Great News! Thank God!

He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

These are words that Jesus used during his sermons. Do the words of God go in one ear and out the other; or do you embrace the great news of our Lord Jesus?

Romans 10:17 NIV
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

Jesus came down out of heaven to live among us. He lived a perfect life to be our sacrifice and our resurrection, so that whoever believes in Him will be saved and given eternal life with him in paradise. Jesus loves me! This I know because the Bible tells me so...

John 3:16-17 NIV
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Embrace the message of Christ and let your faith shine in this world!

Those who have ears to hear, let him hear!

John continues to spread the great news of God's love in his first letter. We hear again that God loved the world so much that He sent Jesus into the world, so that we could be saved and live through him.

1 John 4:7-12 NIV
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

John continues to show us the life readily available through Jesus in his first epistle. He tells us that God has testified that eternal life is guaranteed to all who have faith in Jesus. Great news indeed!

1 John 5:10-12 NIV
Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Great News! Even in a recession, God's love is free of charge. Are you thirsty for the waters that flow from God, or hungry for the bread of life?
In chapter 1 of the book of John and in Revelation chapter 19 we find references to Jesus being named the Word of God. Jesus came into the world and accomplished a great mission. He lived a perfect life in order to be our sacrifice and our resurrection. He gave this earth this water and this bread of life.

Isaiah chapter 55 tells us to seek the Lord while he can easily be found. Turn to the Lord and God will show you his mercy and his love.

Go out in joy and be lead in peace!

Isaiah 55 NIV
"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of the peoples. Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations that do not know you will hasten to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor."

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord's renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed."

Matthew 5:17-18 NIV
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

Praise God!

John 19:30 NIV
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Thank you Jesus! He came to this earth to fulfill the law and that is exactly what he accomplished with his death on the cross. Then He resurrected from the grave and conquored death.
We have two choices: 1. Look to Jesus and the cross and accept what he has already done; or 2. Fulfill the law ourselves and earn our own salvation.
We should all know that the second option is beyond impossible. Why not choose Jesus and live in his love and grace?

Romans 5:20-6:2 NIV
The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?

Romans 6:14 NIV
For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

Jesus makes it so easy to come to him... Amen!

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Thank you Jesus! You were the one and only sacrifice that could wash away our sins. You made salvation available to all those who believe in you as Savior.

Praise God and enjoy a day of grace and peace in Christ Jesus!

Hebrews 10:1-18 NIV
The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming- not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:

"Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased.
Then I said,'Here I am-it is written about me in the scroll- I have come to do your will, O God.' "

First he said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them" (although the law required them to be made). Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:

"This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds."

Then he adds:

"Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more."

And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.

O Lord, open my lips and my mouth will praise you!

Thank God for his unfailing love and mercy. At any point in our lives we can turn to God and find the comfort we need. King David wrote this Psalm 51 at the lowest point of his life. David repented and God restored him and cleansed him.

Praise God and enjoy this beautiful psalm. Amen!

Psalm 51 NIV
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. In your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem. Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight you; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Our hope is in the name of the Lord. Amen!

David writes to us again in Psalm 25, about God's mercy and love. David asks forgiveness from the Lord for his sins and waits for God's instruction. The Lord is with us when we are lonely and comfort in our distress.

Psalm 25:1-18 NIV
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.
Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord.
Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant. For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great. Who, then, is the man that fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him. He will spend his days in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land. The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare.
Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish. Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins.

Are you trying to hide something from God? King David knew that this was not possible. Beyond that, David saw how wonderful it is that God knows every last detail about each of us. God can guide and protect us no matter where we are and no matter what time it is, or the condition of the weather.

Praise God! We are never alone. Jesus promised - "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Psalm 139:1-12 NIV
O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.
You hem me in--behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

Brian wrote:

He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
These are words that Jesus used during his sermons. Do the words of God go in one ear and out the other; or do you embrace the great news of our Lord Jesus?
Romans 10:17 NIV
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
Jesus came down out of heaven to live among us. He lived a perfect life to be our sacrifice and our resurrection, so that whoever believes in Him will be saved and given eternal life with him in paradise. Jesus loves me! This I know because the Bible tells me so...
John 3:16-17 NIV
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Embrace the message of Christ and let your faith shine in this world!

Hi Brian,

There is a severely back-slidden Christian who lives in Mountain View, Arkansas. Actually, there are a man and wife team who are both in need of your fervent passion for the Lord. Their names, ofcourse are Andy and Sherrie Wittchow. You can check out the Mountain View, Arkansas Topix and read about them. Check out, especially all the Rustic Cabin threads. To make a long story short, Andy, the severely back-slidden Christian was just found guilty in a Mountain View, Arkansas court of law of a Class B Felony, Theft of Property. Actually, he got off kind of light, as he stole and ripped off a whole lot more people than he got sentenced for in his Plea Deal. Anyway, if you would like to put your faith in action you can contact Andy Wittchow through the Mountain View, Arkansas Topix site, both he and his wife, Sherrie Wittchow. I am sure they both will be glad you witnessed to them, and placed them on your prayer list. Thanks Brother..........

What does God find when he searches your heart? King David praised God for his great love and his complete knowledge of David's life.

Take pleasure from the conclusion of Psalm 139.

Psalm 139:13-18; 23-24 NIV
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Let your face shine upon us, O Lord!

In the following scripture, Jesus promises to give us rest. In Psalm 4, King David also writes about finding peace, safety and rest in the Lord. Seek God in all circumstances and He will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28 NIV
Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Psalm 4 NIV
Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? Selah
Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him. In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Selah
Offer right sacrifices and trust in the Lord. Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?" Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Praise God and have a safe and blessed weekend. Amen!

The calendar says this is a day for fools. Why don't we take a look at the Bible and a few of the things it says about fools.

Psalm 14:1 NIV
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.

Job 5:2 NIV
Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple.

Proverbs 10:14 NIV
Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.

Proverbs 15:14 NIV
The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

Isaiah 32:6 NIV
For the fool speaks folly, his mind is busy with evil: He practices ungodliness and spreads error concerning the Lord; the hungry he leaves empty and from the thirsty he withholds water.

Brian wrote:

He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
These are words that Jesus used during his sermons. Do the words of God go in one ear and out the other; or do you embrace the great news of our Lord Jesus?
Romans 10:17 NIV
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
Jesus came down out of heaven to live among us. He lived a perfect life to be our sacrifice and our resurrection, so that whoever believes in Him will be saved and given eternal life with him in paradise. Jesus loves me! This I know because the Bible tells me so...
John 3:16-17 NIV
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Embrace the message of Christ and let your faith shine in this world!

Brian,
Be Quiet Already!

enough all ready

Brian wrote:

The calendar says this is a day for fools. Why don't we take a look at the Bible and a few of the things it says about fools.
Psalm 14:1 NIV
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.
Job 5:2 NIV
Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple.
Proverbs 10:14 NIV
Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.
Proverbs 15:14 NIV
The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
Isaiah 32:6 NIV
For the fool speaks folly, his mind is busy with evil: He practices ungodliness and spreads error concerning the Lord; the hungry he leaves empty and from the thirsty he withholds water.

Hey Brian,

If you did not get it yet, ShutUp Already! People can overdose on anything, even Jesus, especially when they are force fed.

Brian, get a grip. You're another fanatical evangelist turning a good message you don't understand into more exaggerated crud.