~ "Only You Can Save..."

Therefore all things whatever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. (Matt 7:12)

There is no question as to who holds our salvation ~ it is Jesus! It is accomplished through his death on the cross and his resurrection from the grave. Acceptance causes an awakening within you that cannot be denied! There are no questions - there is a definite knowledge. As I've said before, if you are questioning whether or not you are saved, chances are you are not.

Jesus tells us to do unto others as we would have others do unto us. What does this mean? It's a command to live (to the best of our ability) the life that he lived without wanting accolades for doing it. Doing something because it is the right thing to do, not because of the rewards it will bring to us, is what a Christian life is all about. It's not how much money you dump into the collection plate, it's not what you give to charity, it's about doing it because Jesus did it.

How many times do you fail to take the opportunity to show Christ's love here? Do you avoid reaching out your hand to someone because deep inside you really don't want to hear their story? We are called to love one another - to "do unto others". We are to be the hands and feet of our Lord even though we are imperfect ~ we are to love because he loved and just like he loved (unconditionally). We are to give because he gave, just like he gave (everything). We are to reach our hand out to the lost because in reality it is his hand and only his hand can save! Do it because Jesus did it, because it is what he wants from you! Thank him for the opportunity to show another his love! Remove the facade and become a true follower of Jesus Christ! If you can't feed his sheep, then at least find them and point them in the right direction. Continue to be all that he calls you to be and do it willingly and with a smile on your face. God has plans for them as well...

~ "Look to the rainbow..."

And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from off the earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold, the face of the ground was dry. (Gen 8:13)

Well...talk about starting off the new year right! God kept his promise to Noah. He spared him and his family. He brought them through the storm and gave them continued hope that in following his law, he would protect and bless them. I'm sure that the time spent on the ark was challenging, to say the least.

So, here we are, at the beginning of another year. We've talked about resolutions and what changes we can make in our lives that will reflect praise and glory to God. If we look back on all the hard times we encountered over the past year, we may become disappointed and sad! They may have been difficult, they may have challenged our faith, they may have been physically demanding, they may have included loss or fear and they may have included the closing of doors ~ but we did not face them alone! We never face anything alone!

In each of our "sufferings", we've received a blessing. Sometimes they aren't as obvious as we'd like them to be, but they are there, just the same. There are so many analogies with regard to transformations that take place to make something beautiful that I can't even pick one. The beauty that lies deep within us comes from a place of glory! It's not something that can be stolen from us. Our gifts from God may be "often imitated, but never duplicated". We have been chosen to do whatever it is we do for him. We are original! Our uniqueness in the way that God sees us sets us apart from all others! Being a Christian is not something you can fake your way through. You either are or you are not! He always lets you know where you stand with him - there are never any doubts!

God will continue to guide you through this new year. There will be storms to bring you closer to him, there will be blessings to praise him for. Your attitude towards them is what will make the difference. Make it an attitude of prayer no matter what! Always try to see the silver lining in the storm clouds, look for the flower blooming just beneath the snow and open your heart and soul to the goodness that is God! Make a conscious effort to feel the loving arms of Jesus wrapped around you and listen for the whisper of the Holy Spirit as he guide you. Make this year a year of praise for all things, not just the ones that bring you joy. Look for that rainbow which reminds you of his promise. Spend time in prayer and spend time in the Word! Just as he kept his promise to Noah, God will surely keep his promise to you!

Happy New Year!