Knowing that God loves you...

Deists believe that “the supreme Architect” created the world and left it alone. Like a master clockmaker, He carefully crafted the universe and wound it up. Now it’s running on its own, no intervention necessary. No miracles, no special revelations. God may be watching from a distance, they say, but He isn’t active in our affairs. He’s simply there.

The writer of Hebrews has told us that those who come to God must believe that He is, but that isn’t enough. We also have to believe that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him – that pursuing Him makes a difference in how He responds to us. If we simply believe God is there, watching, or that we have to twist His arm to notice us or bless us, then we aren’t perceiving Him well. According to His own Word, He longs to bless us, to have compassion on us, to answer our prayers, and to enter into a deep relationship with us. He invites us to seek Him zealously and faithfully. And He assures us that when we do, He rewards.

If you really want to know and experience God more fully, you’ll have to approach Him with the expectation that He rewards those who seek Him. If you think He might respond, you’ll interpret any delays or hiddenness as reluctance on His part. If you think He only responds to those who live up to His standards, you’ll interpret any delays or hiddenness as a sign of failure on your part. But if you assume –by faith — that He is eager to respond to your pursuit of Him, you’ll begin to interpret all of life as a conversation with Him. And your awareness of His Presence will increase dramatically.

Excerpts from: Experiencing God’s Presence.

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Does God promise to forgive and not condemn?

God sent His Son to earth to pay for your wrongs. "If you belong to Christ Jesus, you won't be punished" (Romans 8:1, CEV). This is good news! There is no condemnation, just forgiveness for those who stand with Jesus. When God looks at you, He does not see your wrongdoing. He just sees Jesus' goodness instead of your past. Your wrongs are wiped away, and your life is cleared of all those times you displeased God by breaking His laws. You can begin again. God's forgiveness is a gift of grace -- something you cannot earn. It is not a result of anything you do.

When God forgives, the Bible says that "he has removed our sins so far from us as the east is from the west" (Psalm 103:12, NLT). If you try to bring up a past mistake, God does not know what you are talking about. If God says you're okay, then forgive yourself. His love is powerful. Leave your past mistakes with Him. Do not keep dragging around your regrets.

God may point out that you need to change in some area of your life, but He will do it in an encouraging way, guiding your heart and mind by His Spirit. Satan, the evil one will nag at you with doubts and use accusations to make you feel unworthy. As long as you feel like pond scum, you will not be able to tell others about God.

*The First four books of the New Testament -- Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- are called Gospels. Gospel means "good news." These books are filled with the promises of good news: Jesus took your punishment and freed you from your failures.

*God does not keep reminding you of past mistakes. He promises to forgive and forget. God tells you how to follow His laws and live a better life.

Accepting God's forgiveness and putting your past behind you is saying yes to His gift of grace and showing that you believe He really did die in your place.

"It's urgent that you listen carefully to this: Anyone here who believes what I am saying right now and aligns himself with the Father (God), who has in fact put me in charge, has at this very moment the real, lasting life and is no longer condemned to be an outsider." Jesus on John 5:24, The Message

Excerpts from:100 answers to 100 questions about God's PROMISES for you - Lila Empson/Janet Teitsort

Thank You Lord God!

Thank You for gifting me Your Wisdom in Your Word that tremendously supported me with my health, concerns and the glimpse of Your heavenly home and Your Glory in your creations.  

Thanksgiving Blessing and more...

“Thanksgiving is not a day, it’s a lifestyle!”

Glad I dropped by to check if there’s some improvements here. Needing some more understanding; but surely, visiting here helped to distract my attention from a recent online news that bothered me.

I feel a little better and probably with God’s help, I will overcome the awful everyday news, so common with the Yahoo & Google headlines. I need to always remind myself to stay away from Yahoo News especially.

I’d like to add that I’ve been dreaming some weird dreams lately. One morning I woke up upset after recollecting the dream two nights before. In the dream, I was so mad with someone, maybe a photographer, who took my picture without my head on! The nerve! ^_^ O.o Later in the day, I started thinking that there’s a meaning to that dream.

And then, the other night, I had this dream about some commotion and confusion. Who was I supposed to run away with? Back and forth, then finally, I made a decision to leave a house, supposedly my house, removed the key from a keyholder and proceed to lock the front door. Outside the house, there was this beautiful lady with long, wavy, beautiful hair, white gown and all waiting for me. Was I leaving with an angel? Like the song: “send me an angel right now!”

I’d like to think in a positive way, there’s something good that will happen– a blessing and favor that God will do. Don’t know what it is yet, but tonight after reading that disgusting news on Google, God’s Spirit seemed to tell me that He loves those that love Him and, their loved ones, that God is prolonging His Judgment on this fallen world.

My heart is able to comprehend God’s mercy and patience. God loves us to no end. Praise His HOLY NAME!

