A
glorious early summer morning just leads me to want to praise God and thank him
for all the blessings he pours on us daily. We should all have thankful hearts
(Ps 95:2). We have only to look around us to see the blessings of God in his
creation (Rom 1:20).
Every
day when we wake up we need to thank God for life, family, loved ones and for God’s
love, mercy, forgiveness and presence in our lives; how blessed we are. When each
of our children were born I was always reminded that we are: “fearfully and
wonderfully made” by the hand of our mighty God (Ps 139:14; KJV). He cares for
us, each one of us (1Peter 5:7).
We
are told to: “enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with
praise” (Ps 100:4) and to: “come before his presence with thanksgiving” (Ps
95:2). God created our earth and he saw that it was good (Gen 1). He made us to
fellowship with him (Gen 3:8-9).
The
bible tells us that every good thing comes from our heavenly Father: “with whom
there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). He designed
us to live the life that he does, an abundant life (John 10:1). He is so
faithful and he desires and is so worthy of, our thanks and praise. As we give
thanks and praise him our worries disperse and we are lifted into His presence
(Ps 100:4; Ps 22:3). Spend some time today thanking God and praising Him.
Please pass this on. All rights reserved.
A BLOG by Norman and Jean
Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check
out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based
blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments
section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER
FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com
"Whatsoever
a man soweth, that shall he also reap." (Gal. 6:7b; KJV.) The Bible has
plenty to say about sowing and reaping; in Matthew 7:2 Jesus was teaching his
disciples and he told them not to criticize others because: "with what
measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again”.
According
to this principle then if we sow love we will reap love, if we sow forgiveness
we will reap forgiveness (Luke 6:37) and so on. The same principle is applied
to what we hear (Mark 4:24); the amount of time we put into attending to the word
determines how much we will receive from it. It also applies to finances; In Luke
6:38 Jesus tells us that if we give it will be given back to us in the same
measure with which we gave.
In 2
Corinthians. 9:6 Paul wrote that we can either give sparingly or bountifully
but that is also how we will reap. These scriptures are all telling us the same
thing. Jesus, our supreme example, sowed his life so we could become children
of God and enjoy everlasting life
I
encourage you today to sow into someone’s life and enjoy the blessing that
comes from that.
Please
pass this on. All rights reserved.
A BLOG by Norman and Jean
Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check
out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based
blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments
section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER
FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com
In
Revelation Chapters 2 and 3 Jesus gives warnings and promises to the 7
churches. As we read them we can see that they are timeless and speak to us
today.
He
warns concerning losing our first love, our love for and obedience to Jesus.
Jesus warns against sexual immorality and idolatry or things that became idols
in our lives and cloud our love for Jesus. If we don’t guard against these
influences we can become like the dead church of Sardis, where worldly
influences had crowded out the things of God.
But
now for the good news. My goodness me I can hardly write it down it’s so
exciting. Let me try to summarize. Jesus said that the faithful would receive
rewards when we go to be with him in heaven. He talks about a crown of life,
walking in victory in an intimate relationship with Jesus, completely forgiven
and vindicated. Jesus will honor us, we will be God’s possessions forever,
ruling the nations with Jesus and sitting with him on his throne. We will eat
from the tree of life and dine with Jesus; protected and dressed in white.
Our
names are written in the book of life and Jesus says to the Father, these are
mine; these are ours. Wow, that should brighten your day up. The world around
us has nothing for us; let’s keep our eyes on Jesus. The rewards are awesome,
if that’s a strong enough word!
Please
pass this on. All rights reserved.
A BLOG by Norman and Jean
Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check
out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based
blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments
section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER
FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com
In
Acts chapter 2 and verses 42-47 we are given some vital characteristics of the
early church, it was on the move, vital and growing. A major focus of early
church life was an ongoing, constant devotion to the teaching of the leaders.
There was no bible back then, only oral tradition and teaching. In our day and age,
we have leaders who teach us and we have the bible. How much more we should
make our bible the focus of our lives.
Fellowship
was important to the early church. The Greek word here is koinonia; a fellowship
centered on Jesus and with other Christians and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
This should be a beautiful loving relationship of mutual submission and
support. For early Christians this fellowship included eating together,
particularly around the table of the Lord in Communion. Prayer was a pillar for
early Christians and should under gird our lives today.
In
the early church, there was a great unity and sharing of resources so that no
one was in need. An awesome, reverential fear of God came on everyone and the
church was a church of praise.
All
of the above produced a church of power, signs wonders and miracles, with
thousands being added daily. I see nothing complicated in the early church but
a people walking in simple obedience and the love of God. Look at the results!
When you think about it, our churches now should be no different.
Please
pass this on. All rights reserved.
A BLOG by Norman and Jean
Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check
out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based
blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments
section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER
FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward
you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an
expected end” (Jer 29:11-12; KJV). God only has good thoughts about us not evil
ones. His thoughts toward us are more than can be numbered and very precious.
(Ps 139:17; Ps 40:5) Just think about that as an individual, God thinks about
you all day and night, because he does not sleep (Ps 121:4).
He
had you in mind when he sent Jesus to die for our sins (John 3:16). He thinks
of you as his precious child; accepted just the way you are (1 John 3:2). We
are his masterpiece (Eph 2:10). God sees you healed whole and healthy because he
is the Lord that heals you (Ex 15:26). He doesn’t think about your sins as he
has forgiven you and he only sees you in Christ (2 Cor 5:21).
His
thoughts toward you are pure love. (Rom 5:8) Our Heavenly Father thinks of ways
to bless and provide for you (Matt 6:31-33). He sees you mighty and strong,
victorious and his minister of reconciliation (Eph 6:10; 1 Cor 15:57; 2 Cor 5:18).
God knows the day he will receive you to glory in heaven (Ps 139 :16). God’s
thoughts toward you rise to great joy, love; approval and satisfaction when he
sees and hears you worship, praise and thank him (2 Chron 5:13-14; Ps 22:3).
Now that should set your day right.
Send
this to someone. All rights reserved.
A BLOG by Norman and Jean
Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check
out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based
blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments
section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER
FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com