The Holy Spirit

The great King, immortal, invisible, the Divine person, called the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit: it is he that quickens the soul, or else it would lie dead for ever; it is he that makes it tender, or else it would never feel; it is he that imparts efficacy to the Word preached, or else it could never reach further than the ear; it is he who breaks the heart, it is he who makes it whole. There dwells upon this earth a mysterious Being, whose office is to renew the fallen and restore the wandering. We cannot see Him, or hear Him, yet He dwells in some of us as Lord of our nature. His chosen residence is a broken heart and a contrite spirit. (Charles Spurgeon)

Let Justice Roll Down

Starting to read the book "Let Justice Roll Down" by John Perkins.
It's a book about John Perkins' life and how he dealt with the violent
racism in Mississippi from the 1940's and on. He found that God's love
was the answer. Not an easy answer, but the right answer. The first
chapter was pretty intense. Life back then was totally different than
now. We have come a long way, but there is still work to be done.
There is still love to give, and lives to save. I pray that we may
look to the past and not forget where we came from so the we may not
make the same mistakes again. Walk in the love of Christ today.

Love God. Love others.

Brit Hume

This is a great video of a man standing in the faith and genuinely concerned about Tiger Woods and the problem he is facing. Thought it was a good mainstream testament about Christianity.

Love

I am actually looking forward to the new year. I'm starting a new Bible reading plan that will hopefully keep me on track with reading and staying plugged in to God's Word. I need that. This past year has been a good and fulfilling year, but not without it's hard times. Thankfully God has used the tough times to bring me closer to Him, and the significant steps of maturity in faith that God has allowed me to take has far outweighed the sorrow.

One of the biggest things that Jesus has shown me is patience in love. John M. Perkins has said, "Love is the final fight." and I believe it. To love my enemies is a fight. To love those that annoy me, that don't fit in, that don't like me, that lie about me, and that frustrate me is a fight. I don't want to love those kind of people, and it's a constant battle to do so. That is a wonderful and hard earned truth. Though it's not an easy fight it is satisfying, because we are fighting for something pure. Tolerance just allows evil to do its deeds, and you can't use evil to conquer evil. That doesn't even make sense. Love indeed is the final fight, for if we fight for love then evil has been defeated.

Love in the midst of evil is the only thing that will make a difference. Active love.

I pray that everyone has a wonderful New Year's Eve, and that we will continue to press the fight for the love of Jesus into 2010 and though eternity.

Love God. Love others.
Clint

This Grace is Yours

Scripture Reading: John 1:19-29

Key Verse: John 1:29 - The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

One of the most encouraging things you can receive from God is the hope that comes from being given a second chance. This is especially important when you have yielded to temptation or feel that you have fallen short of His plan and purpose for your life. The truth is that God never limit’s the opportunity for forgiveness. Second chances encourage us to go on and not give up even when the whispers of the world around us seem to say the opposite. After his denial of Christ, Peter was in need of a second chance, and Jesus, through His grace, provided this (John 21:15-17). How many of us have longed for God’s cleansing touch when we become trapped by our wrongful actions? The only cure for sin or failure of any kind is God’s grace applied to our lives. This is what changes the stumbling sinner into a person living victoriously for Jesus Christ.Even before you knew Him, Jesus knew and loved you. It was His love that saved you, and it is His love that will keep you throughout eternity. “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Are you struggling with the idea of grace and how it applies to your life? Realize that God loves you. He stands beside you and is pleased to call you His own. This grace is yours.

Lord, thank You for Your grace - Your love and kindness toward me even though I don’t deserve it. I accept Your extended grace.

Question?

I am thankful for what God has revealed to me through Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit. God's truth has resonated through my life and transformed me into a new person. I have been saved from myself and my sin through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Friend.

I do have a question. It seems as if the rest of the world's religions are focused on works. What I have to "do" to gain salvation. Is Christianity (the relationship with God gained through Jesus Christ) the only faith that requires us to totally rely on a stronger being outside of ourselves to gain salvation? I have found that to be true, and it has caused me to be more confident in my belief. For God showed me, through a series of life changing events, that I could not do it myself. I tried.......and failed miserably! I just do not see how one can justify a religion based fully on works.

If had to rely on myself to gain salvation I would be a hopeless cause.

The Purpose of Man

I'm starting to read a book by A.W. Tozer called "The Purpose of Man: Designed to Worship". This is my first Tozer book. He begins it in the Garden of Eden and says that the reason why we were created was to worship God and display His glory. As Tozer says, "Worship is man's full reason for existence. Worship is why we are born and why we are born again."

I like that.

We tend to be very self-centered and that life is about us. It's not. It's all about God, and bringing glory and honor to Him. We do that through worship. There are many ways to worship besides the common way of singing hymns that we usually think of. Observing a sunset on your way home from work and thanking God for the beauty of it. Noticing the stars in a clear night sky, realizing how small you are, and thanking God for His amazing love. Giving of your time and money to service and thanking God for His Holy Spirit that gives you the desire to do so. Endless ways to allow God through Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit to use you for His glory!

I'm looking forward to this book. Hoping that it will draw me closer to Jesus in worship.