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When we give our heart to the Lord, we not only receive Eternal Salvation
and forgiveness from our past sins, mistakes and shortfalls, but we also
receive a new heart from God. In time, the Lord takes the old sinful
thoughts, habits and desires and replaces them with His peace that
surpasses all understanding. He places within us new dreams, new desires
and gives us a hope that we have never felt before. It is difficult to
explain the feeling of salvation to someone who has never experienced it,
but if I could try, I would say that it is a feeling of being wrapped up
in loving arms of peace and hope. It is a feeling unlike any other
because God is able to give us what we can't find anywhere else. The world
searches for peace, but can never find it because true peace can only come
in knowing the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ. In Him is
perfect peace that can never be taken away from you. Once you confess
your sins to the Lord and ask Him to be your Lord and Savior, a new
beginning begins for you. Old things in your life will pass away and God
will make all things new towards your future. (2 Cor. 5:17) (Isaiah 26:3)
If you have never made that decision to make Jesus the Lord of your life,
I would encourage you to do so today. It is very simple to become a child
of God. Some people call them the ABCs. Admit you are a sinner, Believe
that Jesus died for you on the cross and lastly Confess with your mouth
that you accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Many people
try to complicate what God in His infinite wisdom tried to make simple.
Salvation is a free gift that is offered to all men, but they must accept
it for themselves. God will not push Himself on anyone, but waits
patiently for His creation to realize their need for Him and call upon Him
in truth. When we do call upon God, He will be right there to answer.
I hope this message encourages and challenges your heart to see that we do
have a need for God in our lives. With Him all of life's challenges and
obstacles will be met with a quiet confidence knowing that all will be well.
MAIDEN NAMES
When I first married almost twenty years ago, not only did I feel excited
at the idea of having a husband and children, but at the same time, I felt
like I was losing a part of myself; my identity. I am of course referring
to how a woman, upon her wedding day, releases her maiden name, then takes
on the name of her husband. Forever gone is the identity she always knew,
and there is a combination of sadness and joy; excitement over a new beginning!
After so many years of marriage, my spouse's name is now a part of who I
am. I have come to embrace this name for it represents not who I was, but
who I now am as a mature woman who is both wife and mother.
It is amazing how, in the blink of an eye, a soon-to-be wedded female can
change from one name to another. I cannot help but be reminded of how the
Lord can also transform lives, cleansing the hearts of those who sincerely
call upon Him in repentance. At this moment, our slate is washed clean of
past repented of sins, and a new beginning is ours for the taking! No
longer are we the same, but we are transformed; new creations in Christ Jesus!
Just as marriage provides us with a fresh start, a new phase in life, so
too, does God offer you an even greater gift; eternal salvation! As does
the husband and wife wear a wedding band upon their fingers, the Lord's
name is engraved upon the hearts of those who believe in Him. No longer do
we look back to the hurtful past which previously was sinful, but we are
called to start anew and look to the hope of a righteous present and future!
A husband is a wonderful life-partner, indeed, but an intimate relationship
with God is even greater!
By Melanie Schurr
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Philippians 2:9-11 “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given
Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee
should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the
earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to
the glory of God the Father.”
Acts 4:12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other
Name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Romans 10:9-13 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,
and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead,
thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness;
and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture
saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed. For there is no
difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is
rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name
of the Lord shall be saved.”
2 Timothy 4:7-8 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I
have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that
day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STORM
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem67.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: FAITH
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony100.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
