In 1st John, chapter 1 and verses 5-7:
If we all take the time to look at ourselves and our lives, would we see the light of God in it? If we walk in darkness and do things that are not of God, then how can he be in us? We are to walk in the light and keep his commandments to be of God.
"And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."
How many of us say we 'know' God and his son, Jesus Christ? A lot of people will say this, I can tell you this. But only a few truly know God by keeping his commandments and walking with Jesus. Those who have succeeded in this enjoy a fellowship with God in us that is hard to describe to others. It is knowing God by getting to know him personally. Do you know 'of' God or do you KNOW HIM?
And I found an interesting verse in 1 John 2:2 and thought it would address directly to the ongoing Calvinism debate.
"And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."
Jesus Christ died for the entire world and his blood is sufficient to cover all, but it can only reach those who choose to receive it. Every single one of us have the choice to either receive or reject his blood.
John writes us a warning about deceivers, anti-christs and false prophets/spirits in 1 John 4:1-3:
"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world."
There are many false religions and false prophets who appear to be godly but they are great deceivers. Many religions are created and worship their own deities, but if they deny that Jesus Christ is the son of God, the messiah who came to save the world, then they are deceivers and an antichrist.
"He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."
There is no life and no salvation without Jesus Christ. Whosoever receives Jesus Christ as their savior has the life. This is made clear for us all.
Jude wrote a passage for us who are living in these last days in Jude 1:17-21:
"But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."
We see this everywhere in the world now. We have become comfortable with the comfort, luscious, and sensual things. We have it all, don't we? The world is full of lust and enticements that draw us away from the Lord. The world walks after it's own lusts, seeking to fufill these things thereof. In the end, is only more emptiness and an endless search to satisfy. Many people have become hard, bitter and they scorn God.
We are God's children and we walk in him, not of the things of the world. The Bible encourages us to keep building ourselves up to be better, stronger and more closer to God. The time is near and we all need to be ready. There is a great falling away right now. The people in the world and the people in God are becoming more and more seperate. Where do you belong?
My mom is my best friend and we are always watching over each other. She taught me how to be strong, how to be wise and she taught me about Jesus. I will always be grateful.
My sister and I are close friends. She makes me laugh with the funny things she says. I love getting her letters even though she lives two hours away. I wish her the best things in life and I know we will always be there for each other no matter what.
My two boys are the best presents anyone could ever give me and God gave them to me. I adore them to pieces! Being a mother has given me an amazing purpose and I want to give them the best life they can have. The way to do that is to bring them to the Lord. Nothing is greater than this.
I am so thankful for Lisa and her family. They have become our second family. They are SO good to us and have a beautiful heart of giving and love. They welcomed us in their home, helped us through hard times and Lisa is an amazing example as a wife, mother and God fearing Christian.
I am thankful for the bloggers and my Christian friends that I have gotten to know better this year! I adore all of you and you all continue to inspire me everyday.
I am thankful for an AMAZING God! He is so beautiful to me in every way that he is. He continues to love us, take care of us, guards us and he leads me in his ways. I am very undeserving of his beautiful grace, and at the same time, thankful beyond explanation.
I am thankful for an amazing church! The sermons continue to inspire me every single week and encourage me to grow. I encourage all of you to find a church that helps their members GROW more and more and to serve the Lord! There is SO much more than just sitting in church and walking out the same way you came in. It's out there and God can lead you to the right place.
I am thankful that I live in a country where I am allowed to worship God freely and where talking about his WORD is not a crime.
I am thankful for an endless abundance of things. We may not have everything we want, but we have everything we need. That is what counts! We have a roof over our heads, food in our belly, hot water and a loving family. God provides for our needs and it still puts me in awe when I know that the God of the Universe takes the time to take care of the needs of his people.
I've got SO much to be thankful for!!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Now I have a new computer today! Hah, I am excited I got it today! I am thankful to Scott, Lisa and Tim for letting me be able to have a good computer now! I missed you all and have SO much to catch up on! :)
from, Charlene _\m/
Outside my window...is a beautiful tree with vivid fall colors and berries! Lisa took a picture of it for her tree photo collection ;)
I am thinking...about Landon. Poor guy has a terrible headache today. The Tylenol isn't doing much for him.
