God Can See Your Heart

God Can See Your Heart
by Mary Gardner

Today is the day that I’m getting back into exercise. I sprained my ankle last week and although I’ve been swimming and rode the stationary bike, today was the day that I decided to go for a 1 hour walk.

Near the end of my walk today I got yelled at. No, SCREAMED at would be a better choice of words. I was about to cross over across the street and a car was whipping around a circle to the left of me. I hesitated as he did because I thought he was going to go around the circle and turn back around. I didn’t know that he intended to turn left, right in front of me. Still, I hesitated to see where the car went.

I was staring to the left to see what the car would do with one foot on the street. The car whizzed by and slowed down just enough for me to hear the expletives coming out of his mouth about me using the sidewalk. He said, “Jesus &^% / Christ, why don’t you use the crosswalk, I’ll fun your &*%$# over!”

Now I can pretty much guarantee that this guy wasn’t praying to Jesus Christ at that moment. He was using the Lord’s name in vain. And an interesting thing happened to me… for the first time!

I felt sorry for him! I actually felt sorry for this young guy who was driving to fast, screaming obscenities out the car window and being basically a jerk to me. I also know because I have some years on me now, that that poor guy will “get his”. He’s either got a lot of stress in his life right now and doesn’t know how to manage it, or he’ll be dealing with a lot in the future. These are the things that I actually thought about!

The reason that I’m so shocked at my own reaction is that previously, if anyone would get in my face about anything, it would take me a bit of time, but I’d get it together and then I’d LET THEM HAVE IT. I’d just tell them off or somehow get back at them with every bit of certainty that they had displayed earlier.

Once in Charlotte, I had a neighbor who I complained to at 1am that their music was on too loud. They never responded to my knocking so I rang the doorbell. The next morning, the wife reamed my husband out so bad that when he came in, he was calling her crazy! I went over to try to smooth things out and she screamed and yelled and cussed at me just as much. I cowardly walked away but got my revenge. Not only did I tell everyone what bad neighbors they were, I got the music to stop by going to the board of the neighborhood and forcing them to stop the constant pounding every night.

That ruined the relationship for the first 2 years that we lived there. I never wanted to be friends with someone with such a violent temper.

But what was really going on for her? Was she in a bad place in her life? Was there a time where someone else had pressured her or her family to do something?

I never chose to look at those things. I chose to ignore her and treat her like she didn’t exist. I can tell you from experience, it is not a good way to live! There are many awkward moments that occur, and it’d just be easier to forgive and forget.

She was actually the one who initiated the conversation again. One day she just waved and said “Hi, how are you?” I responded somewhat pleasantly and from then on, we waved whenever we saw one another.

But I can’t tell you that I liked her. No, I still felt like she was an awful woman who didn’t want to be a good neighbor.

When I compare my two reactions, I felt so much more peace just forgiving the guy and going on with things. I didn’t react at all to him but I know that his day is probably ruined. Holding a grudge is HARD. You have to avoid the person so you don’t have to be in an awkward position. You have to look the other way when they approach you to act like you don’t see them and then having to totally ignore a person takes so much creative work and effort!

Forgiveness is a whole lot easier! All you have to do is forgive the person and realize that they’re not at their best at that moment. Hopefully, they’ll regret their actions and make amends but even if you don’t, you’ll feel better just by forgiving them right away. When you don’t forgive someone, your emotions become bitter, and bitterness eats away at your insides. Literally. It can cause stress and even sickness.

I can just imagine that today, the angels that were watching today, recorded something good about me. Perhaps they all nudged each other, smiled and said. “yah, NOW she’s getting it! Now she understands what it takes to become mature”.

I know in my heart that I felt better this time about the lousy experience. I know that God saw me honestly feel sorry for that young guy. And I know that it made God happy.

Now, if he can JUST work on making that GUY happy!

Contact information: mary@marygardner.com WEB: www.marygardner.com

Mary Gardner is an Executive Communications Consultant and Coach. She works with, coaches and trains individuals, sales teams, executives, and celebrities. She enjoys seeing the best come out in people and has fun in the process. Mary is married to Sway and is mommy to Jeremy 5 and lives in Orlando, FL.

Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article36321.html

Serving Jesus On My Job

Serving Jesus On My Job
by Eric Mulford

Several years ago, at a networking meeting, I introduced myself as a Tailgate Theologian. I got the desired effect. Many of the people who were there that day came to ask me; "exactly what is a Tailgate Theologian"?

A Biblical Concept

The Bible is filled with people who took seriously their role in the world of work. Jesus in the Great Commission was making it clear that the believer is to make disciples as he goes about doing whatever it is that he does. Making disciples is the role of every believer! Only a few can go to other lands. Only a handful will have the time to commit to outreach programs. But many will show up to work tomorrow. Let them do so with a passion to represent Christ in their work. They'll have more opportunity to make disciples than all of the rest.

We're not talking about taking your employers time to "witness" to unbelievers. We're talking about witnessing by the quality of work that you give to your employer. Too many "witnessing" efforts have been destroyed by low quality performance on the job.

"Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God." - Luke 9:60.

Those who are spiritually dead will go through the routine of burying the dead. Those who are committed to Christ will see this opportunity in the same way they view everything else...as a follower of Jesus Christ.

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, wither thou goest." - Ecclesiastes 9:10

"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." - Colossians 3:17

A Biblical Pattern

Tailgate Theologians understand that work is an indispensable part of God's plan for the world. They approach everyday as a calling from God to represent Christ by the work they do. They set before them biblical role models such as Joseph and Daniel who stood in the midst of wicked Kings, not as an adversary but as an ally, and represented God in all of His glory. They don't feel threatened by the world. They feel empowered by God make a transforming mark on the world.

Tailgate Theologians like Nehemiah are able to get the world to sponsor the work of God. They understand that God has the king's heart in His hand and He can move as He desires. They see the accomplishments of a man like Nehemiah not as an anomaly but as normal. They expect God to repeat the magnificent acts of the past. They don't see God in a box...they see Him high and lifted up.

The Apostle Paul, perhaps the greatest Tailgate Theologian of all, accepted the challenge of tent making knowing it could lead to the Areopagus. There before the crowd that day he had the opportunity to represent God. We should all long for those opportunities, but to do so will require labor in the marketplace.

More Information:

The Joy, Jazz and Juice of Serving Jesus can be experienced everyday on your job. For a full report on the Tailgate Theologian see http://www.ericmulford.com/TailgateTheologian/tailgate-theologian-report/

Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article443950.html

Trust Jesus (and Stress And Fear Will Disappear)

Trust Jesus (and Stress and Fear will Disappear)
by Dawn Fields

Everything was going wrong.

The weight of the world had decided to settle on my shoulders. Bill collectors were calling and asking for payments that I didn't have.

The car insurance was due and I simply did not have it. The cable went out on Wednesday, and I love Law & Order but had to miss it because regular television doesn't work without cable in my area.

The final straw came when the Student Loan people called and demanded I send a payment. I couldn't handle it anymore. Not by myself, I couldn't.

So, I called on God for assistance. I needed to know what was happening.Why was everything coming down on me at that particular time? What was the message He wanted me to learn?

But, for some odd reason, I wasn't getting any answers from Him.

The following morning, things didn't get any better. As I was making myself breakfast, I dropped and broke my favorite drinking glass. I was stressing so much it was hard for me to concentrate on one thing.

As I was driving into work and talking with God, as I so often do while in the car-- the strangest thing happened. At the very moment I was asking God to answer me and tell me what I should do, I saw a sign.

A real sign.

A sign nailed to a tree.

A sign, which read in bright orange letters - TRUST JESUS. Now, I must tell you that I have driven down this very highway for four years, to and from work, five days a week, and never before noticed that sign.

I'm a very observant person and I refuse to believe it was there prior to that day and I somehow never notice it.

It was a 2” by 2” square wooden plaid with orange writing that read, TRUST JESUS.

It looked as if someone had the sign professionally made and then took a really big nail and hung it on a tree on the side of the highway.

At that very moment, all of the stress that I was feeling disappeared.

The reason I was stressing so much is I had forgotten to trust Jesus.

I'm sure you are familiar with those feelings. The feeling of stressing yourself out because you forgot to trust Jesus. You want more than anything to take that leap of faith and find a job or career that will fit God's purpose for your life, your calling. But you are afraid to make the first step.

