In Psalm 37:35, David marvels at the wicked "spreading himself like a green bay tree" (KJV). Young's Literal Translation puts it: "as a green native plant."
We have a schefflera plant, or umbrella tree, in our living room. Because it is not native to where we live, it makes a nice houseplant, growing to 10 feet tall at most. But in a tropical climate such as Florida or Australia, it can grow to 40 feet.
Why should we wonder, then, when we Christians struggle? We are not native plants. The earth is not our home, and we can expect to have rough times. Our Lord promised us that. But we also have this promise: "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him" (James 1:12, NIV).
RUTH'S ATTIC A selection from Ruth Bell Graham's writings. Decision/ March 2009
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." [John 14:6]
A person lives to themselves nearly their whole life and then right at the end—they accept Christ and heaven is theirs to enjoy forever! Doesn’t seem fair, does it?
When we accept salvation from Jesus Christ, we all accept the same deal—eternal life with the Savior. If someone accepts Christ at ten years old or at age 85, lying on his deathbed—what’s the difference? Are you envious of God’s generosity? No! We love his generosity. Don’t ever change that, God!
Remember the thieves on the Cross? One thief cursed Jesus, the other defended Him. At the last moment, he said to Jesus: “remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). And Jesus forgave him! The time of forgiveness doesn’t matter! Anytime is the best time to receive Christ! And it is indeed the reward of a lifetime!
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” (Ephesians 1:7)
--From: Max on Life
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." [John 14:6]
-The Bible says God loves you so much He offers eternal life. -"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
-The Bible says sin separates you from God. -"AS it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one." -(Romans 3:10)
-"For all have sinnned, and come short of the glory of God. -(Romans 3:23)
-The Bible tells of God's Rememdy for your sin. -"Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And he was buried, and he rose again the third day acccording to to the scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:3,4)
-"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
-"Jesus said unto him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes unto the Father, but by Me." (John 14:6)
-The Bible says you can be saved. -"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him." (Revelation 3:20)
-"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)
-"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:9)
-The Bible says You are Saved By Faith. -"For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8,9)
-THE BIBLE SAYS GOD LOVES YOU SO MUCH HE OFFERS YOU ETERNAL LIFE! -(In order to receive this 'free gift' of eternal life (salvation), you must confess you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Repent, tell the Lord you are sorry and want to turn to Him. Ask Jesus to come into your life and help you to live for Him.
Tell Him you accept His gift of eternal life from His death on the cross, and want to live for him, and one day live eternally with Him and all the saints that have gone ahead to heaven. Jesus will help you to live for Him. Read your Bible to be assured of his life and words. Perhaps begin in the Gospel of JOHN/ New Testament.)~~
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." [John 14:6]
-BIBLE MEDITATION: "The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." 2 Peter 2:22
-DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: An unsaved person can sit in church, sing in the choir, and sound holy and righteous. But as soon as he's back in the world, he'll return to the sordid, old sin he enjoyed before.
Peter likens the unsaved religious person to a dog and a pig. You can scrub him clean, brush his teeth, and dress him in a pink ribbon; but he will go right back into the mire. A scrubbing on the outside doesn't change his inner nature. The dog may feel better, and the pig may look better; but neither has been changed.
But a person who comes to know Jesus Christ as his personal Savior is changed. He does not want the same things anymore. He does not live the same way anymore. He has been born again into a new life.
-ACTION POINT: What has changed in your life since you came to know the Lord Jesus Christ? Are you different? The Bible says when we are "in Christ," we become new creatures--for the old has passed away, and all things have become new. Have you experienced that? Then thank Him today!
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." [John 14:6]
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: A time to be born and a time to die, A time to plant and a time to uproot, A time to kill and a time to heal...
A time to tear down and a time to build. A time to weep and a time to laugh, A time to mourn and a time to dance, A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them.
A time to embrace and a time to refrain. A time to search and a time to give up, A time to tear and a time to mend, A time to be silent and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate, A time for war and a time for peace.
[God] has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere Him.
So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot from God.
-[Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 + selected verses.]
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Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." [John 14:6]
--"I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand. -And guide me with your counsel, and afterward You will take me into glory.
Whom have I in Heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides You.
My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
As for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds. --(PSALM 73:23-26, 28)/'My Portion and My Strength' /By: Ellie Holcomb ----------- <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlXAjXiBUuQ>
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." [John 14:6]
--ETERNAL SECURITY: CAN WE BE SURE? ----(Please Read 1 JOHN 5: verses 1-13)
--Our loving Heavenly Father wants us to know with certainty that we have eternal life through His Son Jesus Christ. What assurances do we have that we are permanently secure?
-**GOD'S LOVE-God the Father sent his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to pay our sin-debt and give us eternal life.
**CHRIST'S LIFE AND DEATH-Because Jesus was without sin, He qualified to serve as our substitute and take our place on the Cross. By dying for us, He paid for all our sins and finished the work necessary to secure our salvation. (John 19:30)
**JESUS' PROMISE. We have our Lord's assurance that we will spend eternity with Him. He promised that we can never be separated from Him and that no one can snatch us from His hand (10:28). He has gone ahead to prepare a place for us and will return to bring us there (14:2-3).
**THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT. Another assurance of eternal security is the presence of God's Spirit within each believer. The Holy Spirit acts as a seal, guaranteeing that we belong to the Lord and serving as a pledge of our future in heaven with Him (2 Cor. 1:21-22).
The Word of God is filled with His promises that those who have received Jesus Christ as Savior will spend eternity with Him.
"Believe upon the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." --(ACTS 16:31)~~--A Living Prayer / By: Rachel MacLean <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndOp_BjTSlc> ------------
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." [John 14:6]