From the learning rooms...are new educational posters from the dollar tree store and days of the week signs.
I am thankful for...my two boys, this lovely weather and the peace in my heart!
I am wearing... cut off shorts and a tank top since I am staying home all day.
From the kitchen... Gonna make some avocado dip for our pirate movie soon!
I am reading... the devotional blogs! I love those!
I am hoping... that my financial life will improve since I just made some changes & have enough for Christmas presents for the kids!
Around the house... are some toy trucks that the kids were playing with, some warm blankets laying around, and medicine bottles on the counter for my little Landon.
One of my favorite things... is a delicious cup of coffee in the early morning as I check my messages, and baby kisses & hugs from my boys.
A few plans for the rest of the week... Saturday will be our adventure day! I hope Landon will feel better for some fun tomorrow! I am thinking about taking them to visit some pet stores in town!
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
I love this drawing because of the look on Jesus' face as he looks at Heaven. When we turn our eyes to what waits for us above, we will too share that deep, abiding joy that shall be revealed in us for all to see and cannot deny.
I wanted to share a personal story with other struggling mothers about how hard it can be to find out when you're pregnant, and that I understand. I was there once before in that same boat.
The kids and I had a blast yesterday! Instead of celebrating the evil and popular holiday, Halloween, we came up with our own fun day! We call it, "Praise the Lord Day!" We have to say "praise the Lord!" whenever we hear something good! It was funny and the kids enjoyed that idea!
We made homemade popcorn balls together and it was SO yummy!! Landon helped me make it and Brady was the official taste tester! ;) Afterwards, we had homemade nachos and meaty pizza while we watched a movie together. We wrestled around afterwards and had fun! It was a good replacement away from the pagan holiday.
Here is the Recipie for the Popcorn Balls! Hey, if I can make it, so can you!!
-2 Cups of white sugar
-1 Cup of light corn syrup
-1/2 Cup of butter
-1/4 Cups of water
-Salt to taste
-1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
-5 Quarts of popped popcorn
(that was about 2 1/2 bags of popcorn for me)
>In a saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, corn syrup, butter and water. Stir & heat to hard-crack stage or 300 degrees F. Remove from heat, add vanilla and mix well.
> Pour slowly over popped popcorn while stirring. Wait 5 minutes & shape into 3" round balls.
(Tip: for hard-cracks, have a bowl of ice water nearby, drizze small amount of syrup into the water, it should tread in the water and when you take it out, it will be hard and brittle.)
This recipie made two plates of this stuff!!
p.s. a note about the previous post, "From One Single Mom to Another," I had added a sixth tip about overdrawing from a bank. Someone told me it was the same as stealing. It didn't occur to me until that time, so I felt badly and removed the sixth tip. I wouldn't want to promote stealing on my blog. For those who read it, I apologize.
I am a single mom of two boys. I've been on my own for nearly three years now. I sure have been in some rough spots where I needed a miracle to climb out of. Let me say this: If there is anything I've learned, it is that God provides and he is faithful.
And God is faithful. When he wants his will done, he WILL provide a way! God promises that his children will never beg.
I heard this story today in my New Horizon's class this morning. It was so beautiful that I couldn't wait to come home, find it online and share it with you guys! It is a story that I think, shows remarkable faith and trust in God. As Christians, we live above the circumstances. We need to remember to trust in God during whatever trials we may face and to know that God is in control. That thought alone gives my soul rest and comfort.
In 1873 the Spafford family planned a trip to England. Mr. Spafford was delayed by business, and so sent Mrs. Spafford and the four girls on ahead. Their ship sunk off of Newfoundland. Mrs. Spafford was one of only 47 survivors. All four of his daughters had drowned. Mr. Spafford received a horrific telegram from his wife: "saved alone". He boarded the next available ship. When Mr. and Mrs. Spafford met up with Dwight Moody in England, Mr. Spafford simply said, "It is well. The will of God be done."
But when his ship had passed through the same place in the river where his daughters had drowned just a few hours before, he wrote this beautiful song: "It is Well With My Soul."
