Prayer is Precious

As I share my experiences with you, please know this, I am freely opening up my heart and my life to you in the hope that it will help you with yours. This is a journey of faith, but it requires prayer, and prayer is precious.

When I was a child, I believed that prayer was something that had to be learned. I was taught specific words that needed to be memorized. Once I had learned them, I could easily recite them over and over again.

If I didn’t learn the written words of a prayer, then I couldn’t pray.

For many years, I truly believed this was the only way to pray by using someone else’s words or prayers. But the prayers were stagnant, and I got very bored with them.

In fact, as I would repeat the memorized words (whether aloud or not), my mind would always drift away. I’d find myself thinking about everything else, except the prayer!

My prayers had become automatic, and almost robotic! Let me emphasize again, this was my experience growing up. What was yours?

I always thought that God was not too happy with me because of my mental drifting while praying. I didn’t do it on purpose. I couldn’t seem to stop it! In fact, this still occurs at times. I believe it’s inevitable in our busy and noisy world. But back then, I believe it occurred moreso because the prayers didn't real mean much to me.

“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child, but when I grew up, I put away childish things.” (1 Corinthians 13:11)

As a young adult, I began to wonder if I could learn to pray on my own — differently — but I didn’t know how. So I looked for books on prayer. I found a book at the time that had prayers in it. They were different than the prayers I knew, but they were still someone else’s written words or prayers.

I continued to wonder. What if I could use my own words to pray to God? Was it possible? What would I say? What could I say? I didn’t know.

It’s quite ironic now, as I write my own words in my attempt to share with you why prayer is so very precious. I’m much older now, and hopefully much wiser!

When I first heard someone pray aloud in their own words, it was actually quite startling! It was very foreign to me. This was different — altogether different.

To me, this prayer was obviously coming from a place of sincerity, yet it was so strange to hear it. The prayer was being expressed from their own thoughts into their own words.

In that enlightening moment, my understanding of prayer began to take on new meaning. I realized that I could pray in my own words, too! I could also express my thoughts into words to pray to God!

All I had to do was convert the thoughts from my own mind, from my own heart, and express them into my own words! How novel!

Prayer no longer needed to be a certain set of words written by someone else!

I realized that prayer was simple and honest. At some point, I also realized that prayer was not just about making my own personal requests to meet my own needs and desires. I began having a desire to pray for others, and I also began to see the positive results of those prayers being answered.

I even began praying for God’s will in my life, instead of my own selfish desires. I wanted to praise God and worship Him, as I had never done before.

Prayer is so very precious! We are to pray to the Lord with sincerity and humility.

For: “The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.” (Psalm 145:8)

When we call on the Lord, we begin to pray. Honest prayers come from truth and a heart that seeks God. Truth, along with the grace of God, gives us the ability to talk to Him, even when we feel we don’t deserve it. Come as you are right now to God. Praying is simply talking to Him!

I discovered that prayer is a huge part of having a relationship with God. I could spend time Him, the King of the world! I could actually be in His presence. We could spend time together!

Our Creator wants to spend time with you, too! God also desires our heart. He created you and me to be in relationship with Him. A precious time of prayer and communion with our Savior fills us with joy and peace, and purpose.

As we open our heart and our minds to God, He fills us with the words to speak. Can you believe it? You don’t have to try to figure out what to say, as He will provide everything! He changes us slowly, but certainly. All we have to do is be willing.

God fills us with the desire to thank Him, to praise Him, and to know Him.

Do you love God? He loves you dearly!

For: “God is love.” (1 John 4:8; 1 John 4:16)

We all want to spend time with those we love. You want time with those you care about — your parents, your spouse, your friends. God loves us and wants time with us, too! He wants your love as well.

Time with God gives us the strength to walk in His ways. The Word of God, the Bible, guides us.

His Word reveals to us that we are to: “Look for the Lord and His strength. Seek His face always.” (1 Corinthians 116:11)

How? By actually seeking Him and His will in prayer. By spending time with God. By making time to do His will and determine our purpose to fulfill it — for we all have a Godly purpose.

God is not some far off King in His royal kingdom. No! God wants us to come into fellowship with Him — to be close to Him. God is our Heavenly Father who wants us to know Him by seeking Him daily, by studying The Bible, and by praying to Him.

Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is our Savior. We can call on Him to help us to be obedient to Him through prayer. We can choose to give Him praises and be thankful.

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful to Him and bless His name.” (Psalm 100: 4)

Prayer really is quite simple. There’s no need to make it complicated.

For if: “We confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
 
No matter what we’ve done wrong in our life, we can confess our sins to God and ask for His forgiveness through prayer. Although, we must repent, which means to turn away from the sin we’ve committed and turn our heart toward God, He gives us the strength to be obedient. It may or may not be overnight, but God begins changing us from the inside out, creating holiness within us through His sanctification process (see previous blog entry on “Sanctification”).

The Bible is clear: “Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16)

Did you read that? The prayer of the righteous “man” is “powerful and effective.”

We need to seek God through prayer for empowerment. Man is referring to all mankind — all people, both men and women.

Prayer can be continual, all day long. We can talk to God any time, or all the time. We can tell Him everything. He wants to hear from us!

“We are to pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

We must also learn to be still for God to communicate with us in His own special ways, whatever they may be. We need to read the Bible, pray for guidance, and we can expect God to give us His direction.

“Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act …” (Psalm 37:7)

“Be still, and know that I am God! …” (Psalm 46:10)

To follow Him, we must listen in love for His leading. We need to stay on His path and in prayer.

We are to: “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.” In other words: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” (Colossians 4:2 and 4:6, respectively)

Patience in all things, especially prayer is a true blessing, while always thanking our Heavenly Father.

“Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything by prayer and humility, and with earnestly request and, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God.” (Philippians 4:6) – Everything means everything! We need to pray about everything in our life.

We can certainly make requests from God, but they should be asked with humility and seriousness. We should be thankful in advance of our request. We need to learn patience in waiting for God to answer. We must have the right motives with our requests.

Because: “When you ask, and you don’t receive, it is because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your lusts (those things that will give you pleasure).” (James 4:3)

Yet, Jesus Christ said to those who don’t believe in God, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in Heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:11)

Therefore, “If you ask the Lord with the right motives, and your heart is pure, He will answer [your prayers]. If you seek Him with all your heart and soul, you will find Him.” (Deuteronomy 4:29)

Prayer is precious. Pray with faith. Pray without doubt. Pray for the right things and your prayers will be answered.

Jesus said, “You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.” (Matthew 21:22)

Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself.

God’s Word for Today: “The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers.” (1 Peter 4:7)

Copyright © 2014 by Patricia Shehan

All scripture is quoted from various translations of the Holy Bible (God’s Word).

His Great Name

I wrote this blog entry on New Year’s Eve.

On this New Year’s Eve, I contemplate what the New Year will hold in the future 365 days.

Will I continue to hear His name taken in vain over and over again, even more than last year? Is that even possible? I surely hope not, and I pray not, too!

God’s name has been used in vain repeatedly by His own creation on a daily basis. It’s absolutely horrifying how many times God’s name is spoken as profanity. It is blasphemous. It is abuse.

“And you shall not swear by my name falsely, nor shall you profane the name of thy God: I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:12)

Where is the respect for the One who created you? We did not just evolve. That is impossible and ignorant. Look around! Man creates beautiful things because our beautiful God created us!

"For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities — His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God." (Romans 1:20)

I hear the disrespect all the time against His great name. I hear it everywhere. I’m sick of it! I can’t even imagine how God feels each time His name is repeatedly used in vain. No regard is given to the words being spoken.

The great name of God (the Father) and the name of Jesus Christ (the Son) should both be treated with honor, respect, and holiness.

The third of the 10 Commandments sets forth God’s law on this subject:

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not [my emphasis in bold] hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7 — [my emphasis in bold])

If those who speak these phrases, using God’s name in vain, do not seek to be forgiven, their offense will be held against them. If one does repent (ask for forgiveness and stop the offense), then one can be forgiven.

However, if one speaks this offense against the Holy Spirit, the Bible says that one may never receive His forgiveness.

“Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation — because they said, ‘He has an unclean spirit.’ ” (Mark 3:28-30)

Jesus Christ humbled Himself in such a way that He was no longer or barely recognizable after all the horrible and excruciating agony He endured for each and every one of us to be eligible for eternal salvation.

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of those in Heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)

The great name of God, the name of Jesus Christ, “the name above every name,” the name of the Lord is to be exalted.

