Matthew 14:28-31 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
The reasons people fall into doubting their salvation can generally be summed up in two categories:
1. The person really isn’t saved.
2. The person is saved but has lost confidence in his or her salvation for some reason.
Not Saved
2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
There are a number of reasons why a person might think they are saved when they are not, then eventually come to rightly doubt their salvation.
There are people who confess faith in Christ without understanding what they are doing and why. This may happen because others are doing it or it seems like the right thing to do. Perhaps they are afraid to go to hell, or they just want to go to heaven, but they don’t really understand what it means to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. They don’t have a concept of sin and righteousness and judgment and they have not been convinced by the Holy Ghost.
Philippians 2:5-11 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Here is a tutorial from Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose on how to make a super easy tissue holder from a vintage handkerchief. You could also use just a piece of fabric of your choice. I love vintage handkerchiefs, but I don't want the bother of washing them, so I don't use them. This is a very appropriate way to upcycle one, I think. :-)
Philippians 2:9-10 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
the Dutch iris that was blooming in front of my parents' house.
Just for fun and a change, let's do this tonight. If you want to copy the list of questions and put in your own answers on your own blog or in the comments, please join in! :-) These are not my original idea. I gleaned them from other sites, and edited them and maybe added a few.
What was the last furry thing you touched?
Java Kitty, our black cat.
What was the last thing you said?
Something about Java. He is such a nice and friendly cat.
What was the last song you listened to?
Something playing in the background of some video I guess, and there's a good chance I turned the volume down so I couldn't hear it. I don't listen to music a whole lot.
Who was the last person you spoke to on the phone?
My mom.
What was the last movie/video you watched?
A video about a new medical device for removing blood clots from veins.
What was the last thing you did before this?
Let Java out to the breezeway. His food and litter box are in the garage.
What was the last song you sang?
The chorus of "Blessed Homeland" by Fanny Crosby.
What was the last thing you ate and drank?
Chocolate and water.
What was the last store you were in?
Whole Foods 365 over a week ago. We went in to explore it on a date afternoon. :-)
Where was the last place you went to away from home?
The chiropractor this afternoon.
What was the last chapter of scripture you read? Proverbs 30.
What was the last book you were reading?
I think it was Dorothy Dixon Solves the Conway Case - a vintage girls' adventure story. It is rather lame. (add eye roll here)
What was the last thing you bought?
A natural allergy remedy specifically for Texas allergens.
Who was the last person you spoke to in person?
My husband.
What was the last spontaneous thing you did?
Watercolor painting. I painted a couple cards earlier today, and after dinner I just decided to do another one because I could. :-)
Who was the last person you went out to eat with and where?
My husband and I ate at CR Surf'n'Turf.
Who was the last person you texted?
My Texas sister-in-law.
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
My friend, Marsha Burkholder, our former pastor's wife, shared this item in the church newsletter a few years back (March 2015). She has kindly told me that I am free to post any of her articles here.
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Jesus Is In the House
At some point during my teenage years, I read the following poem, and it made me think about many things in my life. It has been a poem that has had more impact upon my life than almost any I can remember. It had been a long time since I had seen it. As I was looking through a book the other day, I saw it and wanted to share it in my column this month. I'm sorry that I could not find the author. [Editor's note: It was written by Lois Blanchard Eades.]
If Jesus Came to Your House
If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two --
If He came unexpectedly, I wonder what you'd do?
Oh, I know you'd give Him your nicest room -- this honored Guest,
And all the food you'd serve to Him would be the very best;
And you would keep assuring Him you're glad to have Him there,
That serving Him in your home is joy beyond compare.
But -- when you saw Him coming, would you meet Him at the door
With arms outstretched in welcome to your Heavenly visitor?
Or would you have to change your clothes before you let Him in?
Or hide some magazines and put the Bible where they'd been?
Would you turn off the television and hope He hadn't heard?
And wish you hadn't uttered that loud, nasty word?
Would you hide your worldly music and put some hymn books out?
Could you let Jesus walk right in, or would you rush about?
And I wonder -- if the Saviour spent a day or two with you,
Would you go right on doing the things you always do?
Would you go right on saying the things you always say?
Would life for you continue as it does from day to day?
Would your family conversation keep up its usual pace?
And would you find it hard each meal to say a table grace?
Would you sing the songs you always sing, and read the books you always read?
And let Him know the things on which your mind and spirit feed?
Would you take Jesus with you everywhere you'd planned to go?
Or would you, maybe, change your plans for just a day or so?
Would you be glad to have Him meet you closest friends?
Or would you hope they'd stay away till His visit ends?
Would you be glad to have Him stay forever on and on?
Or would you sigh with great relief when He at last was gone?
It might be interesting to know the things that you would do
If Jesus Christ in person came to spend some time with you!
Of course, the Christian has the Lord Jesus indwelling his earthly house all the time. 1 Corinthians 3:16, "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" We would do well to remember that, and be aware of those things we have in our lives that quench the Spirit and hinder His work in our lives.
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Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Please keep in mind that I have no control over the ads that appear on the videos. Unless you are subscribed to view without ads, you will probably see some from time to time. Thanks for your understanding.
Here is a short study on the warfare of faith and ways that our faith can be attacked or weakened both by our own flesh and the attack of the devil.
I apologize that this post is so late today. I should have gotten it done much sooner!
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1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Faith is resting in Jesus Christ, but it is also a battle.
We war against our flesh when we exercise faith. From our flesh comes doubt, sin, fear, selfishness, pride, temptations, and hopelessness. These all will fight against faith.
We war against the devil to exercise faith. From the devil comes fear, doubt, temptations, deception, trickery, and lies.
1 Thessalonians 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
Hebrews 6:11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
My blogging friend, Stephanie, is again hosting a tea cup and mug exchange at her blog, a twice-yearly event. If you are interested in participating, here is the link:
Luke 24:3-5And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
On Calvary We've Adoring Stood
On Calvary we've adoring stood,
And gazed on that wondrous cross
Where the holy, spotless, Lamb of God
Was slain in His love for us;
How our hearts have stirred at that solemn cry,
While the sun was enwrapt in night,
"Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?"
Most blessed, most awful sight.
Our sins were laid on His sacred head,
The curse by our Lord was borne;
For us a victim our Saviour bled,
And endured that death of scorn;
Himself He gave our poor hearts to win--
(Was ever love, Lord, like Thine!)
From the paths of folly, and shame, and sin,
And fill them with joys divine.
We've watched by the tomb where our Saviour lay
When he entered the gloomy grave;
And by death the power of death might slay
And His lambs from the lion save.
Oh! glorious time when the Victor rose!
He liveth, no more to die;
He hath bruised the head of our mighty foes,
For us was His victory!
The gates of heaven are opened wide,
At His name all the angels bow;
The Son of man who was crucified
Is the King of glory now:
We love to look up and behold Him there,
The Lamb for His chosen slain;
And soon shall His saints all His glories share,
With their Head and their Lord to reign.
And now we draw near to the throne of grace,
For His blood and the Priest are there;
And we joyfully seek God's holy face,
With our censer of praise and prayer.
The burning mount and the mystic veil,
With our terrors and guilt, are gone;
Our conscience has peace that can never fail,
'Tis the Lamb on high on the throne.
By James G. Deck, 1807- 1884
From Hymns For the Little Flock, No. 212
Hebrews 9:11-14 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
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Just a note of correction - A few weeks ago I mentioned that Resurrection Sunday should be after Passover and said that it should be on April 8th this year. I'm not sure how it happened, but for some reason I thought that Passover was April 7th. Passover actually began Friday night (March 30), so this is the correct day to observe the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
