THE WORD HE STILL WILL LET REMAIN

Posted on October 29, 2015 by atimetoshare.me

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As a historical event, reformation isn’t anything new.  Changes occur all the time, but the Lutheran reformation occurred at just the perfect time in history.  With the invention of the Gutenberg printing press, mass production of the Bible could be placed in the hands of the common man.

Martin Luther was just a human being like the rest of us.  He made mistakes.  He said many things that today would be considered politically incorrect. He searched for truth during his time as a Roman Catholic monk, but until he dug deeply into scripture, he never knew true peace.

Whenever there’s a need for reformation, God places just the right circumstances and people together to put them into motion.  That’s what we face today.

The Word of God has  again become corrupted.  It’s been twisted to fit the needs, desires and lifestyles of the people.  The “sin” word has been eliminated from the vocabulary of many churches.  Prosperity – feeling good – being entertained have all crept into our worship society today.  It’s the perfect time for another reforming .

With the advent of the internet, we now have the ability to spread God’s Word in ways never dreamed of before.  Bibles are available in applications which can be downloaded to electronic devices.  Christians can share their beliefs with others through blogs like these.  This age can make a reformation possible.  For it is the perfect time – such a time as this.

The Word of God is our direct communication with Him.  Through it we see that we’re sinners in need of forgiveness.  The only way to achieve grace is through God himself.  Our works are like filthy rags to Him if we don’t acknowledge what He’s done for us.   The works are a result of our gratitude.

When we celebrate Reformation Day on October 31, we’re not honoring the man.  We’re not putting him up on a saintly pedestal, for it’s not the man who did the work.  God orchestrated the entire event, just as He will again when the time is right.

Change occurs over time.  Traditions and various practices will be eliminated, but God’s Word must always remain at the center of the church.

Lord, keep us steadfast in Thy Word;
Curb those who fain by craft and sword
Would wrest the kingdom from Thy Son
And set at naught all He hath done.

Martin Luther

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SEEK, KNOCK AND ASK

Posted on October 28, 2015 by atimetoshare.me

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His life was a mess. He was tattered and torn; still he slowly approached the door,

He had lost every hope. He was broken and worn. Yet he felt there had to be more,

With all of his might, with his life now exposed, he trembled within and without,

His right hand now raised, with fist tightly closed, he knocked for someone to come out.

His hand shook in fear as he heard a voice speak; “What do you want, my son?”

His heart beat so fast and his courage grew weak. He stuttered, “I shouldn’t have come.”

Before he could leave, he listened once more to the comfort he gained from the voice,

“Repent and have faith, I’ll open the door, it’s up to you now – it’s your choice.”

The words were too easy. There had to be more, but still he couldn’t resist,

Unworthy to speak to this merciful man, he finally checked off his list.

“The path I’ve been on took me into despair; I don’t deserve anything good,

The folks that I’ve hurt; they no longer care. I’m alone and misunderstood.”

“I’ve nowhere to turn, I need to confess. I simply must empty my heart.

Please let me come in. I’m in such distress. My life could use a new start.”

The door slowly opened, with hands stretched out wide. Wounds still remaining there,

And then he invited the poor soul inside and released him from all of his care.

“My child, I’ve been waiting for you to come home. Now stay right beside me today,

For now and forever you’ll never more roam. In my house is a room – please stay,

With tears in his eyes, the man fell to his knees, he knew he was where he should be,

For once he was blind, but now he could see. With this man he finally felt free.

“Now don’t be afraid, just listen to me, I’ve something important to say,

Your road has been hard – I’ve been there, you see, but you have returned today.

I have heard your request, I know all your needs. All you had to do was come back.

I love you, my son, I’ve erased your misdeeds. Your soul is no longer black.”

God loves everyone and he wants every soul to dwell in heaven some day,

Simply seek, knock and ask – He will open the door and wash all your sins away,

Praise God for salvation and serve others too. He wants you to share this good news,

Go and love one another, lay your troubles on Him, you really have nothing to lose.

KATHY BOECHER©

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KIDS

Posted on October 27, 2015 by atimetoshare.me

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Kids – you’ve gotta love ’em.  It doesn’t take long for parents to realize that children have to be taught how to be good.  They aren’t naturally born to be the angelic little creatures we meet for the first time in the delivery room.  We’re all born with a sinful nature and even those precious little bundles will soon enough turn into little stinkers with personalities we never dreamed they’d possess.

