Hebrews, Chapter 4 says: So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God for whoever enters God’s rest also ceases from his labors as God did from his. This rest is available to us now.

The true Sabbath rest comes when you cease from your own labors, your own efforts, your own activity, and from your own works. The secret of a true Christian’s life is to cease from depending on your own activity and to rest on the dependence of God. Look at what Paul says in Galatians 2:20: Not I, but Christ. I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. Jesus said in John 14:10, The Son can do nothing by himself. It is the Father who dwells in me who does the work. Through our very best efforts we only accomplish a minimum of activity. Why? Because we continue to look upon ourselves as the resource instead of looking upon the One who can do all things. As long as you deny the truth and continue to blow your own horn or ego, you will never enter into the rest God has provided.

Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Rest is the secret of any success you may have. How can you have such success?

Look carefully at what John 12:24 (KJV) says: Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone; but if it die, it brings forth much fruit. If you consent to death of self, great things will begin to happen and one of the great things is you will find rest. Rest is the secret of our Christian life.

Hebrews Chapter 4 is a chapter that will define Jesus as your Sabbath rest. Are you ready to enter into His rest? When you do you will hear Jesus say “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”  When you learn to whatever degree you surrender to, the keeping of the Sabbath is intended to be kept as God’s Sabbath is to be kept.

Jesus Christ came in order that you may find the true meaning of rest in Him and not of self-fulfillments. The writer of Hebrews encourages you to enter into the Sabbath rest that Jesus Christ provides.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

JESUS GAVE US MORE THAN SALVATION

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JESUS GAVE US MORE THAN SALVATION

What Jesus gave us on the cross and by His shed blood is more than salvation. The extras are only given to those who have Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. There are answers to all the troubles you face in life. There is God’s authority and power, Jesus Christ’s authority and power, and then there is the authority and power delegated to the believers. I ask you if you believe that Satan has authority and power over you.  If so, where did he get it?  You must have given it to him.

The only defense we have against the devil is a right relationship with God, which includes submission to His will. Christians do not live in their own power, but in God’s authority and power. It is God’s ability that makes us able to accomplish anything of value, for apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5). It is His strength that makes us overcomers. Are you totally committed to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Have you repented of your sins? Are you under the authority and power of Jesus Christ or are you still under the authority and power of the devil?

If you are not under the control of the sovereign God then you are under the control of the devil (Acts 26:18; 2 Corinthians 4:4). Satan works in our lives in the forms of deception, doubt, anger, fear and temptation. It is not whether you will face temptation; it is what you will do when faced with it.

The answer is very clear in the Scriptures. We can submit to the Devil and his ways or claim the power and authority given to us through Jesus Christ and the power of His Blood. Let’s look at some Scriptures that tells us what to do.

Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God did not give us the spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and a sound mind.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. God has provided the most effective weapons we can use against the devil. They are faith, wisdom, and knowledge about God and His Word. God has provided His full armor to stand against any form of evil Ephesians 6:10-18). These weapons are not weapons of this world. They are weapons with divine power to demolish the Devil’s strongholds. In order to use any type of weapon, you must first learn how to use it.

Matthew 6:33 (NIV) Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you. If you ignore God, He will ignore you and the Devil will come unto you with all kinds of problems: health, financial, marriage, jobs, just to mention a few. Then what happens is that people will blame God for their problems. Why do people choose the destructive ways?

We should know that the Devil is real because the Bible says so and because of the experiences we encounter in our daily lives. Bad things do not come from a God of love. Confusion about God comes from the Devil.

Born again believers have been given authority over the Devil by Jesus and His Blood. Why not use it? Why let the Devil cause you to lose a war that has already been won?

In Jesus’ name, renounce the evil spirits that control your life. There are so many that it would take up so much space. Anything that is opposite of God’s teaching is an evil spirit. Learn to discern. Keep your eyes on Jesus and let the Holy Spirit lead you in your commands. May the Lord bless you and keep you.

Six Days In Hell

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This is an itinerary of an individual that took his or her final breath without receiving Jesus Christ as their Savior. Usually when go on vacation you plan it with an itinerary. Let’s look at the first six days of this individual’s destination in hell.

