✿░(¯`:´¯)░✿
.. (¯ `•.\|/.•´¯)..
░(`✿◠‿◠).•´¯)░
.. (_.•´/|\`•._)
.. .•.¸¸.٭✻.☆ ´¯`
Hello beautiful soul, child of the King conveyed
May God's eternal inspiration
SPARKLE in you today!
•.¸.♥´¯`•.¸.♥´¯` ♥.
.. (¯ `•.\|/.•´¯)..
░(`✿◠‿◠).•´¯)░
.. (_.•´/|\`•._)
.. .•.¸¸.٭✻.☆ ´¯`
Hello beautiful soul, child of the King conveyed
May God's eternal inspiration
SPARKLE in you today!
•.¸.♥´¯`•.¸.♥´¯` ♥.
“Any patch of sunlight in a wood will show you something about the sun which you could never get from reading books on astronomy. These pure and spontaneous pleasures
are ‘patches of Godlight’ in the woods of our experience.”
~~C.S. Lewis~~
You have to keep unmasking the world about you for what it is:
manipulative, controlling, power-hungry, and, in the long run, destructive.
The world tells you many lies about who you are, and you
simply have to be realistic enough to remind yourself of this.
Every time you feel hurt, offended, or rejected, you have to say to yourself:
‘These feelings, strong as they may be, are not telling me the
truth about myself. The truth, even though I cannot feel it right now,
is that I am the chosen child of God, precious in God’s eyes, called the
Beloved from all eternity, and held safe in an everlasting belief."
Henri Nouwen
are ‘patches of Godlight’ in the woods of our experience.”
~~C.S. Lewis~~
You have to keep unmasking the world about you for what it is:
manipulative, controlling, power-hungry, and, in the long run, destructive.
The world tells you many lies about who you are, and you
simply have to be realistic enough to remind yourself of this.
Every time you feel hurt, offended, or rejected, you have to say to yourself:
‘These feelings, strong as they may be, are not telling me the
truth about myself. The truth, even though I cannot feel it right now,
is that I am the chosen child of God, precious in God’s eyes, called the
Beloved from all eternity, and held safe in an everlasting belief."
Henri Nouwen
There is a silence more musical than any song.
~ Christina Rossetti ~
~ Christina Rossetti ~
"Every creature is a divine word |
One day a wealthy business man, took his son on a trip to the country
with the firm purpose to show him how poor people can be.
They spent a day and a night in the farm of a very poor family.
When they got back from their trip the father asked his son,
"How was the trip?"
"Very good Dad!"
"Did you see how poor people can be?" the father asked.
"Yeah!"
"And what did you learn?"
The son answered,"I saw that we have a dog at home, and they have four.
We have a pool that reaches to the middle of the garden, they have a creek that has no end.
We have imported lamps in the garden, they have the stars.
Our patio reaches to the front yard, they have a whole horizon."
As the boy was finishing, his father was speechless.
His son added,
"Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are!"
~Unknown~
✻ღϠ₡ღ✻
(¯`✻´¯)
`*.¸.*✻ღϠ₡ღ¸.
Go the extra mile ~ it's not crowded
with the firm purpose to show him how poor people can be.
They spent a day and a night in the farm of a very poor family.
When they got back from their trip the father asked his son,
"How was the trip?"
"Very good Dad!"
"Did you see how poor people can be?" the father asked.
"Yeah!"
"And what did you learn?"
The son answered,"I saw that we have a dog at home, and they have four.
We have a pool that reaches to the middle of the garden, they have a creek that has no end.
We have imported lamps in the garden, they have the stars.
Our patio reaches to the front yard, they have a whole horizon."
As the boy was finishing, his father was speechless.
His son added,
"Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are!"
~Unknown~
✻ღϠ₡ღ✻
(¯`✻´¯)
`*.¸.*✻ღϠ₡ღ¸.
Go the extra mile ~ it's not crowded
“EAGLES: When they walk, they stumble. They are not what one would call graceful.
They were not designed to walk. They fly. And when they fly, oh, how they fly, so free, so graceful.