My three children were no exception. There were misadventures that I thought would lead me right into a straight jacket.  I soon found out it’s part of the parenting process.  Those of you contemplating starting a family, might think twice after reading this, but the rewards of parenting far outweigh the difficulties.  Just proceed knowing that, as with all things in life, God is there organizing the chaos for our benefit.

There will be the peanut butter, finger paint, oatmeal and other assorted yucky things in their hair, on the wall and their clothing.  You can almost count on the family pet getting spray painted blue, dressed up in baby clothes, jumped on, tugged on and hugged beyond belief – nails pounded into the wall for attaching Barbie doll clothes – frogs jumping across your living room carpet – humongous snakes being personally delivered at the front door by one of them – putting dangerous items into their mouths – destruction of many things you hold dear – spewing sounds of screeching, crying, whining and complaining.  Sounds like fun doesn’t it?

I guarantee that every child is different.  They each have their own way of frazzling your nerves or frying your brain, but when you tuck them in at night and say prayers with them, and they look you straight in the eye and tell you they love you – none of the other stuff matters.  Things can be fixed, but little hearts and minds need your constant love and attention.  They depend on you for advice, encouragement, instruction on how to live life, hugs and kisses, band aids for their scrapes and scuffs, but mostly they depend on you as a role model. That’s a huge responsibility, but one of the greatest accomplishments you will ever know.

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HEAR MY PRAYER

Posted on October 25, 2015 by atimetoshare.me

   

Dear Lord, there is so much to pray for.  My world has strayed far from you.  The precious words you speak to us through your Holy Word have been corrupted.  Your people turn their backs on the only hope they have.  We think we can fix things by ourselves, but you have already provided the solution.  Help us to open our eyes and see the great love you’ve laid at our feet, through your only Son, Jesus, Christ.

As we start a new week, let our hearts come to you with full repentance and assurance that our sins have been forgiven. Amen

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A MASK CAN’T HIDE YOU

Posted on October 23, 2015 by atimetoshare.me

  
Is life just a moment when we pass through time – when our hopes and dreams lead to amazing adventures or fall by the wayside and get trampled deep into the ground?

Are we placed here for a purpose, as the Bible tells us, or are we merely puppets acting out a drama upon a lonely stage?

Unfortunately there are many in our world who have convinced themselves, or been lied to by others, that their existence isn’t important. They go through life believing that they are just a speck in the scheme of things – that anything they have to contribute is meaningless.

They seek ways to numb this feeling of worthlessness. They may hide in their self-pity.

They may don a mask in hopes of taking on a new persona. They might bathe in the glow of others, just to feel important. They may turn to hurtful answers which only deaden the pain temporarily

I once felt that I wasn’t important or even worthy. It isn’t a good place to be. It’s lonely – it’s harmful – it’s unnecessary.

We need to look at the positive aspects of our existence. If we dwell on the negatives, we’re doomed to a life of unhappiness and dissatisfaction.

God knew us before we were conceived. He knit our body perfectly in our mother’s womb. He has a plan for our lives. We are His creation and He wants the best for us. If He loves us so much, we should take joy in that and do whatever we can to thank Him for it.

We must start by stepping outside of ourselves and get a glimpse of what others are going through. Selflessness is the best way to get rid of selfishness – and that’s exactly what a low self-image amounts to. Every life has a reason. We will never realize the reason until we spread our wings and fly!

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SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN

Posted on October 22, 2015 by atimetoshare.me

  
When you reach middle age, you’re considered in the prime of life.  You’ve climbed the ladder of success, reached the pinnacle of career and lifetime relationships.  You’ve vaulted the hurdles of education.  Things are looking good. 

When I turned 50, we were living in a beautiful house, had enough money so we didn’t have to worry, my husband had a lucrative business and we had raised three children who were on their own life paths.  Then the bottom fell out.  

The economy took a dive and just like Job from the Bible, we lost it all.  Within a year we filed for bankruptcy, went through foreclosure and everything looked hopeless. Those we considered loyal, soon deserted the ship, but there were many that stood with us.

At that low point, we turned to the One who has sustained us for all our lives together.  God blessed us during that difficult time.  Through what seemed insurmountable odds, we both continued to pray, pull up our bootstraps and rebuild.  We discovered that we could make a living doing the things we loved, but we weren’t afraid to do some difficult jobs to get back on our feet.

