The scripture in John 3:16 describes God as loving the whole world. God doesn’t look upon the outside skin of a person or how well they speak to define if that person is worthy of His love. It doesn’t matter if it is the famous Joseph Merrick, a severely deformed man in 19th century London or Marilyn Monroe.
1 Samuel 16: But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
God looks deep inside to see the real character and who the person really is.
He knows our every sin, but when we truly repent of those sins, He will not remember them any more.
Jeremiah 31: 34 No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
God loves us so much that He is willing to forgive our sins no matter how bad they are. And He will forget they ever happened. Not only that, but God sent His only Son to this world to shed His blood and die in our place to guarantee that we would be free of our sins and receive the free gift of eternal life.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
God loves all people! We are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God. But God has a master plan for us, God is love and He has made it possible for anyone to share His love and glory forever in His kingdom. God will share His throne with us in His kingdom! That is a lot of love!
Father, give your children the strength and the faith to help bring more people into Your kingdom. In Jesus name, amen.
Wouldn’t it be neat if God had the Bible written the same way people write blogs or forums? Most every web page that you find on the internet has a facts section. The most asked questions have a ready made answer. God does answer many questions in the Bible but we have to read and study the scripture to find the answers. Doesn’t the Bible give us instruction concerning this? 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
God has a purpose for everything!
I have been concerned lately about a certain trend among younger generation churches and their rethinking church philosophy. After having read these rethinking churches on their websites, it appears that they have become the world’s church critics. They talk about what is wrong with all other churches etc. Now I have to say this that there are some Christians that need to really believe what the Bible teaches. 1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
It really disturbs me to see so much criticism and church division!
Here are some interesting observations I read about the difference between Old Testament and New Testament baptisms.
The Bible makes reference to the nation of Israel being baptized as she came out of Egypt, a symbol of sin, and passing through the Red Sea. Just after having passed through the Red Sea, they received the Law of Moses. They did not have the Holy Spirit.
THE LAW GIVEN UNDER THE OLD COVENANT BY BAPTISM
1 Corinthians 10: 1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
Malachi 4:4 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.
Deuteronomy 4:10 Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.
You can read over and over in the Old Testament how Israel and Judah disobeyed God. In the book of Judges God sent His people into captivity as punishment time and time again. Take note that no where in the Bible will you ever find where Israel observed the 50th year of Jubilee. They couldn’t obey God that long. So you see that their baptism into the Law was never in tended for salvation and eternal life.
THE SPIRIT GIVEN UNDER THE NEW CONENANT
Mark 1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit.
Jesus promised that He would send us the Holy Spirit when He ascended into heaven. John 14:16, 26 and John 16:7
On the Day of Pentecost Jesus kept His promise and sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in man
Acts 1: 15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
Acts 2: 1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Christians today make up the body of Christ, (1 Corinthians 12:27) are temples of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:19)
1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Under the New Covenant the Bible clearly states that when we are saved we receive the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
It is a simple thing to pray a prayer to God and ask Him to forgive all your sins but it is very hard to do. It requires a person to ask God to change their life from the ways of this world to His ways and that is a decision some hate to make. But when one makes the right decision then they will receive treasures they didn’t even know existed. That is another story!
"He brought me to his banquet hall and raised the banner of love over me. Restore my strength with raisins and refresh me with apples! I am weak from passion... His left hand is under my head and his right hand caresses me" - Song of Solomon 2:4-6
WORLDWIDE INTERNET EVANGELISM 