They see from the sky what we never see.”
and with our hearts we see, we fly, we soar in the eternal beyond time, only when we see
♥♥♥
"Don't seek to be the Disciple around whom 'sinners' feel like worms.
Seek to be the Christian that people can be brutally honest with!
Be a representative of Jesus Christ, in whose presence the unbeliever can unbuckle their heart,
and let all of their emotions out.
Don't walk with a spiritual smugness that causes the people who need you the most
to hide their true selves from you.
The 'sinner' should feel overwhelmingly comfortable in your presence.
They should not feel condemnation for their actions,
or get the feeling of being hurried into changing their lifestyle.
They should feel unconditional love and acceptance, with no strings attached.
Such a life will speak volumes..." ~~Jeff Turner~~
.........
...the woman at the well and the woman who touched the hem of His garment
and the woman who poured out her perfume on His feet
and Zacchaeus, all felt like that near Jesus. This love, truth flowed from HIM as God.
We will flow with the same love if we give ourselves totally, and set sail O)h that we may feel the wind and set sail.
♥♥♥
"It is 100% true that people don’t need to live holy in order to get God to love them;
He loved us while we were yet sinners.
It’s true that people don’t need to tithe or go to church in order to get God to love them;
He’s loved us with an everlasting love regardless of our performance of perfection.
But there are good works and a holy lifestyle that we are called to, not to EARN salvation but to EXPRESS salvation." ~~Tony Cooke~~
♥♥♥
“God wants us to choose to love him freely, even when that choice involves pain,
because we are committed to him, not to our own good feelings and rewards.
He wants us to cleave to him, as Job did, even when we have every reason to deny him hotly.
That, I believe, is the central message of Job. Satan had taunted God with the accusation that humans are not truly free. Was Job being faithful simply because God had allowed him a prosperous life?
Job's fiery trials proved the answer beyond doubt.
Job clung to God's justice when he was the best example in history of God's apparent injustice.
He did not seek the Giver because of his gifts; when all gifts were removed he still sought the Giver.”
~Philip Yancey~
The Giver is God, He is in us now, we receive HIS peace, joy and calm Presence now
and an eternity, that far outweighs what we go thru to get there.
They were not designed to walk. They fly. And when they fly, oh, how they fly, so free, so graceful.
They see from the sky what we never see.”
and with our hearts we see, we fly, we soar in the eternal beyond time, only when we see
♥♥♥
"Don't seek to be the Disciple around whom 'sinners' feel like worms.
Seek to be the Christian that people can be brutally honest with!
Be a representative of Jesus Christ, in whose presence the unbeliever can unbuckle their heart,
and let all of their emotions out.
Don't walk with a spiritual smugness that causes the people who need you the most
to hide their true selves from you.
The 'sinner' should feel overwhelmingly comfortable in your presence.
They should not feel condemnation for their actions,
or get the feeling of being hurried into changing their lifestyle.
They should feel unconditional love and acceptance, with no strings attached.
Such a life will speak volumes..." ~~Jeff Turner~~
.........
...the woman at the well and the woman who touched the hem of His garment
and the woman who poured out her perfume on His feet
and Zacchaeus, all felt like that near Jesus. This love, truth flowed from HIM as God.
We will flow with the same love if we give ourselves totally, and set sail O)h that we may feel the wind and set sail.
♥♥♥
"It is 100% true that people don’t need to live holy in order to get God to love them;
He loved us while we were yet sinners.
It’s true that people don’t need to tithe or go to church in order to get God to love them;
He’s loved us with an everlasting love regardless of our performance of perfection.
But there are good works and a holy lifestyle that we are called to, not to EARN salvation but to EXPRESS salvation." ~~Tony Cooke~~
♥♥♥
“God wants us to choose to love him freely, even when that choice involves pain,
because we are committed to him, not to our own good feelings and rewards.
He wants us to cleave to him, as Job did, even when we have every reason to deny him hotly.
That, I believe, is the central message of Job. Satan had taunted God with the accusation that humans are not truly free. Was Job being faithful simply because God had allowed him a prosperous life?
Job's fiery trials proved the answer beyond doubt.
Job clung to God's justice when he was the best example in history of God's apparent injustice.
He did not seek the Giver because of his gifts; when all gifts were removed he still sought the Giver.”