His name is not meant for graphic disrespect in swearing and demeaning ways!

God warns us that we will reap the consequences of our speech and what we sow. For we all sow, whether good or bad.

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Galations 6:7)

God’s name is great, holy, righteous, and good. He is our mighty strong tower. His name is beautiful, great, mighty, and wonderful. His names are forevermore eternal.

There is love, healing, joy, and great gain in the name of the Lord. There is eternal life of peace and everlasting joy in speaking His name. The future is bright and great in His great name.

“Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed…” (Acts 3:16)

“… Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.” (John 16:24)

Why would you want to display your unrighteousness when using God’s name in such a way that is disgraceful? Think before you speak. You will be held to a higher standard than you ever thought possible.

“But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” (Matthew 12:36)

“God is love” (1 John 4:8 and 1 John 4:16). Why would you speak against pure love? Don’t! Speak in love and respect His Holy name!

“I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.” (Psalm 7:17)

Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself.

God’s Word for Today: God says, “So I will make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel, and I will not let them profane My holy name anymore. Then the nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel.” (Ezekiel 39:7)

Copyright © 2013 by Patricia Shehan

All scripture is quoted from various translations of the Holy Bible (God’s Word).

Our Best Friend

As I write this on the eve of Christmas Eve, I remember my childhood dog. I also had her when I was an adult. One night — on the eve of Christmas Eve — my dog was let outside, as usual, but she never came back. She had always come back before. Why didn’t she come back this time?

Did someone steal her? Did she go into the woods to die? She was getting quite old. No one knows. It’s a mystery to this day. But I’m sure God knows.

It was very difficult to lose my childhood dog, especially without ever knowing what happened to her. I was very sad.

They say that a dog is man’s best friend. Even though having a dog can be wonderful, and losing a dog can be horrible, we need to know who it is that can truly be our best friend.

It’s Jesus! Jesus Christ came into the flesh (born of a virgin) to become our Savior and our best friend.

I’m recalling the lyrics to a Christian song called, “Friend of God” by the artist Israel Houghton. Part of the song goes like this:

“Who I am that you are mindful of me? That you hear me when I call. Is it true that you are thinking of me? How you love me. It’s amazing. I am a friend of God. You call me friend.”

Considering just how much God loves us, His desire is for us to be His friend — His best friend.

We all want to be close to someone. We all want to be loved. We all want a best friend. These are normal human desires.

Yet, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do whatsoever I command you.” (John 15:13-14)

Jesus Christ tells us in this scripture that He died for us and provides us with forgiveness of our sins. He is our friend. He wants us to do His will.

In the Bible it says that: “…there is a real friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24 — NLT)

This is our best friend who is “the way, the truth, and the life” —  Jesus Christ, our Savior!

“The Lord is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant.” (Psalm 25:14 — NLT)

“… the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ And he was called the friend of God.” (James 2:23 — NKJV)

“And the Lord said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do.’ ” (Genesis 18:17).

Of course not. Instead God made Abraham “the father of many nations.”

A Christian man by the name of Henry Walker states: “Friends confide in one another. Abraham was called God’s ‘friend’.” (See Isaiah 41:8 and James 2:23).

Walker adds, “Now, because of Jesus’ atonement [for our sins], we are called friends of God. Jesus was crucified so that the blessing of Abraham, part of which was friendship with God, would come upon [us]:

So “That we might receive the promise of the Holy Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:14).

Another man who was greatly blessed by God, and who was also a close friend was Solomon.

In a commentary by Charles Spurgeon, it is written that when Solomon refers to “his friend” in scripture, he means “the Most High, the secret dwelling-place of God, in the person of Jesus, the Son of God, the Friend of sinners.”

Is Jesus your friend? He can be your best friend. He wants to be your friend and your Savior. I pray you will open your heart to Him today.

Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself.

God’s Word for Today: “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends [Jesus said].” (John 15:15)

Copyright © 2013 by Patricia Shehan

All scripture is quoted from various translations of the Holy Bible (God’s Word).

Love

We all desire it... we all want it... we can’t live without it... We are ALL made to LOVE!

So why is it so hard to “find” love and keep it, at least for many? Based on the high rate of divorce, the love that a couple has for one another, dare I say, “grows cold.”

