A to Z of Salvation and a Life Reborn

English: John the Baptist baptizing Christ (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20

New International Version (NIV)

      I have four blogs signed up for the April Challenge and due to various circumstances I am woefully unprepared with very few posts written ahead of time.  I have my themes set and my ideas for each day planned, but no posts.  Except on this blog A Few Words.

       There are a few posts already finished for this blog as this is the one that will have the most important theme.  If I finish April with a complete set of posts for any one of my blogs, I intend it to be this one.

       My theme for A Few Words will be about the components of salvation and leading a God-centered life.   I may be preaching to the choir as I seem to do for the few who come to this blog on a regular basis and if that helps anyone out there then my work has been worthwhile.  However, if I somehow reach one unsaved person to come to Christ or at least start thinking more positively about what can be found in the Bible, then a greater part of my mission will be accomplished.

        As always in my blogs I want readers to think upon what I have presented in my posts.   Here I will not be pushing any hard-driven messages, but short concepts and thoughts.  A few words.  Hopefully what I say will be something to entice readers to explore the Bible on their own or seek out information from other sources.  If you are already saved, then I hope my presentations in April will edify you and encourage you to talk to others who are not saved.    If you are not yet saved, then I hope you will read with an illuminated mind and let your heart be softened toward hearing more of God's message to you.

        In every post my goal will be to get someone out there to pray something similar to this:

Almighty God, I believe in You and what You have done.  You created all things and I am here to seek You and love You.   I believe that You offered your son Jesus Christ for sacrifice to atone for my sins.  I confess that I am a sinner and unworthy to be in your presence, but through your grace I am washed clean to be accepted into your Kingdom.   Dear Lord, give me strength, encouragement, and wisdom to learn more about You and your Word.   Help me to experience sincere change in my life and become a new person as I follow You and spread the Good News to others I encounter along my way through life.  I look forward to an eternity with You.

       I have added this prayer to a separate tabbed page of this blog so that it will always be easy to find.  As always, I welcome any suggestions to improve upon what I write here or correct me if you think I may have been wrong.  My mission is the convey the truth and do it truthfully.

       Thank you for any of your prayers and all of your encouragement.  Now let's get started.  We are on a mission.

 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.

John 3:3

New International Version (NIV)

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Why Do So Many Miss the Obvious?

English: Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
    From the house of the Lord we bless you.

Psalm 118:26

New International Version (NIV)

       Do you think that King David had any idea who exactly he was talking about in prophetic Messianic psalms?  Or what exactly would happen when the Messiah came?   The Psalms were certainly divinely inspired, but were they completely understood by the hand who wrote them?

      No doubt that David was a smart man, but he may have missed the message.   David might be excused for not completely seeing what would happen hundreds of years after he would die.  Over that span many more prophets added more information so that the signs of the Messiah were very well known among the Israelites.  

       The life of Jesus Christ on this Earth was like a play that had been scripted beforehand.  The people of that time fell into their roles and the stage was set just as had been foretold.   Were they blind in spirit?  They welcomed Jesus in the way it had always been predicted and watched him die and be resurrected just as had been prophesied.  

        I am befuddled how so many can glibly separate the things of the spirit from the worldly things and not be struck in awe by the things of God.  Instead we see that is that and this is this and right now this is more important because it is now.   

         Now?  

          If Jesus came to your town today would everyone be happy to see him?   Could they set aside what they were doing to rejoice in His being there?   Would they want Him to stay?

The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem.  They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,

“Hosanna!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Blessed is the king of Israel!”

John 12:12-13

New International Version (NIV)

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How Do We Come Into the Light?

The Light of the World (Manchester Art Gallery) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
    Let the light of your face shine on us.

Psalm 4:6

New International Version (NIV)

          False gods are everywhere.  They have been throughout the history of mankind.  The lure of riches, power, and recognition infest our souls, make us long for the things of the world which are temporal appeasements to our vanity.

         Yet the comfort and security provided by worldly things allow us to live better lives.  Compared to what, one might ask.   Day in and years gone by we live with what we are closest to.  This Earth is our home for now and living a good life sounds desirable to most of us.

           A good life?   What makes a life good?   Millions of dollars are not something I would want to reject.    Riches--there seems to be so much I could do with riches.   Or would it be a matter of what those riches would do to me and those around me.  

          I dream.  I hope.  I pray.

           I want my life to be easy, happy, and satisfied.   Is worldly prosperity the answer?   It's part of an answer I suppose, but this is short term thinking.   

            Around me is darkness.   Doubt.   Ignorance.   You, Lord, provide the illumination that my soul needs.   Let your light shine on me and provide me the means to share that light with those who live in darkness.

 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

New International Version (NIV)

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Knowledge Is A Spiritual Blessing

Wisdom (Photo credits: www.roadtrafficsigns.com)

Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
for I trust your commands.
Psalm 119:66
New International Version (NIV)

          

            I've been struggling of late. Computer woes have been wearing me down at a time when my need for technical knowledge is a high priority for me. I call this knowlege a "need" as my current activities seem to be what I've been called to do at this time of my life.

          Perhaps it's wisdom that I need.  Or discernment?  What have I been called to do?

          I have seen much good fruit borne because of my blogging efforts.  Likewise I have seen much time consumed.   I go back and forth with this issue.  After nearly two decades of work at a job for which I have been grateful, but was not exceedingly satisfying to my spirit, I have found an activity which I am passionate about.   The job kept cupboards full and the bills paid, but the blogging has not.  God has provided in these recent years, but I'm not sure that I am contributing.

           If I am to continue my blogging efforts then I pray that God will bestow upon me a wisdom to know how to proceed and the knowledge to do it correctly.  I have faith that if I am to proceed then a solution will come to make my computers work optimally so I can do what I need to do in a timely and efficient manner.

           In some ways this all may seem like a crazy thing to hand over to God, but sometimes it's the crazy things that put God's work into motion.  

To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit...
1 Corinthians 12:8
New International Version (NIV)

For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
Proverbs 2:10

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What's My Job Here?

HEAVEN (Photo credit: Telstar2000)

Unless the Lord builds the house,
    the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
    the guards stand watch in vain.

Psalm 127:1

New International Version (NIV)

         We've all got things to do while we are on this Earth.  There are bills to pay and families to take care of.  We all have something for which we are responsible..  It may be a job outside the home or taking care of  the business at home.  It's all important work and someone has to do it.

        Then there is the work that God expects of each of us.  We are servants of the Master.  If we spend our lives only working for ourselves and in the business of earthly things, with no thought of God or an eternity in His Presence, we are like workers toiling for no pay.

         Our existence is a mere flash in the eyes of eternity.  One day we are here and another we are gone.  Our work here on Earth and whatever we have to show for doing that work is a pittance compared to the work we should be doing for God.   Do you know what God wants from you?

        He wants all that you can give to glorify Him.  It's nice work if you can get it and you can get it if you're willing to take on the job. The pay in this life may not always seem like the best, but the rewards in Heaven are better than anything we can find on Earth.

My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?

John 14:2

New International Version (NIV)

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