~Philip Yancey~
The Giver is God, He is in us now, we receive HIS peace, joy and calm Presence now
and an eternity, that far outweighs what we go thru to get there.
WHEN THE WAVES blow round your boat, and you are tossed high and low...
The skies look dark and angry in the storm that rocks you soul...
You can't hear for all the thunder. You can't think for all the roar.
You can barely walk about... if... your vessel don't turn o'er.
You can't even breathe a prayer, for the tempest is so great...
and you wonder if you'll perish, wonder what will be your fate...
BUT the Master hears your cries, as from the distance, He draws near.
He has... just what you need, to calm each and every fear.
So, come on up from the deep, where it don't even seem it's real...
He is looking in your direction, and He is saying... PEACE, be still...
And then, suddenly it don't seem so bad, for He now is IN your boat...
Then the wind and waves obey Him... They simply have no choice.
He came walking on the water... of the trouble sinking you.
But when you keep your eyes on Jesus... You can walk on water too... Love, Linda
Sunshine & Sweetie Pies
♥♥♥
"In the midst of disturbance and unknowns
may the serenity of the power of God calm and hold us still"
"When He Was On The Cross I Was On His Mind" By The Florida Boys
"It's amazing what can truly happen,
How your life can be so grand; When you give up trying on your own, and let The Saviour hold your hand." This is dedicated to all who I love
Thanking you for being here and blessing my world, my life, for not rolling over, giving up and going away Thanking my hubby, my children, my grandchildren, friends and my dog for loving me and being my friend and for all the love, care, sacrifice and optimism. I Thank my parents for having me and nurturing me. I Thank God He loved me and gave me everlasting life in Him and for making pretty flowers, roses, birds, creeks, forests and cute stuff... …·· (¯`•¯)
…·(¯`(☼)´¯)… … ··`(_.•_)´…… .·´¯`·.¸¸☆.¸¸.•´¯` "God Bless You", is my prayer today, as I thank Him for the way you are Knowing that He loves you always, by the care within His heart *•♥*¨*•*•*¨•♥* ,''*☆ღ☆*'__Just stopped in_'*☆♥☆*' , \*☆♥☆* /¯)).'to share a'..((¯\*☆ღ☆** / 乀___乄¯cuppa with you...¯乀___乄.. ♥´¯`•.¸.♥´¯` ♥. Repentance -best defined by a small girl:
It's to be sorry enough to quit. C. H. Kilmer |
../\_¸_/\....
..(=•_•= )... ...ღ♥*♥ღ.•*.. (¯`•\|/•´¯)♥ ♥. "When you let go of everything you think you know and just trust God, He has a way of working it out better than you could ever imagine." ~Jackson Kiddard~ Hope For The Broken Hearted Dear Lord, please protect and provide for those who are suffering. Please comfort discouraged, weary hearts. Please bring help for those who might be alone and in great need. Please give strength and protection to the weary helpers who work so tirelessly. Lord, please protect your children and may those that don't know you, find You to be their shelter, safe harbor, comfort and peace. Please bring hope to all. In Jesus name we pray. Amen-Debbie The man is happiest who lives from day to day and asks no more, (✿◠‿◠) ❄。
¨¯`*✲ ´*。.❄¨¯`*✲。 You who walk, Maybe with troubled thoughts, Come, enter here and rest; And may the sweet serenity of growing things, and the heavenly peace, be mirrored in thy soul. ~Doxis M. Palmer~ ¸.♥."❉´´¯`•.¸¸.♥ |
Friendship is a promise
|
For those hurting physically or emotionally and those who are questioning and wondering where God is in suffering.
|
Why Do We Need Salvation and Forgiveness of Sin
by the Blood of Jesus?
What are the consequences of sin and why do people need forgiveness by the blood of Jesus Christ?
Can the gospel overcome guilt, fear, alienation, and eternal punishment?
Does it offer salvation, joy, hope, and eternal life?
Have you investigated the Bible teaching about the death of Jesus?
Have you allowed Him to change your life to give you hope and meaning in life?
Introduction:
The purpose of this is to help us appreciate and understand the gift that we all need
This gift is the forgiveness of sins, that we may have eternal life.
