The Promise Key

In John Bunyan’s ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’, Christian leaves the main highway and follows a path which seemed easier. The path leads him to be captured by a giant named Despair and locked in his dungeon at Doubting Castle. Christian was overcome by Despair until his companion, Hope reminded him of his previous victories. Christian cried out, “What a fool am I to be in a dungeon when I might as well be at Liberty. I have a key in my bosom called Promise that will, I am persuaded, open any lock in Doubting Castle.” Christian took the key from his bosom and the prison gates flew open.

Even the greatest of God’s people sometimes fall into despair. When you feel like giving up, remember all the blessings and the victories God has given you. For every dark situation God has given you a way out. Hold on to hope. Use the key of God’s promise and every door will burst open!

An Infinity Away

In Psalm 103:12, it is written: “As far as east is from west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” This was written before it was even established that the earth is round. It says as far as east is from west- not north from south. Because the earth is a sphere and spins on its axis, we have a north pole and a south pole. If you head north you come to an end, the North Pole, and if you go south you come to an end at the South Pole. East and west have no point of coming together. If you go east, you go east around the world with no end; the same is true if you go west. The directions of east and west are infinite and are thus infinitely separate.

He has removed your sins an infinity away from you! The Bible is awesome and even more awesome is His love towards you. Don’t be hindered by sin, or haunted by the past. REJOICE AND BE GLAD. You are totally free. He has removed your sins from you, your past, and your failures- all removed as far as the east is from the west.

Today in all you do let the joy of knowing Christ shine through. Especially when things are tough, press on in faith to show and share His message of love, joy, freedom and grace.

A Real Change Can Take Place.

Are you concerned about what’s happening with your life? Do you feel it’s really not going the way it’s supposed to go? The years are going by and it’s being wasted? To realize this, can be the beginning of a real change for good in your life. But you need to realize something else as well, what’s happening with your life is not the point.

Where your life is going is not the point. Nothing is supposed to be happening in your life and your life is not supposed to be going anywhere. “Say what?”

That’s right. If you’re in Christ, then your life is not supposed to be going anywhere. It’s supposed to be gone! The Bible says that if you’re in Christ, then you have died with Him. [I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me Galatians 2:20]. So your life isn’t going anywhere. And the biggest problem you’re having with your life is that it’s still your life. In other words, you’re all concerned with your life, all wrapped up with it. You might think it’s godly but it’s not.

Let go of the ownership papers to your life, and you know what will happen? The burdens and sorrows and heaviness of your life will lift. You see living your life is very heavy. But living His life is very light.

So start living in Him, through Him, and with Him. He will set you free from your burdens and pain. He will remove your darkness, and cause you to rise in His light and love. Be refreshed and renewed in Him and live life in victory, His victory!

WHAT DID JESUS DO.

There is a very popular slogan going around these days. You've seen it. It's on T-shirts, billboards, CD's, books, bracelets, bumper stickers, everything! The slogan is: "What Would Jesus Do?" (WWJD) This may be an important question to ask, and we are to become more and more like Jesus, but first there is a question that is far more important to ask. At least as far as eternity is concerned. What is the more important question?? It is: "What Did Jesus Do?"

This question is at the heart of the gospel. You see, my salvation and your salvation does not depend on asking, "What Would Jesus Do" but, "What Did Jesus Do?" We are not saved by trying to imitate Christ. As noble as that may sound, we cannot imitate Jesus enough to be acceptable to God. He was the "God-Man". He lived 33 SINLESS years on this earth. No matter how hard we try, we cannot attain to that.

"What Jesus Did" was to go to a cruel Roman cross, as the only sinless human that ever lived , and offer his perfect life as a sacrifice to God, and He rose from the dead, in order to save transgressors, who were separated from God due to their sin. His was the only act that God would accept. And God did accept Jesus' death as a payment for sin! Now anyone who will come to Him, believing in "What Jesus Did " can be reconciled to God and be saved!

So next time you see "WWJD?" pasted, stamped, or embroidered somewhere, remember to ask this question: "What Did Jesus Do?"

THE BEREAN NOTEPAD

A Ministry of Exhortation.