DAY 1

The journey originates at the gates of death. Since departures are made daily, you may be called to begin your trip on short notice. You need to realize that this journey is one way. Don’t concern yourself with return plans.

Your initial point of departure may prove more than a little frightening, as soon as you realize the final destination. The trip will leave you little time to think about what awaits you.

As you pass through the doorway of death, you will notice almost immediately that your direction is taking you away from the light and going towards what appears to be total darkness. With each passing moment you notice that the darkness becomes more intense. At first the absent of light is only annoying, but you begin to feel it becoming more ominous and threatening.

The intensity of the darkness is only matched by the absence of any joyful sounds, no music, no laughter, no sounds of merriment. As you travel further, faints sounds of moaning and wailing become noticeable. They are coming through the darkness from every direction. You become aware of small flicker of light like a flame. Thick clouds of black smoke are all around it. These clouds prevent any real hope of light.

Suddenly you find yourself wanting to know what day and hour it is. Already it feels like you have been here for eternity… and it is only day one.

DAY 2

The continuing darkness is stifling. It’s like something is lurking in the night and it surrounds you. You yell and scream, you threaten, and you even plead but to no avail. Whatever it is just stays there producing fear like you have ever known before.

As your eyes struggle to adjust to the dark, you become aware of a new sensation. You start to feel heat that is beginning to be unbearable. Hot searing, intolerable heat. You would give anything for a drink of water. Your body begins to crave water. You try to push the desire for a drink of water out of your mind. Your attempts are unsuccessful.

The air is beginning to thicken, you feel like choking, it is miserable and it is only DAY 2.

DAY 3

At least you think it is Day 3. It seems like you have been there forever. You still can’t believe you’re here. Where are all the friends you thought you would see? Your thinking that they would be here brought you comfort during your lifetime. You thought you would be having fun with old friends. It is not like you were led to believe.

Suddenly you come upon a group of others. You begin to ask questions. As they open their mouth, no words come out. You only hear weeping and wailing. Some in the group don’t even try to answer. They only gnash their teeth as if in pain. You begin to think that this is just a nightmare and it will end when you wake up. You wonder why someone doesn’t wake you up. And it is only Day 3.

DAY 4

Now you begin to wish you could send a message back to those you left behind. You would warn them about the place you are in. You would tell them what it is really like, so they would never come. Just the thought of your loved ones coming to this place is unbearable. You begin to think about the times you decided that the rejection of receiving Jesus as your Savior and where you would spend eternity did not seem important then. Now, you realize how foolish you were to reject God’s offer of salvation. Again, you find yourself hoping that your loved ones will choose differently even though you will never see them again, never hug them and never speak to them. What a horrible realization and it’ only Day 4.

DAY 5

You are becoming aware of the absence of any good in this place. There is no love for only God is love and God’s presence is not there. There is no joy, peace or goodness because they only come from God. There is nothing holy or sacred because God is not present. You begin to realize how evil evil can be.

For the first time since you arrived, you begin to sense the distance between where you are and where God is. All you know is that it is beyond you comprehension. God is on the other side of where you are. Those who have received Jesus are on the other side. What a lonely feeling and it is only Day5.

DAY 6

As your eyes have adjusted to the darkness, you see a new face today. He stopped to speak with you. You could see the terror in his eyes. He asked questions that you had asked days before. You opened your mouth to reply, but all that would come out is weeping and wailing.

You have just spent your first 6 days in hell. Unfortunately, an unholy, unhappy eternity lies ahead and all because you rejected Jesus. If only?

But wait. The fact that you are reading this, you still have chance. In His mercy, God is giving you an opportunity to change your eternal destination. Oh, you may say that this blog is nothing but a bunch of bunk. I guarantee that some of it is Biblical. Separation from God’s love and mercy and grace are not what I want to deal with. Believe me, Satan is not love in any form and fashion.

It’s not too late to reconsider, before it’s too late. You are not promised a tomorrow, only today. Please do it now.

Acts 2:21 – Whoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved.

Eternity is forever! The trip is only one way. There is never a return ticket.