The ducks above are enjoying the puddles after a recent shower here on Oahu. As I viewed my photograph of them today, it made me think that their reflections were mirrored in the water rather like the way our actions and speech and manner of life as Christians reflect a message to the world (water) or, more likely, to our immediate neighborhood or town. As has been said by others, a Christian's life may be the only "Bible" some people ever read.
"The world doesn't need a definition of Christianity as much as it needs a demonstration." - author unknown
Christians are not perfect; they still sin (but not deliberately and willfully against God if they are true believers). They are not sinless - but they sin....less! We must be careful and discerning in everything and endeavor to reflect a Christ-like attitude at all times, in spite of our weaknesses.
If you are truly born again and filled with the Holy Spirit (which happens when you put your whole faith and belief in Jesus as the Savior), then you will receive help from the good Lord and the Holy Spirit to do the best you can, with His help. Remember, believing in Jesus as the Savior does not mean just intellectual knowledge -- It means believing with all of your very being; your heart and soul and mind, so that you are a new Creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) and your mind will be transformed to reflect that (Romans 12:1,2).
Following is a wonderful quote by A. W. Tozer:
"A satisfactory spiritual life will begin with a complete change in relation between God and the sinner; not a judicial change merely but a conscious and experienced change affecting the sinner's whole nature. The atonement in Jesus' blood makes such a change judicially possible and the working of the Holy Spirit makes it emotionally satisfying........ Much of our difficulty as seeking Christians stems from our unwillingness to take God as He is and adjust our lives accordingly. We insist upon trying to modify Him and to bring Him nearer to our own image........ We can get a right start only by accepting God as He is and learning to love Him for what He is. As we go on to know Him better, we shall find it a source of unspeakable joy that God is just what He is. Some of the most rapturous moments we know will be those we spend in reverent admiration of the Godhead."
Following is a song everyone is familiar with by Mercy Me which is "I Can Only Imagine". It has had 79 million views on You Tube in the past 9 years. But this version is not original one due to copyright :
Revelation 21:1-5 gives us comforting words concerning some of what being in heaven will entail : (1) And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (2) And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (3) And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. (4) And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (5) And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful."
Talk about words of hope and comfort! The above verses remind us that there is something much better (super fantastic!!) that awaits true believers. Just keep on keeping on! It won't be long now before Jesus returns to take us to our true home !!
Below is an old hymn many will remember: "When We All Get To Heaven" :
I must confess, when I began this article, I had intended to include videos and information on current events (which were depressing). It all tied in with how Bible Prophecy is being fulfilled today at warp speed. The good thing about it was that it makes us realize that our Savior will return and take us home with Him soon! But as I began to write, I felt the Lord leading me in another direction - a more positive and uplifting view for this post, with hymns and Scriptures. It is a positive fact that Jesus will return for His true believers any day now, in light of Bible prophecy, but let's discuss that (Bible Prophecy) in another post another time. You may read more on that subject by going to the "Search Box" at the upper right hand side of this page and entering such things as "The Rapture, end times, Bible prophecy," etc.
As my photograph above makes evident, I enjoy taking shots of pathways. The Bible mentions "path" often.
The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. - Mark 1:3
He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. - Psalm 23:3
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path. - Psalm 119:105
Speaking of Psalm 119:105, remember how it was before you were saved? It was like stumbling in the dark .. .. the darkness of sin and even, for some, confusion. But when you were born again by faith and belief in Jesus, the Savior -- A light came on, so to speak, in your very soul, in all of your very being!! The good Lord rescued you from the darkness of sin and brought you into His saving Light! Give Him all the glory!!
[Overlook from Kualoa Ranch, Oahu, Hawaii]
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." - 2 Corinthians 5:17
"I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." - Romans 12:1,2
If you are not saved by belief in Jesus as the Savior, here are some Scriptures for you:
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." - John 3:36
"(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation)" - 2 Corinthians 6:2
Romans 10:9,10,13 assures us: (9) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
Time is running out!
Jesus will return soon to take true believers to heaven.
Are you rapture ready?
Run to Jesus in faith and belief that He is the Savior and that by His shed blood at Calvary....His precious blood .... His sacrifice to pay our sin debt in full...we might have everlasting life.
Jesus will welcome you with open arms and embrace you with love and forgiveness !
"I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." - Romans 12:1,2
If you are not saved by belief in Jesus as the Savior, here are some Scriptures for you:
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." - John 3:36
"(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation)" - 2 Corinthians 6:2
Romans 10:9,10,13 assures us: (9) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
Time is running out!
Jesus will return soon to take true believers to heaven.
Are you rapture ready?
Run to Jesus in faith and belief that He is the Savior and that by His shed blood at Calvary....His precious blood .... His sacrifice to pay our sin debt in full...we might have everlasting life.
Jesus will welcome you with open arms and embrace you with love and forgiveness !
