Tag: salvation

The Misrepresentation of God

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You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us,~Romans 5:6-8.

There are so many lies floating around about God. There are numerous people claiming to represent Him that are doing more harm than good. Nothing saddens me more than the misrepresentation of God. He is glorious. He is good. While we were at our worst state, Jesus died for us.

God is love. There are so many Bible verses that affirm this truth, yet love is often misrepresented.

Love does not go along with what’s wrong. Some believe that because God is love, we should never correct others or point to truth. If you study the ministry of Jesus, He rebuked people…especially the self righteous.

For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives,~Hebrews 12:6.

God’s discipline is aimed at leading us to repentance (turning away from doing what’s wrong). Humans sometimes discipline to exercise control, to humiliate, or seek revenge. God longs to restore.

God loves all people! Heaven will be an ethnically diverse place.

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands,~Revelation 7:9.

It’s sad that racism, sexism, bigotry, prejudice, and feelings of superiority have made their way into some Christian circles. God does not look at people the way we do. He looks at the heart.

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus,~Galatians 3:28.

In God’s Kingdom, there are no inferior people groups nor is there an inferior gender. Division is a work of the evil one. The Holy Spirit works to bring about peace and unity. He does not change the truth to promote unity; He does place value and honor on people since they are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27).

It amazes me that Jews and Africans have been the most persecuted and hated groups in history, yet the Bible is set on the Continent of Africa and in the Middle East. God does not hate dark skinned people or people from those regions. They were and are an integral part of His story. Jesus was born into a Jewish lineage. Many of the Kings, Queens, and influential people we read about in the Bible were African and others what we’d call today Middle Eastern.

God also does not devalue women. If you study the interactions Jesus had with women, He loved, honored, respected, and treated them well.

Sin (especially pride) brought about the mistreatment of people. It’s not God’s heart.

God wants to save people, not send them to hell.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance,~2 Peter 3:9.

God sent His Son to save the world. So whosoever believes in Him could have everlasting life. Our role is to share the Gospel (which means Good News), not condemn people to hell. We leave the final judgement in God’s hands.

God didn’t tell us to force people into conversion or be the sin police for the world. He did tell us to hold other Christians accountable.

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself,~Galatians 6:1.

This does not mean we are not to fight against social injustice. It does mean we not called to be the Holy Spirit for the world. God calls us to be salt and light. Light is a blessing (our role). Light shines (our role). Light guides (our role). Light illuminates truth (our role). God convicts the world of sin (Holy Spirit’s role). God empowers people to say no to sin (God’s role). When we take on His role, we end up doing more harm than good. We point people to God. We allow Him to work through us. We do not assume His role in their lives.

God hates sin not just because He’s holy, but because sin destroys who He loves.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord,~Romans 6:23.

God doesn’t seek to humiliate or shame people.

Jesus dealt with all types of sinners. He did not seek to humiliate them. The Religious people of his day were looking for people to stone, humiliate, or condemn.

When they brought Jesus the woman caught in adultery here was His response.

When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”~John 8:7.

After her accusers were gone, Jesus told her to go and leave her life of sin. Love protects. Jesus protected her and told her to stop sinning. That’s real love.

God is not after your money; He’s after your heart!

There are people exploiting the gifts of God and the people of God for profit. God asks us to give to be a blessing to the poor and those around us. The gifts were never intended to exploit people. God cares deeply about the poor. He asks us to give to love on those who have not. When our heart is aligned with His, we care deeply for the poor and we want to give. He does not try to force us to give.

He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection,~Luke 14:12-14.

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed,~Proverbs 19:17.

To sum it up…God loves people. He’s Sovereign. He’s holy. He’s good. He longs to help us in our weakness. He’s forgiving. The greatest detriment to our souls is failing to receive His Son. No one can come to the Father without the Son. Jesus is the key to eternal life. Even for those who reject Him, God still has love for them.

May we know Him for who He really is and represent Him well! God=Love!!! For more info on what He’s like, check out http://morena242.wordpress.com.

Love in Christ,

Erin

Jesus!

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The past few posts have been about what can cause us to run from Jesus. Today I wanted to write about Jesus!

Some love Him, some hate Him. Some believe in Him, some do not. Some love His name, some are offended by His name. He’s been represented and misrepresented since He came into the world. He is the beautiful, radiant, glorious, Son of God. Let’s read what the Old Testament had to say about Jesus in Isaiah 53…

Isaiah 53

Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

He was rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished.

