I believe in God the Father
I believe in Jesus Christ
I believe in the Holy Spirit
I believe in the Word of God
I believe in the Cross
I believe in the Resurrection
I believe in Forgiveness
I believe in Redemption
I believe in Grace
I believe in Heaven
I believe in Salvation
Forever and ever, I believe.

It’s not a fairytale or wishful thinking. It’s not a crutch or an escape. It’s not fictitious or nonsensical. It’s real.

God, the Creator of all, is real. Jesus, His son, is real. The sacrifice made on the cross to atone for all sin, is real.

A baby really was born of a virgin. Jesus stepped out of heaven and into the world He created. A choir of heavenly angels rejoiced. Wise men journeyed from afar to worship. The Savior of the world was born.

He walked among us sharing the best of himself. He atoned for our sin through His shed blood on the cross. On the third day the stone rolled away, and His body was miraculously resurrected, forever breaking the chains of sin, death and darkness.

His sacrifice bought our freedom, cleansed our sin, and bridged the gap. Because love came down and dwelt among us, we can one day dwell with our Maker… forever.

These are all truths. No philosophy can change the facts. No amount of progressivism or humanistic thinking or negotiating can negate the truth. No Ivy League professor, famous Hollywood actor, seasoned politician, or seeker-friendly church can erase history through crafty words and pontificating untruths as truths. What’s done is done. What’s real is real. The facts are the facts, whether people want to acknowledge them or not.

One’s own beliefs are irrelevant if they don’t line up with God’s Word. God’s Word is the only and final authority concerning all things in this life. It is truth.

Isaiah 40:8 says, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”

1 Thessalonians 2:13: “And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.”

Scripture makes it clear that we are to follow and believe God’s Word in its entirety. We are not to sugar-coat, substitute, add or subtract from its teachings. Every word is meaningful and every message perfection. Anything that is taught contrary to the Word is contrary to God.

Proverbs 30:5-6: “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.”

Joshua 23:6: “Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left.”

Revelation 22:18-19: “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.”

Not only is God’s Word absolute truth, but God’s Word clearly states the only way to an eternal relationship with Him is through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only way to salvation.

In John 14:6 Jesus himself clearly states, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Those who tell you otherwise are not following the Jesus and the truth of the Bible. Jesus came for all, died for all, arose for all. His grace, mercy, and unconditional love compelled Him to give His life. His desire for none to be lost, but all to be saved, is what motivated Him to go to the cross and become the sacrifice that would cleanse the soul from all sin…past, present and future.

 Ephesians 2:8 states: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

John 3:17 “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

Salvation is a GIFT from a loving, merciful, and holy God.

One day, ready or not, we will ALL stand before God and give an account. We all have a choice to make and only we, ourselves, can make it. No one can make it for us. We have to search the truth and open our hearts. We have to make a commitment with our lives. If we’ve already done that, we need to press in deeper to Jesus and cling to the only hope that can guide us. Then, we need to pray for God’s direction and begin reaching out to others who have yet to make that decision and share the good news with them.

 Romans 14:10-12 reminds us, “For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written:

“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’”

“So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”

Eternity is FOREVER…everyone’s. Let that truth settle into your soul a bit. Contemplate on that thought of “forever.’’ It’s actually mind-boggling to think about, which is maybe why so many don’t think about it much…it’s too hard to wrap one’s head around. It’s hard to imagine that when we each breathe our last breath we will spend eternity with God or apart from him FOREVER.

There is no decision that can be made after the fact. There is no more mercy to start another day and do better. No more time to study about the afterlife. No ability to turn things around and change. No more opportunities to say a prayer of forgiveness and to accept Christ as Savior. When that last breath is taken on earth, it will be settled, once and for all. The decision will be eternal. The decision will be set…forever.

Acts 17:31 says, “For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”

On that day, no amount of money, power, prestige, intelligence, twisted theology, or popularity will be able to hide us or save us from Almighty God. We have been given breath in this moment to decide. We have been presented with truth in God’s Word. We have been given another opportunity today to make a choice and open our hearts to the miraculous gift that came humbly wrapped over 2,000 years ago.

In a little stable one starry night, God reached down and touched the earth with the grandest act of love imaginable. His holiness, immeasurable mercy, unconditional love and grace, compelled Him to send His only Son, the greatest gift of all, to all mankind. A gift of hope, joy and salvation. A gift that brings everlasting life to all who believe and receive. The gift is real. The story is true.