Struggles at any age are tough, but when God is with you, they become bearable.  There is a purpose for all things and when you realize that all the yuck in life is there to strengthen your relationship with Him, you can overcome even the most difficult battles.  

Trust in the Lord always and lean not on your own understanding.

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HOW ABOUT US OLD FOGEYS

Posted on October 21, 2015 by atimetoshare.me

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Yesterday I talked about how important it is for kids to know their value.  The same is true for us old fogeys. Somewhere in middle age we become so busy building a life we forget that.  When we’re on the outer edges of life  we tend to lose faith in our abilities.

Life can be overwhelming when you’re going from one stage to another.  The same is true for us seniors as we see our lives melting away, our strength being sapped and our dependence on others growing.  Heaven looks pretty good to most of us.   I guess even kids who grow up in Christian families with strong Christian values sometimes find this world a tough place to live in and the emphasis placed on Heaven can make the thought of being there even more enticing.

The devil wants us to believe that we’re worthless – that either we aren’t capable of a good life or we’ve worn out our usefulness in it.  He also wants us to believe that death is the only answer and if we end our lives we will have eternal bliss.  This is one of Satan’s biggest lies and it destroys lives every day.

Our lives have purpose no matter what our age.  Young and old alike still have a lot to do.  We need to work together to accomplish them.  The young can bring enthusiasm to their elders – they can help them with the physical things they can’t do anymore.  The elderly can give back some of their knowledge and wisdom though mentoring – they can advise on career paths – they can encourage their younger counterparts by helping them realize their potential and worth.

There’s so much work yet to be done in this world.  It  may seem that evil is well on its way to overtaking the good, but God is more powerful than anything the world has to dish out.  He is our fortress, our strength and our protector.  Put your faith in Him – not in yourself – not in the ways of this world.  If you walk in His ways, He will give you a life with abundant joy.  What is to come in heaven is the ultimate bonus – not an excuse for us to walk away from what God has planned for us.

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NOTE TO TWEENS, TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS

Posted on October 20, 2015 by atimetoshare.me

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I’ve spent many years instructing young people and even though our world has drastically changed over the years – the basic fears, hopes, dreams and self-esteem of our kids hasn’t.

When you go from child to teen you’re entering a totally new world – one that expects you to  look a certain way; wear clothes that fit the mold; feel a specific way.  In addition, you have so many changes going on in your physical self.  Your body is going through a  metamorphous.  Your face breaks out – your voice changes – your body is growing- your emotions are on a constant roller coaster ride – you try to fit in and follow peer pressure.  To top that off, you’re living in a world filled with violence, inhumanity, wars, hatred and confusion and the push for success is immense.

You’re told to act your age, but you still enjoy doing childish things. Your parents want you to make decisions you aren’t prepared to make.  You begin to question the world – your friends – your parents – your religion.

This is the time in your life that you need something to trust in – someone to depend on – someone to take care of  you.

God has created you for a purpose.  You weren’t an accident.  God doesn’t make mistakes.  You’re His creation and you’re a masterpiece.  Take a look at what you are in His eyes.  He loves you with a love you will never experience in this world.  He wants you to come to Him when you are lost, hopeless, desperate.  He’ll never give up on you.  If you make mistakes, He’s always waiting to forgive you. He doesn’t want you to worry.  He loves everything about you – even your faults.

Invite Him to sit in your desk with you.  Make Him your BFF as you walk this new path.  With Him, all things are possible – especially YOU!

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ETERNAL GLORY

Posted on October 19, 2015 by atimetoshare.me

  
I am outwardly wasting away.  It’s also known as growing old.  My body sags, my skin has become withered, my senses are duller and so is my memory.  I find myself going from one room to another with purpose, only to forget what it was.  Aging is a necessary part of the natural process of living, but it doesn’t have to be debilitating.  

God wants us to live abundantly. That’s why He works within us every day – nourishing us with the power of His Spirit – protecting us with knowledge that comes from His Word – giving us challenges which grow our faith and dependence on Him.  Through this time of grace we not only have the opportunity to grow closer to God, but we can share His amazing love with others.

Our road to heaven isn’t paved with our good works, but with the precious victory won by Christ for us.  Our reward of eternal life is not dependent on anything we do.  It’s a free gift bestowed on us by the One who created us.