I would dare to say that because so many people don’t seem to take their commitment seriously anymore.

The word “many” seems to fit perfectly with the Bible scripture that tells us: “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:12 — my emphasis in bold and underline)

So what do we take serious? Do we take love seriously at all?

Sure we do! There are many kinds of love. The love of our parents to us and ours for them! The love of children. But what about the most important love of all? 

From the Holy Bible, we learn that an expert of religious law, who also taught the law, asked Jesus: “What is the most important commandment of all?”

Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” (Matthew 22:25-27, and see: Matthew 12, Luke 10)

You see, “God is love!” (1 John 4:8, 1 John 4:16)

And loving God is the most important love we can have — forever!

But how do we show God that we love Him? Or do we even love Him? Have we attempted to show God how much we love Him? Here’s a list of various ways we can show God that we love Him by:

 

— reading the Word of God, which is the Holy Bible

— praying to God

— spending quiet time with God

— listening to God

— praying with others and praying for others

— following God

— serving God and others

— seeking God

— going to church and having fellowship with other believers

— serving our church

— using the gifts God has talented us with for Him and ministries for Him

— volunteering to help others in various ways

— submitting to God’s will
— tithing money and donating time and things (such as clothing, food, etc.)
— comforting others
— encouraging others (or giving affirmations of God’s Word (The Bible)
— having hope and displaying it to others
— evangelizing to spread the Gospel
— loving our neighbors with God’s love
— receiving affirmations of God’s Word (The Bible)
— forgiving others
— praising God
— worshipping God
— staying on God’s path
— being obedient to God
— giving God our heart, mind, soul, spirit, and strength
— pleasing God
 

This list is not exhaustive. There are so many ways we can show God that we love Him! Why don’t you try adding to this list?

God explains His love for us:

“God demonstrated His great love for us by sending Jesus Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:8)

“… The Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in His love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid, but will have boldness on the day of judgment, and we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced His perfect love.” (1 John 4:15-18 — my emphasis in bold)

God truly loved us first. “We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)

The enemy (that is, satan or the devil, who is very real) has tried several times to make me doubt that God loves me. Yet, God has proven to me in so many amazing ways (beyond a shadow of a doubt) that He truly does love me.

© Photo by: Patricia Shehan

He will do this for you, too. Simply ask Him to show you, if you doubt His love for you. God will show you in many unexpected ways just how much He loves you!

I say: God, I love you! God says: I love you, too, and I loved you first!

He will say that to you, too. I pray that you will open your heart to God in love.

With my daughter, when she says: I love you! Then I'll say, I love you more! :-)

God loves us more than anyone else can possibly love us. His love is unconditional.

I pray you will open your heart today to the greatest love of all: God’s love, which is fulfilling and eternal!

Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself.

God’s Word for Today: “… He [God] lavishes his unfailing love on those who love Him and obey His commands.” (Deuteronomy 7:9)

Copyright © 2013 by Patricia Shehan

All scripture is quoted from various translations of the Holy Bible (God’s Word) and is set in italics.

Sanctification

I was at a Bible study when we were reading the scriptures and came across the word “sanctification.” I had to admit that I didn’t know what the word meant.

No one could explain it clearly, so we stopped and looked up the word in one of those old, huge dictionaries. Now that’s my kind of dictionary!

Sanctification is described as follows: to grow and change by a process of holiness; the stripping of self while being filled by God with godliness; a changing process; gaining freedom from sin; being set apart, renewed, and purified; and being converted into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

Yes, this sums it all up. But how does it happen?

If we believe in Jesus Christ and what He did for us, we must ask our self if we have truly given our heart to Him. If we haven’t done so, then we are still behind the driver’s seat of our own life. We need to allow Him to steer our life’s path for our conversion (or sanctification) to take place.

This change is different than anything else you’ve ever experienced. I know because it happened to me!

I could almost feel the changes. For example, I began caring for others more than ever before! In the past, when someone would ask me to help them, I was usually reluctant and maybe even unwilling. Now, when I think there is a need, and I know that I can help, I will offer, even before being asked! Now that was a big change in me!

To be truly saved, we must surrender to God and allow Him to sanctify us by renewing our mind and changing our heart for Him. We have to be willing to follow God and allow Him to change us through the sanctification process.