He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.

After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.

Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors.

For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Why did Jesus come? Why did Love leave paradise to enter into humanity?

He came to save you and me. He offered His life as a perfect sacrifice so every person who chooses to believe in Him and follow Him would have everlasting life. He came to bear our burdens. He came to pay for our sins. He came so we would not be alone or defeated in this sinful world. He came to give hope! He came to set captives free, heal the broken hearted, restore sight to the blind, cleanse humanity, and provide an inheritance we could call our own. He came to give us back the authority Adam surrendered to the devil.

Jesus the Victor!

Though He’s often painted or depicted on a cross, Jesus didn’t remain on the cross! He got up with all power in His hands. He was raised up above all powers, seated at the right hand of the Father, and raises us up to sit in heavenly places with Him.

Sweet friends, no matter what life throws at you, Jesus is still victorious. You have an Advocate, a Friend, a Savior, a sure Hope, a Victorious Warrior, a Healer, and Deliverer. He’s not dead! Jesus is very much alive. He loves you. Whatever your need today, cry out to Jesus!

Praying for you and your loved ones. You are deeply loved (John 3:16)!

Erin

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You’re not an Orphan

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Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine,~Isaiah 43:1b.

Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: you are of more value than many sparrows,~Luke 12:6-7.

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.“~Jeremiah 1:5.

I will start out by saying you cannot know who you are and your purpose in life without knowing God. He is the Creator of all things. Nothing we see would exist without Him. He holds it all together. Though He gives humans the right to choose, He is still Sovereign. You are here because God allowed you to be here.

“Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down? Who holds the wind in his fists? Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak? Who has created the whole wide world? What is his name–and his son’s name? Tell me if you know!” Proverbs 30:4.

God knows why you were born, and He has a great plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11). You are not an orphan (without a father or parent). You are an extension of His heart and His plan. Even if your earthly mother or father forsake you, God never will (Psalm 27:10). You must forsake Him. He doesn’t send anyone to hell, if we end up there, we chose to live life without Him. Without holiness (salvation) no person can enter heaven. He’s a loving Father who says, “I made you for Me. Come be with Me. You are invited to enter into My Royal Family. Everything I have, I want to share with you. I want you to be united with Me. I gave My Son so you can be set free. I want to give you life abundantly.”

You are invited to belong to Someone great. I heard someone say, “When God looks at the earth He sees two groups of people, repentant and unrepentant. He loves them both. He, like the Prodigal son’s father, is working to bring lost sons and daughters home.” It’s true. God wants you! You were created to be united with Him for eternity. He longs for you. Many are deceived or willingly reject Him, which I am sure hurts His heart. No parent likes to see their child headed for destruction.

God hates what’s aimed at destroying us, sin is aimed at destroying us. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). The devil wants to take as many people as he can to hell with him. His fate is sealed, there is no redemption for him. He will burn in the lake of fire being tortured for eternity. He hates people, for humans can be redeemed. Humans can be saved. Humans can worship and love God. Humans are the recipients of God’s grace, love, and made in His image.

So, dear friends, if you want to know who you are, why you were born, who your Father is, go to God. If you want to know your purpose, go to God. He knows all, sees all, and has a great plan for your life. If we want to know the purpose of something, we ask the One who made it. You are of Divine Design. Don’t allow the world or even your own thoughts to define who you are. God is perfect and I am certain His thoughts towards you and your life will exceed your expectations. You are and will always be, deeply loved.

If you have not accepted the gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, I invite you to come find life. God longs to bless you. He says, “No matter where you have been or what you have done. I paid for it all.” If that’s you and you want to know God, follow along in this prayer with me.

Prayer for salvation:

God I confess that I am a sinner. I have done things to grieve Your heart and sought to live life my own way. I believe that you sent Your Son Jesus to pay the price for all my sins. I place my faith and trust in You. I ask for Your forgiveness for all my sins, and I invite You into My life. I want to commit my life to You and turn from the life I’ve been living. In Jesus name.

If you sincerely prayed that prayer, know heaven is rejoicing. Heaven celebrates every single time we repent (say God is right and decide we don’t want sin in our lives). If you sincerely prayed this prayer, expect life changes. Find a Gospel centered church and get connected. Pick up a Bible and start reading it. I recommend starting in the New Testament and  asking God to speak to you through His word. Start praying, talking to God. You can comment here if you want more information. Know that being in God’s family is a tremendous blessing. God LOVES you!

