Do I Need a Saviour?

Introduction

We all get the same 24 hours in a day; what do we do with those 24 hours?  How do we choose to spend the time given to us each day? 

When I read the Bible I generally go through a Psalm and/or a Proverb chapter a day.  However, I have felt God wanting me to dig deeper into Him and His Word.  Today I read a few chapters from the book of Daniel.  Below you will read about how God spoke to me from His Word today.  Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.  May God richly bless you always!

Paraphrasing Daniel 1~3

     Daniel and his 3 companions set their hearts upon worshipping YWHW-the One True God~refusing to worship the king's false golden god, even upon the threat of death or execution.

     God miraculouly spares their lives, delivers them by protecting them from a fiery death due to the king's madness.

     The 3 companions of Daniel were untouched by the fire, the smoke of the furnace, the king's death chamber.

Practical Application(s)

• Have I set Christ as LORD in my heart and in my life? 
• Am I worshipping the One True God, King Jesus, alone or only?
• Is God #1 (Number One) in my life?
• Is Christ #1 (Number One) in my heart?
• Do I trust in Christ, the One True God, to deliver me from all my trials?
• Let me "set my mind on things above".
• "Whatever is true whatever is right whatever is lovely let me fix my mind on these things."
• God/Christ Jesus is for me not against me.
• All who call upon the name of the LORD will be saved.
• Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
• 1st commandment = Worship the LORD Your God & serve Him only; have no other idols or worship in your life. 

Impressions-

I feel like/sense God reminding me who I belong to (Him); that I was bought with a price (the precious blood of Jesus Christ); and, that nothing can snatch me out of His hands (Amen and Hallelujah).

Scriptures/References-

1 Corinthians 6:20  For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

Mark 9:41  For whoever give you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.

Romans 8:35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril or sword?

Romans 8:38  For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor princapalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, (v.39) nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Reminds me of a song to sing:

Knowing You Jesus

There is no greater thing

You're my all-You're the best

You are my righteousness

And I love You Lord...

Summary-

     God seems to be planting-sowing-watering-and/or reinforcing the idea (or concept) of His unshakeable/constant/never-ending/everlasting LOVE for me, personally; TODAY in this moment, and eternally forever!!

     God seems to want to get the TRUTH of HIS LOVE for me DEEPLY ROOTED in me today.  God has been inviting/asking/and-or wooing me into spending extra time with Him, seeking His face, and most of all in READING HIS WORD THE HOLY BIBLE.

Final Thoughts-

Thank you for taking some time out of your day, and busy schedule, to read this blog post.  I believe that it was not by accident that you are here.  I believe God led you to read this today, because He too is inviting you into deeper intimacy with Him.  My hope and my heart and my prayer is that with all that is within you that you would say yes in your heart and mind and will to Jesus today.  Say yes to receiving the incredible love that can only be found in a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  I stand in agreement with you today, friend, if you choose to pray aloud this prayer below:

Prayer of Repentance and Salvation

Dear Lord,  I come before You today, and I say "yes" to Your invitation to me.  I believe, as an act of my free will, that Jesus Christ came in the flesh as a human, died for my sin, and rose again.  I confess to God today, that I am a sinner (have done wrong things) and that I am in need of a Saviour today; Jesus I ask You to forgive me for all my sin, known or unknown, and please cleanse me from all unrighteousness.  I receive You now, Lord Jesus, as my personal Lord and Saviour.  Thank You for dying for me, and I ask You now to give me the free gift of eternal life.  Help me follow You daily.  In Christ Jesus' name I pray.  Amen.

God bless you my friend and welcome to the family of God, body of Jesus Christ!

Outline of Daniel 1-3

Daniel 1

• Daniel and His Friends Obey God

Daniel 2

• Nebuchadnezzar"s Dream
• God Reveals Nebuchadnezzar's Dream
• Daniel Explains the Dream
• Daniel and His Friends Promoted

Daniel 3

• The Image of Gold
• Daniel's Friends Disobey the King
• Saved in Fiery Trial
• Nebuchadnezzar Praises God

Song Source:  

Knowing You (All I Once Held Dear) by Graham Kendrick

God is Faithful and He Cares for You

 What did I learn today, either about myself, about life, or about God?

Today I was reminded again about:  God is a God Who Sees; God is a God Who Knows; and, God is a God Who Cares for me, personally.  God is a God Who Provides for me, also.