Fear is holding you back from following your dreams and desires.

Someone once said FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real. This is so true.

The Bible tells us in 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

When we allow fear, which is not from God, to take control of us, we stress. But, God did not give us the spirit of fear therefore FEAR is false.

Whenever you feel fear starting to creep in, remember to TRUST JESUS.

Trust that He has a purpose for your life and that if you are not happy with what you are presently doing, then you aren't following HIS purpose.

Trust that making changes will be difficult and at times, frustrating, but always be mindful that you will be doing God's work.

Trust that everyone will not see the vision you see, but be mindful that God has a calling for you and you must fulfil that calling.

Here's an action point: Write both FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real and 2 Timothy 1:7 on two different pieces of paper. Then on another piece of paper, write in big orange letters, the words TRUST JESUS.

Post these saying somewhere you will see it everyday. Post it on the headboard of your bed; next to the mirror in the bathroom; on the visor of your car; on your desk at work.

Read these every day, several times a day--anytime you feel fear of stress coming down on you, take it out and read it.

If you do it often enough, you will learn to always TRUST JESUS and fear and stress will not exist in your life.

Trust Jesus and nothing will hold you back from discovering God's purpose for your life.

Dawn Fields is a motivational speaker, author and life coach who teaches how to discover God's purpose for your life and incorporate it into a lucrative career. Visit the web site at http://www.dawnfields.com and sign up for Your Life's Purpose newsletter by sending a blank email to dawn@dawnfields.com with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line. Tune in Thursdays at 9 p.m. to her live radio broadcast at http://www.dawnfields.com/radioshow.htm

Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article10057.html

What Did Jesus Mean When He Announced, Love Your Enemies?

What Did Jesus Mean When He Announced, Love Your Enemies?
by Jimmie Burroughs

Jesus asserted, But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:44) And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. (Luke 6:29)

I heard Atheist Bill Maher denigrating Christians as he normally does, and it's his right to take whatever view he would like, but in fairness as a public figure he should at least make efforts to grasp the theology of the Bible; although if he probably did he may no longer be an atheists.

Mr. Maher referred to the passage above and said that Christian were hypocritees if they called themselves Christians and wanted to kill the enemy, talking about Osama Bin Laden and his Muslim radicals. He revealed Jesus taught that you need to love your enemies.

To understand what Jesus is talking about in those verses, you need to understand 4 things: the point he is making, who he's referring to as enemies, the context for what he is asserting, and the use of hyperbole.

T he point Jesus was making was that his disciples need to express the same sort of radical love he voiced for his enemies. Jesus loved his enemies but he also bravely stood his ground in their presence. He had no fear of informing them where they were wrong. Being a loving Christian does not mean to be feeble. To the contrary, it means standing for that which is right even in light of danger. The dividing point for Jesus was that he managed to be strong and loving at the exact same time.

Jesus was talking about personal enemies: The work-mate, for whatever reason, that hates us. The ex wife or hubby who is hated, or the disgruntle neighbor. These are the ones that we are to show kindness toward without regard for their disposition towards us.

T he context in which Jesus is teaching his disciple to love is not to be misunderstood to mean pacifism in war, as Maher was applying it. He was not talking about allowing a national enemy to destroy us while we sit disinterested and do nothing.

When I was a boy, occasionally a mad dog would come into the area. People in the area loved dogs and there were plenty of them, but somebody would shoot and kill the mad dog because he meant only harm. Ben Laden was a mad dog whose ambitions were to bring great harm to anyone who disagreed with his radical theology. He would as soon kill youngsters as anyone to make his point. There was only one alternative to protect the innocent, and that was to search him down and kill him like a mad dog before he probably did bigger harm.

These words of Jesus are not about crime or pacifism in war. Jesus wasn't talking about national enemies who would destroy a country. It's critical to appreciate who Jesus is. He's God. He made it obvious that people who saw him had seen the Father also. He claimed, I and my Father are one . ( John 10:30)

Jesus was always God before he came to earth as Jesus. How did God deal with the enemies of his chosen folk, the kids of Israel? He commanded Israel to conquer them and even helped on occasions by raining down stones from heaven.