Eternal life is waiting – it doesn’t cost a cent – it’s God’s love personified through His only Son. Our dying bodies can look forward to renewal, restoration and refreshment on the other side of the grave.  Life goes on with great abundance.

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SANCTUARY

Posted on October 18, 2015 by atimetoshare.me

  
Today, before church, I spoke with a woman whose husband will undergo chemotherapy … again.  I listened as a man told of his wife’s recent surgery and the difficulties she encountered in her recovery.  During the service we prayed for a family that just lost a loved one. Little children with inquiring, hungry little minds sat at the altar to hear God’s message to them.  We shared the Sacrament of the Lord’s supper.  We sang hymns of praise and thanksgiving, heard God’s Word preached in truth and purity.  We joined in prayer for our country, for our leaders, our families and our own personal needs.  

The joy of attending church each Sunday comes from so many things.  It can be the comforting words from the pulpit or the compassion for a friend in need.  It can be a firm handshake or hug from someone you haven’t seen for a while.  It can be a time of reflection, repentance and forgiveness.  Most of all, it’s time well spent, with the King of Creation.

God’s home is open to all who seek sanctuary in His loving arms.

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YOU CAN’T HIDE

Posted on October 17, 2015 by atimetoshare.me

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Have you ever felt like closing out the world and living in isolation for the rest of your life?  I’ve had days like that, especially when I’m fighting a cold and the usual aches and pains of age.  Our world can be an ugly place and we’re enveloped in it.  We see it on our streets.  We experience disrespect in the workplace.  We struggle to make ends meet.  We turn on the news or read  a newspaper and suddenly the raw truth of what our society has become is a brutal reality.  Wouldn’t it be nice to just run away and hide?

That was always my Modus operandi when I was a child.  I would hide in my closet – in the shelter of aloneness.  Somehow that little space became a refuge.  I could shut out the things I didn’t want to face into.  It was quiet, dark and instead of a jail cell, it was where I could think things through and maybe come out a little better.  As I grew older, it became easier to go for a walk or visit someone who was totally detached.  As an adult, my refuge often included trying to laugh it off or hide under the mask of silence.

We all have our ways of handling life, but I’ve found in my many years of living, that there is no place to hide when it comes to God.  He hems us in from every side.  He knows our comings and goings.  He’s aware of our secret thoughts.  This could be frightening, but as you become more and more aware of God’s involvement in your life, you realize that it’s  unconditional love.

Sure, trials will come our way.  God allows them, to bring us in a closer more intimate relationship with Him.  So when you feel like the world is closing in on you, don’t run away from it – run to the One who loves you so much that He gave His only Son to carry all your sins to the cross.  What a friend we have in Jesus.

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BOUND FOR A NEW WORLD

Posted on October 16, 2015 by atimetoshare.me

  
There were 102 on board the small sailing vessel. Half of them, tired of the corruption in the Church of England, bound for a new life where they could worship as they pleased; half eager to invest time and money into a fledgling country. Each had no idea what was in store for them, but they pursued their dreams with determination, courage and hope. On September 15, 1620, the Mayflower set sail for Virginia, but was blown off course and wound up in what is today Massachusetts.

Our country has changed tremendously over the past 400 years, but many of the core values still exist. Sometimes it may seem that we have come full circle and should start looking for a new place to settle – a place without corruption – a community where we can begin again – a new Eden where God is still alive and active in the lives of His people.

We tend to think, in light of current events, that there aren’t many believers left. On the outside, our world is a nasty place, but there are still those who love God. This rekindles the same kind of hope, determination and courage these early pilgrims had to push them forward.

I believe that God is very much alive and available to us wherever we travel in life. When the world is crumbling around us, we can depend on Him to carry us over the rough seas of life. All we have to do is believe in Him. It’s so simple and yet so very difficult for some.

Lord, help us realize that you are the Captain of our journey through life. You’re at the wheel and in control – guiding us, protecting us, refining us and leading us to our final destination. Give us the assurance that our pilgrimage here on earth is temporary and that we can look forward to an eternity in your paradise. Amen!

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PERSECUTION – IS IT EVER A GOOD THING?

