John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life."
SC 45 "Do you feel that it is too great a sacrifice to yield all to Christ? Ask yourself the question, 'What has Christ given for me?' The Son of God gave all--life and love and suffering--for our redemption. And can it be that we, the unworthy objects of so great love, will withhold our hearts from Him? Every moment of our life we have been partakers of the blessings of His grace, and for this very reason we cannot fully realize the depths of ignorance and misery from which we have been saved. Can we look upon Him Whom our sins have pierced, and yet be willing to do despite to all His love and sacrifice? In view of the infinite humiliation of the Lord of glory, shall we murmur because we can enter into life only through conflict and self-abasement?
The inquiry of many a proud heart is, 'why need I go in penitence and humiliation before I can have the assurance of my acceptance with God? I point you to Christ. He was sinless, and more than that, He was the Prince of heaven; but in man's behalf He became sin for the race. 'He was numbered with the transgressors; and He bare the sins of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.' Isaiah 53:12.
But what do we give up when we give all? A sin-polluted heart for Jesus to purify, to cleanse by His own blood, and to save by His matchless love. And yet men think it hard to give up all! I am ashamed to hear it spoken of, ashamed to write it."
Will you give Him your sin-polluted heart today? I am ashamed to read it, ashamed to think that there have been times I have not given Him my all, a sin-polluted heart for Him to purify with His own blood and to save me by His matchless love. Is it hard? We think it is, but the joy and relief of knowing we have been washed clean by His own blood and saved by His matchless love is overwhelming to say the least. Try it, you just might receive the blessing of a lifetime. Grandma Joan.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Monday, July 21, 2014
Consecration
The word consecration means to declare sacred or devoted to a solemn purpose.
Jeremiah 29:13 "Ye shall seek Me and find Me when ye shall search for Me with all your heart."
SC 43 "The whole heart must be yielded to God, or the change can never be wrought in us by which we are to be restored to His likeness. By nature we are alienated from God. The Holy Spirit describes our condition in such words as these: 'Dead in trespasses and sins;' 'the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint;' 'no soundness in it.' We are held fast in the snare of Satan, 'taken captive by him at his will.' Ephesians 2:1; Isaiah 1:5,6; 2 Timothy 2:26. God desires to heal us and to set us free. But since this requires an entire transformation, a renewing of our whole nature, we must yield ourselves wholly to Him.
The warfare against self was the greatest battle that was ever fought. The yielding of self, surrendering all the the will of God, requires a struggle; but the soul must submit to God before it can be renewed to holiness.
The government of God is not as Satan would make it appear, founded upon a blind submission, an unreasoning control. It appeals to the intellect and the conscience. 'Come now and let us reason together' is the Creator's invitation to the beings He has made. Isaiah 1:18. God does not force the will of His creatures. He cannot accept a homage that is not willingly and intelligently given. A mere forced submission would prevent all real development of mind or character; it would make man a mere automaton. Such is not the purpose of the Creator. He desires that man, the crowning work of His creative power, shall reach the highest possible development. He sets before us the height of blessing to which He desires to bring us through His grace. He invites us to give ourselves to Him, that He may work His will in us. It remains for us to choose whether we will be set free from the bondage of sin, to share the glorious liberty of the sons of God."
Let's accept His invitation and give ourselves to Him to be set free from the bondage of sin and to share the glorious liberty of being His sons and daughters. Grandma Joan
Jeremiah 29:13 "Ye shall seek Me and find Me when ye shall search for Me with all your heart."
SC 43 "The whole heart must be yielded to God, or the change can never be wrought in us by which we are to be restored to His likeness. By nature we are alienated from God. The Holy Spirit describes our condition in such words as these: 'Dead in trespasses and sins;' 'the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint;' 'no soundness in it.' We are held fast in the snare of Satan, 'taken captive by him at his will.' Ephesians 2:1; Isaiah 1:5,6; 2 Timothy 2:26. God desires to heal us and to set us free. But since this requires an entire transformation, a renewing of our whole nature, we must yield ourselves wholly to Him.