How did Jesus handle the godless money changers who dishonored the Temple? He drove them out with a cat of nine tails and overturned their tables.

If we seek to make a new law because of what Jesus is teaching on this occasion that overrides the civil law in Exodus against violent crime, we not get the point wholly. Laws were precisely defended in Bible times. Law breakers were frequently executed with Gods command. We are to love our enemies, but we are also to defend the law and punish the law breakers. We are to protect our nation form cruel enemies who need to destroy us and our liberty.

It's a matter of understanding what Jesus meant and what he didn't mean. He did not mean that we are to just allow wrongdoers to run free and let them do violence as they please. He did not mean that we shouldn't ever call on the police when wrong is performed by criminals. He didn't mean that we should allow somebody to be attacked without offering help.

Interpreting any discussion usually needs an understang of the use of hyperbole. Today we often use hyperbole to. Stress a point. Hyperbole is a conscious exaggeration to emphasise a point. As an example, we are saying, I sort of died laughing , or, He would kill me if he knew I said that . We do not mean for these sayings to be taken literal. It was also generally utilized in the time of Jesus, and that's how Jesus is stressing the point in these verses, that we should make every effort not to take revenge, not make a response to others hatred with loathing, not to mistreat others when they mistreat us, but to plan paths to return goodness for their unkindness. Hyperbole is not misrepresenting something; it is accepted by all that it is for emphasis only.

Jesus didn't mean that when someone took your coat to give them the remainder of your clothes and be undressed. He meant that we are not to take revenge on those who need to cheat us or thieve from us. Neither did he mean that we are to literally turn a check if we are attacked by someone. He intended to try each measure to avoid a conflict.

Jesus is teaching to radically love your enemy. It would be silly, if we applied what Jesus Said here to postpone the law, or let assailants get by with causing bodily harm, or let national enemies conquer our country while we set idly by. President Ronald Reagan was a believer, but he also trusted in having a strong state defense, and he was not going against Bible teaching. God made the country of Israel robust, so they could protect themselves against all enemies, and that was just when they turned from him to other gods that they lost their robust defense and lost their nation to the enemy. We, incidentally, in The United States need to take heed from history lest we also lose our powerful defense.

More Information:

About the author: Jimmie Burroughs is an inspiring speaker and writer who has been involved in teaching Christian Personal Development for over 30 years. There are countless hundreds of articles to help you on this website, Website Contents, in your person growth. Be sure to take vantage of the FREE offer to get the ebook The 4 Pillars for Personal Development? while available.

Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article405722.html

Christian Love

Christian Love
by Saundra L. Washington

Actually, loving does not take any great effort on our part because it is not something we must put forth great effort to achieve. When God enters our heart, soul, and mind, love is spontaneously produced because He is love. It is a spiritual attainment. It is the result of a cause and the cause is this: God loved us first (1 John 4:19).

This love is not produced by us. No one can love God until he knows that God loves him and we can only love God when we have perceived some reasons for doing so. Each person that has ever been saved never came to God as a lover of God, but as a sinner who had come to believe in God's love for him or her. Our love is connected with this “knowing.”

When we realize God's love for us, we become acutely aware of our unworthiness. The more we recognize our own helpless state, the more we understand God's love for us; a love so great that it embraces poor sinner. We love because God first loved us.

God loves us. It is a fact affirmed and validated by the patriarchs, lawgivers, seers, prophets, apostles, teachers, deacons, evangelists. From Genesis to Revelation, a conglomeration of witnesses joined together to make this heavenly announcement: God loves us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died.

But, we cannot claim we love God if we do not love one another; for it is in loving God that we are enabled to love one another, and in loving one another, our love for God is strengthened. Human love is a response to God's love. His love within us creates goodness and transforms the unlovable into the lovable. When this miracle occurs, we discover we love not only others, but ourselves.

No greater claim can any of us make than that we love. Love is a characteristic of those who love God. Love is the great bond of fellowship which binds believers to one another, and to our Lord. We love all men—even our enemies. Like John, we do not claim to love as deeply as we desire to love; we do not claim to love as much as we expect to as we progress in the faith, but we do claim to love. There is no guessing, no speculation, no assumptions, and no inferences.