Posted on October 14, 2015 by atimetoshare.me

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We see the headlines every day – beheadings, dissection of human limbs from living bodies  – a disgusting display of hatred upon one group of people because of their beliefs.  Persecution is nothing new.  It’s man’s way of showing disdain for other human beings and accompanying their acts with words of justification because of their own distorted view of life.  People try, many times in vain, to escape such persecution by fleeing their surroundings only to meet death along the way, or rejection from the country they’re fleeing too.

Romans 8:28 says,

 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

How can any good come from such ugliness?  How can we find purpose in such misery?  How can a merciful God use people in situations like this as an impetus for good?

All of these are legitimate questions that we may never understand on this side of eternity, but God has used situations like this throughout history to bring His people closer to Him and to help spread His wonderful message of eternal life to all the world. He didn’t create the mess – we did.

We sit in front of our television sets and become enraged when we hear what’s going on in other parts of the world, but persecution is happening right in our own communities and we’ve almost blinded ourselves to it.  This is America – the land of the free – where all can worship as they choose, but is it?  Our rights as Christians are being undermined insidiously by the prince of darkness.  Worldly views have infiltrated our walls and God is being mocked daily.  It won’t be long before persecution here is on the same level as it is in other countries.

However, in the verse above, God assures us that all things have a purpose under God. Persecution in the early church, as well as persecution today, can be used as a vehicle for spreading the Gospel of Jesus, Christ.

Lord, help us remember that you created the universe.  You have a finger on the pulse of the world.  Evil is a result of man’s disobedience and the fall into sin, but you even turned that into an act of incomprehensible love, by sending your own Son to wash our sin away. Amen!

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TROUBLE

Posted on October 13, 2015 by atimetoshare.me

Some folks think that becoming a Christian means gaining complete freedom from all our troubles. Not true! In fact, God never promised any of us a rose garden. Well, He gave us a perfect garden, but that was quickly lost when man thought He was smarter than God.
We are going to have difficulty in our lives until we pass into eternity. However, our troubles here on earth don’t have to overwhelm us and send us into a deep depression. Some “Christians” believe that if you have trouble in your life it is because of something you’ve done to put yourself out of favor with God.
God’s mercy is beyond our wisdom. He has placed these trials in our lives to make us stronger and yet completely dependent on Him for help.
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
Thank you, Lord, for daily strengthening me with your truth. May your gift of peace give me hope to endure each day.

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SHED BLOOD

Posted on October 12, 2015 by atimetoshare.me

Crimson stains the sand. People running, hiding, covering themselves and others,

Fear ensues, then pain, followed by anger and rage,

Faces and heads shrouded in black, too cowardly to show themselves,

Thoughts of waging a righteous war against those who don’t believe as they do,

Brainwashed into thinking they are doing this for their god.

Misdirected, searching, groping for something to believe in – something to hang on to,

Do they find peace in causing others pain or in ending lives?

Where is the righteousness?

Blood flows from a beaten, smitten corpse, hanging on an instrument of torture,

This One not taking life, but giving it through His precious blood.

That is true righteousness, bought and paid for the ugliest of us.

Refreshing, cleansing rain falls softly on an eager earth,

Thirsting for relief and longing for renewal and rebirth.

The tears of God bring respite for the dying soul,

He gave His only Son to fill a gaping hole,

The hole that widens every day,

When we forget to turn to Him and pray,

As branches dance and lightening fills the air,

Thoughts turn to Him, who takes away each care.

We see the need for God’s power to inspire us once again,

To cleanse our hearts and wash souls in His refreshing rain.

KATHY BOECHER©

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THIS DAY IN 1492

Posted on October 12, 2015 by atimetoshare.me

   
Today you don’t hear much about Christopher Columbus other than it being another time for retailers to draw in business.  This explorer, like many before and since, have had their life’s work corrupted over time.

In 1492, much of the world had been seized by the Ottomann Empire. They had control of most of the seas’ trade routes.  Not only did they have a lucrative slave trade, but they pirated ships which carried goods to various markets in the world.  It was because of this that different routes had to be explored.

Over time, the discovery of a new part of the world has taken on a new look.  This expedition has led people to believe that greed was the motivating factor.  Perhaps it was.  Any native cultures were destroyed by disease, starvation or murder as the intruders invaded the new world.  On the other hand, the once nomadic people were introduced to the horse and many new foods that would become sustenance for them.

When man sets out to discover something there I’ll always be hurdles to cross.  There will always be the naysayers and critics,but without exploration there is no discovery.  Man will always look for ways to improve their lives by searching for better ways, but we must always hold the Creator of life with the highest regard.  With Him, everything is new.