To help us appreciate what forgiveness is, let us consider the consequences of sin.
Many people unnecessarily face guilt, fear, alienation, and eternal punishment.
These problems can be solved by forgiveness through the blood of Jesus Christ according to the gospel,
resulting in joy, hope, salvation, and eternal life.
Problem #1: Separation from God
Sin Alienates Us from God.
Genesis 2:17; 3:8 - Adam and Eve's sin separated them from God.
They could no longer bear to be in His presence, but sought to avoid Him.
Isaiah 59:1,2 - Our sins and iniquities separate us from God, so He will not hear us.
Ephesians 2:12 - People in sin (v1-3) are separated from Christ and without God now and for eternity.
Forgiveness Restores Our Relationship to God.
Romans 5:6-10 - Though sin deserves punishment,
God loves us so much He sent His Son to bear our punishment so we could be saved.
Ephesians 2:13,17-19 - Though we were separated and far from God,
we can be made nigh by the blood of Christ and have access to the Father.
Colossians 1:21-23 - Our evil works make us enemies alienated from God,
but through Jesus' death we can be reconciled (brought into relationship).
Surely the serious consequences of sin should lead us to see our need for forgiveness.
Having obtained forgiveness, if we walk in His will, we continue in God's fellowship.
Problem #2: Alienation between Loved Ones
Sin Is a Barrier Between Loved Ones.
Husbands and wives may be alienated by mistreatment, adultery, or alcoholism.
There may be bitterness, quarrelling, and even divorce.
Parents and children may have conflict. Parents may be unloving, abusive, stubborn, or selfish.
Or like the prodigal son, children may rebel or become involved in immorality (Luke 15:11-13).
Children in a family may be alienated because of jealousy, selfishness, deceit, or hatred.
Alienation may also occur in the church or between friends.
There may be error, lying, slander, jealousy, pride, racial prejudice, stubbornness, etc.
(James 3:14-18; Gal. 2:11-14; Rom. 16:17).
Sin can cause all these tragedies between people who should love one another.
Forgiveness Reunites Loved Ones.
In these cases, we must seek to obtain forgiveness, not just from God, but also from the people we offended.
And those who have been wronged, must be willing to forgive.
Luke 15:18,21 - The prodigal son confessed he had sinned both against heaven and his father.
Matthew 5:23,24 - We must seek reconciliation with those we have wronged.
Luke 17:3,4 - People who sin against others should express repentance.
Others need to forgive them. [Matthew 6:12,14,15]
Have you made your life right with those you have wronged?
When people repent, do you forgive like you want God to forgive you?
Problem #3: Loss of Self-Respect
Sin Makes Us Feel Worthless and Defeated.
Sin alienates us, not only from God and from our fellow-man, but also from ourselves.
Job 42:6 - Job abhorred himself for his sin.
When we fully face the consequences of our deeds, we think, "How could I do such a thing?"
Matthew 26:33-35,69-75 - Peter affirmed he would die rather than deny Jesus.
Yet before the night was over, he denied Jesus three times with cursing and swearing!
Such conduct gives one a sense of utter failure.
Sin makes people miserable.
Forgiveness Restores Our Sense of Worth.
1 Timothy 1:12-16 - Paul had been "the chief of sinners," because he opposed Christ and persecuted Christians.
Yet he was forgiven and became one of Jesus' most effective servants.
The apostle Peter, when he had repented of denying Jesus,
preached the first gospel sermons both to Jews and to Gentiles (Acts 2 & 10).
Surely his disappointment in his sins was overcome by forgiveness and faithful service to Christ.
Matthew 20:25-28 - God does not view us as great because we have authority, fame, power, pleasure, or possessions. Rather we are great because we are in God's family,
are loved by Him and kept by Him to do His will and love others.
Like a child who breaks a precious possession, we may ruin our lives by sin.
Yet God can give us a new beginning - "newness of life" (Rom. 6:4).
Do you want this blessing? If you once had it, do you know how to be close to the Lord?
Problem #4: The Burden of Guilt
Sin Gives a Burden of Guilt.
