My Denomination Is The Greatest! Oh Really?

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

I will be so glad to be in heaven with Jesus someday where there are not different churches on every corner. Mankind is funny. Men interpret the Bible in different ways making up manmade doctrines along the way. Some denominations go so far as to proclaim they are the only way to heaven. Knowing Jesus, is where it is at, and asking Him to be Lord of your life.Acts 16:31 puts it pretty simply when it states "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved- you and your household."

 There have been occasions when I got into conversations about what if someone dies before they were baptized, say a baby for instance raised in a faith where infants are dedicated, or someone who accepts Christ at a Crusade then is killed by a car on the way home. We should want to have a believer's baptism in obedience to Him, but I firmly believe a loving God does not send a baby to hell or someone recently saved such as at a Billy Graham revival. God is a loving God, it is His followers sometimes that create hurdles to the kingdom.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord that you are the way,the truth,and the life and no one comes to the Father except through you. Help me to show love to all people and not act arrogant about my denomination. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Note: I highly recommend the movie 'God's Not Dead' which I have now seen 6 times. It deals with some of this topic. Do yourself a favor and go!

God Is Good, All The Time!!

I remain confidence in this, that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13

In the movie 'God's Not Dead' currently showing nationwide in the US in approximately 1700 theaters, one of the phrases repeated over several times was "God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good." I have started trying to remember this when I am tempted to be upset about something or think wrong thoughts.  God has a plan and He will prevail. All the junk going on in the world, the lies,the deceit, the evil, the hurt, the pain, will one day be gone. This world is not forever.  While we are here for however long that is, we are supposed to be serving the Lord. Now of course those who have not yet accepted Christ or who are atheists would laugh at this notion. "That is a little fanatical now isn't it being religious all the time" some might say.

Wherever you are you can make a difference for the kingdom of God. Look at your life as a ministry. Your life is not just about one hour on Sunday. It is also not about acting 'holier than thou' but about shining the light of Jesus' wherever you go regardless of your circumstances. When humanly you would want to explode over a situation just say "God is good, all the time!" He really is!

PRAYER: I know everything in life has a purpose. Good stuff and not so good. Things work out. Help me Lord to be an example for you each day as you indeed are good! In Jesus' name. Amen.

What Do You Say?

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Sometimes things happen in life to friends or family and there are not words to know how to respond or bring comfort. Recently a longtime friend of mine had the unspeakable happen which there's no need to elaborate on as God knows. In this time of her enormous grief and confusion what can you do to help? Flowers, cookie bouquet, note, phone call? Grief,tragedy,and pain are all part of life and can make us stronger. That makes some angry especially if they have lost a close friend in an accident or in war. Only time and prayer help the healing process.

Grief and trouble are all part of life. In the newly released Hollywood movie,"God's Not Dead" ,an atheist college professor has been hurt in the past and hates God and tries to get his students to do likewise. This movie is a must see in my humble opinion. I have seen it three times already.

What are you struggling to deal with in your own life?Run to God,not away from Him. 

PRAYER: Lord I love you. Forgive me if I have ever been mad or blamed you for my grief. In Jesus' name. Amen.