Yesterday, I ran out of gas.  Actually, when I 1st turned on my ignition, it wouldn't start.  It seemed stuck, like it wouldn't turn over.  But, I tried 2 or 3 times, and I got it to start.  I think I got almost to my work place in the morning by riding on gas fumes!  My car stopped on a side road, and even though I tried to get it to the parking lot, no go.  But, I was very grateful I was close enough to park the car on the side of the road, and in walking distance from the workplace.

I called a family member that was able to come help me, bringing a gas can, and 3 gallons worth of gasoline in it.  Then, we went back to my car, less than a block away from the gas station, to put the gas in from the gas can.  Well, that was a little bit tricky!  I found the gas can to be very heavy to hold with one hand while holding a funnel in the other hand.  It was awkward and anyone could see that I was struggling!

After a few minutes of struggle, a young gentleman drove by, rolled down his window, asking me if I needed (or wanted) any help?  I said, "Yes, please!"  So, he turned his car around, and assisted me with putting in the gas; even knowing that the round piece that comes with a gas can could be used to complete the task.  Thank God this kind man helped!  I felt like God sent a "good Samaritan" just in the knick of time!  From the brief conversation with this young man, I felt like he was the type of person who enjoyed helping others.  He knew what it felt like to be in that type of situation, having had others help him in his time of need too.

This morning, a family member offered me some gas money, at least until I am able to get my 1st paycheck from my new job!  So, again God provides, and I am very grateful.  I made a pot of beans over the weekend, so that was one of my contributions to the family.  I also take out the trash cans, water the grass, and other small little contributions to the family.  

The main thing is God is true to His promises; He says "I will supply your every need according to My riches in Christ Jesus (Philipians 4:19)", and also, "God owns a thousand cattle on a hill (Psalm 50:10)", so nothing is impossible for God.  At the time, it may seem challenging to endure such trials as low income, or running out of gas, or fill-in-the-blank with your current trial, but Our God, The God of the Bible, is a Faithful God.  Thank you Lord Jesus for Your faithfulness to me; for your goodness to me; and for Your continued provisions for me.  I love You Lord, for You first loved me (1 John 4:19).

Thank you, reader, for taking time today to read my blog post.  I hope that you will take comfort in the Great God who Cares deeply for you. 

The Good in Me and The Good in Others

What do you see?  Do you see the good in me?  Are you able to see the good in others?  I recently attended a support group for abuse overcomers, and the guest speakers gifted each participant with a special journal.  Our "homework" assignment was to write on one page the good we see in ourselves; and on the other page to write the good we see in others, and to make it a point to share appreciation to the other person for their good qualities.

Today, I read Proverbs 21:21 and I was reminded of this concept but from the Scriptures.  In Proverbs 21:21 God states, "He who follows righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honor." 

Then, I began wondering, "what does righteousness mean" and I looked it up online; the words like "goodness" and virtue, decency, and integrity popped up, as well as honesty, morality, honor, and noble, worthiness.  Righteousness was defined as "the quality of being morally right or justifiable."  So, to me, righteousness could be defined as "being honorable and noble, or a sense of goodness attached to something/someone."

Reading this verse reminded me of the goodness in me and the goodness in you exercise that we were invited to do.  Today, I will share a few of the observations I made without disclosing their real names.

As an abuse overcomer, I face challenges that are related to the trauma witnessed and/or endured on a regular basis; therefore, that makes me a courageous person.  Therefore, one good, positive quality about myself is that I am a courageous person.  Another good, positive quality about myself is that I have a pretty smile.  An adult person told this to me in my youth, and it has stuck with me even to this day.  I have the kind of smile that brightens anyone's day; the entire room.  I can appreciate these two examples of good qualities in myself, as well as seek to use them for helping others.

One of the volunteers at our support group took a special interest in me and my story.  She gave me her thoughtful questions, her listening ears, being friendly, kind, and affirming towards me.  I really appreciated her reaching out to me, and in taking time out for me!

Another example of the good I've seen in others is the person who hired me at my new job.  She's been taking the time to train me in my new position, and has been showing me a lot of patience as I learn new things and demonstrate effort.  I really appreciate that she hired me, and that she is showing me the ropes so to speak, in my new position.  I have verbally expressed this to her on at least two occasions; and, a hand-written note of gratitude has also crossed my mind.

So, these were only two examples of the good I see in me, and the good I've seen in others.  Of course, I could write more.  But, for the purpose of this article, I chose to keep it simple.  Today, I challenge you to consider the good in you, and the good in others.  What do you see?  Are you able to see the good in you?  Are you willing to see the good in others?  No matter where you find yourself in life today, there is good to be seen; just ask God for the eyes to see it.