Genesis 3:10 - Adam hid himself from God because he was afraid. He felt guilty and ashamed.
Psalms 38:3-8 - When David committed adultery and murder,
he groaned because his burden of sin was too heavy to bear (v4,8).
Matthew 27:3-5 - Judas' guilt drove him to suicide.
Others turn to drink, drugs, or complete moral abandon to escape the reality of their guilt.
Sin wounds our consciences and our pride. Many people live year after year with this burden of guilt,
not knowing what to do to make it right, or not willing to do what they know is needed.
Forgiveness Restores Our Innocence.
Psalms 51:1-3,7-10 - David pled for his sins to be blotted out (v1,2,9),
so he might be white as snow (v7) with a clean heart and right spirit (v10).
Acts 2:36-38 - The people who crucified Jesus were convicted by the gospel.
Peter said they could have forgiveness of their sins if they would repent and be baptized.
The burden of guilt can be replaced with a beautiful sense of innocence through Jesus' blood.
"Come unto me, all you who … are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28).
Do you want this blessing? If you have received it, do you still appreciate it?
Problem #5: Lost Joy and Hope
Sin Causes Fear, Grief, and Hopelessness.
Genesis 3:7-10 - Adam was afraid and hid from God, because he knew God would punish him for his sin.
Yet hiding from God was no solution.
Sinners fear death because after it comes judgment and eternal punishment if we are not forgiven
(Heb. 9:27; 2 Thess. 1:8,9; Rev. 20:10-15).
Psalm 38:6 - Sin also makes us sad. "I go mourning all day long."
Matthew 26:75 - Peter wept bitterly after he denied Jesus.
Ephesians 2:12 - People in sin are without hope (1 Thess 4:13).
They may wish for eternal life, but the destiny of unforgiven sinners is eternal punishment instead.
No one hopes for that! So they are "without hope" (Job 8:13).
People who know they are guilty of sin often spend sleepless hours worrying about their eternal destiny.
Is this your case?
Forgiveness Gives Joy and Hope.
Psalms 51:8,12 - Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation.
When sins are forgiven, there is no more reason for fear and sadness.
No wonder the gospel accounts of conversion are such joyful occasions
(Acts 16:31-34; 8:39; Luke 15:7,10,22-24,32).
Romans 8:24 - In hope were we saved.
Romans 5:1,2 - Being justified by faith, we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
[Phil. 4:4,7]1 Peter 1:3-5 - Being born again, we have the living hope of an undefiled
and incorruptible inheritance reserved in heaven for us.
Do you have this hope? Do you appreciate it?
Problem #6: Loss of Eternal Life
Sin Leads to Punishment.
Matthew 25:41 - The wicked will go to eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
2 Thessalonians 1:8,9 - This is everlasting punishment (Matt. 25:41,46). This destiny awaits many people.
Yet it is so needless, because there is a solution to the problem.
Forgiveness Leads to Eternal Life.
Romans 6:23 - The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Titus 3:7 - To be heirs of the hope of eternal life, we must be justified by God's grace.
Sin may cause great problems in this life, yet the destiny it brings after this life is forever.
Surely we need to be forgiven and escape the consequence of hell. Have you found forgiveness?
Conclusion
Sin puts an impassable barrier between us and the spiritual blessings God offers.
We cannot go over that barrier or around, under, or through it.
The only way to receive God's blessings is for that barrier of sin to be destroyed,
and the only power that destroys sin is the blood of Jesus.
By His mercy, God offers forgiveness to all men (1 Tim. 2:4,6; Titus 2:11; John 3:16; Mark 16:15,16).
To receive it, we must confess our need of forgiveness and have Jesus live within. The choice is ours.
What are the conditions?
We must hear and believe the gospel, repent of sin, confess Christ for forgiveness
(Romans 1:16; 10:17,9,10; Luke 24:47; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Acts 17:30,31; 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21).
We must then be baptized and continue to live a faithful life (Titus 2:11-14; James 1:21-25; Romans chap. 6).
If we fall away, we can again be forgiven, if we will truly repent and pray (Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:9).
Do you want to learn more about God's forgiveness?