This process begins with our obedience to our Heavenly Father. He changes us to grow in godliness. He shows us how to follow Him by guiding our path. As we our changed, our focus will be on God.

We will see things differently when we have God’s perspective rather than our own selfish view. I can testify to the outstanding beauty from His view! Nothing looks the same anymore. Everything is so outstanding and beautiful, and even miraculous! The details are more intense. Can you see it yet?

When we accept the grace of God through our repentance of sin, a divine growth begins to take place within us. Now we avoid sin and turn away from temptation.

We were all created in God’s image, and sanctification is what purifies us to be Christ-like.

We must read the Bible to know God. We must spend time with Him in prayer. He fills us up with His joy, His love, and His peace, and He creates in us a “newness of life” (see Romans 6:4).

I remember so many times attempting to read The Bible and so many times, I would stop. It was one excuse after another. But when I stuck with it and made it into a habit, I could understand God more and desired to serve Him.

This new way of life is satisfying, unlike the fleeting happiness we may find in things and sometimes even in people.

You will find great joy in the Lord if you simply say “yes” to him.

When we allow God to sanctify us, we let Him guide our future plans. He will work them out for His glory by setting us apart in holiness. Patience is required!

“You can be sure of this: The Lord set apart the godly for Himself…” (Psalm 4:3)

God has created us for “good works” in advance (see Ephesians 2:10). God’s sanctification process creates a desire in us to accomplish these good works.

Living life set apart from the world is still living in the world, but it’s living with Godly goals and Godly obedience. It’s living with love and peace. The life of Jesus Christ, whose life in the flesh here among mankind, is our example.

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)

“Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:21. — Please read more of this chapter for further understanding.)

Changes begin from the inside out. A true Christian’s life will not merely display something on the outside that does not reflect the “inner man.” Only hypocrites display an act on the outside that is not reflective of the inside. (See Matthew 23:25-28 and Matthew 7:20-23).

We must love and forgive. God opens our hearts to His love, and His sanctification process causes us to want to share the Good News of the Gospel (The Bible) and God’s love through His free gift of salvation.

The path is not always easy. Yet, God’s sanctification (change, growth, filling, renewing, and purifying) process is the only way. Only He can transform us. He imparts His strength in us to be holy, to think His way, to respect life, to desire goodness and truth to prevail, and most of all, to truly love Him and one another. God does require our willingness and our obedience.

Amazingly, from God’s sanctification process, we can, in turn, sanctify Him!

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” (1 Peter 3:15)

Once you are saved and sanctified, sharing the hope of glory (Christ in us) will become easy, and you will have the answers to be able to share God’s love for mankind!

“… God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13)

I realized I was being sanctified when I no longer had the same desires or thoughts for my life. Think of how most everything in life has a place, for example: first place, second place, third place, and so forth. With me, God is #1 now. He has first place in my life, and everyone and everything else is in second place, third, ... Make God #1 in your life and He will sanctify you by changing you into becoming His follower, and He will cause you to live a full and satisfying eternal life!

Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself.

God’s Word for Today: “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

Copyright © 2013 by Patricia Shehan

All scripture is quoted from various translations of the Holy Bible (God’s Word).

Faith

I used to have this scripture written on a piece of paper hanging near the computer in my office, so I’d often see it:

"Faith* comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17 – NKJV)

The problem was that it never made much sense to me. Why? Because I was blind to the truth, even though at that time I wanted to convince my self otherwise.

The lack of reading or hearing the Word of God was like a dry field with no rain. How could anything grow if there was no seed and no rain?

My understanding came after I received my salvation. The springs of the well of my heart were overflowing with living waters.

I had begun reading the Bible and listening to preachers speak. No longer would I be hindered by only hearing a few repeated scriptures year after year. That lack of knowledge had left me numb and unfufilled.

Now my eyes had begun to open to see the truth, and my ears were opened to hear the truth, too. My heart was now being filled with the love of God, and I wanted to give Him all my praise. Now, I wanted to honor Him with my life.

The Bible tells us that “…the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:7 – NKJV)

I began to understand what it meant to have faith in God. I realized how much God truly loved me, and that I could completely trust Him.

In Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) of the Bible we find that: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”

God allows us to find Him when we truly seek Him. Once we accept God’s free gift of salvation, our faith grows through a confident trust, and we want to please Him.

