Thanksgiving!

Again the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man seeking goodly pearls:

Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

Matthew 13:45-46

"For ye are bought with a price..." I Cor. 2:20a

"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him freely give us all things?" Ro. 8:32

"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." II Cor. 9:15

God values each person! He gave everything to redeem (buy back) lost sinners. Such infinite love and grace cares for me! If this were the only thing I had, I could be thankful; however, He daily loadeth us with blessings!

He leaves the choice with us: Will you trust His Word not your own way? Will you receive the gift of Jesus' love evidenced in the shed blood of the cross? Do you realize how much God values you?

I like knowing that God paid so much for my salvation! When you pay dearly for something you take care of it. I can trust and not be afraid!

I John 5:16

"We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not."

This verse can be somewhat confusing. Some things to remember:

1. A person is born of God when they acknowledge that they are a sinner that deserves punishment then believe that Jesus took that punishment with His shed blood, was buried, and rose again to atone for those sins. They call on the name of the Lord to save them. This is an individual decision--no one can believe for another person. (John 3, Ro. 10:8-10)

2. Sin is to "miss the mark" or fall short of the glory of God (Ro. 3:23)

3. Christ hit the "mark" and glorified God for us (Ro. 5:8)

4. We, in Jesus, no longer "miss the mark"! (Ro. 8:1-2, John 15) This does not mean that we never transgress or disobey, but that we should " follow after" our Saviour. (Phil. 2:12-21, Heb. 12:1-4)

5. Jesus is the only begotten Son of God

    (John 3:16)

6. He made Himself responsible for our keeping. The name "Jesus" means "Jehovah will save". He is the only safety or refuge, our success and victory, our Comforter and Avenger. (John 10:27-29, Psalm 23)

7. The Wicked One cannot touch Him 

   (I John 4:4, 5:1-4)

8. Frantic fear does not come from God--it is a tool of Satan to distract us from God's character. (II Tim. 1:7)

Other helpful verses:

Ps. 31:14-24

Ps. 33:8-22

Ps. 32:7

I John 2:25-26

Phil. 3:13-15

Ps. 119

I John 1:9

The Sacrifice of Thanksgiving

Don't Go to Ono!

Morning Glory!

Grace to help

Come boldly to the Heavenly Throne
His Cross is grace and mercy shown
Christ is touched by our sin-sick grief
To hearts of faith grants sweet relief

Much Godly sorrow over sin
   Much forgiveness

Much forgiveness
   Much love

Much love
   Much worship

Much worship
   Much witness

Much witness 
   Much fruit

Much fruit
   Much joy!

Be Still...and Go!

Be still...
   Trusting Jesus who loves in all seasons
        and changes not
   Hoping with patience and joy as He
      Performs His work in His time
   Loving Him--my heart drawn to conform
      To the beauty of Christ

He that came...
   Not to be ministered unto
      But to minister
   Not to condemn the world
       But to seek and save the lost
   Not to be a Slave Driver
      But to become our Dearest Friend

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Matt. 28:18-20.