Send us a message via our contact button and we'll be glad to share with you and help you know the Lord Jesus. :)
Gospelway.com/salvation/need_forgiveness
— with Santos Torres and Adriana Encarnacion.
Bible Page in Unity John 17
by the Blood of Jesus?
What are the consequences of sin and why do people need forgiveness by the blood of Jesus Christ?
Can the gospel overcome guilt, fear, alienation, and eternal punishment?
Does it offer salvation, joy, hope, and eternal life?
Have you investigated the Bible teaching about the death of Jesus?
Have you allowed Him to change your life to give you hope and meaning in life?
Introduction:
The purpose of this is to help us appreciate and understand the gift that we all need
This gift is the forgiveness of sins, that we may have eternal life.
To help us appreciate what forgiveness is, let us consider the consequences of sin.
Many people unnecessarily face guilt, fear, alienation, and eternal punishment.
These problems can be solved by forgiveness through the blood of Jesus Christ according to the gospel,
resulting in joy, hope, salvation, and eternal life.
Problem #1: Separation from God
Sin Alienates Us from God.
Genesis 2:17; 3:8 - Adam and Eve's sin separated them from God.
They could no longer bear to be in His presence, but sought to avoid Him.
Isaiah 59:1,2 - Our sins and iniquities separate us from God, so He will not hear us.
Ephesians 2:12 - People in sin (v1-3) are separated from Christ and without God now and for eternity.
Forgiveness Restores Our Relationship to God.
Romans 5:6-10 - Though sin deserves punishment,
God loves us so much He sent His Son to bear our punishment so we could be saved.
Ephesians 2:13,17-19 - Though we were separated and far from God,
we can be made nigh by the blood of Christ and have access to the Father.
Colossians 1:21-23 - Our evil works make us enemies alienated from God,
but through Jesus' death we can be reconciled (brought into relationship).
Surely the serious consequences of sin should lead us to see our need for forgiveness.
Having obtained forgiveness, if we walk in His will, we continue in God's fellowship.
Problem #2: Alienation between Loved Ones
Sin Is a Barrier Between Loved Ones.
Husbands and wives may be alienated by mistreatment, adultery, or alcoholism.
There may be bitterness, quarrelling, and even divorce.
Parents and children may have conflict. Parents may be unloving, abusive, stubborn, or selfish.
Or like the prodigal son, children may rebel or become involved in immorality (Luke 15:11-13).
Children in a family may be alienated because of jealousy, selfishness, deceit, or hatred.
Alienation may also occur in the church or between friends.
There may be error, lying, slander, jealousy, pride, racial prejudice, stubbornness, etc.
(James 3:14-18; Gal. 2:11-14; Rom. 16:17).
Sin can cause all these tragedies between people who should love one another.
Forgiveness Reunites Loved Ones.
In these cases, we must seek to obtain forgiveness, not just from God, but also from the people we offended.
And those who have been wronged, must be willing to forgive.
Luke 15:18,21 - The prodigal son confessed he had sinned both against heaven and his father.
Matthew 5:23,24 - We must seek reconciliation with those we have wronged.
Luke 17:3,4 - People who sin against others should express repentance.
Others need to forgive them. [Matthew 6:12,14,15]
Have you made your life right with those you have wronged?
When people repent, do you forgive like you want God to forgive you?
Problem #3: Loss of Self-Respect
Sin Makes Us Feel Worthless and Defeated.
Sin alienates us, not only from God and from our fellow-man, but also from ourselves.
Job 42:6 - Job abhorred himself for his sin.
When we fully face the consequences of our deeds, we think, "How could I do such a thing?"
Matthew 26:33-35,69-75 - Peter affirmed he would die rather than deny Jesus.
Yet before the night was over, he denied Jesus three times with cursing and swearing!
Such conduct gives one a sense of utter failure.
Sin makes people miserable.
Forgiveness Restores Our Sense of Worth.
1 Timothy 1:12-16 - Paul had been "the chief of sinners," because he opposed Christ and persecuted Christians.
Yet he was forgiven and became one of Jesus' most effective servants.
The apostle Peter, when he had repented of denying Jesus,
preached the first gospel sermons both to Jews and to Gentiles (Acts 2 & 10).
