Archive for May, 2010

Call on the Lord

“The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them. The Lord protects all those who love him.” Psalm 145:18-20

We aren’t the only participants in maintaining a relationship with God. Thankfully, he’s in charge of that, too. God gives us a desire to know him. He reaches out by answering our prayers, meeting our needs, and providing fellow Christians to build up our faith. Jesus, who has endured human struggles, intercedes to God on our behalf. And the Holy Spirit lives in our hearts, guiding us to truth and true life.

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God looks at the heart

“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

David was an unlikely choice to be king. Of Jesse’s sons, David was the youngest and shortest. But God looked deeper and knew who he’d help David become. In his wisdom, God does the same thing for each of us.

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Aflame for God

“Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of [the believers]. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:3-4

On Pentecost, known as the church’s birthday, the early Christians were literally set aflame for God. Thanks to the Holy Spirit’s power and presence, more than 3,000 people were added to the church that day. The same Holy Spirit can work miracles in hearts and lives even now.

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God’s Great Love

“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. … So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.” Romans 5:8, 11

Our merciful God made the ultimate sacrifice on Good Friday. Even though Jesus was sinless, he took all the weight of our wrongdoing on himself. Because Jesus died for our sins and rose again on Easter, we not only have the assurance of forgiveness but are God’s friends who will spend eternity with him in heaven if we believe in him.

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Wise Decisions

“Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:17-18)

Many lives have been ruined – and even destroyed – by alcohol and illegal substances. They seem to offer people of all ages quick solutions to common life experiences of pain and loneliness. But only God’s presence can truly fill our deepest longings. God wants his children to make wise decisions that honor him, and he promises to renew our weak spirits with his all-powerful Holy Spirit.

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