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

In the end of our life here on earth, what really matters is our eternal life. Most people do not know how serious that can be. Here, we have a short life. After our death, our souls will forever live. The BIG question is where would your soul be spending eternally? God’s JUDGMENT will come most definitely, but our deaths will come sooner than we all think.

We will then all realize God really is in control of our lives!

A New Attitude

When you came to Christ, you acknowledged that you were a sinner and chose to forsake your sin and the evil things of this world. But Satan will dangle the world and its sin in front of you to tempt you to return to it. Paul warns us not to return to it but to put it off and instead, put on righteousness and true holiness.

That's not something you do once; it's something you do every day. One way you do so is described in 2 Timothy 3:16, which says, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." If you want to live correctly, expose yourself to the Word of God. It will help you deal with the traces of the world still present in your life.

from: John McArthur's Truth for Today

"Put on the new man which was created according to God in true righteousness and holiness."     Ephesians 4:24

 

The Lord takes pleasure in all...

 

"The Lord takes pleasure in all He has made." Psalm 104:31 

 

When you try to picture God's face, what expression does He have? Many people see Him as serious, others as angry, and still others as emotionless. Movies about Jesus often depict Him as humorless and expressionless, constantly staring into the distance and speaking in a breathy, weighty voice. I've known few people who, in their minds' eye, see God or Jesus smiling.

 

Considering how often Scripture speaks of God's joy, that's surprising. God's people are repeatedly encouraged to rejoice, and we are told that the joy of the Lord is our strength. God takes pleasure in what He does, delights in His people, and rejoices when those who were lost come into His Kingdom. C.S. Lewis said that joy is the serious business of heaven, and he was right. The climate of the Kingdom isn't primarily an all work no play attitude. It's gladness. Pure, unbridled joy.

 

Sadly, few Christians live in a way that reflects the joyful environment of heaven. Some know they should and try to act joyful in all circumstances, but in trying to convince themselves of their joy, they convince few others. But true joy springs up from within, not because we should be joyful but because we are. A heart that truly grasps the nature of God--that actually senses Him smiling-- is a heart that begins to overflow with joy.

 

Spending time in God's Presence cultivates all the feelings of His heart, but it especially cultivates joy. You may go through difficult situations that don't exactly put a smile on your face, but know even in those times that joy is the environment of heaven. And God wants that environment to pervade your soul. Soak in His Presence, feel His goodness, see His smile and be joyful.

 

from: Experiencing God's Presence

What is God's promise if you persist in prayer? Months have passed, and there is still no answer to your prayer. Should you keep asking God, or are you supposed to assume He heard you the first time and will answer? One of your friends said it shows trust if you quit bugging God. Another has told you to persist. How are you to know which is right? It is all very confusing. Does the Bible give any guidance or promises about persisting in prayer? The story of Hannah can be found in the Book of 1 Samuel in the Old Testament. Hannah wanted a child and continued to bring her request before God. Hannah's persistence was rewarded with a son, Samuel. The New Testament continues to encourage you to persist in prayer. Jesus told the story of a woman and a judge. The woman kept pleading with the judge to help her, but he refused to do anything. Still, the woman kept asking. Finally he helped her so she would leave him alone. Jesus continued, "Do you hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is saying? So what makes you think God won't step in and work justice for His chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won't He stick up for them? I assure you, He will" (Luke 18:6-8, The Message) Jesus teaches that you are to persist in prayer. Trust that He has heard your requests and is working to bring it about. Believe that He is working behind the scenes, and thank Him for it. Thank Him for what He is doing at the moment you pray and for how He will answer in the future. Persistence confirms to God how much value you place on the request. When you go to Him daily, He knows that your request is important to you. Worth thinking about:

• Jesus made a point of teaching that persistence in prayer would eventually result in receiving the answer from God. God keeps His promises. Persistence pays off.
• Persistent prayer reveals to God your level of trust in Him. Your prayer shows that you are confident of His promised answer.
• Scripture teaches that God desires to give good things to His children. Persistent prayer indicates to God that you recognize Him as your heavenly Father and that you believe in His goodness.

from: Answers to 100 questions about God's promises for you

Side note: God has answered my persistent prayers to Him. The answers sometimes are there the next day. Most of my prayers especially about and for my loved ones, come in installments and some answers would be years to complete. However, God will answer no matter what; and I see His responses as the years go by. I've learned that as I wait for the answers, He also has given me patience, understanding, discernment and wisdom. And in waiting, I've learned to obey His instructions and teachings. At the same time, as I persist in praying to Him, He has already blessed me and sends favors, protection, provisions and healing as I pray for others. In my years of praying to Him, I came to know Him, understand His Plan and His will for my life. My relationship with God has grown leaps and bounds and even if He doesn't answer my prayers, my love has grown so much for God, that the most important thing in praying to Him is feeling His presence. He is there in my happiest moments and my saddest ones. I've learned that in waiting for God to answer, misery has lost my company.