Surely his disappointment in his sins was overcome by forgiveness and faithful service to Christ.
Matthew 20:25-28 - God does not view us as great because we have authority, fame, power, pleasure, or possessions. Rather we are great because we are in God's family,
are loved by Him and kept by Him to do His will and love others.
Like a child who breaks a precious possession, we may ruin our lives by sin.
Yet God can give us a new beginning - "newness of life" (Rom. 6:4).
Do you want this blessing? If you once had it, do you know how to be close to the Lord?
Problem #4: The Burden of Guilt
Sin Gives a Burden of Guilt.
Genesis 3:10 - Adam hid himself from God because he was afraid. He felt guilty and ashamed.
Psalms 38:3-8 - When David committed adultery and murder,
he groaned because his burden of sin was too heavy to bear (v4,8).
Matthew 27:3-5 - Judas' guilt drove him to suicide.
Others turn to drink, drugs, or complete moral abandon to escape the reality of their guilt.
Sin wounds our consciences and our pride. Many people live year after year with this burden of guilt,
not knowing what to do to make it right, or not willing to do what they know is needed.
Forgiveness Restores Our Innocence.
Psalms 51:1-3,7-10 - David pled for his sins to be blotted out (v1,2,9),
so he might be white as snow (v7) with a clean heart and right spirit (v10).
Acts 2:36-38 - The people who crucified Jesus were convicted by the gospel.
Peter said they could have forgiveness of their sins if they would repent and be baptized.
The burden of guilt can be replaced with a beautiful sense of innocence through Jesus' blood.
"Come unto me, all you who … are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28).
Do you want this blessing? If you have received it, do you still appreciate it?
Problem #5: Lost Joy and Hope
Sin Causes Fear, Grief, and Hopelessness.
Genesis 3:7-10 - Adam was afraid and hid from God, because he knew God would punish him for his sin.
Yet hiding from God was no solution.
Sinners fear death because after it comes judgment and eternal punishment if we are not forgiven
(Heb. 9:27; 2 Thess. 1:8,9; Rev. 20:10-15).
Psalm 38:6 - Sin also makes us sad. "I go mourning all day long."
Matthew 26:75 - Peter wept bitterly after he denied Jesus.
Ephesians 2:12 - People in sin are without hope (1 Thess 4:13).
They may wish for eternal life, but the destiny of unforgiven sinners is eternal punishment instead.
No one hopes for that! So they are "without hope" (Job 8:13).
People who know they are guilty of sin often spend sleepless hours worrying about their eternal destiny.
Is this your case?
Forgiveness Gives Joy and Hope.
Psalms 51:8,12 - Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation.
When sins are forgiven, there is no more reason for fear and sadness.
No wonder the gospel accounts of conversion are such joyful occasions
(Acts 16:31-34; 8:39; Luke 15:7,10,22-24,32).
Romans 8:24 - In hope were we saved.
Romans 5:1,2 - Being justified by faith, we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
[Phil. 4:4,7]1 Peter 1:3-5 - Being born again, we have the living hope of an undefiled
and incorruptible inheritance reserved in heaven for us.
Do you have this hope? Do you appreciate it?
Problem #6: Loss of Eternal Life
Sin Leads to Punishment.
Matthew 25:41 - The wicked will go to eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
2 Thessalonians 1:8,9 - This is everlasting punishment (Matt. 25:41,46). This destiny awaits many people.
Yet it is so needless, because there is a solution to the problem.
Forgiveness Leads to Eternal Life.
Romans 6:23 - The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Titus 3:7 - To be heirs of the hope of eternal life, we must be justified by God's grace.
Sin may cause great problems in this life, yet the destiny it brings after this life is forever.
Surely we need to be forgiven and escape the consequence of hell. Have you found forgiveness?
Conclusion
Sin puts an impassable barrier between us and the spiritual blessings God offers.
We cannot go over that barrier or around, under, or through it.
The only way to receive God's blessings is for that barrier of sin to be destroyed,
and the only power that destroys sin is the blood of Jesus.
By His mercy, God offers forgiveness to all men (1 Tim. 2:4,6; Titus 2:11; John 3:16; Mark 16:15,16).
