always SELF HELP n BIBLE LEARNING n eAC

Always walk in a manner that is worthy to measure up to something that others will remember and might follow. Think about it, we all have done things in our lives that we wish we could go back in time and redo (differently of course). 

We always fail to see the good in ourselves.  We have no patience with new changes. 

Value your salvation, it will always determine how you live. You see, if it has NOT affected:

• your lifestyle
• the way you talk to people and about people
• the way you treat others

then friend, you have got a low appraisal value of something that is intrinsically worth far beyond what you have even realized yet. Therefore, your life is not measuring up to any standard that God requires.

Always walk in a worthy manner. Therefore, measure up by the way you allow it to affect your life.

So if my view of salvation means everything when it comes to living, how you look at your salvation dictates how you live. Do not let salvation overwhelm you, thinking I have to change everything in my life, I have things that can not be forgiven, I have things that are so part of who I am that I will never be able to change.  You think that it is always up to you to make those changes, well guess again.  God, the one who nothing is impossible, is the only one who can make those changes.  

Think like Paul who said, "I have completely submitted to His lordship." Why? Here is a man who knew who he was. He understood what happened to him at salvation. It overwhelmed him and changed him for the rest of his life.

Always let God do His job, do not try to intervene, you are not going to change anything.  All He wants you to do is to be humble and gentle and most importantly be patient.

do what it says BIBLE LEARNING - Salvation and ATCs

Hello, I am so glad that you are visiting my blog today.  

Today I started making ATC (artistic trading cards). These cards today have a special message for you.

Have you heard of John 3:16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

It is not just a Bible verse to recite every time others tell you to recite it but it is a verse that is giving you instructions.  It is a verse that is telling you to do something.  Have you done what it says?  BELIEVE

If you choose not to believe in Jesus and His message of eternal salvation through His death on the cross, then you will die in your sins and go straight to hell when you die – no if, and or buts about it! The life that we are living here is serious business! The choices that we make in this life will determine our ultimate fate in the afterlife.  Choose Jesus and the blood that He has personally shed for you on the cross – and you will become saved and born again – you will then enter into the most incredible place imaginable when you die – heaven itself!

Here are some principles that you need to know before you do what it says:

1.   Know that Jesus Christ is the ONLY Way to God the Father and Heaven

·         John 10:9 “I am the gate.  Those who come in through me will be saved.”

·         John 11:25 “I am the resurrection and the life.  Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.”

·         John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one come to the Father except through me.”

2.   God desires for you to be saved

·         Romans 10:12 “Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect.  They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him.

·         1 Timothy 2:3-4 “This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.”

·         2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think.  No, he is being patient for your sake.  He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”

3.   The gift of salvation will make you righteous before God the Father

·         Talk about an incredible pardon. Once you become saved and born again by accepting Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, the Bible says that we are now made perfectly righteous before the eyes of God. This means that we are now free to approach the throne of God for intimate prayer and communication, and when we die, we will all go straight to heaven.  Even though we will continue to commit sin from time to time, God will always forgive us as long as we properly confess each sin when it does happen. Until you then, your prayers are not heard by God because you do not live in righteousness. (John 9:31 “We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but he is ready to hear those who worship him and do his will.”)

·         2 Corinthians 5:21 “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”

·         Romans 5:8 “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”

4.    Now that you BELIEVE – how do you become saved and receive the gift of Eternal Salvation

·         A – Accept that you are a sinner – be willing to confess your sins before God, doesn’t have to be in a church, this can happen to anyone at anytime and at any place.

·         B – Believe that Jesus is God’s Son – Accept the fact that Jesus Christ came to our earth in the flesh to die on the cross for your sins, He rose from the dead on the third day, and is coming back for you.

·         C – Confess your sins and ask Jesus into your heart – Be willing to formally accept Him as your personal Lord and Savior.

                    

Acts 3:19 “Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.”

                  

1 John 1:9 “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”

                     

Romans 10:9 “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Notice the last verse says to confess with your mouth.  This means just saying a good basic salvation prayer out direct to God the Father from your heart:

Dear Father,

I now believe that Jesus Christ is Your only begotten Son, that He came to our earth in the flesh and died on the cross to take away all of my sins and the sins of this world. I believe that Jesus Christ then rose from the dead on the third day to give all of us eternal life.

Lord Jesus,

I now confess to You all of the wrong and sinful things I have ever done in my life. I ask that You please forgive Me and wash away all of my sins by the blood that You have personally shed for me on the cross. I am now ready to accept You as my personal Lord and Savior. I now ask that You come into my life and live with Me for all of eternity.

Father, Jesus – I now believe that I am truly saved and born again.

Thank you Father.
Thank you Jesus.

when you take out BIBLE LEARNINGS

One of my favorite scriptures is Ephesians 6:13-16 (NLT) which describes what I need to wear to have the "Whole Armor of God".
As I read the verses the way Paul wrote them (inspired by God) I began to think, what are the main elements in these verses if all the "Roman" armor was removed. We do not live in the Roman times -- can God's word can be applied to any time period and society?  It sure can...see below.

SCRIPTURE WITH NO CHANGES:
¹³ Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
¹⁴ Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.
¹⁵ For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.
¹⁶ In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
¹⁷ Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
   
SCRIPTURE  WHEN I CROSS-OUT ALL THAT RELATES TO THE ROMAN UNIFORM: (belt, body armor, shoes, shield, helmet and sword)
¹³ Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
¹⁴ Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.
¹⁵ For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.
¹⁶ In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
¹⁷ Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

SCRIPTURE WITHOUT THE CROSSOUT WORDS:  WOW, NOW THIS IS POWERFUL:
 ¹³ Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
14. Stand your ground putting on God's righteousness.
15. Put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.
16. In addition to all of these, hold up to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
17. Put on salvation and the word of God.
18. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.


There is nothing else I could say to explain what the scripture already told us only:
Ephesians 6:10-11
¹⁰ A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
¹¹ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

pay attention BIBLE LEARNINGS

The more I read--the more I learn that I have got to "pay attention".
I read but I am not paying attention.
As a kid we all heard our parents or a grown-up (like my 5th grade teacher) say: "Pay Attention".
Today I have been reading my Father's Word and I heard Him say: "Pay Attention".
This is what I heard:

1. Pay attention-submit your spirit to the Holy Spirit
    (Romans 8:26-27)
       ²⁶ And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. ²⁷ And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.

2. Pay attention-by searching your whole heart
   (Jeremiah 29:13)
      ¹³ If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

3. Pay attention-by allowing the Lord to search you.
    (Psalm 139:23-24)
       ²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart;   test me and know my anxious thoughts.        
       ²⁴ Point out anything in me that offends you,   and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

4. Pay attention-by allowing the Holy Spirit to teach you
    (John 14:26) 
²⁶ But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

5. Pay attention-by studying God's word diligently
     (2 Timothy 2:15)
¹⁵ Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

6. Pay attention-by praying without ceasing
  (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
     ¹⁷ Never stop praying.

Well I think I got it, I better start paying attention because nothing is going to work until I start to do so.