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Do You Know Your Hymns ?

Posted on October 10, 2015 by atimetoshare.me

I got a good chuckle over this one!

morningstoryanddilbert's avatarMorning Story and Dilbert

Morning Story and Dilbert Vintage Dilbert
October 9, 2010

 

Lord give me a sense of humor and give me the grace to see a joke to get some humor out of life

The Dentist’s HymnCrown Him with Many Crowns

The Weatherman’s HymnThere Shall be Showers of Blessings

The Contractor’s HymnThe church is One foundation

The Tailor’s HymnHoly, Holy, Holy

The Golfer’s HymnThere is a Green Hill Far Away

The Politician’s HymnStanding on the Promises

The Optometrist’s HymnOpen My Eyes That I May See

The IRS Agent’s HymnI Surrender All

The Gossip’s HymnPass it On

The Shopper’s HymnSweet Bye and Bye

The Realtor’s HymnI’ve Got a Mansion Just Over the Hilltop

The Massage TherapistsHymn He Touched Me

The Doctor’s HymnThe Great Physician

And for those who speed on the highway – a few Hymns

45mph  God Will Take…

View original post 44 more words

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HAPPY SATURDAY

Posted on October 10, 2015 by atimetoshare.me

  
A day of rest for some.  A day of hard work for others.  Whatever lies ahead for you today, in all things, give thanks.  Each day is one more opportunity to serve Him – to share His wonderful message of salvation – to bring comfort to someone – to let your light shine – to praise, honor and love God.

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GUILT

Posted on October 9, 2015 by atimetoshare.me

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Guilt can be defined as a feeling of remorse of something we have done intentionally or not.  It can also be a negative feeling that eats away at us, because we don’t see a way out.  We’ve all experienced it at one time or another.  We don’t like the feeling.  It causes us to be sad, embarrassed, weak and ashamed.  If we let it, guilt will take away our confidence, our hope, our desire for improvement and our faith.

The devil uses this to pull us away from God.  He makes us think we’re unworthy of forgiveness – which is a half truth.  By our own doing, we aren’t worthy.  The more guilt we pour on ourselves or allow the devil to convince us of, the more we feel useless and hopeless.

God provides an answer for us.  He has given us an out for our guilt.  He sent His own Son to carry our ugliness – our shame – our sin to the cross and bury it there.  Because of that sacrifice we are guiltless in God’s sight.  Our sin has been forgiven once and for all.

What a gift!  We don’t deserve this unconditional love, but the God of Creation thinks we do.  He loves us in spite of our guilt.

Dear God, I know that I have sinned and will continue to sin until you take me home to paradise, but I also know that you’ve ransomed me.  Help me now, to turn to you in times of struggle and pain.  Help me to know that I have been forgiven and that my guilt no longer has to haunt me.  Give me the courage to fight the insidious lies of the devil.  Grant me your peace.  Amen!

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THE FACEBOOK YOU VS. THE REAL YOU

Posted on October 8, 2015 by atimetoshare.me

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There is a lot to be said for photo shop and learning how to edit pictures to make the best possible image.  You can crop out all the bad stuff and come up with a pretty good profile picture.  You can focus in on the things you want and eliminate the junk behind it.  You can even add things to make it look like your world is much better than it really is.

Wouldn’t it be nice if that were true in the “real” world – if you could erase all the blemishes and wrinkles in the blink of an eye, drop 50 pounds, pump up you muscles, live in luxurious surroundings, eat sumptuous food, have the perfect family, run every marathon and  make yourself into a super hero just like that?  The only trouble is, you will be discovered soon enough and all the flaws and imperfections come blaring out like the reflection you see in the mirror each day.

Sin is like that. We can try to cover it up with good works.  Many say it doesn’t exist and ignore it.  We may hide under the guise of the church to become respectable.  We can go to extremes behaving like something we’re not, but eventually sin reveals itself and the ugliness convicts us.  We can’t fool the One who sees deeply into our hearts.

When you trust that Jesus has already paid for the ugliness of sin, you can be assured that it’s no longer visible to God.  That doesn’t mean we won’t sin again.  It simply shows how much we must rely on Him to make us right.  His perfection has made us perfect and given us new life.  Now, because of our gratitude, we can come to the throne of God way better than Facebook perfect.

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