We Christians stand side by side with John and thousands of others down through the generations to affirm what John declared. That somehow, even in this messed up world, even in times like these when man's inhumanity to man seem to have reached chaotic proportions, we love and we do it because God lives in us and God is love. This is God's eminent challenge to man and one of man's greatest trials.

Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. http://www.clergyservices4u.org. She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach. Her new book, Out of Deep Waters: My Grief Management Workbook, will be available soon.

Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article16461.html

Discipline Of Prayer: Always Connected

Discipline of Prayer: Always Connected
by Steve Singleton

Every workday, five days a week, I take the light rail into downtown Dallas. Only last week, this routine finally taught me a lesson about prayer.

In case you're not familiar with it a light rail commuter train, it runs on 25,000 volts of alternating current. All of this electricity runs through lines suspended above the tracks. It is transmitted to the train through a spring-loaded arm called a pantograph. Once the energy is on board, it is transformed into the direct current that supplies the locomotive's motors. Without that constant supply of 25,000 volts, the train would go nowhere. That pantograph has to be in constant contact with the high-power lines.

Paul told the Thessalonians, "Pray unceasingly" (1 Thess. 5:17). Part of what that means is that we must continually stay in contact with God, who supplies us with the of spiritual power we need to keep going. In other words, wherever we go and whatever we do, we have to maintain an awareness that we are in the presence of the Almighty.

King David knew of this need. In Ps. 139:7-12, he asks:

Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from Your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, You are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there Your hand will guide me,
Your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me,
and the light become night around me,"
even the darkness will not be dark to You;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to You.

As a spiritual Being, on limited by time and space, God is omnipresent and omniscient. Nothing happens to us that He doesn't know about, nor is there a place we can go that is beyond His presence.

David's descendant, King Hezekiah, demonstrated his awareness of the same truth by his actions. When Sennacherib, king of Assyria, ordered that a threatening letter be read to Hezekiah and all of Jerusalem, 2 Kings 19:14 reports: "Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord.” It is as if Hezekiah were saying to the Lord, " Here, read this!" Then, in the verses that follow, he asks the Lord to do something about it, and the Lord honors his request with an outstanding miracle.

It is true that devotional writers have long emphasized the spiritual discipline called "practicing the Presence." Nicholas Herman (c. 1605-1691), also known as "Brother Lawrence," in what is now known as The Practice of the Presence of God, wrote:

That it was a great delusion to think that the times of prayer ought to differ from other times. That we are as strictly obliged to adhere to God by action in the time of action, as by prayer in its season. That his prayer was nothing else but a sense of the presence of God, his soul being at that time insensible to everything but Divine love: and that when the appointed times of prayer were past, he found no difference, because he still continued with God, praising and blessing Him with all his might, so that he passed his life in continual joy; yet hoped that God would give him somewhat to suffer, when he should grow stronger" ("Fourth Conversation").

Such a concept has not been invented out of thin air. Jesus himself, just before ascending to the Father, promised his disciples, “ I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matt. 28:20). notice that Jesus neither says, "I was with you," nor does he say "I will be with you." he says, " I am with you always." This " I am" seems to run parallel to his statement to the unbelieving Jews: " I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I am" (John 8:58), “not I was.” If the parallel is a valid one, Jesus' use of the present tense seems to signify that he is not limited by time or any other constraint on his ability to be aware of our needs and to bless. (After this thought occurred to me, I have found the same analysis in A. B. Bruce's commentary on Matthew in The Expositor's Greek Testament.)

Like the power lines strong above the light rail train, the power is always present and available. But we must make and maintain our connection with that power. With a constant awareness of God's presence, we will include him in every decision we make. We will give more care to where we go, what we do, and what we listen to, knowing that he goes with us, witnesses our actions, and hears what we hear. we will choose our words more carefully-not only the ones that express our petitions to him, but all of our words--realizing that we can not prevent him from listening to us.

And whenever we do pray, whether we offer praise, thanksgiving, petitions, confessions of Sin, or intercessions for others, a constant awareness of God's presence bolsters our confidence that he hears our prayers and will answer them according to his will. Don't let your pantograph droop. Oil its hinges, fix its spring. Stay connected.

* * *

Copyright ©2005 Steve Singleton, All rights reserved.

