Tag Archive | Savior

Pickles to Promises

Apr29

Do you know why the Bible has survived for so many years? It’s simple, really. Unlike so much “literature”, the Bible is a living document, an agreement or testament to God’s faithfulness; of His love for the people He created.  Think of it this way.  If you enter into a covenant of marriage with another, that is a sealed statement and cannot be broken outside of a divorce court.  The covenant God made with His people has not yet been ‘fulfilled’ or and until such a time, it cannot be broken.

On November 11, 1620, the colonists entered into an agreement* with God, dedicating this continent to Him.  Men have said we are not a Christian country, and, while it’s true that many have denied and even cursed God, as long as there is one living, breathing Christian in this land, God WILL honor this covenant.  According to His holy word, He has to!  Numbers 23:19a states,“God is not a man, that he should lie;”

Have you read the scriptures?  They are all true. All of the promises made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob belong to Christ and if you are in Christ, if you have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life, all of these promises are yours also.  READ the scriptures carefully. If you have difficulty with the King James Version, and many people do, select the New King James or the New International Version. The Message is excellent for understanding the heart of the words.

I got into a financial pickle a while back and I chose the way of the Lord. I reminded God that His word says that He will supply everything I need; read it in Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Rather than whining or fussing, I just “prayed His Word”.  In Hebrews 4:16  He also tells us to BOLDLY approach Him “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

No, money didn’t float down from the sky; that would interfere with the economy of the day. And, no, I didn’t win the lottery (I understand you have to buy a ticket for a chance to win).  What happened was that He used people who were able to help me, and through them, He did supply all my needs.  Through Him we were all blessed.  The pickles were put back into the jar, my needs were met and I have four new tires on my car!

Then, the special touches, the little extras, the lagniappe began to arrive. After my needs were met, it seemed as though God wanted to make sure that I knew He cared about me in the little things too!  I got a birthday discount and went out to lunch with a friend at a cost of next to nothing. I got a gift certificate from my favorite Quilting Store (whoopee!!!).  Just a few days ago, I met a friend “for coffee” and when I handed my rewards card to the cashier, she said that I was eligible for a free birthday pastry and a free beverage, so that “coffee” cost me nothing!

Coincidence? I don’t think so. I know the Word of God is alive and well today and I believe that God is just waiting to bless us with His love and His presence. I believe that His presence is full of His presents!

Do you have some ‘pickles’ of your own? God will see to your needs too! Run to Him.

All scriptures are King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

© 2014 Cat Brennan

*to read the full context of the document, go to this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayflower_Compact

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Choose Life

Apr22

This past weekend saw and celebrated the most important event in the Christian world; the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The account of this event never ceases to move me.

Did you know this event was foretold in the book of Isaiah more than 700 years before it happened?  The entire sordid and graphic event is recorded in this book and it’s not pretty. But then, death is not pretty – ever. Read the chapters for yourself: Isaiah 52 and 53.

We needed the sacrifice that Jesus made so that we may one day have eternal life with The Father. Jesus was the propitiation for our sins, and now sits at the right hand of the Father constantly interceding on our behalf.

I attended an Easter play this weekend with many of my family members. The church rehearsed for several months and then offered three performances. I saw two of them.  The basic story, of course, never changes – the story in this case begins in the garden with Adam and Eve and finishes with the Risen Savior. In addition to the biblical reenactments, the play also dramatizes current events and challenges that we all face today; peer pressure, drugs, alcoholism, financial stress or death of a loved one.  

The scriptural message reminds us that He is always with us. Hebrews 13:5 reads, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”  That’s crystal clear.

The Easter story is consistent and salvation is there for whomever will accept it. There is no charge, no cost, and you need NO ONE to go to the Father for you. Jesus already did that.

On the cross before he died, Jesus cried out, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”  The same is true for us today.  We sin and Jesus still petitions the Father to forgive us when we accept His sacrifice. But, make no mistake. There is NO other way to heaven – to eternal life. In John 14:6, we read, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”  No amount of money, no amount of good works, no cute little statue or large gaudy presentation will open the doors of Heaven. ONLY Jesus has made a way.

Won’t you please stop now wherever you are and whatever you’re doing and go to the Father with these simple words:

     Dear Lord, I know I have sinned and I ask you to forgive me. I believe that Jesus died, was buried and rose again on the third day, and became sin, so that I may have eternal life with You. Thank you for what you did for me, Jesus, and I now ask you to be my Lord and Savior.  Amen.

If you prayed that prayer in Faith, believing, you’re a Christian.

Easter isn’t an annual event! It’s a life event, and I pray you choose Life.