“Jesus said to them, ‘… for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.’ ” (Matthew 17:20 – NKJV)

I believe the miracle of moving mountains by faith, which was proven to me again in my life in July 2012. I had prayed with faith for God to sell my house and be able to simultaneously buy another, less expensive house at a new location. I told others that I believed God would do this for me. I knew that He would because of this confident faith I have in Him. All this occurred in an economy when most houses were not selling. In an economy in America comparable to the Great Depression, God answered my prayer of faith. Although doubt would arise, trust would be released to God with greater faith restored, as the mountains moved.

As children of God (saved believers), we can move these mountains with confident trust and faith in Him: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself.

God’s Word for Today: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1 – NKJV)

*All words emphasized in bold are my addition to make the word(s) more noticeable.

Copyright © 2012 by Patricia Shehan

Salvation

Salvation? What is it? I didn’t really understand what it meant when I was growing up inside “ritualized religion.” No one ever talked about it.

The definition of salvation from a combination of dictionaries describes this word as being delivered from the consequences of sin and preserved from destruction.

I knew I had sinned (and we have all sinned, because we were born into sin), but I didn’t know that I would need to be “saved.” For the first time, as an adult, I was once asked, “Are you saved?” Yet, I didn’t know what this meant. I was ignorant!

I believed that if you didn’t go to Heaven, then you would certainly go to Hell. For awhile, I believed if you were on your way to Heaven, but needed to still get rid of some sin, then you would go to a holding place called Purgatory. However, I was very disturbed by this teaching that someone had to pray for you to get out of there. I questioned my mom by asking her what would happen if no one prayed for you? Then you’d be stuck in this limbo forever? This is not Biblical at all!

I certainly wanted to go to Heaven, but I never had any assurance that I would get there when I died. I certainly did not want to go to Purgatory or to Hell!

How about you? When you were growing up, did you have a confidence that you would go to Heaven when you died? Did you have this in adulthood? Or do you have the confidence of salvation now?

God knew that someday I would come to a point in my life where I would call out to Him and He would save me. He knew that I would fully surrender myself and my life to Him. My faith would grow and I would come to understand that I could have this confidence of salvation and Heaven. I grew to love God with all my heart. I had a yearning to know Him.

“For God says, ‘At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.’ Indeed, the ‘right time’ is now. Today is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2 – NLT)

God accepts our repentance when we ask for forgiveness. He helps us to be able to turn away from sin. He has mercy on us, and we can receive His grace. Salvation becomes available to us because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In Romans 10:10 (NKJV) of the Bible, we learn that “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” [My emphasis in bold]

The Bible tells us that: “…every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in My presence only, but now much more in My absence, work out your own salvation [my emphasis] with fear and trembling. For it is God that works in you both to will and to do His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:11-13 – NJKV)

"For by grace you have been saved [my emphasis] through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, we are saved by faith." (Ephesians 2:8 – NKJV)

I came to learn that some Christians even have a saying that they believe. They say, “once saved, always saved.” In many scriptures, this can hold truth for the follower of Jesus Christ. However, this statement also proves false, because I believe that it is possible to lose our salvation. Many are conflicted on this particular determination.

The scriptures explain that there is a way to either never gain salvation or to lose it altogether. Read these Bible scriptures as follows:

"When people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before. It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life." (2 Peter 2:20-21 – NLT)

"For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened — those who have experienced the good things of Heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the Word of God and the power of the age to come — and who then turn away from God. It is impossible [my emphasis] to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing Him to the cross again and holding Him up to public shame." (Hebrews 6:4-6 – NLT) – [My emphasis in bold.]

When we receive this beautiful gift of salvation; we can choose to keep it or not. We can continue to accept God and live our lives with Him and for Him, or we can decide to reject Him. This is our choice. Salvation is a choice. Have you chosen salvation? Only God can give us salvation through our faith. It is a free gift through grace from God. I pray (if you haven’t already) that you will be saved today!

“Show us your mercy, Lord, and grant us your salvation.” – (Psalm 85:7 – NKJV) [My emphasis in bold.]

Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself.

God’s Word for Today: “Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim the good news of His salvation [my emphasis in bold] from day to day. (1 Chronicles 16:23 – NKJV)

Copyright © 2012 by Patricia Shehan