Steve Singleton has written and edited several books and numerous articles on subjects of interest to Bible students. He has been a book editor, newspaper reporter, news editor, and public relations consultant. He has taught Greek, Bible, and religious studies courses Bible college, university, and adult education programs. He has taught seminars and workshops in 11 states and the Caribbean.

Go to his DeeperStudy.org for Bible study resources, no matter what your level of expertise. Explore "The Shallows," plumb "The Depths," or use the well-organized "Study Links" for original sources in English translation. Sign up for Steve's free "DeeperStudy Newsletter."

Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article31829.html

Be Certain You And Your Lovd Ones Are Saved

Be Certain You and Your Lovd Ones are Saved
by Angela Peterson

Please notice that we are responsible for the underlined sections, God is responsible for the rest when we obey and perform our part. Unless otherwise stated, all scriptures are from the New Living Translation of the Holy Bible.

John 3:15-18 (The speaker is Jesus) So that everyone who believes in me will have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it. There is no judgment awaiting those who trust him. But those who do not trust him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God.

II Peter 3: 9 The Lord isn't really being slow about his return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent. (Peter was a disciple of Jesus)

John 5:24 (The speaker here is Jesus) I assure you, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.

Romans 10:8, 9, 10 Salvation that comes from trusting Christ - which is the message we preach - is already within easy reach. In fact, the Scriptures say, "The message is close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart." For 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. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.

There is something very important to God about the words we choose to speak every day. God made the universe with words - not deeds (Genesis 1) God's world works on words and faith and love. Say these scriptures out loud so you hear yourself saying them, and your faith will be greatly increased in a shorter amount of time. Faith and words work in the same way for salvation as they do for healing. Read Romans 10:, 8, 9, 10 again.

Ephesians 2:8 & 9 God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. (This was also taught by Paul the Apostle)

Proverbs 3:5, 6, 7 & 8. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear (reverence and worship) the Lord and turn your back on evil. Then you will gain renewed health and vitality. (This was written by King Solomon, the wisest and wealthiest man to ever live.)

II Corinthians 5:17 What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore in their hearts, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun! Now you must replace old bad habits with good habits that strengthen your heart/spirit with the knowledge/wisdom God gives us in the Bible. (This is also a message from Paul the Apostle)

The basics are that God loves you, sin separates you from God, and Jesus died for your sins so you can receive Jesus and experience God's love and forgiveness. This is how you are saved and go to heaven when you die rather than eternal torment in hell for denying Jesus.

Confession - Prayer for Salvation or Renewed Commitment to Jesus: Pray this out loud - Heavenly Father, In Jesus' name I repent of my sins and ask Jesus to come inside my heart. Jesus, you are my Lord and Savior. I believe you are the Son of God, and that you died for my sins and you were raised from the dead. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Thank you, Father, for saving me in Jesus' name.

More Information:

Healed! Strength for Caregivers, Cancer Fighters, and Other Serious Illness Fighters: A Crash Course in What to DO Spiritually and Practically." By at Strength for Cancer Fighters $13.99

Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article180101.html

A Brief History Of Christianity

A Brief History Of Christianity
by Owen Jones

The majority of Christians have faith in that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Israel, the son of Jewish parents, Mary and Joseph, a carpenter, who had travelled from Nazareth to meet their annual taxes. Mary gave birth, so the story goes, on the 25th December in a stables and Christian countries mark that as the start of their calendar, in a similar way that Buddhists and Muslims mark the birth of their spiritual leaders as the beginning of their calendars.

However, not very much is really known about Jesus and nothing is known about him from his own hand. The nearest we can get to him are books or gospels written some time after his death by alleged disciples. He was almost certainly not born in the year one, or dot as it should have been, but four years earlier.

There is little to nothing known about him for the first thirty years of his life and then when he was thirty-two he was baptized by John the Baptist. Being Jewish himself, John the Baptist was continually on the look out for the Messiah and he saw Jesus as that Messiah.

Jesus was unlike other ministers of the time in that he worked chiefly among the poor, although it is very doubtful that he came from a poor family himself. He was after all of the House of David, the ruling royal family of the day and age.

Within a couple of years of ministering to the poor and calling himself the son of God, he was arrested by the Roman and Jewish ruling class and, as most Christians believe, crucified. After three days he rose from the dead and after forty days his spirit went up into Heaven to sit at the right hand of his father, God.