You can find more resources and teachings on what it means to be in Christ on my devotional blog (http://morena242.wordpress.com). Whatever you choose in life, I hope you choose Jesus! He is the way, the truth, and the life. God bless you.

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I Will Never Leave You (Poem)-The Perfect Father

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One of the problems we face in our world is the lack of fathering. The family unit is not the way it would be if Adam and Eve never sinned. I am not simply picking on fathers as mothers have issues as well. I did want to write something for all the people with “daddy” issues. All the people in the world who have been hurt, abandoned, rejected, and negatively impacted by an earthly father, this is for you. For some it may be you feel  as though God abandoned, neglected you, or a feeling God is angry with you…so here goes.

I Will Never Leave You (Poem)

By Erin Lamb, all rights reserved.

Woven through the interior of My heart is everything there is to know about you.

I know you.

You were My grand idea.

Oh, how I would put My creativity on display.

I smiled the day you entered the world.

I said, “That’s My child, the one I love. The one I have made.”

Oh, what joy!

What a glorious day.

You can search the world over to find out who you are,

and who you are meant to be.

What you will find is

your true identity can only truly be found in Me.

Before the world was made,

you were a part of Me;

an extension of My thoughts,

a perfect idea of beauty.

You were and are My child,

and there is no step I would not have taken;

to save you,

to rescue you,

and to show you,

that I will never leave or forsake you.

My love and committment to you is steadfast,

and sustained by a covenant seal of My Son’s blood.

The invitation is always open

for you to know Me, to be with Me, and experience My love.

I want to be with you for all of eternity.

This world will bring you sorrow.

This world will bring you pain.

This world will bring you disappointments,

but My love for you will remain.

Draw near to Me.

Lean on Me.

Find safety and security in Me.

Encounter a love that will set you free.

Though I know all of your shortcomings,

I choose you to be with Me.

My love is relentlessly pursuing the ability to abide in the deepest corridors of your heart.

I long for you to know the height, the width, and the breath of My love.

It is a love that will change your life

in ways you never thought you’d know.

My love is here for the taking.

It’s a love I want you to know.

Take a leap of faith!

Trust that I love you.

Believe that I am for you.

Cling to the truth that I want the very best for you,

and I desire a relationship that makes your life truly whole.

My dear friends, God loves you. It amazes me that in spite of who we are and who we are not, God daily pursues His children for relationship. Despite what anyone has told us about Him, there is no greater love in the entire world. His love is not dependent on us, it’s who He is. Like a human parent loves their child despite their behavior, God loves us. He doesn’t give us a license to live as we wish, as He is holy. There are consequences for our actions. So, He offers us this gift of salvation through His Son Jesus. The opportunity to have every past and present sin completely forgiven forever, an eternity with Him in paradise, a friendship with a Perfect Friend, an Advocate to help us live an abundant life, and so much more…  

Even if my father and mother abandon me, God will take care of me,~Psalm 27:10.

 

 

A Million Souls

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A Million Souls
By Erin Lamb

“…with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible fulfillment,” Luke 1:37.

“Jesus said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation,'” Mark 16:15.

God is amazing! He more than amazing, but I cannot think of a word sufficient enough to capture His goodness. Not only is God good, He does things that are so incredible! God does things that shock our minds and rattle our logic. For example, the fact that God would send His Spirit to breathe life into Mary to birth the Messiah; isn’t that radical? It is the only true virgin birth in history. To have that same man Jesus die on a cross taking on all of humanity’s sins only to rise again. It’s radical. Some would say impossible! However, with God nothing is ever impossible. He lives in the realm of, “If I think it, it can happen.” How incredible it is to love someone so good and so powerful.

So, in pondering His goodness, I thought what could I ask Him for that’s also beneficial for the Kingdom! Well, I asked for a million souls. For a million people to come to know Jesus through my life, testimony, and legacy. It’s an ambitious prayer request. I’m a regular person serving an extraordinary God.

My heart’s desire is to help enlarge heaven. I want it to be the biggest party ever! I want His name to be even more famous in the earth because He is so good. Will you help me?