The warfare against self was the greatest battle that was ever fought. The yielding of self, surrendering all the the will of God, requires a struggle; but the soul must submit to God before it can be renewed to holiness.
The government of God is not as Satan would make it appear, founded upon a blind submission, an unreasoning control. It appeals to the intellect and the conscience. 'Come now and let us reason together' is the Creator's invitation to the beings He has made. Isaiah 1:18. God does not force the will of His creatures. He cannot accept a homage that is not willingly and intelligently given. A mere forced submission would prevent all real development of mind or character; it would make man a mere automaton. Such is not the purpose of the Creator. He desires that man, the crowning work of His creative power, shall reach the highest possible development. He sets before us the height of blessing to which He desires to bring us through His grace. He invites us to give ourselves to Him, that He may work His will in us. It remains for us to choose whether we will be set free from the bondage of sin, to share the glorious liberty of the sons of God."
Let's accept His invitation and give ourselves to Him to be set free from the bondage of sin and to share the glorious liberty of being His sons and daughters. Grandma Joan
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Confession Is Good For The Soul.
1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
SC 41 "The examples in God's word of genuine repentance and humiliation reveal a spirit of confession of which there is no excuse for sin or attempt at self-justification. Paul did not seek to shield himself; he paints his sin in it's darkest hue, not attempting to lessen his guilt. He says, 'Many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.' Acts 26:10,11. He does not hesitate to declare that, 'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.' 1 Timothy 1:15.
The humble and broken heart, subdued by genuine repentance, will appreciate something of the love of God and the cost of Calvary; and as a son confesses to a loving father, so will the truly penitent bring all his sins before God. And it is written, 'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us out sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' 1 John 1:9."
How many times I have confessed the same sin because of stumbling over my inherited tendencies and also the ones I have made as a habit. But it says that 'God is faithful and just to forgive' and I believe that with all my heart and it brings peace to my soul and it will do the same for you and as we repentant and confess we grow stronger and stronger in right doing and sin becomes hateful to us. Try it, Oh, I know you will love the peace that it brings. Grandma Joan
SC 41 "The examples in God's word of genuine repentance and humiliation reveal a spirit of confession of which there is no excuse for sin or attempt at self-justification. Paul did not seek to shield himself; he paints his sin in it's darkest hue, not attempting to lessen his guilt. He says, 'Many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.' Acts 26:10,11. He does not hesitate to declare that, 'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.' 1 Timothy 1:15.
The humble and broken heart, subdued by genuine repentance, will appreciate something of the love of God and the cost of Calvary; and as a son confesses to a loving father, so will the truly penitent bring all his sins before God. And it is written, 'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us out sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' 1 John 1:9."
How many times I have confessed the same sin because of stumbling over my inherited tendencies and also the ones I have made as a habit. But it says that 'God is faithful and just to forgive' and I believe that with all my heart and it brings peace to my soul and it will do the same for you and as we repentant and confess we grow stronger and stronger in right doing and sin becomes hateful to us. Try it, Oh, I know you will love the peace that it brings. Grandma Joan
Friday, July 18, 2014
Reformation
There are several verses in this commentary so I have refrained from posting one.
SC39 "Confession will not be acceptable to God without sincere repentance and reformation. There must be decided changes in the life; everything offensive to God must be put away. This will be the result of genuine sorrow for sin. The work that we have to do on our part is plainly set before us: 'Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.' Isaiah 1:16,17. 'If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statute of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.' Ezekiel 33:15. Paul says, speaking of the work of repentance: 'Ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things you have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.' 2 Corinthians 7:11."
What a wonderful thought to be clear from iniquity. I pray for each of us that we will make our confession real before God and live for Him each day. Grandma Joan
SC39 "Confession will not be acceptable to God without sincere repentance and reformation. There must be decided changes in the life; everything offensive to God must be put away. This will be the result of genuine sorrow for sin. The work that we have to do on our part is plainly set before us: 'Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.' Isaiah 1:16,17. 'If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statute of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.' Ezekiel 33:15. Paul says, speaking of the work of repentance: 'Ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things you have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.' 2 Corinthians 7:11."