Christians see their Bible as an extension of Judaism rather than a denial or a breaking away from it. It is to be expected that the first followers of Jesus were ostracized by traditional Jewish leaders as a break-away sect and in many ways that is what Christianity still is to this day, although it now has more followers than Judaism.

The Christian Bible is in two parts, the Old Testament, which correlates to the Jewish Bible or Masorah and the New Testament, which relates to the time after Jesus' birth which is not incorporated in the Masorah.

The most important part of the New Testament by far is the gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Each of these gospels shows Jesus, his life and his teachings from the personal standpoint of the author, all of them having been one of Jesus' apostles.

The foundation of Christian belief is: 1] that Jesus was the personification of God on Earth; 2] atonement - ie that Jesus' death atoned for the sins of all mankind in eternity, so we can all go to Heaven; 3] that the one God has three aspects: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost.

After that it gets a bit difficult.

More Information:

Owen Jones, the writer of this piece, writes on a number of topics, but is now involved with native religious beliefs. If you would like to know more go to What is Religious Belief?

Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article406974.html

Christian Bookstores And Supplies

Christian Bookstores and Supplies
by Christian N

Christian books and supplies can be found at places that specialize in these types of material. Depending on what kinds of Christian books and supplies you are looking for, there is sure to be a business that offers what you need. If you are interested in Christian books and supplies that deal on topics such as finances, there are resources available; you just need to know where to look.

Christian books on finances can be found at a Christian bookstore. If you are curious how to make wise investments, save money, create a budget, etc., the Christian bookstore is sure to have supplies that will do just that. Christian books and supplies on finance might include how to use computer software and provide a ledger to keep track of spending and investments. This is a great resource to have because it can set you on the right path to becoming a financial expert.

If you are interested in looking for Christian books and supplies that deal with youth ministry, than you can also find that at a local Christian store. There is a plethora of Christian books and supplies on this topic. Many authors have invested their time and energy to create the resources needed for aspiring youth ministers and workers. These Christian books and supplies can range from "how to" books to icebreakers and topics that are relevant to today's teenager. You can also find supplies such as game books and activities that will engage youth groups in building unity and togetherness.

There are also Christian books and supplies that center on the topic of marriage. If you are a counselor in need of resources to help struggling marriages survive, you can find these Christian books and supplies are readily available. If you are prone to go with a certain perspective or approach to handling difficulties in marriage, there may be Christian books and supplies that can assist in those areas. If your concern is to figure out how to handle adultery in marriage or forgiveness issues, Christian books and supplies can be found on these topics as well.

All types of Christian books and supplies can be found on a variety of topics. Check your local Christian bookstore, online companies that have religious affiliation, or talk with organizations that might have these types of resources. Take your time and look around, explore your options, and familiarize yourself with where Christian books and supplies are sold, you will be glad you did.

For more information about Christian books and supplies, visit:
http://astore.amazon.com/hammcurl-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=673 http://www.christianet.com/christianbusinesses/christianbooks/index.htm
http://www.christianet.com

Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article35176.html

Inspirational Bible Verses About Courage: Quotes For Christians

Inspirational Bible Verses About Courage: Quotes For Christians (via Simon Hilton Christianity and Internet Marketing Website)

Inspirational Bible Verses About Courage. Looking for Inspirational Bible Verses About Courage? The Bible gives us direction in all areas of our lives and will help us to better understand God. Do you need courage right now to face a difficult situation…

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God's Eternal Love for His People

The Love of God is eternal. His Love reaches beyound our insecurities and our failures. It is his love that keeps me going even when I don't feel or want to go on at times in this life. His Love is not conditional, but unconditional, so that means it's not based on how well I preform or under perform, he just loves. It's his greatest attribute and it was his Love that drove him to the cross. So God's Love is not earthly but Heavenly without reproach. Nothing on this earth will separate me from his great love, he will never stop loving his people and children. So rest in knowing that God not only Loves but His is Love and he's madly in Love with his Creation namely Us. So with Love in my heart for him, I love you right Back and please help those who not just need to feel your love, may they not only know it but feel it as well. Your Son.