Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Pick up your Mat

John 5:6 Paraphrased with Margi’s Commentary

Jesus asked the paralyzed man at the pool,
“Do you want to be made well?”
He didn’t answer directly, but Jesus said,
“Stand up, take your mat and walk.”

Sometimes we are in a similar situation. We have a problem that we have had so long it seems natural. We have suppressed the anger for so long, that we have forgotten what it was all about. In fact, we would rather complain about it and be a martyr than have it go away. We feel that we are in control of our situation and feel no need to change.

Nevertheless, Jesus is standing there beside each believer, asking that same question,

“Do you want to be made well?“
What is required is that we ask Jesus to take control,
and then we obey his command.

We make a conscious choice to surrender to the Lord.

It is an act of the will. It may require a change in attitude to be able to turn it over to Jesus.

ps. Jesus later the same day reminded that man, “Do not sin any more, so that nothing worse happens to you.” The man then went and told the Jews that it was Jesus who healed him.

Note: the mat in the story is a symbol of the problem.

Enjoy!

Margaret
http://www.inspirationalcreationsbymargi.com/

For publishing or design needs, visit: http://www.rpjandco.com/.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

God is Love

Love is not just feelings; love is a choice. God, who is love, chose to make it possible for everyone to be reconciled to Himself. His Son, Jesus, suffered, died and rose from the dead to provide the Way. Jesus paid the entire price to redeem us.

When we believe God’s Word about His Son, we have salvation. That means that our sins- past, present, and future are forgiven and forgotten. We also receive Eternal Life at the same time. It is not something that we must wait for until our mortal bodies die. It begins “here and now.” God’s love is unconditional, and we are not dependent on our own efforts to make ourselves worthy. Because Christ did everything required, we receive His righteousness. Therefore, God loves us, and He does not change His mind or leave us forsaken.

Romans 5:8 - But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 6:14 - For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

Margaret
http://www.inspirationalcreationsbymargi.com/

Design and publishing services by http://www.rpjandco.com/.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Needs

As we live our days we sometimes find ourselves in the midst of trouble and turmoil that results in great pain and intense suffering. It is among those tears (shed or unshed) that growth is born. If we have needed courage, then power to embrace the future is born. If we have needed faith, then confidence to battle the fear is born. If we have needed healing, then hope for ultimate wellness is born. If we have needed to show mercy, then compassion for the hurts of others is born. God knows our needs and moves to provide them. If we have needed direction, then the Word of God speaks; either a logos or rhema word from God.

Isaiah 30:21 …Your ears shall hear a word behind you saying, “This is the way, walk in it.”

Matthew 6:33 - But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Margaret
http://www.inspirationalcreationsbymargi.com/

For Christian publishing and design services, visit http://www.rpjandco.com/. To purchase any of our books and calendars, visit http://www.amazon.com/ or http://www.store.rpjandco.com/.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Choices

Everyone is born with a physical, and I believe, a spiritual self.

While none of us consider that we live in a Garden of Eden, we do, however, have the same choice to make as in the Biblical account of Adam and Eve.

There are two very special trees in everyone’s garden of life. One is the tree of knowledge (of good and evil) and the other is the tree of life. In modern society, it can be clearly seen that many people have chosen the fruit of the tree of knowledge to find answers to life’s questions. Many philanthropic organizations support research and compassionate endeavors. Certainly, I would not criticize those efforts.

On the other hand, there is the fruit from the tree of life. This I choose. I believe that Jesus is God’s Son and because I believe in Him, I have received eternal Life. This is the result of choosing, freely, to have faith in Jesus Christ. When I believed, my spiritual self was born into the kingdom of God, and it is perfect because of what Christ did for me on the cross. In my human life, I am not perfect, but I am forgiven. I am loved by Almighty God, the Father, because I believe in His Son.

Now, it is your choice.

Romans 10:9, 13 Revelation 2:7

Margaret
http://www.inspirationalcreationsbymargi.com/

For Christian publishing, visit: http://www.rpjandco.com/