What a wonderful thought to be clear from iniquity. I pray for each of us that we will make our confession real before God and live for Him each day. Grandma Joan
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Humble Yourselves
James 4:10 "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."
SC 37,38 "Those who have not humbled their souls before God in acknowledging their guilt, have not yet fulfilled the first condition of acceptance. If we have not experienced that repentance which is not to be repented of, and have not with true humiliation of soul and brokenness of spirit confessed our sins, abhorring our iniquity, we have never truly sought for the forgivness of sin; and if we have never sought, we have never found the peace of God. The only reason why we do not have the remission (forgiveness) of sins is that we are not willing to humble our hearts and comply with the conditions of the word of truth. Explicit instruction is given concerning the matter. Confession of sin, whether private or public, should be heartfelt and freely experessed. It is not to be urged from the sinner. It is not to be made in a flippant and careless way, or forced from those who have no realizing sense of the abhorrent character of sin. The confession that is the outpouring of the inmost soul finds its way to the God of infinite pity. The Psalmist says, 'The Lord is nigh unto them of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite (humble) spirit." Psalm 34:18.
All I can add to that is that it really works. I truly have found that I can have the peace of God when I follow His explicit instructions. Grandma Joan
SC 37,38 "Those who have not humbled their souls before God in acknowledging their guilt, have not yet fulfilled the first condition of acceptance. If we have not experienced that repentance which is not to be repented of, and have not with true humiliation of soul and brokenness of spirit confessed our sins, abhorring our iniquity, we have never truly sought for the forgivness of sin; and if we have never sought, we have never found the peace of God. The only reason why we do not have the remission (forgiveness) of sins is that we are not willing to humble our hearts and comply with the conditions of the word of truth. Explicit instruction is given concerning the matter. Confession of sin, whether private or public, should be heartfelt and freely experessed. It is not to be urged from the sinner. It is not to be made in a flippant and careless way, or forced from those who have no realizing sense of the abhorrent character of sin. The confession that is the outpouring of the inmost soul finds its way to the God of infinite pity. The Psalmist says, 'The Lord is nigh unto them of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite (humble) spirit." Psalm 34:18.
All I can add to that is that it really works. I truly have found that I can have the peace of God when I follow His explicit instructions. Grandma Joan
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Confess and Forsake
Proverbs 28:13 "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy."
SC 37 "The conditions of obtaining mercy of God are simple and just and reasonable. The Lord does not require us to do some grievous thing in order that we may have the forgiveness of sin. We need not make long and wearisome pilgrimages, or perform painful penances, to commend our souls to the God of heaven or to expiate our transgressions; but he that confesseth and forsaketh his sin shall have mercy.
The apostle says, 'confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another that ye may be healed.' James 5:16. Confess your sins to God, who only can forgive them, and your faults to one another. If you have given offense to your friend or neighbor, your are to acknowledge your wrong, and it his duty to freely forgive you. Then you are to seek the forgiveness of God, because the brother you have wounded is the property of God, and in injuring him you have sinned against his Creator and Redeemer. The case is brought before the only true Mediator, our great High Priest, who 'was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin,' and who is 'touched with the feeling of our infirmities,' and is able to cleanse from every stain of iniquity. Hebrews 4:15.
I feel so clean after confessing a wrong done to someone else. I long for the forgiveness of God and I know when I have done my part, He will do His. What a wonderful way to live. I love it. Grandma Joan
SC 37 "The conditions of obtaining mercy of God are simple and just and reasonable. The Lord does not require us to do some grievous thing in order that we may have the forgiveness of sin. We need not make long and wearisome pilgrimages, or perform painful penances, to commend our souls to the God of heaven or to expiate our transgressions; but he that confesseth and forsaketh his sin shall have mercy.
The apostle says, 'confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another that ye may be healed.' James 5:16. Confess your sins to God, who only can forgive them, and your faults to one another. If you have given offense to your friend or neighbor, your are to acknowledge your wrong, and it his duty to freely forgive you. Then you are to seek the forgiveness of God, because the brother you have wounded is the property of God, and in injuring him you have sinned against his Creator and Redeemer. The case is brought before the only true Mediator, our great High Priest, who 'was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin,' and who is 'touched with the feeling of our infirmities,' and is able to cleanse from every stain of iniquity. Hebrews 4:15.
