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Touching lives with the truth of God's Word.

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Location: Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Saturday, April 30, 2005

Seeing with Joy

There's a secret to finding real joy, and it's found in the Hebrew word (ra-ha). The interesting thing is that this same word for joy is rooted in the Hebrew word that means "to see". In Hebrew, to be joyful is to see and to see is to be joyful. So what is there to see, that would give real joy? May I say that if you are a child of the King, then real joy is seen in truth, in the truth that God is love, that He has redeemed you, paid your sin debt, and forgiven you. that you are a new creation in Christ Jesus, that you are His workmanship, in the world but not of the world.

If you see His love, His purity, His compassion, His grace, His fullness, you have no choice but to be joyful. Open the eyes of your heart. See with faith. Take God at His word. Believe Him, trust Him, love Him, worship Him. You have more reasons than you can ever imagine to rejoice. You just have to start seeing it.

Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the Word of Truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all He created. JAMES 1:16-18

THE BEREAN NOTEPAD
Committed to teaching the truth of God's Word.

Monday, April 25, 2005

Man's Freewill... Lost In The Fall

No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. [John 6:44]

Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him, in love. He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, [Ephesians 1:4-5]

For many are called, but few are chosen. [Matthew 22:14]

Augustine said; “We have a free will, but we have lost our liberty.” (The freedom to choose Christ as our own)

Edwards said; “as fallen human beings we retain our natural freedom (the power to act according to our desires) but lose moral freedom.” (Disposition or inclination and desire of the soul toward righteousness)

May I say God must change our heart. At conversion we are given a new nature that enables us to love God with all our heart, mind and will. God changes the disposition of our heart and plants a desire for Himself within us, which we otherwise would not have. Then we choose Him out of the desire that is within. We freely choose Him because we want to choose Him. That is the wonder of His grace. Thank God for His mercy, His love, and His grace. The Father selects, the Son saves, and the Holy Spirit seals. Give Him praise and glory. Amen.

THE BEREAN NOTEPAD
Devotional commentary and more.

Wednesday, April 20, 2005

WHO IS JESUS

"But what about you?" He asked. "Who do you say I am?" (Mark 8:29a) With this question Jesus confronted His followers with the most important issue they would ever face. He had spent much time with them and made some bold claims about who He was. About His identity, about His authority.

Now the time had come for them to make a decision; either believe (place their trust in Him) or deny Him. Dear friend; Who do you say Jesus is? Your response to Him will determine not only your values and lifestyle, but your eternal destiny as well. May I say that only Jesus can redeem you, free you from the power and penalty of your sins. Jesus is the living God, the Holy One, the Savior, the only valid object of saving faith, the sovereign Lord, and the righteous Judge. If you have never received Christ as your Lord and Savior, will you repent and receive Him now? Your eternal future is in the balance. You think about that.

THE BEREAN NOTEPAD
Committed to teaching the truth of God's Word.

Friday, April 08, 2005

Made For A Reason

Why did God create you? Well consider this; He created the sun to give light and heat. The rivers to give life, the clouds to give water, trees and plant life to give fruit. God made the fruit to give seed, and the seed to give birth to flowers, and vegetables. Flowers to give perfume and vegetables to give nourishment. May I suggest that He created you for the same reason, to give. The Bible teaches that we are to glorify and enjoy God forever. How do we glorify and enjoy Him? Answer; as we give of ourselves to God and give of ourselves to others, we bring glory to God and joy into our hearts.

If you are living your life to take from this world, your life will always be empty. You were created to give, to give blessings, to give of yourself. To give help and comfort to those in need. To give light, to give love, to share the gospel. Do you want an abundant life? Then give. Give encouragement; give joy, give hope, and love. Walk by faith in the fullness of His Spirit so that your giving will be generous. For when you give, it shall be given to you, abundant and overflowing. You think about that.

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. [Luke 6:38]

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. [Hebrews 13:16]

THE BEREAN NOTEPAD
Committed to teaching the truth of God's Word.

Monday, April 04, 2005

A Time to be Drunk

Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine (New Wine)." Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! ACTS 2:13-15. To paraphrase (People as a rule do not get drunk and party at nine in the morning).

May I say a good sign that the Holy Spirit is working in your life, is when there is rejoicing at the wrong time. When everything seems to be going badly and you celebrate God's grace. When all the odds seem to be against you and you laugh and dance. When you should be bitter and hateful according to your view of things and instead you love your enemies. My friend that is evidence of the Spirit's work in your life. Let me encourage you to rejoice and praise your Heavenly Father now. Trust Him to make all things right. Thank Him for His great gift of salvation. For His promise to never leave nor forsake you. For the truth that He saves to the uttermost. That there is no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus. That He has wrapped you in the perfect righteousness of His Dear Son. That your sins are forgiven. We have so much to thank Him for. My prayer child of God; Is that we will get to know the power of His resurrection, the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, and becoming like Him in His death. For this my friend; Is the joy of the New Wine.

THE BEREAN NOTEPAD
Committed to teaching the truth of God's Word.