To receive it, we must confess our need of forgiveness and have Jesus live within. The choice is ours.
What are the conditions?
We must hear and believe the gospel, repent of sin, confess Christ for forgiveness
(Romans 1:16; 10:17,9,10; Luke 24:47; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Acts 17:30,31; 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21).
We must then be baptized and continue to live a faithful life (Titus 2:11-14; James 1:21-25; Romans chap. 6).
If we fall away, we can again be forgiven, if we will truly repent and pray (Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:9).
Do you want to learn more about God's forgiveness?
Send us a message via our contact button and we'll be glad to share with you and help you know the Lord Jesus. :)
Gospelway.com/salvation/need_forgiveness
— with Santos Torres and Adriana Encarnacion.
Bible Page in Unity John 17
MOVING FROM DOUBT TO FAITH
'Lord, "Increase our faith.'' Luke 17:5 Why do we experience so much doubt?
1) Because doubt satisfies our need for self-protection.
We don't like to be wrong, to get hurt, or to fail, so our subconscious reasoning says,
'It's easier not to trust, to lower my expectations so I won't be disappointed.'
But you are disappointed, aren't you? Why? Because of your doubt.
2) Because doubting comes easily. We don't wake up in the morning and say to ourselves,
'Today I'm going to doubt God.'
No, doubt moves into a vacuum; it takes over when we don't do the right things. '
...Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God' (Romans 10:17).
If we don't keep your mind filled with God's Word; we'll be constantly assailed by doubts.
3) Because doubters are easy to find.
Sometimes the people around us dwell on all the obstacles and difficulties, opening the door to doubt.
And once that stream starts flowing, we can get carried along with it.
4) Because doubting is contagious. Doubt is easier to catch than the common cold, and its carriers are words.
The Bible says, 'You are trapped by your own words' (Proverbs 6:2 ).
The words we speak (and listen to) will either build us up or tear us down, increase our faith or decrease it.
For example, 'What will I do?' versus, 'In God's strength I can handle it.'
Or, 'It's awful' versus, 'It's a learning experience.'
Or, 'I see no way out' versus 'It's not too big for God.'
Words are powerful things. They determine our outlook and approach to life.
So in order to move from doubt to faith we must start eliminating unscriptural words from our life!
As seen in The UCB Word For TodayThe Bible
♥♥♥
There's only one condition a man must meet to receive God's choicest
blessings. Man must admit his need. And the only thing in the world that
keeps a man from doing this is pride.
Richard C. Halverson
'Lord, "Increase our faith.'' Luke 17:5 Why do we experience so much doubt?
1) Because doubt satisfies our need for self-protection.
We don't like to be wrong, to get hurt, or to fail, so our subconscious reasoning says,
'It's easier not to trust, to lower my expectations so I won't be disappointed.'
But you are disappointed, aren't you? Why? Because of your doubt.
2) Because doubting comes easily. We don't wake up in the morning and say to ourselves,
'Today I'm going to doubt God.'
No, doubt moves into a vacuum; it takes over when we don't do the right things. '
...Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God' (Romans 10:17).
If we don't keep your mind filled with God's Word; we'll be constantly assailed by doubts.
3) Because doubters are easy to find.
Sometimes the people around us dwell on all the obstacles and difficulties, opening the door to doubt.
And once that stream starts flowing, we can get carried along with it.
4) Because doubting is contagious. Doubt is easier to catch than the common cold, and its carriers are words.
The Bible says, 'You are trapped by your own words' (Proverbs 6:2 ).
The words we speak (and listen to) will either build us up or tear us down, increase our faith or decrease it.
For example, 'What will I do?' versus, 'In God's strength I can handle it.'
Or, 'It's awful' versus, 'It's a learning experience.'
Or, 'I see no way out' versus 'It's not too big for God.'
Words are powerful things. They determine our outlook and approach to life.
So in order to move from doubt to faith we must start eliminating unscriptural words from our life!
As seen in The UCB Word For TodayThe Bible
♥♥♥
There's only one condition a man must meet to receive God's choicest
blessings. Man must admit his need. And the only thing in the world that
keeps a man from doing this is pride.
Richard C. Halverson