I feel so clean after confessing a wrong done to someone else. I long for the forgiveness of God and I know when I have done my part, He will do His. What a wonderful way to live. I love it. Grandma Joan
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Christ Came To Save
Finally!!!! I'm back on. It's been too long and I am anxious to share with you some fresh spiritual blogs. I hope that you will benefit from them. Thank you for sticking by me these past weeks. I hope I don't let you down. You have been faithful readers. God bless each of you in your spiritual walk with God.
1 Timothy 1:15 "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief."
SC 35 "As you see the enormity of sin, as you see yourself as you really are, do not give up to despair. It was sinners that Christ came to save. We have not to reconcile God to us, but--O wondrous love!--God in Christ is 'reconciling the world unto Himself.' 2 Corinthians 5:19. He is wooing by His tender love the hearts of His erring children. No earthly parent could be as patient with the faults and mistakes of His children, as is God with those whom He seeks to save. No one could plead more tenderly with the transgressor. No human lips poured out more tender entreaties to the wanderer than does He. All His promises, His warnings, are but the breathing of unutterable love.
When Satan comes to tell you that you are a great sinner, look up to your Redeemer and talk of His merits. That which will help you is to look to His light. Acknowledge your sin, but tell the enemy that 'Christ came to save sinners' and that you may be saved by His matchless love. Jesus asked Simon a question in regard to two debtors. One owed His lord a small sum and the other owed him a very large sum; but he forgave them both, and Christ asked Simon which debtor would love his lord most. Simon answered, 'He to whom he forgave most.' Luke 7:43. We have been great sinners, but Christ died that we might be forgiven. The merits of His sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf. Those to whom He has forgiven most, will love Him most, and will stand nearest to His throne to praise Him for His great love and infinite sacrifice. It is when we most fully comprehend the love of God that we best realize the sinfulness of sin. When we see the length of the chain that was let down for us, when we understand something of the infinite sacrifice that Christ has made in our behalf, the heart is melted with tenderness and contrition."
Will you join me in seeking to understand the great sacrifice that Christ has made for us that we might be saved unto eternal life with Him. I want to be there, don't you? Grandma Joan
1 Timothy 1:15 "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief."
SC 35 "As you see the enormity of sin, as you see yourself as you really are, do not give up to despair. It was sinners that Christ came to save. We have not to reconcile God to us, but--O wondrous love!--God in Christ is 'reconciling the world unto Himself.' 2 Corinthians 5:19. He is wooing by His tender love the hearts of His erring children. No earthly parent could be as patient with the faults and mistakes of His children, as is God with those whom He seeks to save. No one could plead more tenderly with the transgressor. No human lips poured out more tender entreaties to the wanderer than does He. All His promises, His warnings, are but the breathing of unutterable love.
When Satan comes to tell you that you are a great sinner, look up to your Redeemer and talk of His merits. That which will help you is to look to His light. Acknowledge your sin, but tell the enemy that 'Christ came to save sinners' and that you may be saved by His matchless love. Jesus asked Simon a question in regard to two debtors. One owed His lord a small sum and the other owed him a very large sum; but he forgave them both, and Christ asked Simon which debtor would love his lord most. Simon answered, 'He to whom he forgave most.' Luke 7:43. We have been great sinners, but Christ died that we might be forgiven. The merits of His sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf. Those to whom He has forgiven most, will love Him most, and will stand nearest to His throne to praise Him for His great love and infinite sacrifice. It is when we most fully comprehend the love of God that we best realize the sinfulness of sin. When we see the length of the chain that was let down for us, when we understand something of the infinite sacrifice that Christ has made in our behalf, the heart is melted with tenderness and contrition."
Will you join me in seeking to understand the great sacrifice that Christ has made for us that we might be saved unto eternal life with Him. I want to be there, don't you? Grandma Joan
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