Posts tagged Savior
May 20, 2011 · Filed under thoughts · Tagged adventure, Bible, Christ, Christian, death, destruction, drama, eternity, gate, God, Heaven, Hell, Jesus, landscape, life, salvation, Savior, westerns, wide open spaces
In many epic western movies, the scenery usually includes “wide” open spaces. We are visually captured by vast rolling hills and a matching “big sky”. Out there “somewhere” lies the adventure along with the landscape to match the unfolding drama ahead.
We are enthralled with the lives of other people on screen – only to be reminded at some point that our own lives are also embellished with the wide open dramatic landscapes of life changing events.
Where will our lives eventually lead? We all share the common denominator of an “ending” to the story. Death awaits us all – but we can choose the path to our destiny……..
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Math. 7: 13-14)
Jesus reminds us that the field is “wide open” for destruction – we need to choose carefully who and what we believe –
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” (Math: 7: 15)
Out there, “somewhere”, is the narrow gate –
let Jesus lead you to it…….
March 30, 2011 · Filed under thoughts · Tagged Bible, Christian, Day of the Lord, Deliverer, God, Jesus, justice, Rich Mullins, Savior, trample, triumph, wicked, wrath
“You shall “trample” the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day that I do this, says the Lord of hosts.” (Mal. 4:3)
“For behold, the day is coming………………” (Mal. 4:1)
On the days when something happens to me when I feel I was “wronged” I sometimes like to think about how the Lord is coming to avenge “all” wrongs. I like to picture Jesus astride that white horse up in the sky for everyone to see – my “Deliverer” – who happens to be standing by – for that appointed day.
Rich Mullins song “My Deliverer” so elequently describes our great Savior, who fulfilled prophecy by his first coming, and who will come again a second time, the culmination of Biblical prophecy. Only, this time, when He comes, He comes to avenge and bring justice with our God’s incredible wrath – for “all” wrongs done.
Those of us who have received Jesus as our Lord and Savior, do not need to fear this “Day of the Lord.” We can look up with great anticipation, as countless others have done over the centuries of time – knowing that what God has promised, WILL come.
In that great and terrible “Day of the Lord”, many will be “trampled” –
but we will “triumph” –
with Him………..
February 27, 2011 · Filed under thoughts · Tagged 23rd Psalm, Bible, Christian, contentment, desires, eternity, fulfillment, God, heart, house, Jesus, Lord, mind, peace, Savior, soul, want
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not “want”…………..(Ps. 23:1)
What do you want? Why do you want? Do you go about your days “in” want? Is something you desire taking over your thoughts and deeds?
Our lives can be filled up with searching for that fulfilling moment, and longing for more of them. We can be motivated by our desires to satisfy our cravings – whether they be material, emotional, physical or spiritual. What is in us that causes these desires? Why do we “want”?
The Lord tells us that “He” is really what we want – that anything else is a cheap substitute. These cheap substitutes will always leave us still wanting. It is a never ending process – but this process could eventually bring us closer and closer to “Him” – our Creator – who put those innate desires in our hearts and in our souls – for us to discover and surrender to “Him”.
When we want Him with all our heart, mind and soul, He promises we will have a peace beyond understanding.
“He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul……….”
We will then “not” want –
because we shall “have”
“………and I will dwell in the house of the Lord……..forever”
January 25, 2011 · Filed under relationships · Tagged Bible, Christian, companion, eternity, faith, faithful, friend, God, horsewoman, Jesus Christ, Marty Robbins, pony, ride, save, Savior, Utah Carol
In the song “Utah Carol”, Marty Robbins mentions Utah’s faithful pony, who helps to save his friend from a herd of stampeding cattle. In the end, Utah sacrificed his own life to save the life of his friend.
As a horsewoman of over forty years, I can well appreciate a “faithful pony”. There is nothing like knowing that the animal you are riding and putting your trust is a faithful friend and companion. One never knows when the time may come that this bond could be put to the test. Close calls do happen when riding, and a faithful pony can get you out of a jam.
Ultimately, life’s jams get too big for just the help of a faithful pony. We need to rely on our most faithful friend, Jesus Christ. With Him, we can ride through any problem and trust that He will take us safely to the “other side”.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 3:16)
Ride with Jesus, and get on “God’s side”…….
January 13, 2011 · Filed under thoughts · Tagged Bible, Christian, cold, comfortable, conviction, desire, energy, eternity, faith, God, hot, Jesus, life, lukewarm, middle of the road, Savior, works
Check the thermometer – how hot or cold is it?
As far as climate goes, many of us would like the temperature to hover around seventy five degrees, with average humidity. This would be “comfortable” for most activites – not too hot and not too cold.
In the Bible, we find that God is not happy with this “comfortable” temperature regarding our walk with Him.
“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth.” (Rev. 3: 15-16)
A “middle of the road” approach to Christianity lacks the spirit filled conviction and energy to stand for the faith. God is not pleased with a partial surrendering – He wants all of us – because He loves us.
His love for us is “not” lukewarm. He gave His Son Jesus to die for us…………and that could not have happened without God’s “hot” pursuit for all of us to know – and come to Him.
Let our desire be as hot as God’s desire that “none should perish, but have everlasting life.”
Turn up the heat !
December 12, 2010 · Filed under thoughts · Tagged bad, Bible, blame, blemish, Christian, defect, fault, focus, God, good, habit, Heaven, imperfection, Jesus, lost, perfection, resurrection, Savior
It’s your fault………!