How you can help:

1. Pray for more laborers, people to share the gospel. The harvest is plentiful, we need more laborers.

2. Pray for the lost. Take time daily or weekly to pray for those who don’t know how good God is. Ask God to open their eyes and heart. Pray and keep praying.

3. Share God’s love with others! You don’t have to be smooth or have all the answers. Share your story, what God has done for you!

4. Ask God to open doors for you to talk to people about how good God is, then walk through those doors.

It’s that simple friends! Thank you for your prayers, love, and support! Together we can change the world. We can transform our sphere of influence!

P.S God=Love! Spread the word. 🙂

Happy New Year (God=love)

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Happy New Year beautiful people!!

I won’t be posting daily in the future. I simply thought since it’s the start of a new year that we’d begin our journey together into the heart of God. I’m praying for you. Hope this journey will be an adventure…

So today you’ve started a new year and probably made some resolutions. Things you plan to do this year. You know what’s on God’s to do list: to love you, to pursue your whole heart, and to be known by you. He’s after your heart. He loves you!

God tells us, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb…”Jeremiah 1:5.

He speaks so sweetly,”Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you…” Jeremiah 31:3.

He goes a step further to save us. He came to save this planet from the powers of darkness, death, and sin. He sent His Son. Check it out.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world,” John 3:16-17.

Before Adam and Eve sinned, God already had a plan in place to redeem humanity. He knew what would happen, and He still created us. We blew it, so He sent His Son, the One He loved, to be the atoning sacrifice for all our past, present, and future sins. I might be willing to lay down my life for an innocent person, but a guilty one? Who would? God. God=Love.

So if you have not invited Him into your heart, I ask you to trust me when I say He loves you. He will change your life. He’s the key to life, freedom, and truth. He’s calling you by name. Won’t you invite Him in? Talk to Him like an old friend. Don’t be shy. He knows everything anyway, and He is looking at you with the eyes of love.

Your journey to knowing Him starts with believing He is God, believing He sent His Son born of a virgin to die for your sins (He knew no sin but became the sacrifice for all sins), and believing Jesus rose again defeating death. Next step confess your sins to Him and ask for forgiveness. If you are angry with someone and need to forgive them, it’s the perfect time to do that as well. Invite Him into your heart, and receive His forgiveness. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done. His sacrifice covers it all. Once you’ve invited God into your heart, guess what, you have just been given a new life! Get connected to a Christian church, start reading the Bible (recommend you start with the New Testament book of John). Talk to God. It may not seem natural at first, but prayer is simply talking to Him.

You’re on your way! There’s no guilt and no shame. He makes all things new. He has great plans for you. If you invited God into your heart, Heaven is having a big party for you! Whooohooo! You’ve just joined a Royal Family, God’s family.

For those of you who already took the first plunge of salvation, thanks for your patience. I think it’s great to be reminded of what God did for us. We are accepted based solely on what Jesus did for us, for we can not do anything to earn salvation. It’s a gift through faith.

My encouragement is that there is always more. More to know about Him. Like any relationship it grows over time and involves interaction. He’s open to being known. He enjoys pursuing and being pursued. As soon as we think we have Him figured out, He reveals something new. How exciting! Are you eager for more? Let’s dive in to know more about Him.

Here are some closing thoughts:

God thought we were worth dying for. His love prompted His plan for redemption.

God is holy. No person can stand before Him as sinless (except Jesus)*. Jesus came so you and I could be cleansed of sin, through belief and relationship with Him. The price for sin was paid in full by Jesus. We have full access to God through relationship with Jesus. We become joint heirs with Him. We are clothed in His righteousness.

God is for us and thinks highly of us. He’s not out to get us or destroy us. He saves, delivers, redeems, heals, gives life, and forgives.

God has mysteries He wants to reveal to our hearts. He wants to cultivate a deep, intimate relationship with us.

God is longing to take our relationship with Him to a deeper level.

God has the best plan for our lives. If it looks like a mess, hang in there. His work is always perfect. Invite Him in and watch Him perform the miraculous.

God wants our hearts. He already knows all there is to know about us and wants to be the greatest lover of our souls! He can’t take His eyes off us.

So here’s to a new year, a new adventure, and a journey that I hope gives us all a deeper revelation of His love. May we know the height, the depth, the width, and the intensity of this amazing love. God=love. Bless you friends.

Love in Him,

Erin

*Romans 3:23