I believe.

What do you believe?

hspate@verizon.net

 

 

 

Thankful All Through the Year

“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Psalm 103:1-5).

Soon, people everywhere will gather around the table for a time of celebration. They will sit with loved ones, reflect on memories, and eat a feast of favorites. For many it will be a joyous occasion filled with fun and excitement. For some, a time of deep reflection. For others, a time of sadness or loneliness.

No matter what Thanksgiving brings, we all have reason to celebrate this Thanksgiving season. Let’s take a moment and reflect on what each of us, as sons and daughters of the King, can be thankful for on this day and every day.

First, be thankful that you’re breathing…your heart’s beating. Be thankful for the beautiful world around you, God’s amazing canvas that stretches the earth, made for your enjoyment. Praise Him for the pretty sunsets; the changing seasons; the refreshing rain; the drifting clouds; and the nice, cool breezes. Say thank you for the many fascinating creatures that roam the earth…all part of His marvelous creation.

Enjoy and give praise for a God that whispers His love in everything He’s designed.

Now, give thanks for those who have helped you and supported you along the way, for those who have blessed you in some way and for the opportunities you’ve had to bless others. Be appreciative for the gift of today and the time given to live it.

Pause and give praise for past experiences which have shaped you, educated you, and given you a bit more wisdom. Be appreciative for the trials in your life, knowing that trials have a way of shaping your character, fine-tuning your heart, and drawing you closer to your heavenly Father, all so you can be a better witness and reflection of Christ’s love to those around you.

Take inventory and smile as you think about everything you’ve been given…every blessing, large and small that has touched your life. There are so many reasons to shout and sing His praises…so many opportunities to simply say thank you for the blessings none of us deserve, but are graciously given because of His unconditional love.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Giving thanks in all circumstances is how we each can be a light to those around us. Praising when all is not going perfectly perplexes people and brings an opportunity to be a positive and consistent witness regardless of what’s happening in life. It’s an opportunity to let Jesus shine through!

When counting all your blessings, the one that stands out most (the cherry on the top), is your salvation! Romans 10:9 says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

God’s Word promises if we believe and accept Jesus into our hearts we are saved! Praise God!

Webster’s dictionary defines “saved” as: to deliver from sin… to rescue or deliver from danger or harm… to preserve or guard from injury, destruction, or loss.

Because Jesus said “YES” to the cross, you have freedom, a bright future, a new beginning—a fresh start! Your sins (all of them) are completely forgiven…washed clean! Your mistakes are wiped away by God’s mercies when you humbly come before Him and ask for His forgiveness. Psalm 103:11-12 reminds of this miraculous gift:

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

His suffering gave YOU forgiveness, salvation, and an eternal home in heaven…all things no one in this life can ever take from you… ever!

If that isn’t awesome enough, the realization that one day you, along with all believers, will reside in heaven forever with the Father and will never ever again experience suffering, sadness, sickness, stress, or sin is something that should bring a smile to your face and a lift to your spirit! It should also motivate you to share the good news with others so they too can receive the remarkable gift of salvation and be set free.

Sing praises as you remember the incredible promise that He’s preparing a place for you, and every seed you sow here and now for the kingdom will be safely stored in heaven awaiting your arrival. Matthew 6:19-21 reminds us:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

As you prepare your heart for this holiday season, I challenge you to do two things:

First, take a moment and make a “Grateful List.” Write down everything God brings to your mind for which to be grateful. It’s a worthwhile exercise and a wonderful way to keep you focused and thankful.

Second, make it your goal to look at all of life from an eternal perspective. While we live in this world, we’re called to remember our future and look to Him, not our circumstances. We’re called to think about our heavenly home and to continually be mindful of what’s really important in the day-to-day. An eternal perspective keeps us focused on being active for the kingdom and encourages our hearts to sow seeds that will cultivate a harvest of blessing, both now and for all eternity.

No matter what’s going on in your life today, a heart of gratitude should be what drives your actions and directs your day. In ALL things you’re called to give thanks.

No matter your circumstances, as a child of God you have so much to be thankful for, not just at Thanksgiving, but all through the year!

hspate@verizon.net