When someone says that to me, it doesn’t feel very good. If it’s true, then it feels even worse. But – if something “good” came out of it, then, maybe it’s not so bad after all!
If fault finding becomes a habit, life can become a long list of negative thoughts – focusing on what’s bad about something – and perhaps forgetting what’s “good” about something. Finding fault can also lead to the “blame game” – who did it, who caused it.
In our imperfect world, it is really quite easy to find faults. Defects surround us. People, situations and circumstances – can all eventually cause disappointment – the inevitable blight on an almost perfect picture.
Re-directing our focus on what’s “good” about something can lead to a healthy acceptance of imperfection – and the intrinsic “value” of it…….
…….for we have all come into this world lost and imperfect, so as to need our Savior – Jesus – who offers us up as perfect to our Heavenly Father – through His death and resurrection on the cross………
With Jesus, faults won’t be found!
December 3, 2010 · Filed under thoughts · Tagged agreement, belief, Bible, choice, Christian, experience, explanation, God, Jesus, logic, Lord, love, loving, pain, Proverbs, right, Savior, trust
Yes – that’s right !
That’s what we say when we agree with something. Our agreement could be based on an experience we’ve had, or a logical explanation which has led us to believe that something is “right”.
Some things are easier to agree on than others. If a cooking oven is set to 400 degrees and you touch your finger on the inside of the oven, we can agree that your finger will get burned. We can say – “yes, that’s right” .
But how did we know that our finger would be burned? At some point in our life, we have touched a very hot item and felt the pain. We then can trust the fact that something which is very hot will burn us.
Of course, it is impossible to experience everything – so we cannot rely just on our own experiences to know if something is “right” or not. We will have to make choices as to what we will believe, and where and who we will put our trust.
In the Book of Proverbs we are told, “he who gives a right answer kisses the lips.” (Prov. 24:26)
Apparently, a “right” answer is a good thing – even loving. Perhaps the God who created us – and loved us so much that He sent His Son Jesus to redeem us – should be our primary source for the “right” answers –
With Him –
we can always say – yes, that’s right!
November 10, 2010 · Filed under thoughts · Tagged avoider, Christian, decision, delay, eternity, excuses, future, God, Heaven, Hell, Jesus, list, Lord, postpone, procrastination, salvation, Savior, victim
Do it “today” !
Does that phrase sound “too soon” for you ? Do you need time to think about it for awhile? Does tomorrow sound better? – or never ?!
If you are a procrastinator and/or avoider, “today” could be scarey !
Delayed decisions, putting other things first, presuming on tomorrow and postponing service are some of the key manifestations of procrastinating. An abundance of excuses can be made to further rationalize our behavior. Some of these excuses sound so legitimate, we even justify them.
Unfortunately, the consequences of time “running out” do exist. We can become victims of our very own “procrastinating crimes” – soley responsible for the outcome.
In the spiritual realm, procrastinating can lead to eternal disaster – with no turning back. When we die, our destination is heaven or hell, for eternity. This is a decision that should not be on your “delay list”. Receiving Jesus as your Lord and Savior is what needs to be done “today”………..
so you can be on – HIS list –
for Heaven !
October 12, 2010 · Filed under thoughts · Tagged advertisements, Arizona, Bible, billboards, Christian, God, interstate highways, Jesus, reminders, salvation, Savior, the THING
What is the “THING” ?
If you have traveled on Interstate 10 through southern Arizona, you have, at some point, seen the billboard advertisements for the THING.
Almost icons unto themselves, these “see the THING” billboards are strategically placed. While driving for hours through the vast expanse of barren desert terrain, you can’t hardly stop yourself from wondering – and pondering – what is the THING?
At first you might think, “it’s just another scam to lure me into buying a ticket.” You clear your thoughts after the first billboard, get it out of your mind – only to be reminded again miles later as another billboard appears. You try not to see it, but the “THING” in bold letters works its way back into your thoughts.
Relentless reminders break down your resolve, and when the exit comes, you get off the road you are traveling, to “check it out”.
Thankfully, there are other billboards with “relentless reminders” to take us off the “road of life” we are traveling.
“JESUS – SAVES”
Stop and check “HIM” out !!
August 10, 2010 · Filed under thoughts · Tagged afterlife, Bible, Christian, death, Devil, eternity, God, gospel, Jesus, life, Savior
Our time here on earth is temporary. Each of us will live for a certain time and then die. But then what? Is the end really the end?
Throughout the years, people who have had “near death” experiences have told and recorded their stories. Many recount meetings with departed love ones, described heavenly surroundings too beautiful for description, and conversations with angelic beings – not to mention Jesus Himself. Many have also described visiting hellish places too horrible for the human mind to bear, seeing demonic beings waiting to destroy anyone in their midst.
Apparently, these experiences carry with them a particular message – the existence of an “afterlife” – a place where we actually go when we die.
The Bible continuously refers us to the knowledge of Heaven and Hell – actual afterlife destinations for all of us – no exceptions. We are given ample opportunity to choose for ourselves during our temporary lifetimes where we will go, and how we will get there.
Hell is described as “everlasting” fire, punishment, outer darkness, destruction – prepared for the Devil and his angels, and rejectors of the Gospel.
Heaven is described as “everlasting” bliss, joy, peace, paradise – prepared for those who accept the Gospel.
Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” (John 14:2-4)
Choose God’s Way – Jesus and His Gospel-
-and when your “temporary” life ends and your “eternal” life begins, you will spend it in Heaven – with Him.
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