What A Friend We Have In Jesus
Yesterday I was reading one of my Christian fiction stories — one of my all time favorite pastimes, when I came across the part of the story where the main character was in grave danger. She was desperate for help when the hymn “What a Friend” came to her mind. The author wrote out the first two verses of the hymn and as I was reading them, my heart was touched. I read and reread that passage, singing it to myself, and taking in the beautiful words of that song. Read more »
Hebrews 4:14-15 states that we have a great high priest who knows and understands our weaknesses and what it is like to be tempted. The high priests in the Old Testament were the only ones who could go into the holy of holies in the temple and make the proper sacrifice for the sins of the people. 
This morning in my daily Bible reading, I came across Romans 15:13 which says: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
So many times we stumble and fall in our walk with God. We know, as followers of Christ, that we want to be pleasing to Him. But how can we? 
Jesus instructed us to enter through the narrow gate in order to have eternal life. To the world this sounds the same as narrow minded but to the believer it means joy, peace, salvation, provision, protection and everything else God offers his children. 
God inspired these verses in me this morning and blessed me. I pray you are blessed also. 
Nothing saddens me more than to hear of someone who backs away from salvation because they feel as though God could never forgive them or love them. I can’t think of anything further from the truth! 
I love the Bible passage found in Romans 8:28-39. My Bible entitles verses 31-39 as More Than Conquerors. I love that thought because God’s Word itself tells us plainly that we cannot be separated from God’s Love and that Jesus Himself intercedes for us. 
This past Sunday we heard a very good teaching on relationships and marriage in particular. The basis of the message came from Hosea where God told the prophet to marry an adulterous woman. What an extraordinary request! Hosea, however, was obedient to God and married Gomer. She most certainly was adulterous and was unfaithful to Hosea as she returned to her life of prostitution.
There are many times in my walk with God that I wonder where He is and if He has heard my prayers, especially those that have not been answered after a long period of time. The thought came to me, however, that my time of feeling like God has forgotten me is like winter time for a tree. The tree may look dead because the branches are completely bare of leaves, fruit, or blossoms. The fact is, though, that the branches are still very much alive. 
I once heard Joyce Meyer say unforgiveness is like drinking poison; hoping the other person dies.
We are not alone, never, ever!
According to the dictionary, an ambassador is a diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by one sovereign or state to another as its resident representative. It is obviously a high ranking position with the authority to speak and negotiate for the country they represent. 
What does “guard your heart” mean to a Christian? The Bible tells us that we are in spiritual warfare–not physical. Therefore, we are to put on the full armor of God to be able to resist the evil day. 
Today, I want to share with you a poem the Lord gave me. It is based on Ephesians chapter 6 and I pray it is as meaningful for you as it is for me. 
God knows all and sees all. He knows your every sin and every thought. That can be a very heavy weight on your shoulders and very burdensome on your heart. The good news is when you have asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, He has lifted that entire burden from you. What’s more, He has promised to not only forgive you, but to blot out all of your transgressions as though they never happened. That is true liberation! 
What are you wearing today? Are you dressed formally or casually? Well, no matter what physical clothes you have on, as Christ’s ambassador you are clothed by Christ. 
“For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you. Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21
“I WILL bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My life makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble and afflicted hear and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.” Psalm 34:1-3 The Amplified Bible
I was substitute teaching at a local school the other day. On this particular morning, teachers could wear t-shirts of their favorite college team. I saw many different schools represented. Naturally, in my area of the country there were a number of Oklahoma Sooners, Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M shirts as well as others. Two of the teachers wearing shirts of rival teams greeted one another in the hall with smiles and chuckles. I thought, “They love one another in the midst of conflict.” 
Do you want to know what the best thing in the world is? (No it’s not sliced bread nor even “the best thing since…”).
The song He is Here is one of my favorites.
I love the story of the prodigal son (Matthew 15:11-32). It so clearly tells of how gracious and forgiving our Heavenly Father is. The story tells how the father ran to his son and embraced him even before he was cleaned up! Then, he threw a huge party to celebrate his son’s return.
What is prayer?
Jesus is our redemption, but it cost him his life. He died on the cross so that you and I would not have to endure the punishment for our sins. Because of this supreme sacrifice, the Holy Spirit can now live on the 